News
17 May, 2026
Full steam ahead at Thirlmere as festival kicks off in spectacular fashion
Thirlmere’s annual Festival of Steam kicked off in spectacular fashion yesterday
Thirlmere’s annual Festival of Steam kicked off in spectacular fashion yesterday(Saturday) with plenty of steam, a touch of steampunk, top class entertainment, a smorgasbord of food and something for people of all ages.
Thousands of people made a beeline for Thirlmere’s NSW Rail Museum, many of them lining up for steam train rides to either Buxton or Picton.
Others preferred to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era trackside or enjoyed a bird’s eye of festival activities from the top of a Ferris wheel.
For the kids there were mini train rides and the opportunity to step into the boots of a fireman and to test their coal shovelling skills.
The turnout will help cement the Thirlmere Festival of Steam as the state’s premier steam event.
Many families arrived mid-afternoon and were planning to stick around until the fireworks at 8pm.
But there’s much more to come.
Today (Sunday) there will be another full timetable of train rides to Buxton and Picton using locomotives 3001, 3265 and 3526.
As an added treat for steam train enthusiasts, a special ‘guest’ locomotive (5917) will be arriving from Sydney at 11.50am.
The locomotive won’t be used for steam train rides, but festival goers can see it turned on the NSW Railway Museum’s Roundhouse turntable at 12.15pm before it is placed on display at Thirlmere station.
Today will also see the return of the festival street parade commencing at 11 am and passing through the centre of Thirlmere along Oaks Street.
There will also be a display of historic vehicles and another packed program on the main stage.
The family carnival will continue to operate at Thirlmere Sportsground from 9am through until 4pm.
Festival goers are advised that there are numerous street closures in place and that parking can be a challenge.
· More pics to come.
Today will also see the return of the festival street parade commencing at 11 am and passing through the centre of Thirlmere along Oaks Street.
There will also be a display of historic vehicles and another packed program on the main stage.
The family carnival will continue to operate at Thirlmere Sportsground from 9am through until 4pm.
Festival goers are advised that there are numerous street closures in place and that parking can be a challenge.
· More pics to come.
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Read More: Thirlmere, Wollondilly, Buxton, Picton