Puffing Billy Centenary

["John Kerley" <deaftech@ozemail.com.au>]

The Upper Ferntree Gully - Gembrook Railway celebrates it centenary on 18th
December.  In other words, Puff is 14 days older than Australia, so to
speak!

On Monday, 18th, a re-enactment train with the same consist as the original,
will run Belgrave - Gembrook and return.  However the main celebrations will
be on the previous day, Sunday, 17th.  This has been declared a "People's
Day".

All eight operating steam locos will be in passenger carrying service on
that day but no diesels (touch wood!)  Approximately 72 train movements have
been timetabled, i.e. 72 separately numbered trains.  Actually more
including EC placement moves.

The basic pattern will be to have each train set operating over one section
only. i.e. if you wanted to do the whole Belgrave - Gembrook return trip you
would have to change trains eight times!

Two NA hauled sets will shuttle between Belgrave and Menzies Creek, the
Peckett between Menzies Creek and Emerald, Carbon between Emerald and
Lakeside, 861 between Lakeside and Cockatoo, and NA between Cockatoo and
Gembrook with two NAs dropping on to the one set.  The Climax will meander
its way from Belgrave to Emerald and back.

The activities will commence at 9.30am with simultaneous departures of the
Climax from Belgrave, Peckett and Carbon from Emerald (opposite directions),
861 from Lakeside and NA from Cockatoo.

But the best part of the day is the fare. A flat rate $6.00 "excursion"
ticket will available as an all day rover.  The same price for adults, kids
(4 and over) , O.A.P.s, etc - no Gold Passes, no member's freebies - the one
price fits all!

Some may well say "Has the Revolution hit Puffing Billy?"  Well, it has for
one day at least - after all, it is the "People's Day"!

See you there,

Cheers,

John Kerley