By Dallas Sherringham
A beautifully restored 120-year-old locomotive will be one if the stars of the annual Thirlmere Festival of Steam this weekend, March 18 and 19.
After being out of action for more than 25 years, locomotive 3001will bounce back into action at the annual Festival.
Following thousands of hours of painstaking restoration work during the past three years, 3001 is once again operating as a passenger train at the Festival.
To welcome her back into service in the leadup to this weekend’s Festival a ribbon was cut at the Thirlmere Railway museum, as the train took its first trip on the scenic Loop Line from Thirlmere to Colo Vale.
The Thirlmere Festival of Steam is sponsored by Wollondilly Shire Council in partnership with Transport Heritage NSW, operators of the NSW Rail Museum.
On Saturday, visitors can enjoy steam train rides at the Museum, as well as a range of amusement rides and activities, including the Huf n' Puf Run.
On Sunday it's double the fun as Thirlmere comes to life with market stalls, live performances, a vintage car display, the street parade and all the activities at the NSW Rail Museum.
Some of the locomotives in steam either on display or operating at this year’s Festival include:
Number 3001 which entered service – 1903
Number 1917, known as The Nanny which entered service – 1926
Legendary 3801 which entered service – 1943
Garratt 6029 entered service – 1954
R 766 City of Bendigo entered service – 1952
Kids can:
• Climb into the cab of a steam locomotive.
• Enjoy mini train rides.
• Watch live blacksmith and leatherworking demonstrations.
Full details: www.thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com.au
A beautifully restored 120-year-old locomotive will be one if the stars of the annual Thirlmere Festival of Steam this weekend, March 18 and 19.
After being out of action for more than 25 years, locomotive 3001will bounce back into action at the annual Festival.
Following thousands of hours of painstaking restoration work during the past three years, 3001 is once again operating as a passenger train at the Festival.
To welcome her back into service in the leadup to this weekend’s Festival a ribbon was cut at the Thirlmere Railway museum, as the train took its first trip on the scenic Loop Line from Thirlmere to Colo Vale.
The Thirlmere Festival of Steam is sponsored by Wollondilly Shire Council in partnership with Transport Heritage NSW, operators of the NSW Rail Museum.
On Saturday, visitors can enjoy steam train rides at the Museum, as well as a range of amusement rides and activities, including the Huf n' Puf Run.
On Sunday it's double the fun as Thirlmere comes to life with market stalls, live performances, a vintage car display, the street parade and all the activities at the NSW Rail Museum.
Some of the locomotives in steam either on display or operating at this year’s Festival include:
Number 3001 which entered service – 1903
Number 1917, known as The Nanny which entered service – 1926
Legendary 3801 which entered service – 1943
Garratt 6029 entered service – 1954
R 766 City of Bendigo entered service – 1952
Kids can:
• Climb into the cab of a steam locomotive.
• Enjoy mini train rides.
• Watch live blacksmith and leatherworking demonstrations.
Full details: www.thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com.au