Railways and Tramways of Australia

Hunter Valley Steamfest is an annual event that attracts thousands of steam train enthusiasts and other people to the Hunter region in New South Wales. It is held over a weekend in April, with the town of Maitland as the base of activities. Steamfest has occurred every year since 1986, and has become a major event on the Hunter Valley region’s calendar. Maitland is located approximately 160 km by road north of Sydney.

The inaugural Hunter Valley Steamfest was on 19 and 20 April 1986. It was organised by the National Trust of Australia, the State Rail Authority of New South Wales and the New South Wales Heritage Office. Three steam-hauled trains took passengers from Sydney to Maitland on the Saturday. They were hauled by 3642, 3001T, and a double header with 5910 and 5917. Popular shuttle trains operated between Maitland and Paterson, and between Maitland and Newcastle. South Maitland Railways 10 Class locomotive No. 25 was on display in Maitland yard, along with a number of carriages. Other activities included a nostalgic dance in Maitland Town Hall, a model railway exhibition, craft displays, street stalls and entertainment. After the first Steamfest was completed a decision was made to make it an annual event.

Steam trains have operated from Sydney to Steamfest most years, bringing locomotives, rolling stock and steam train enthusiasts. These trips have usually departed Sydney on the Saturday morning of the Steamfest weekend. In recent years transfer trips have run from Thirlmere to Maitland on the Friday before Steamfest, with a return on the Monday following Steamfest. While their primary function has been the movement of locomotives and rolling stock, tickets have also been available for travel on the trains.

Steam-hauled shuttle trains are a popular attraction, providing passengers with the opportunity to travel on a steam train. Services commence from Maitland station and have travelled to various destinations, including Newcastle, Branxton, Singleton, Mindaribba, Paterson, Dungog, Stroud Road, Neath and Port Waratah.

A major feature of Steamfest since 1987 has been the Great Train Race. This involves steam-hauled trains racing along the parallel tracks between Waratah and Maitland. A Tiger Moth aeroplane is also a participant in the race, so it is effectively a great train and plane race. In 2010 the race featured three steam trains running parallel. They were hauled by 3265, 3526 and 3642. For the 30th anniversary of Steamfest in 2016 four steam-hauled trains participated in the Great Train Race. The trains were hauled by 3642, 3016, 6029 and 5917. There are four tracks between Waratah and Maitland: two main line tracks and two tracks usually reserved for coal trains, sometimes known as the ‘coal roads’. During the Great Train Race in 2010 the Down and Up main line tracks and the Down coal road track were used. In 2016 all four tracks between Waratah and Maitland were in use for the Great Train Race.

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is usually open over the weekend of Steamfest and provides shuttle trips over part of the Richmond Vale Railway line. Exhibits include former South Maitland Railways 2-8-2T 10 Class locomotives 19, 22, 24, 25 and 30, and Marjorie, an 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive built by Clyde Engineering in 1938.

CPH rail motors from the Rail Motor Society at Paterson are regular visitors to Steamfest. They offer shuttle rides as an alternative to steam-hauled trains.

Regular train services continue to operate through Maitland station and along the Hunter Valley railway lines Steamfest, including long-distance passenger services on the North Coast and North-west lines, and regular coal trains. Additional trains are scheduled on the Hunter line to provide transport for the large crowds. Thus, the Maitland area is a busy location for railway traffic during Steamfest.

The following table lists the steam engines that have participated in Hunter Valley Steamfest since its inception. Most were formerly in the service of the New South Wales railways. The South Maitland Railways (SMR) locomotives listed did not operate train services in all years, but were in steam or on static display. Steam engines that were operational at the Richmond Vale Railway are not shown in this table.