By Mitchell Clarke
Ian Campbell intends on passing down his love for trains to his newest great-grand son.
Mr Campbell spent more than 30 years working in the rail industry and has been a volunteer at Puffing Billy for 53 years.
His grandson, Zac Campbell has volunteered at Puffing Billy since 2012 and currently works full time for Metro Trains in Ringwood. His partner, Caitlin is also a volunteer at Puffing Billy.
Zac and Caitlin recently welcomed baby Edward into their family and know their family history and passion for the industry is bound to make an impression.
Ian Campbell’s first memory of Puffing Billy is back in the 1950’s where he saw one of the last trains to operate on the railway before it closed down following the landslide of 1953.
“I remember asking my Dad what it was and he said ‘that’s Puffing Billy, but you can say goodbye to Puffing Billy,” Ian said.
“As we know, the railway was saved after the formation of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, and Dad took us back there for a ride when it was up and running again. I have been hooked ever since!
Mr Campbell began volunteering in 1966 and has done a range of roles at the railway over the years – with his ultimate sights set on being a train driver.
“When I was 16, I started working for the Victorian Railways and became a fireman. I gained skills that I could use in my volunteer work at Puffing Billy, and went on to become its first volunteer fireman. I was also in the first group of volunteers to be trained as a driver,” he said.
“My work with the railways took me all over Australia, but I would always make sure I came back to Puffing Billy every now and then to spend a few days volunteering.”
Grandson Zac’s first photo at Puffing Billy was taken when he was just six months old, visiting many times with his grandpa.
Like many young boys, Zac loved railways, and having a grandfather in the industry certainly helped.
“My family lived with our grandparents in Kalgoorlie when I was young, and Grandpa was a train driver there. I used to go to work with him, and I would also tag along on occasion when he would go to Puffing Billy,” Zac said.
Once he moved back to Victoria, Zac began volunteering at Puffing Billy in 2012 when he was 16.
“I started as an engine cleaner and currently carry out many other volunteer roles, including fireman, signalman, guard and I am currently training to be a station master,” he said.
He currently works for Metro as a Leading Station Assistant but his passion for Puffing Billy remains strong.
“As a heritage steam railway, the skills I can learn at Puffing Billy are completely unique. They are dying trades, but places like Puffing Billy keep them alive,” Zac said.
“I also love the volunteers and staff at Puffing Billy. There are people of all ages, background and skill sets, and people come from all over the country.”
But will the newest addition of the Campbell family join the team at Puffing Billy?
“We certainly aren’t pushing trains and railways onto Edward, and will have to wait and see what he is drawn to,” he said.
“It would be pretty special if he does have the same passion for the railway as Caitlin and I do, along with his great grandfather, but only time will tell.”
Puffing Billy operates on Father’s Day, with trains running from Belgrave and Lakeside stations throughout the day. Tickets are also still available for the luncheon train, which departs Belgrave at 12.30pm
