The 2010 Thirlmere Festival of Steam on Sunday 7th March is a great escape into our railway past - it's Australia's biggest rail heritage festival, featuring the largest number of steam locomotives to be found anywhere - five steam locomotives in operation!
The Festival is a fantastic day out for all the family, with all the fun of a country fair. Thirlmere village comes alive with a street parade, vintage steam machinery and historic vehicles, food, music, country crafts and displays. Over a hundred market stalls will offer their produce, craftwork and specialty foods for sale.
The Festival is centred on historic Thirlmere Railway Station and Australia's largest display of historic locomotives, carriages and rail memorabilia at the Rail Heritage Centre, 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 Thirlmere Heritage Railway.
The ever-popular gala parade features bands, floats, performers and displays from local groups, clubs and businesses, while historic vehicles and hot rods will line the streets. The parade starts at 1.00 pm. As well as the traditional activities, the Steam Festival has lots of attractions especially for children, including miniature train rides, amusement rides of all kinds, and model train layouts.
Entertainment through the day will include 'Music in the Park' from 9.30 am. The music program includes jazz, folk, and country music, and features bands and singers from Picton High School, as well as other popular and acclaimed local acts.
Get there by steam train!
Leave the car at home, and arrive direct at the Festival.
Take a great steam train day trip on the Thirlmere Flyer from Sydney Central (also picking up at Padstow and Campbelltown), with express steam loco 3642 on the forward journey and steam loco 3526 on the return.
All the tour and booking information is right here.
Heritage Express
Sydney visitors to the Festival will be able to travel on the steam-hauled Thirlmere Flyer, leaving Sydney Central at 10 am, picking up at Padstow and Campbelltown and arriving at Thirlmere at around noon, and departing around 3.50 pm. (Timings may change as we get closer to the Festival date).
Bookings are essential - phone Heritage Express on (02) 9379 1110,
or
Book on-line at Heritage Express
See the Thirlmere Flyer arrive at Thirlmere behind steam loco 3642
as it arrives for the day bringing enthusiastic patrons for a very festive time
you'll know when it is coming, just listen for the whistle.
Ride the loop line at Thirlmere, and bring back those
wonderful memories of bygone days of steam.
Take an authentic steam train ride through he countryside
from Thirlmere along the Thirlmere Heritage Railway
seven trains to choose from and you can book in advance, securely on-line - all the details are here:
Heritage Express
Take a tour of the Heritage Rail Centre at Thirlmere and take
in the NSW railways story through the best collection of historical railway artefacts in Australia.
Re-live the glory days of rail travel and marvel at machinery that now stands dormant.
View some of the locomotives and rolling stock lovingly restored by volunteers, and talk to them about their passion.
Take in the vintage and veteran cars or some of the more modern car clubs that are on display all around the Festival precinct.
Don't forget to ask the owners about their vehicles - they truly love talking about them!
Do you blame them?
See the variety of hot rod vehicles lovingly restored and modified, and have a look at the model railway layouts on show (just follow the signs
you can't miss them. You can also ride on miniature real steam trains!
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 latest Show and Go - Holden SS ute
(not your typical NRMA Patrol Service Ute)
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 lunch, a scrumptious snack,
confections such as ice cream or fairy floss, or a cool drink.
Fun for the kids and the kids at heart with a great collection of exciting carnival style amusement rides.
