In July 2006 the infamous Mad Macca and his gang held up the Puffing Billy steam train. Mad Macca made off with an undisclosed amount of gold being transported by the train and many other items from the individual passengers.
Many hold-ups over recent years have been attributed to the Mad Macca gang, and indeed this is not the first time he has held up the Puffing Billy train
To date Victorian authorities have been unsuccessful in their attempts to apprehend the legendary bushranger. Mad Macca has been on Victoria's most wanted criminals list for more than a decade.
The local constabulary hunting Mad Macca in the Emerald area, July 2006. |
 Mad Macca and accomplice holding up Puffing Billy July 2006 |
In an almost unprecedented step, Victorian authorities have issued a 250 pound reward for information that leads to the capture of Mad Macca and his gang. The only other rewards offered by Victorian authorities have been for Ned Kelly and Tony Mokbel.
Local and visitors to the Emerald area are being advised to keep a sharp eye, as the Puffing Billy train is scheduled to transport another load of gold, on an undisclosed date late in July 2007. |
