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Richmond Vale Railway Hunter Valley

Steam Train Ride Richmond Vale Railway Museum

Richmond Vale Railway

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located just outside of Kurri Kurri New South Wales. Run by volunteers, it is set in the old Pelaw Main colliery and aims to preserve local railway history. Unfortunately a bushfire went through the area in early 2018, destroying a large section of track and many old wagons that were in storage. The volunteers have restored some of the track, so the trains are running again, but not out to the old colliery. You do however get to ride in a steam train.

Bushfire Damaged Carriages
Bushfire Damaged Carriages

The entry fee allows access to the grounds, manager’s residence and the steam train ride. The old colliery buildings and processing plant are fenced off for safety reasons, but you can still take photos as the view through the fence is good.  Unfortunately, when we visited the old manager’s residence was locked, so we couldn’t look through the interior.  However, it was worth a look around the outside of this impressive looking building.

Manager's Residence
Manager’s Residence

On the grounds, you will find a nicely preserved old steam train and the steam train ride. The train runs regularly, so don’t worry if you miss it. The ride is not very long but enjoyable.

Steam Train Ride
Steam Train Ride at the Museum
Steam Train Ride
Richmond Vale Railway Museum Steam Train Ride 
Steam Train at Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Steam Train at Richmond Vale Railway Museum

There is a small playground, where children can climb over a small train engine.  Nearby a miniature train provides rides for visitors.

Old Coal Wagons Richmond Vale Railway
Old Coal Wagons
Old Mine Processing Plant Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Old Mine Processing Plant

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

Maitland Steamfest 2023

Steam traction engine

Maitland Steamfest 2023

This took place on 29 and 30 April 2023 in Maitland, New South Wales. Maitland Steamfest 2023 was a festival of steam and industrial heritage. The festival celebrates Maitland’s rich steam and industrial history, which dates back to the 19th century when the city was a major coal mining and railway centre. Featuring a diverse program of family friendly entertainment, with a steam theme (well generally but not always) it was a great day out.

Train Rides

Several historic steam engines made their way to Maitland for the festival, providing rides around the Hunter Valley’s nearby towns. Starting at the Maitland train station, we arrived just in time to see the Garratt 6029 leaving. The photo below shows how well maintained the train is despite its age. It was great to be able to get close while it was running, but the noise when it let off steam was deafening.

Steam Locomotive Beyer Garratt #6029
Steam Locomotive Beyer Garratt #6029

The Rally Ground

Across the road from the train station, the rally ground had displays of antique machinery such as traction engines, portable engines and steam rollers. Most of the steam engines were running and demonstrating how they operated. Several were also driving around a loop track outside the rally ground.

Steampunk and Town Crier

We found several steampunk enthusiasts wandering through the grounds, along with a town crier who were all happy to pose to photos. They also had a display tent selling steampunk themed merchandise. They all seemed to be having a great time and staying in character.

An area was set aside where blacksmiths demonstrated their skills, which apparently are in high demand again and is a growing in popularity as a profession again.

Vintage Military Display

One of the not quite steam related display was a large collection of military equipment in the middle of the rally ground. They were a great addition to the other displays and had a huge crowd looking at them. With no barriers, we were able to get very close and see inside most of them.

What Did We Think of Maitland Steamfest 2023?

We had a great day out at Steamfest because of the relaxed atmosphere and variety of thing to see. All things steam from trains to traction engines and steampunk people.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Yass Railway Museum

1307 Steam Locomotive

Yass Railway Museum

Located in the old Yass Town railway station, the Yass Railway Museum displays some of the old rolling stock that used to work here. The main rail line passes four kilometres to the north of Yass, because two river crossing would have been needed to bring it through town. Because of this, Yass lobbied for a light tramway into the main town. Opened in 1892, but never operating at a profit, it was closed in 1988.

The old railway station building houses a small giftshop, railway memorabilia and a model railway. All the main exhibits are outside on the old tracks.

The main attraction is the 1307 steam locomotive. This coal fired steam locomotive operated at Yass from 1910 to 1964. On leaving Yass, it worked around several of Sydney’s train workshops, including Eveleigh and Clyde. When finally retired, it had operated for 94 years. Fortunately sent to Thirlmere Railway Museum for preservation, 1307 relocated to Yass in 1999.

Sitting on the tracks just passed 1307, a line of rolling stock includes a freight wagon, a covered wagon, fuel truck and brake van. At the head of the line-up is X203 diesel locomotive. Although usually employed for shunting trains around stations, at Yass it was the sole locomotive from 1964 to 1972. Scrapped in 1989 the Yass diesel locomotive was actually X202, but X203 stands in for it at the museum.

Awaiting restoration, an open carriage and brake van sit outside the goods shed. As with all the displays, you are able to enter them.

What Did We Think?

With only a few displays, it doesn’t take long to look around, but it was a fun visit, and we were pleased we went. Plenty of parking makes access easy.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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