Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy is much loved steam train that runs (mainly tourists) along an old track up in the hills east of Melbourne. Every now and then, the Puffing Billy operators offer a 'Murder on the Puffing Billy' theme night, which is booked out for months ahead.

In March our friends Jennie and Geoff suggested that we make a group booking for wintry August. Well, here we are in August, and last night we all dressed up (a bit) in vaguely Agatha Christie-insipred clothes and headed up into the chilly hills.

The Puffing Billy railway was built in the early 1900s as part of a larger plan to open up remote areas. When it became too expensive to run (up in the hills), the government shut down the railway. Local steam enthusiasts saved Puffing Billy and since the 1950s, it has been run almost exclusively by volunteers. The little video clip is just for a bit of extra (audio) atmosphere.

We are on the train and it lurches along the narrow track through the frosty hills.

Then we arrive at the Packing Shed, which is where saplings and other plants from the hills were loaded onto the train in the early days.

While we're having dinner, the local (volunteer) amateur dramatic company puts on the murder mystery. Then we all have to ask questions and guess who killed the thoroughly unpleasant Lord Cedric. Was it his wife Lady Cecilia, who was upset that he was having if off with the French maid? Was it the vicar, who is actually the brutal gambler Lucky Luciano in disguise? Or was it the spurned mistress and ageing actress Fiona?

The mystery is solved (somewhat unsatisfactorily) and now we get back on the train for the final leg of our journey. I have enjoyed wearing my hat.

Back at Belgrave station, the light is yellow and the steam from the train creates shadowy, mysterious images. Now THIS is atmosphere ...

And this is my favourite photo of the night (even though you can't see my hat very well).