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Beloved Loco Back on Track for Steamfest

In huge news for Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest, Locomotive 3801 will be rolling into Maitland Station for Steamfest 2020, which will be held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.

3801, which is arguably one of the most loved locos in Australia, attended Steamfest for the first time back in 1987. 3801 also took out the Great Train Race that year and won a further eight races over following 20 years. The last time 3801 was part of Steamfest was in 2007 and now, after being inactive for 13 years, it has been restored to its former glory and will be operating multiple journeys over the two days of Steamfest.

3801 will be joined by the largest operating locomotive in the Southern Hemisphere and event favourite 6029, another loco boasting a rich history in the Newcastle area. The ‘Garratt’ was last at Steamfest in 2018 and where it won the Great Train Race so the crew will be hoping to get the job done again.

The draft Steamfest rail timetable is now available and tickets will be going on sale soon.

As well as all the action at the Maitland Station Precinct and on the railway tracks, the Steamfest Rally Ground will be teeming with an impressive display of steam traction and portable engine, a mini railway and more. The ever popular Show ‘n’ Shine will also return to Maitland Park on the Sunday with over 400 hot rods, classic and show cars on display.