Beautiful Steampunk Women
Tag: Steampunk
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Beautiful Steampunk Women
Beautiful Steampunk Women
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Maitland Steamfest 2023
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 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.
Foden steam truck 
Traction engine giving joyrides 
Traction engine doing loops around the other displays 
Joyrides on a traction engine 
Steam traction engine 
Line up of steam engines 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.
Steampunk lady 
Steampunk gentlemen 
Town Crier 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.
Willys Jeep 
Ferret armoured car 
Volkswagen Type 82 Kübelwagen 
Humvee 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.
Our photos are available for purchase on
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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Hunter Valley Steamfest Maitland
Hunter Valley Steamfest is an annual event held at Maitland in the Hunter Valley. Although focused around steam trains it also includes a large number of stalls selling local produce. There were also plenty of options for refreshments from stalls and shops to pubs and restaurants.
The main attractions are the steam locomotives 6029 “The Garrett” and 3642 along with the diesels Red Rattler and Tin Hare. During the event you can purchase tickets for a ride in the carriages. It is suggested that you purchase them beforehand so that you don’t miss out.
Red Rattler 
Steam Locomotive 3642 
Locomotive 6029 “The Garrett” There is a large display of steam traction engines, which are down on a field next to the train station. Several steam engines were driving around the outside of the arena. Seeing these huge machines driving past was a great experience. There were also a large number of stationary steam engines most if which were working. The engines were constantly tended by their owners to make sure they kept working properly.
Traction Engines Near the traction engines was a steam powered car something we didn’t know existed until we saw this one. It was in immaculate condition and would have been great to see drive around, but unfortunately, not while we were there.
As a related interest there were a large number of steampunk cos-players attending which added a lot of character to the festival as they walked around. For those interested, they had stalls selling steampunk related merchandise which was interesting.
Steampunk 
Penny Farthing Steampunk A great day out at Hunter Valley Steamfest seeing steam locomotive history live. A great atmosphere from everyone attending as they were obviously enjoying themselves.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
