PBPS Our Vision & Purpose

Our Vision

Engaging people in the preservation of the heritage of Puffing Billy Railway and other heritage railways for current and future generations.

Our Values

Valuing Heritage

Respect

Integrity

Members are important

OUR OBJECTIVE

The Society's objective is to pursue the following charitable purposes:

To support and promote the preservation of the heritage aspects and history of the narrow-gauge railway from Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook.
To support and promote the preservation of the heritage aspects and history of other Victorian Railways narrow-gauge railways.
To develop and maintain a collection of museum exhibits and artefacts and archival material representing Puffing Billy Railway’s history and other narrow-gauge railways and related industrial heritage.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

The Puffing Billy Preservation Society is commited to the safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment of children and young people.
The Puffing Billy Preservation Society has zero tollerance for child abuse and is commited to ensuring that all allegations and safety concerns are treated seriously.
The Puffing Billy Preservation Society is commited to the development of policies and procedures reflecting Child Safety standards.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of Country

The Puffing Billy Preservation Society acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which the Victorian narrow gauge railways were built, and respects the ongoing living cultures of Aboriginal peoples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Puffing Billy Preservation Society?

The Society is a member-based volunteer organisation, originally formed in 1955 to restore and preserve the Puffing Billy narrow gauge railway (operated by the Victorian Railways to 1977 and subsequently by Emerald Tourist Railway Board (ETRB) to 2023) to ensure that it continues to provide a heritage rail experience for the purposes of enjoyment of families and visitors to Melbourne. Through these efforts, Puffing Billy Railway is amongst the first preserved heritage railways in the world.

What does Puffing Billy Preservation Society do now?

Following separation from the ETRB since 2018 and the subsequent passing by the Victorian Government of the Puffing Billy Railway Act 2022 to operate the railway, the Preservation Society has continued to raise funds for future restoration and development projects and involve members in events.

How does the Puffing Billy Preservation Society raise funds?

The Society receives donations and bequests and conducts fundraising activities. Over $5 million has been granted to the operator of the railway for a wide range of projects over the years. Funds are made available, subject to agreed criteria for capital and operational projects.

What are the funds used for?

Funds can be used for a wide range of projects, in particular locomotive and rolling stock restoration and maintenance and enhancements to collections at the Menzies Creek Museum and the Society Archives. Together with infrastructure enhancements, projects supporting enhanced passenger experience from a heritage perspective with links to railway history are preferred.

What does the Society own?

The Society owns museum exhibits, artefacts, archives, historical locomotives and other rolling stock and land used by the Railway, as well as other assets. In the early decades of the Society, historical artefacts and material were saved. There has been less opportunity in more recent times.

What ‘drives’ Society volunteers?

Society members are committed to preserving Victoria’s unique heritage narrow gauge railway in the Dandenong Ranges and its true history for current and future generations to enjoy.