BGM_Puffing Billy: The Little Engine That Couldn’t Be Stopped

All aboard for a steam-powered journey through time! In this ‘little engine that’ episode of Down the Yarra, we wind our way through the misty blue Dandenong Ranges aboard Victoria’s most beloved Hertiage trains Puffing Billy. From its origins as a rugged timber-hauling narrow-gauged railway to its near-collapse and miraculous rebirth as one of the world’s finest historical railways, Puffing Billy is more than just a train - it’s a symbol of resilience. But behind the calm lies a much darker chapter, including a tragic abuse scandal that forced the organisation to confront its past and rebuild for a safe future. We cover, the past, present, and future of this iconic railway - trestle bridges, fern gullies, whistle echoes and all - and why it remains a powerful part of Victoria’s cultural and emotional landscape. Trigger warning: This Episode contains references to child sexual abuse. Plus, stay tuned for a teaser of our next episode, the story of the Royal Melbourne Show - where the farm meets the city in the most chaotic and colourful way possible.