Thomas the Tank Engine Blog

Our DH5 locomotive has received a fully repaired transoil/water cooler and a newly reconditioned transmission. The latter was sent from Voith Turbo in Queensland and was fitted in record time, the changeover taking less that a week. The cooler was disassembled and pressure cleaned. What was found was a lot of scale, corrosion, holes, and…

With the ever-diminishing availability of external engineering or rail workshops to provide PBR services, it was decided and approved that the PBR Workshops should tool up for future wheel operations. The result was the procurement of an ex-NSWGR IEL-STEELWELD 400-ton horizontal wheel press. This handsome example of rail-specific equipment measures in at 5.5m x 1.4m…

The 6A NA Class locomotive rebuild, supported by the Victorian Government Living Heritage Grant Program and with Puffing Billy Railway (PBR) Major Rebuild Funding, is progressing. With the recent delivery of components from suppliers, progress is visible and noticeable. Simon Walker – PBR Fitter has been working fastidiously on the Westinghouse air brake equipment, such…

Perhaps one of the most iconic experiences one can have on a heritage railway world-wide is that which can be found at Puffing Billy. For over 100 years, tourists have ridden the little train through the rolling hills and fern gullies of the Dandenong ranges whilst sitting on the carriage sills with their legs hanging…

Whilst the restrictions around COVID-19 mean we aren’t currently able to open to the public, behind the scenes Puffing Billy’s workshops are a hive of activity, so an update seems timely. With a new cleaning regime and responsible social distancing measures in place, staff are progressing a number of projects to ensure the railway is…

For those that don’t subscribe to social media, you might have missed the multitude of excellent photos and videos over recent weeks, showing the Garratt undergoing testing by the railway’s Workshop team. Above, NG/G16 129 blasts off the horseshoe bridge on its way to Menzies Creek whilst below, a pause near Selby allows for a…

Testing continues on the NG/G16, with work currently focused on testing and proving of boiler fittings and pipework; injectors, pressure gauge and water gauges, blower, safety valves and whistle have all been tested. The functionality of the ashpan and slides, rocking grate and dump grate has all been checked. Once some final fettling of the…

That’s right, your eyes don’t deceive you! A project which has been over 20 years in the making, with many challenges, and with so many hours of work behind the scenes by our dedicated staff and volunteers to keep it moving forward, has reached another huge milestone. At 7.30 am on Thursday 26th September, a…

As the design and manufacture stage of the project is virtually complete, and the workshop staff complete the finishing touches, here’s what we’ve been up to since last time: The original steel dome cover has been straightened, filled, sanded, filled & sanded again, and finally primed and painted. It now awaits fitting. The covers for…