When the steam engine of the tiny train puffs to run through the spiral railway track of Dandenong range of Melbourne, Australia it gives me the through-back of our four functional mountain railway: Matheran Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ( DHR), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) and Kalka-Shimla railway.
Puffing at Dandenong range's curve
This narrow gauge ( 2 ft 6 inch) heritage railway in the southern foothill of Dandenong range of the Melbourne, Australia was built 1900 to serve the local communities who were live in the hills. Alike our Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ( DHR), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), Kalka-Shimla railway the purpose of Australia's Puffing billy railway was similar to carrying anything from livestock, timbers, potatoes, passengers, plants from the land to the hillock of the mountain's range. Though I am saying Dandenong range as mountain but it's a hill only as height is not that much.
Puffing billy was built in the same time zone when DHR was built to function in our Himalayan route. The mind-blowing scenic beauty of this railway track definitely will catch you. Puffing billy is a non-profit steam railway that connects people with the past, the pristine environment and each other.
The most interesting part in this toy-train ride is the seating arrangement. It invites us to ride in open-side carriages with our legs out as you journey over the hills, down the autumn's flowery valley and into the lush forest on the original mountain track between Belgrave to Gembrook.
Except the Christmas day the train is running every day. There are 5 routes and you can choose tickets accordingly.
Me and my sister took a joy ride in this railway from Belgrave to Lakeside station and journey took 4 hours. To reach Belgrave from Werribee that is a main journey. So here it:
Werribee rail station to Flinder's st. rail station.
There is a direct train from Flinder's st. to Belgrave but due to maintenance work some stations were not functional so I took train from Flinder's st. to Campbell.
From Campbell need to take bus till Box-hill station and from there again took a train till Belgrave. Few stations between Campbell to Box-hill were not in function so temporarily the bus route was operating.
Adding photos and Videos to describe in details.
POV: The normal practice is to wave your hand whoever used to see the train throughout the journey. This wooden creek is the attractive part of the railway.
POV: The passing valley of puffing billy railway.
POV: The sitting arrangement : see the vast shallow valley, long ferns, large trees, blue sky and enjoy the favourite blend of your coffee.
POV: The vibrant colourful autumn trees and standing hand holding, the valley is really beautiful and the whistle buzz with steam puff definitely gives immense pleasure of nature.
POV: The butterflies running along with the train they are not competing just flying with the flow of this giant iron body.
POV: The perfect puff of the train, whistle buss, the mountain's beautiful curves and the valley. Enjoy your open window sitting.
POV: A different angle of the railway track along with Puff and Whistle buzz.
POV: The slow-mo swim style of Mandarin duck in the emerald lake.
POV: The beauty of Dandenong range from the train's open window.
POV: The level crossing in the railway.
POV: The narrow route of narrow gauge seems the train is running through a canal.
POV: see the people reaction of happiness of this train ride.
POV: the vast jungle with large trees, floating clouds, puff of steam and the Creek's sound.
Photos:
Jui posing at the entry point
Belgrave station: the entry point of puffing billy train ride.
train time logged in the clock, whereas Jui clicking the tickets with station area
post box, you can drop your letter to send your loved one
Us: happy moment
Souvenir shop adjacent to Belgrave station
what to buy ?
Currently 2 engines are running 12A & 8A.
heritage train with heritage look
the steam engine puffing at the Belgrave station
i am not expert of selfie.
The conductor of train. Here people used to do volunteering for the heritage train service.
He is fond to people and asked all of us to pose where he will click the photos with the train and engine.
the ride yet to start
the open window sitting arrangement.
Posing with the 12A engine body
12A engine's history
She lived in the Dandenong range area
Jui posing with 8A engine, that is the morning's train
বর্ষাকালের সিগনেচার বলা হয় কদম ফুলকে , আরেক নাম নীপ , " এসো নীপ বনে ... " কবিতা তো জানাই আছে যাতে বর্ষা মানেই নীপ ( কদম্ব ও বলে অনেক রাজ্যে ) । খুব পরিচিত এই ফুল , নিটোল গোলাকার , প্রথমে সবুজ , পরে লাল থেকে টকটকে কমলা রঙের সাথে অসংখ্য লম্বা সাদা ফ্রিলস পুরো ফুল জুড়ে । হাতে নিলে বোঝা যায় বেশ একটু ভারী , মানে কাউকে ঢিল ছুড়ে মারার মতো আর ওই সাদা ফ্রিলস গুলো এমনিতে নরম কিন্তু ছুড়লে হুঁহুঁ , লাগবে বেশ। খুব মিষ্টি একটা গন্ধ আছে , গাছের পাস দিয়ে গেলেই টের পাওয়া যায় ফুল ফুটেছে ( কদম তলায় কে ?) । প্রচুর ফ্র্যাংগনান্স বা আতর তৈরি হয় এই গন্ধের। আমাদের দেশের লিপিগুলোতে কদম ফুলের ও গাছের নাম আছে আর আমাদের পৌরাণিক কথকথায় কদম ফুলের বড়ো মুখ্য একটা জায়গা আছে। ভারতের উত্তর দিকে , ভগবৎ পুরান থেকে শুরু রাধা ও কৃষ্ণের দুজনের জীবনেই কদম ফুল বেশ গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। বৃন্দাবন - মথুরায় , গোবর্দ্ধন পাহাড়ের দিকে প্রচুর কদম গাছ , এই সময় মানে বর্ষাক...
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