Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights

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Get ready to ditch the winter blues and hop on board the most magical steam train ride of the season with the highly anticipated return of Puffing Billy Railway’s Train of Lights. Now in its third year, this much-loved event has become a cherished tradition, enchanting locals and visitors as it turns the Dandenong Ranges into a mesmerising light show.

Embark on a return 2.5-hour journey that travels from Lakeside Station to Gembrook. As dusk falls and the chilly winter air sets in, the train will come to life with a dazzling display of moving lights, colours, and immersive patterns, captivating passengers from the comfort of open-side carriages as the train winds its way along the historic narrow-gauge track.

Arriving at the picturesque Gembrook Station, passengers are treated to a 55-minute stopover filled with winter delights. Gather around crackling open fire pits and sip on indulgent hot chocolate, immerse yourself in the tunes of live music, snap a photo of the beautifully illuminated train, or strike a pose with the friendly Puffing Billy Railway volunteers!

An illuminated train with blue hues sits at a platform. The front of the locomotive has a headboard saying Puffing Billy Railway Train of Lights. The blue hues illuminate the trees in the background.

Train Of Lights (3)

The Rotary Club of Emerald and District will join in the fun as they fire up the grill for a sizzling sausage sizzle! All proceeds raised will go directly to the club, while hot and cold drinks, as well as a range of snacks, will be available at Gembrook Station during the interlude.

When it’s time to return, passengers are in for another breathtaking experience. This leg of the trip presents a fresh perspective, allowing travellers to marvel at the light show from a new vantage point as they make their way back to Lakeside.

A illuminated steam train in the darkness. The train and steam are lit up in purple, pink, red, blue and green hues.

Photo credit: Tracy Dasler

The Lakeside Hall Museum, located within the Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre. Puffing Billy's original locomotive 3A can be seen sitting on a plinth, as can a variety of other historic assets and interpretive displays.

The Lakeside Hall Museum, located within the Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre.

Dining options

The Lakeside Visitor Centre offers a delightful prelude to the Train of Lights journey and is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat before your experience begins. The Railway Cafe will be open late, offering our full cafe menu between 3.15 pm - 5.30 pm ahead of your Train of Lights journey. The Lakeside Visitor Centre is open from 9 am - 6 pm.

A cafe inside a building. The interior is made up of wood and black along with concrete. A large number of visitors are seen sitting at tables in the cafe.

Grazing boxes are available for pre-order with your Train of Lights tickets and can be collected at the ticket booth at the Lakeside Visitor Centre when you check in.

What to bring

The Train of Lights runs rain, hail or shine. The Dandenong Ranges can get very cold at night, and with passengers seated in open-side carriages, we suggest you prepare for cold and inclement weather by dressing accordingly and bringing extra layers for the evening.

Woman travelling onboard Puffing Billy's Train of Lights. She is looking out of the open side carriage to the illuminated landscape and is wearing a warm winter coat and beanie.

Please note

No person will be allowed to sit on the carriage sill onboard the Train of Lights.

Accessibility

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Families with small children

ONLY FOLDABLE PRAMS ON THE TRAIN | Due to the narrow carriage doors, folding or narrow type pushers are the only types of prams that can be accommodated on Puffing Billy Railway.
BABY CHANGE FACILITIES | Baby change facilities are available at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, Lakeside station and Gembrook station.
BOTTLE WARMING | Please approach the staff at the Railway Café, and they will be able to assist.
HIGHCHAIRS | Highchairs are available in Lakeside Visitor Centre's family-friendly Railway Café.

Reduced Mobility

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE CARRIAGES AVAILABLE

We cater for wheelchair users! Read on to find more specific information related to booking process, access, parking and boarding.

Booking tickets for an accessible carriage

We require advice of any accessibility requirements prior to travelling so we can appropriately accommodate your needs and booking. There are accessible carriages where a ramp can be used to assist passengers with access requirements (including wheelchair users). To pre-book these carriages, please contact our customer service centre via email info@pbr.org.au or phone 03 9757 0700.

If you have any questions, please contact us so we can provide more details specific to your circumstances.

Car Parking and Arrival

PATHWAYS | There are paved pathways to Lakeside station and the Lakeside Visitor Centre from the car park. Please note that due to the topography of the area, the pathways are steep and/or narrow in places.

Concrete Steps From Top Lakeside Car Park. The steps has handrails and there is a wooden bench at the bottom of the steps. A concrete path continues on.

Steps From Top Lakeside Car Park

ACCESSIBLE CAR PARKING SPACES | The Lakeside Visitor Centre has accessible car parking spots in two different locations, both located within the Emerald Lake Park Precinct, Emerald Lake Road Emerald (view map here):

Lakeside Visitor Centre Main Car Park: Three accessible car spaces. From there, access to the station platform is via a ramp. Please note that this ramp has a moderate gradient (see photos below).

Road sign showing the directions to two accessible car parking areas as well as a public car park.

Signage shows the way to the two accessible car parking areas at the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

Three accessible car parking spots, with a zebra crossing opposite.

Accessible Car Parking Spots near the main entrance to the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

A paved pathway curves to the right down to main entrance of the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The modern centre can be seen on the right, with a black roof, while the heritage Lakeside station is on the left with warm yellow walls and red roofs. There are handrails along the path, which is on an incline.

Paved pathway from the accessible car parks to the main entrance to the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Lakeside station.

Lakeside Visitor Centre Loading Dock: Two accessible car spaces. From there, you can access the Centre via a short wig wag pathway and step-free access to the alfresco deck entrance (see photos).

Two accessible car parking spots next to a building with black cladding.

Paved walkway with white picket fence to a train platform.

Pathway from the accessible car parking spots at the loading dock to the alfresco entrance.

Ramp up to an alfresco deck. A train platform is located adjacent to the ramp.

A ramp provides step free access to the Lakeside Visitor Centre Alfresco Entrance.

LAKESIDE VISITOR CENTRE ACCESSIBILITY | The Lakeside Visitor Centre has step-free access throughout and features one of the Dandenong Ranges' few Changing Places Adult Change Facilities.

A concrete corridor next to a cafe

Lakeside Visitor Centre Corridor Next To Cafe

EMERALD LAKE PARK PRECINCT ACCESSIBILITY | Emerald Lake Park features many pathways to explore the precinct. The pathways around the lake have some paved and some gravel sections. Please note that due to the topography of the area, the pathways are steep and/or narrow in places.

Boarding and travelling onboard the train

Our station platforms are not at the same height as our carriage doors. Please note that between the platform and the carriage there is a gap that will require passengers to step up/step down when boarding or disembarking the train.

PLEASE NOTE that boarding for the Train of Lights occurs after dark.

A man is disembarking the open side carriage. He is stepping down onto the platform and is holding on to the carriage doorway for balance.

When boarding and disembarking, there is a gap between the carriage and the platform outside.

Open side carriage on a platform. The train is decorated with light installations. It is dark outside.

Boarding for the Train of Lights takes place after nightfall.

ACCESSIBLE CARRIAGES WITH RAMPS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS | Ramps are available for wheelchair users to board our accessible carriages. Our friendly volunteers on the day of travel will operate the wheelchair ramp. Please note that the width of the wheelchair ramp is 75cm.

Accessible carriage with double doors. The doors are open and the carriage is located at a Puffing Billy platform.

Accessible carriage with double doors at Puffing Billy's platform.

A ramp is attached to one of Puffing Billy's accessible carriages with open doors. A Puffing Billy volunteer can be seen operating the ramp to put it in place.

Wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility can board the accessible carriages via a ramp. The ramp is operated by Puffing Billy's volunteers.

Accessible carriage with ramp attached so wheelchair users can board the carriage.

Accessible carriage with ramp attached. The width of the ramp is 75 cm.

Young woman in a motorised wheelchair sits in one of Puffing Billy's accessible open side carriages. The train is travelling over a trestle bridge and green ferns can be seen outside. The young woman has warm clothes on and is wearing a face mask, and it looking out at the scenery.

Wheelchair user travelling onboard one of Puffing Billy Railway's accessible carriages as the train travels over the iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge.

GEMBROOK STOPOVER

Please note that the ground surfaces around the Gembrook station precinct are predominately gravel, and uneven in places.

The precinct is however relatively flat, with no steep gradients.

An outdoor area lit with fairy lights. A number of people are standing around the space. A steam locomotive can be seen in the background in front of a lit up water tank.

Accessible Toilets

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS | Available at Lakeside Station, Lakeside Visitor Centre and Gembrook Station.
CHANGING PLACES | A Changing Places toilet is available in the Lakeside Visitor Centre. There are no toilets on board our heritage carriages.

Carriage Dimensions

Our heritage open side carriages are narrow and have limited space. As a result, you may find the space restrictive, depending on your circumstances. Below, you will find a set of measurements and images that provide further information about our carriage dimensions. Kindly note that due to differences in height between platforms and carriages, some measurements may vary and the below is to be seen as a guide only.

External dimensions

Photo showing external carriage dimensions. Read below for a list of bullet points outlining the dimensions.

List of external dimensions

Height of carriage door: 1,750 mm
Width of carriage door: 600 mm
Height from platform to step into the carriage (approximate only): 150 mm
Space from platform to step up into carriage (approximate only): 250 mm
Height from step to the floor in the carriage: 300 mm

Internal dimensions

Photo showing internal carriage dimensions. Read below for a list of bullet points outlining the dimensions.

List of internal dimensions

Height of carriage door: 1,750 mm
Width of carriage door: 600 mm
Depth of bench seat: 400 mm
Height underneath bench seat: 500 mm
Width from bench seat to wall: 400-450 mm

Assistance Dogs

Companion Card holders

TRAIN OF LIGHTS | Companions receive a 50% discount off the adult fare. Please note that there are no Concession fares available for the Train of Lights, so their client pays an Adult fare.
BOOKING TICKETS | To book tickets with a Companion Card, please contact our friendly Customer Service Centre team on info@pbr.org.au or (03) 9757 0700 during their opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday and 9 am - 12 pm Saturday - Sunday. Companion card must be presented at the Booking Office on the day of travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does everyone in my party need a ticket, even if they don’t want to go on the train?

Do I need to pre-book a ticket for my infant (under 1 year old)?

Do I need to bring my confirmation letter / ticket?

What time should I arrive at Puffing Billy's Lakeside Visitor Centre?

How long is the train ride?

Carriage allocation

Are you limited to just one train ride?

Where do I park?

What if there is inclement weather?

The Train of Lights runs rain, hail or shine. The Dandenong Ranges can get very cold at night, and with passengers seated in open-sided carriages, we suggest you prepare for cold and inclement weather by dressing accordingly and bringing extra layers/blankets for the evening.

In the case of a cancellation, we will endeavor to contact tickets holders as early as possible.

Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.

Concession fares

Can we sit on the carriage sills during the Train of Lights journey?

Will there be food available?

A variety of dining offerings will be available at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, including burger and beer dine-in deals, a kids chicken nuggets and juice dine-in deal, and the regular grazing boxes, with or without the Puffing Billy picnic blanket. Patrons who pre-order a dine-in deal are asked to arrive no later than 5.00 pm.

A limited menu will also be available from the Lakeside Visitor Centre Café on the day.

At Gembrook Station, there will be a sausage sizzle organised by Rotary Club of Emerald and District, along with hot chocolate, and other hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages

Are prams permitted?

Is the event site accessible for reduced mobility customers?

Yes, the site is wheelchair accessible, and our friendly staff and volunteers can provide special attention to visitors with reduced mobility. We recommend passengers advise our Customer Service team about their requirements via (03) 9757 0700 at the time of booking and/or before your travel.

Please note:

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located at Lakeside Station, Lakeside Visitor Centre and Gembrook station. A Changing Places accessible adult change facility is available in the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

More about Accessibility at Train of Lights can be found here.

Are pets allowed?

Where does the train go?

Can I have my photo taken with the Train of Lights?