From the Steamfest website:

WORLD FIRST QUAD RUN PLANNED FOR STEAMFEST 30TH ANNIVERSARY
The 30th anniversary of Maitland Toyota Hunter Valley Steamfest will feature an attempted world first when four steam trains run side by side on parallel tracks from Waratah to Maitland in the Great Train Race Quad Run. To make the spectacle even more impressive the locomotives will also be racing Tiger Moth aeroplanes.
Council’s Coordinator Events Adam Franks says, ‘Over more than three decades many hundreds of thousands of people have come to Maitland from across the state, the country and the world to be a part of this iconic celebration of all things steam. For Steamfest’s 30th anniversary we have worked hard to develop an extraordinary program worthy of this important milestone.
‘This year Steamfest is going to be full of some amazing firsts. Not only are we going to be setting records with the Great Train Race, but we have a bigger line up of trains than in previous years. The highlight for steam aficionados will be 6029, a Garratt locomotive from the Australian Railway Historical Society in Canberra, coming to Steamfest for the first time’.
There are four steam locomotives and two vintage diesels coming to this year’s event. Travelling from Canberra will be 6029 (the Garratt), the largest operating steam locomotive in the southern hemisphere, accompanied by 3016. They will be joined by 3642 and 5917, which were two of the trains to attend the first ever Steamfest in 1986. The train line up is rounded out by crowd favourites 621 and 721 ‘Red Rattlers’, and CHP 1 and CHP 7 ‘Tin Hares’.
This year’s range of train journeys will include the Silver Screen Steamer, a themed evening to Dungog’s historic James Theatre, cocktails in premier class on The Singleton Sling, the popular Port Waratah Coal Loop Runs, the Barrington Bullet, round trips to Branxton and Paterson, and the Flip Fest Express kids’ train.
‘While steam is the heart of the event, there is heaps in store across the weekend to keep the whole family entertained. There will be a great festival vibe at Maitland Station and Rally Ground, and we are expecting lots of people to come out and join us in celebrating an incredible achievement for one of the Hunter’s premier events’, said Mr Franks.
Aside from the trains and journeys there will be an array of traction and portable engines, antique machinery, more than 600 cars on display at Sunday’s Show ‘n’ Shine, as well as entertainment across the weekend including, live music, kids’ activities, and more than 100 food and market stalls.
Tickets for Steamfest train journeys go on sale Monday 22 February at midday and can be purchased [color=#e29f2b]online[/color]. Locomotives, destinations and final timetable are subject to change without notice.

From the Steamfest website:

WORLD FIRST QUAD RUN PLANNED FOR STEAMFEST 30TH ANNIVERSARY
The 30th anniversary of Maitland Toyota Hunter Valley Steamfest will feature an attempted world first when four steam trains run side by side on parallel tracks from Waratah to Maitland in the Great Train Race Quad Run. To make the spectacle even more impressive the locomotives will also be racing Tiger Moth aeroplanes.
Council’s Coordinator Events Adam Franks says, ‘Over more than three decades many hundreds of thousands of people have come to Maitland from across the state, the country and the world to be a part of this iconic celebration of all things steam. For Steamfest’s 30th anniversary we have worked hard to develop an extraordinary program worthy of this important milestone.
‘This year Steamfest is going to be full of some amazing firsts. Not only are we going to be setting records with the Great Train Race, but we have a bigger line up of trains than in previous years. The highlight for steam aficionados will be 6029, a Garratt locomotive from the Australian Railway Historical Society in Canberra, coming to Steamfest for the first time’.
There are four steam locomotives and two vintage diesels coming to this year’s event. Travelling from Canberra will be 6029 (the Garratt), the largest operating steam locomotive in the southern hemisphere, accompanied by 3016. They will be joined by 3642 and 5917, which were two of the trains to attend the first ever Steamfest in 1986. The train line up is rounded out by crowd favourites 621 and 721 ‘Red Rattlers’, and CHP 1 and CHP 7 ‘Tin Hares’.
This year’s range of train journeys will include the Silver Screen Steamer, a themed evening to Dungog’s historic James Theatre, cocktails in premier class on The Singleton Sling, the popular Port Waratah Coal Loop Runs, the Barrington Bullet, round trips to Branxton and Paterson, and the Flip Fest Express kids’ train.
‘While steam is the heart of the event, there is heaps in store across the weekend to keep the whole family entertained. There will be a great festival vibe at Maitland Station and Rally Ground, and we are expecting lots of people to come out and join us in celebrating an incredible achievement for one of the Hunter’s premier events’, said Mr Franks.
Aside from the trains and journeys there will be an array of traction and portable engines, antique machinery, more than 600 cars on display at Sunday’s Show ‘n’ Shine, as well as entertainment across the weekend including, live music, kids’ activities, and more than 100 food and market stalls.
Tickets for Steamfest train journeys go on sale Monday 22 February at midday and can be purchased [color=#e29f2b]online[/color]. Locomotives, destinations and final timetable are subject to change without notice.

It appears to be an awesome weekend !!!

Last attended steam fest in 2013, 4 steam trains, in parallel, on the coal roads, in 2016 sounds great.
In terms of a world record, when the 38's are available again, how about we shut down the suburban lines in Sydney, and, have six steam locos, run side by side, between Redfern and Staithfield. That would a difficult record to break.

Last attended steam fest in 2013, 4 steam trains, in parallel, on the coal roads, in 2016 sounds great.
In terms of a world record, when the 38's are available again, how about we shut down the suburban lines in Sydney, and, have six steam locos, run side by side, between Redfern and Staithfield. That would a difficult record to break.

I see just the smallest flaw in that plan....

"how about we shut down the suburban lines in Sydney"

To run trains against the signalled direction you'd have to clip and lock every second point between Sydney terminal and Strathfield.

When the three trains ran abreast in the Hunter, CityRail advanced one set of trains and delayed the other and the ARTC kept coal trains clear for an hour or so. The only reverse running was on the coal lines, so the up main line was still available.

The standard running time for through trains from Central to Strathfield is 14 minutes.

To keep both up and down trains clear would require between half an hour and an hour, not counting the massive effort to clip and lock points for use in the reverse direction.

Even if you put everyone from the cancelled and delayed trains on buses, who'd pay for it! That would have to include all stations trains, giving a complex bus journey...

Come back when Sydney Trains endorse your plan...

M636C

And I thought it would be difficult!

Certainly a first for Australia, but I'm sure I've seen American publicity shows after WWll of 'races' with 4 trains.

A bit like the hype with the Victorian C class tour claim of first C class on a passenger train in 35 years, I'm sure there are pics floating around of an ARHS Canberra tour 10 years ago with a C class leading it.

ss

A bit like the hype with the Victorian C class tour claim of first C class on a passenger train in 35 years, I'm sure there are pics floating around of an ARHS Canberra tour 10 years ago with a C class leading it.

Pity there are no pics floating around of the promised SRHC "Club 501" tour. It had hype but no tour. At least the recent C class tour had hype and a train.

A bit like the hype with the Victorian C class tour claim of first C class on a passenger train in 35 years, I'm sure there are pics floating around of an ARHS Canberra tour 10 years ago with a C class leading it.

Pity there are no pics floating around of the promised SRHC "Club 501" tour. It had hype but no tour. At least the recent C class tour had hype and a train.

Indeed and agree, the recent trip was hype along with the Club 501 which was a fail with hype.

Just for the record, the three steam trains running in parallel in 2010 were headed by 3642 (UM), 3265 (DM) and 3526 (DC), leaving UC available, but not used while the race was in progress.

I suspect this would be the first time that Hanbury Junction has been a destination for Steamfest services. I wonder if the formal starting point for the race might have to be a little different. Warabrook platforms?

Any idea which diesels are going up this year?

Last attended steam fest in 2013, 4 steam trains, in parallel, on the coal roads, in 2016 sounds great.
In terms of a world record, when the 38's are available again, how about we shut down the suburban lines in Sydney, and, have six steam locos, run side by side, between Redfern and Staithfield. That would a difficult record to break.

I see just the smallest flaw in that plan....

"how about we shut down the suburban lines in Sydney"

To run trains against the signalled direction you'd have to clip and lock every second point between Sydney terminal and Strathfield.

When the three trains ran abreast in the Hunter, CityRail advanced one set of trains and delayed the other and the ARTC kept coal trains clear for an hour or so. The only reverse running was on the coal lines, so the up main line was still available.

The standard running time for through trains from Central to Strathfield is 14 minutes.

To keep both up and down trains clear would require between half an hour and an hour, not counting the massive effort to clip and lock points for use in the reverse direction.

Even if you put everyone from the cancelled and delayed trains on buses, who'd pay for it! That would have to include all stations trains, giving a complex bus journey...

Come back when Sydney Trains endorse your plan...

M636C

Pre 1969 , Central to Strathfield , standing start to stop was 12 minutes !

I've booked my tickets for me and my grandfather on the Steamfest Flyer! However, it's a bit annoying that there isn't much in way of transport from Maitland at least to a main line. Surely they could have arranged a bus or something for those travelling in from Sydney?

I've booked my tickets for me and my grandfather on the Steamfest Flyer! However, it's a bit annoying that there isn't much in way of transport from Maitland at least to a main line. Surely they could have arranged a bus or something for those travelling in from Sydney?

Not sure what you are saying here.
Maitland is on a main line.
Where are you wanting to go?

There are direct XPT and Xplorer services from Sydney.

BTW will any 620 class railcars be running on the Steamfest

Sorry! I meant a line with regular services. Not to sure if we'll get to Maitland in time for the XPT/XPL service.

Sorry! I meant a line with regular services. Not to sure if we'll get to Maitland in time for the XPT/XPL service.

If you are coming from Sydney. best to book on the Brisbane -Sydney XPT, Gets into Maitland at 17:38pm, steamers leave at around 09:30am, or thereabouts, so you should be fine with times there

Kind Regards

Canberra ARHS has posted this morning on Facebook they aren't running the triple header to or from Maitland.

ss

I saw this. Very disappointed to be honest as I'm coming down from Noosa!

http://www.heritageexpress.info/#!20160408-steamfest-flyer-to-maitland/wmkb6
Info from Heritage Express regarding the situation
Kind Regards

Canberra ARHS has posted this morning on Facebook they aren't running the triple header to or from Maitland.

ss

Not quite correct......

THNSW was to run the triple header (3016, 3642 and 6029) to and from Maitland.  ARHS(ACT) supply 3016 and 6029.  

There have been joint/coordinated facebook posts from ARHS(ACT) and THNSW.  ARHS(ACT) are now planning to run 3016 and 6029 to/from(??) Maitland under their own accreditation.  THNSW will run the passenger train, now probably with 3642 only (unless they combine this with the diesel hauled support train).

This may be because of the running gear repairs required on 6029.

I was looking forward to the Friday trip with three steamers up front.

Happy disappointing ,

John

Canberra ARHS has posted this morning on Facebook they aren't running the triple header to or from Maitland.

ss

Not quite correct......

THNSW was to run the triple header (3016, 3642 and 6029) to and from Maitland.  ARHS(ACT) supply 3016 and 6029.  

There have been joint/coordinated facebook posts from ARHS(ACT) and THNSW.  ARHS(ACT) are now planning to run 3016 and 6029 to/from(??) Maitland under their own accreditation.  THNSW will run the passenger train, now probably with 3642 only (unless they combine this with the diesel hauled support train).

This may be because of the running gear repairs required on 6029.

I was looking forward to the Friday trip with three steamers up front.

Happy disappointing ,

John

I think you might be jumping to conclusions a bit, with all due respect. The word is THNSW has failed operationally to be on top of the event and the ARHS have moved to separate themselves from the problems in THNSW.

THNSW may still run a train but as you say, accreditation is an issue so passenger car will be hauled there by each group I would think, using logic and reason with the "running under" our own accreditation.

On a more positive note, Transport Heritage NSW is desparately asking LVR if 5917 can double head to Maitland.

ss

On a more positive note, Transport Heritage NSW is desparately asking LVR if 5917 can double head to Maitland.

ss

Last I heard, that was still up at Rothbury, has it made It's way to Eveleigh as yet?
Kind Regards

I think you might be jumping to conclusions a bit, with all due respect. The word is THNSW has failed operationally to be on top of the event and the ARHS have moved to separate themselves from the problems in THNSW.

THNSW may still run a train but as you say, accreditation is an issue so passenger car will be hauled there by each group I would think, using logic and reason with the "running under" our own accreditation.
ss

and.............................

On a more positive note, Transport Heritage NSW is desparately asking LVR if 5917 can double head to Maitland.
ss

Hi ss, et al,

After reading the above two posts, I would like to know "which person" is jumping to conclusions and spreading rumours?

Happy steaming,

John

Canberra ARHS has posted this morning on Facebook they aren't running the triple header to or from Maitland.

ss

Not quite correct......

THNSW was to run the triple header (3016, 3642 and 6029) to and from Maitland.  ARHS(ACT) supply 3016 and 6029.  

There have been joint/coordinated facebook posts from ARHS(ACT) and THNSW.  ARHS(ACT) are now planning to run 3016 and 6029 to/from(??) Maitland under their own accreditation.  THNSW will run the passenger train, now probably with 3642 only (unless they combine this with the diesel hauled support train).

This may be because of the running gear repairs required on 6029.

I was looking forward to the Friday trip with three steamers up front.

Happy disappointing ,

John

I can't read anything in the ARHS announcement on their web site that suggests there are any current issues with 6029 that are preventing the locomotive from operating. It is my understanding that both 3016 and 6029 will still be attending the Hunter Valley Steamfest, but instead of combining with THfNSW for the movement from Picton to Maitland and return the ARHS consist will now operate as a separate train. In fact, reports elsewhere indicate that after Steamfest 6029 will remain in Sydney for a week or so to operate some trips around the metropolitan area.
BW