Looking for Puffing Billy.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 6:49 am

Someone noticed a sign in one of my pics the other day and asked "What's Puffing Billy"..so today I thought I would show you what it is.

It was dark clouds all round and I normally don't ride if it looks like rain but..I wanted to test out my new camera...
So off I went in search of Puffing Billy.

I followed the signs...just around the corner from Marko's house...and spitting with light rain.

I took a few pics...then I asked where's Puffing Billy..."Oh you just missed it" I was told...so I headed off up the road that follows the tracks.

I stopped here and there to take pics..
I ask someone "have you seen Puffing Billy?"..."Oh you just missed it..just head up the road and you might catch up to it".

Anyway.....after stopping toooo many times to take pics....all of a sudden my new camera says....sorry that's it for me..my memory's full..sheesh!

The clouds were getting darker...so I raced on home without even seeing Puffing Billy....
Sorry about that guys...I will just have to continue my ride another day...and I promise next time..pics of the famous Puffing Billy.

DJ

Post by **Biff's R** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:03 am

Hey DJ,
Nice pics, but be careful parking on railroad tracks. I would hate to see you bike after a showdown with Puffing Billy.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic1018.JPG

Post by **Bones** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:48 am

What a fantastic series of pics. I love that kind of thing and it is just what I needed this morning.

Fantastic scenery where you are. Thanks.

Bones

Boxerboy · Post by **Boxerboy** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:15 am

http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~dhoski ... bridge.jpg

One of the girls DJ and I work with had her wedding party on the ol' puffer. It was a damn good time, chugging thru the hills of the Dandenongs after a few "frothies" as we've started to call them here.

They even have an annual footrace against the ol' train which now attracts many, many competitors.

The kids love the ride, hanging over the side as in the picture. The whole thing is voluntarily run by enthusiasts too, and is one of Melbournes icons.

Post by **scottybooj** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:23 am

WOW!

DJ has a camera with greater than 1.1 megapixels???? Whoa. Sure you can handle that new-fangled tech-no-logy DJ?

Post by **Boxer** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 3:44 pm

DJ, you're an artist.

Post by **TonyT607** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:11 pm

Hmmm. What exactly was Billy puffing on ?

Great pics DJ. Keep 'em coming.

marko · Post by **marko** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:07 am

DJ.Why didn't you call in for a coffee!!

I spent the weekend building my retaining wall but would have loved an excuse to stop!!!!!

I will take some pics of the elusive billy and post.
(I have some at the station and on the bridge)
I hear his whistle as every day at 12.30 as he takes off from Belgrave station.
12.35 he is at the trestle bridge and is a great place to get a great shot.

Post by **Mike UK** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:54 am

DJ,

great shots. Pity you missed the puffing billy.

We have the Bluebell line nearby in Alton Hampshire. I keep thinking I should make a trip out their and catch some shots of their steam trains in action.

Looking forward to more reprts now that summer is on it's way downunder.

Mike

Post by **1MPH** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:44 pm

Great photos DJ, but tell me how did the R1150R stay out of the second
one? If I didn"t know better I'd say your bike was a camera hog.

Jack

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:37 am

Yeah...one pic without my bike...can anyone tell I love my black RR and love taking pics of it.

One day I hope to get a nice sunrise or sunset behind it...my old camera would not let me do that.

That's a great pic of boxerboy's showing all the people sitting on Puffing Billy with arms and legs hanging out.

It's great that in this day and age we can still do that sort of thing....I hope it continues.

Marko....next time 'I promise'...

Bones...glad you liked them.

Biff's R....yes I was getting ready to run and move it...lucky it's a very slow train.

scottybooj...yes I've moved up from my old 2 megapixels cheap camera to my new Canon IXUS40 4 megapixels now...waa-hoo!....

Mike UK....yes a camera just like yours....btw..yes there is something special about those old steam trains.

Boxer...thanks........as long as you don't mean B/S artist..

DJ

Here's boxerboy's pic again....it looks down at where my bike was next to that old trestle bridge....nice.

Post by **Valueman** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:25 pm

DJ,

Great series!! I always love reading your trip descriptions.

Thanks

VM