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The Thirlmere Festival of Steam has been held on the first Sunday in March annually since 1990, making the 2008 Festival to be held on March 2nd, the nineteenth.
The Festival is centred on historic Thirlmere Railway Station and Australia's largest display of historic locomotives, carriages and rail memorabilia at the museum in Thirlmere. Features of the Festival are the largest number and variety of operational steam locomotives in NSW, all in operation on the day to provide frequent vintage steam train trips on the former Picton - Mittagong Loop Line, known today as the Thirlmere Heritage Railway. Special Festival steam trains also bring hundreds of people from Sydney (Central Station and other suburban stops) and Campbelltown, arriving at Thirlmere at approximately 11.20am on the day. These trains depart at approximately 15.20 (3.20pm). Apart from all the steam trains, the festival program also provides a plethora of other activities and things to see and do for all the family: a Gala street parade with marching bands, floats and entertainers; steam machinery; veteran and vintage cars; a full program of musical entertainment; a huge variety of market stalls; model trains; children's rides and amusements of all kinds; food and drink; and more. Originally a joint initiative of the Thirlmere business community and the NSW Rail Transport Museum, in the early years the Festival built a strong reputation locally as a great day of fun. In recent years the festival has grown from a small community event to being the largest festival (by audience) in the Wollondilly Shire, bringing thousands of visitors from the Greater Sydney region and surrounding districts. The Festival is organised by a small but dedicated group drawn from the wider Wollondilly community, intent on maintaining the Festival's standards and on keeping an event of such longevity and impact on the Shire's calendar. The following is just a brief list of activities that will be available on the day |
| Steam Train Rides - Ride with the magnificent 3642 & 3830 from Central to the Festival |
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Stand along the main rail line into Thirlmere to welcome 3642 & 3830 as they arrive for the day bringing itheir load of enthusiastic patrons out for a very festive time (you'll know when it is arriving, just listen for the whistle), And stare in awe as these magnificent metal beasts rolls into Thirlmere. |
| Ride the loop line at Thirlmere, and bring back those wonderful memories of bygone days of steam. |
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Take a tour of the Heritage Rail Centre at Thirlmere, marvelling at the collection of history surrounding you as you re-live the glory days of machinery that now stands dormant. View some of the locomotives and rollingstock lovingly restored solely by volunteers, who have a passion for the work that they do. |
| Gaze at the various vintage and veteran cars or some of the more modern car clubs that are on display all around the festival precinct, and don't forget to ask the owners about their vehicles. (They truly love talking about them - Do you blame them?) |
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Vist the school and see the variety of Hot Rod vehicles lovingly restored and modified, and while you are there, have a look at the Model Railway layouts on show (just follow the signs - you can't miss them) |
| View the NRMA Historic Vehicle Fleet, and their Mobile Members Centre, and see what they are doing about helping with road safety, also feast your eyes upon their lastest Show and Go - Holden SS ute (not your typical NRMA Patrol Service Ute) |
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Ask the folks from the Campbelltown Steam Museum about their fascinating collection of steam, petrol and diesel tractors, and take a ride up the street in an old steam traction engine, as it chugs slowly along. (No rush - we'll get there). |
| Meander through the many and varied market stalls, and finds that elusive bargain that you just couldn't source elsewhere. The food stalls will also be happy to serve you with a scrumptious snack, ice cream, fairy floss, a Dagwood Dog or a cool drink. |
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Fun for the kids and the kids at heart with a few exciting fun rides in the grounds of the primary school. |