DH 31 is a DH Class four-axle B-B diesel-hydraulic locomotive which runs on the Puffing Billy Railway. This locomotive usually runs on the rails through the Dandenong Ranges on days of total fire ban, due to a PBR policy which discourages the running of their steam locomotives.
History[]
Originally from the railways in Queensland, Australia. It was built, in 1970, by Walkers in Maryborough, Queensland, for Queensland Railways. It was withdrawn from service in the Queensland Railways in 1994. It was then bought by E.T.R.B. (The Emerald Tourist Railway Board; which run the Puffing Billy Railway.) in 1995, and after a conversion to 2 ft 6in (762mm) gauge in Queensland, 1996, transported to Belgrave for an over-haul. Later that year it re-entered service with the Puffing Billy Railway. For awhile, the locomotive retained its original Q.R. number of DH 59, and Q.R. livery, but without Q.R. badges. Now re-painted in Victorian Railways Blue and Gold livery, with a Puffing Billy Railway badge it once again carries its original Q.R. number: DH 59.