Community
13 May, 2026
One way ticket to Thirlmere for steam enthusiasts
The festival is considered the state’s premier steam event and is set to attract thousands of steam enthusiasts from far and wide.
Thirlmere is gearing up for its annual Festival of Steam this weekend (May 16 and 17).
The festival is considered the state’s premier steam event and is set to attract thousands of steam enthusiasts from far and wide.
The festival will provide train enthusiasts with the unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the thrill of travelling behind a former NSW Government Railways steam locomotive.
Three locomotives will be in operation across the weekend – 3536, 3001 and 3265 – offering festival-goers a 40-minute steam journey through the picturesque Wollondilly from the NSW Rail Museum to either Picton or Buxton.
A full timetable of train ride across the weekend is available online at thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com.au
People are advised to book early to avoid missing out.
A highlight of the weekend will be night-time rides on Saturday night at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm between Thirlmere and Picton using all three locomotives.
Besides a range of events and activities at the NSW Rail Museum, there will also be a family carnival at the Thirlmere Sportsground between 10am and 9pm on Saturday and between 9am and 4pm on Sunday.
There will be a ticketed sensory-friendly carnival session between 10am and 12pm on Saturday morning.
The festival program is packed with something for everyone.
There will be food and market stalls in Barbour Street between 11am and 8pm on Saturday and between 9am and 4pm on Sunday.
On Saturday night as part of the Festival After Dark there will be market and food stalls along Oaks Street as well as live entertainment and displays, carnival rides at Thirlmere Sportsground and ferris wheel rides at the NSW Rail Museum.
The event will conclude with a fireworks display at 8pm.
The Festival of Steam street parade will make a return on Sunday morning featuring stilt walkers, community groups, dancers and characters from iconic children’s shows.
On Sunday there will also be a vintage car show and running enthusiasts are bring invited to put themselves to the test against an historic steam engine as part of the Huff ‘n’ Puff event.
This year there are two options – a 6.7-kilometre road race from Buxton Station to Thirlmere or a 3.5- kilometre family fun run from Couridjah Station to Thirlmere Station.
There will be cash prizes up for grabs for the winner in each category and all participants will receive a race bib, timing chip, medallion and certificate.
They will also receive free entry to the NSW Rail Museum after the event.
The Festival of Steam has been operating for more than 30 years and is being delivered by Wollondilly Shire Council in conjunction with the operators of the NSW Rural Museum, Transport Heritage NSW.
Visitors are advised that parking in and around Thirlmere will be limited over the weekend – although a free shuttle bus will be operating from Tahmoor Station in a continuous loop over the weekend.
Visit thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com.au for bookings and more information.
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