The scene is set for the Murder on the Puffing Billy Express. The night skies let down a light drizzle, tall woods loom over the train tracks. The historic Puffing Billy steam train belches smoke as the passengers wait to embark. Everyone is dressed in finery from the 1930s. Hats, feathers, pearls – even cigarette holders – combine to make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. It only gets more realistic once you begin interacting with the characters and try to figure out whodunit.
My friends and I were all gussied up in our dapper/flapper finery, depending on our gender. The four of us had a booth to ourselves in one of the four historic train cars hooked up to the locomotive. Meticulously-preserved interiors, bedecked with wooden dining tables and pressed-metal ceiling panels, showcase what would have been the height of luxury when the tracks opened in 1900.
Our first course of antipasto and soup was delivered en route to the end of the line. The train was surprisingly cozy, and while gently bumpy, was never a hazard to the glasses of wine we ordered. Then the murder mystery characters visited our dining car. We quickly learned that there was a bet between magnate Leo and his friend Jay as to whether a team of ladies could circumvent the globe in 72 days. The job done and the bet won, suddenly no one could find Leo. Not to worry: a policeman was on the job.
the murder mystery suspects
Mr. Jay Jefferson – all white suit and casual misogyny – stopped at each table to have a chat. We also met aviatrix and archeologist Robin Swift, a cross between Amelia Earhart and Indiana Jones. Bursting into the cabin came actress Bunny Moore. She didn’t get on at all with ‘The Fox’, a 16-year-old whose job was to procure (read: steal) historic items during the trip. Nor did The Fox much like Peregrine Parker. A newspaper journalist, he constantly jotted down notes (including bits from the conversation I was having with my friends, which he then read to us. Super embarrassing, but hilarious nonetheless).
The Puffing Billy passed over a historic 91-metre trestle bridge and wound its way through Sherbrooke Forest. I caught glimpses of the trees as smoke from the locomotive billowed around them. It was magical. All too soon, we disembarked at the beautiful Nobelius Packing Shed. Built circa 1904, we were thrilled to be seated next to its huge fireplace. Over the substantial and tasty buffet dinner, each large table was tasked by the policeman (acting as the MC) to come up with questions for the characters to help determine the guilty party.
an actor interacting over dinner
One by one, the characters were interrogated. We learned that Miss Swift would lose her job now that Leo was dead. That Perry Parker’s father had had a run-in with him. That Jay Jefferson and Bunny were in love. They all had motives. Who could possibly be the murderer?
I’m not going to tell you. For one thing, it turns out it changes every night – the Gemco Players actors decide just 15 minutes before showtime who the baddie will be for the evening. They very impressively improvise as they go. You just have to experience it for yourself.
Back on board the Puffing Billy, we were given tea, coffee, chocolate, and complimentary glasses of port. How sophisticated. We rehashed everything: from how great it was that all the guests were decked out in costumes, to how it’s very much value for money, to who was our favourite character. The Murder on the Puffing Billy Express is a perfect experience. You’ll be talking about it for weeks afterwards, and telling everyone you know to go.
– Theresa
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, Theresa wishes every weekend included a murder mystery dinner on a historic train.
The Puffing Billy murder mystery is sold out until September, so make sure to book in fast to secure your night aboard the train. Or try one of their other unique experiences: the Jazz Train, Rhythm & Blues, and Dinner & Dance.
Puffing Billy
1 Old Monbulk Rd
Belgrave VIC 3160
