Rail pedophile under Vic investigation

Robert Whitehead was a convicted child sex offender when he was re-employed with Victoria's heritage steam train Puffing Billy and went on to abuse more young boys.

The state Ombudsman is now investigating how that happened.

Whitehead was first convicted and jailed in 1959 for child sex abuse.

When released, he was re-employed as a rail worker and volunteered with Puffing Billy and went on to assault six young train enthusiasts in the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

He eventually pleaded guilty to the abuse in 2015, was jailed and died in custody that same year.

The Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass is investigating Whitehead's involvement with Victorian Railways, its successor organisations and associated rail entities.

Ms Glass will look at Whitehead appointment as secretary of Puffing Billy Preservation Society and his volunteer positions.

The handling of complaints is also on the agenda.

"We are now keen to speak to any current or former employees or volunteers at these organisations who have knowledge of the issues we are investigating," Ms Glass said in a statement.

Whitehead used a ruse an "initiation procedure", coercion and violence to carry out his abuse on the young boys.

When he was jailed in 2015 after pleading guilty to 24 charges the sentencing judge said he saw no evidence of remorse.

Ms Glass' investigation won't be able to directly consider or investigate actual incidents of sex abuse.

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).