A range of railway equipment from the former Clyde Road level crossing in Berwick has been given to the Puffing Billy steam railway, fast-tracking upgrade works at the popular tourist attraction in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges.
The donated equipment includes railway signalling parts and the boom masts from the level crossing, which were removed earlier this year to boost safety and ease congestion.
Passengers travelling through the Lakeside level crossing towards Gembrook will be able to view the new equipment, once it is installed next year.
The full list of donated equipment from the Clyde Road level crossing includes pedestrian gates, signalling location cases, boom masts and motors, flashing lights and cross arms, and pedestrian lighting.
The Level Crossing Removal Project removed the dangerous and congested level crossing at Clyde Road, Berwick in February 2022 by building a road underpass beneath the rail line.
The level crossing was the 12th to be removed along the Pakenham Line, with nine more to go to make it boom-gate-free by 2025, paving the way for more services more often for commuters in Melbourne’s
southeast.
Monbulk MP James Merlino was pleased to see the equipment being used for a good cause.
“We’re removing dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne, and it’s fantastic to see some of the infrastructure given a new lease of life at Puffing Billy,” Mr Melino said.
“Repurposing rail infrastructure from other projects will allow upgrades at Puffing Billy to be fast-tracked – ensuring the popular tourist attraction can safely continue bringing joy to over 400,000 passengers a year.”
As part of the project, an upgraded bus interchange will be built at Berwick Station, as well as new walking and bike riding connections for the community.
The Puffing Billy railway was built in 1910 to serve the local communities that live in the Dandenong Ranges and is now the world’s largest volunteer-based heritage steam railway tourist attraction. Puffing Billy recently unveiled a new visitor’s centre at Lakeside Station, which opened in November 2021.
The tourist attraction relies on revenue from ticket sales to fund operations and is always on the lookout for new volunteers to join its 300-strong team.
Puffing Billy Signals and Telegraphs Manager Andrew Wheatland, who has been volunteering for 52 years, extended his thanks to those who donated the infrastructure.
“We’re so grateful to receive this donation – as we rely on ticket sales to fund upgrades, this gift means we’re able to accelerate our upgrade works at Puffing Billy and make our railway safer.”
