Puffing Billy Railway

It was an experience.

Did you go for a ride on Puffing Billy once you were there? Was it too late and it was closed? Is that...

I think it's out there somewhere.

Well, you virtually drove to the edge of the town, right? Yes.

I know.

Sh- Dolly Parton went on to Puffing Billy.

Who would've thought-

[laughs]

That you raced against a steam...

Is this Puffing Billy, the famous-

This is the Puffing Billy

... steam train up in the hills?

Yes, it is.

[laughs]

[laughs]

... to reach the Puffing Billy.

Hi, Tony.

I've been 31 years in Puffing Billy country and I am a resident waver and I make sure I hurry up to get to the line before Puffing Billy or slow down before Puffing Billy gets to the crossing.

And I wind the window down and I'm waving to everybody and the looks on their faces, they're just, you know, very bland and then they see me with my smile.

And I get smiles back and the cameras are clicking.

133693 if you've seen him around.

But Ellie, that's exactly what we're talking about.

I mean, A, it's just thrilling to be on Puffing Billy.

That's just exciting.

If you can't talk about the King on the King's birthday, then when can you? When was the last time that you traveled somewhere to see something? Would you cross the world for a train journey? Trains are big business for tourism.

Even Puffing Billy in Victoria packs them in.

Would it surprise you to know there are a bunch of historical railways all over Queensland? You'll meet the man who's part of the team behind one in North Queensland with a trip that might just put the Kuranda Railway in the shade.

AI is everywhere, of course.

0499882 is the number to send us a text on, but I much prefer to talk to you, 133882.

[upbeat music] Have you ever traveled just to take a train trip? Have you booked a trip on the Ghan or the Orient Express? You lucky thing.

Or how about just going to Puffing Billy down in Victoria? I'm sure I've done that.

Historic railways are an increasingly big thing in tourism.