Well we are back and well from Maitland's Steamfest 2011, our first ever.
Quite a weekend: Steam trains, steam trucks, steam traction engines, heritage diesels, heritage rolling stock, contemporary coal trains around 89 cars long rumbling through in the night, lunch from a tram done up as a pie shop, Frontline Hobbies at Newcastle...
The two main demographics seem to be: 1) older folk reliving transport days gone by and 2) young families after a day out. Both seem to be well catered for (although I consider myself in-between those two categories age-wise) as there is plenty of carnival rides, carnival stores and so on for the younger crowd and plenty of exhibits (static and moving, including the train rides) for those who wish to grab a bit of yesteryear
The train rides were a great experience and there is a real feel of camaraderie on the train with the staff and fellow travellers. I never realised what fun it is to take photos from a moving train. Fast shutter speed is very important here :-) Much of the photography of full size trains was learning what works and what does not. Being too close does not, having people crowded in does not, having a slow shutter speed does not, trying to get great video from our camera does not (no focus once video is recording, no image stabilisation, no HD...)
There were less serious model shops/outlets than I thought(hoped)there would be although one stall had Hornby's live steam Flying Scotsman and some build your own static steam engine, and traction engine kits! That is until we went through Newcastle and spotted the Frontline Hobbies store on Hunter St, but that is skipping ahead.
Friday: Drove to Maitland. Highlights: ROAM toll tag worked, we made it there safe, Coachstop Caravan park management were helpful and friendly with directions and setting us up when we did get there & coal trains running through the night over the road (yes, the sound of trains has not lost all its magic despite continuous welded rail). Lows: driving through Sydney, even for a short time, realising we forgot the suitcase that had the wife and daughter's clothes (Off to the local Kmart and things looked better).
Saturday: up, breakfast and get ready to go. First stop, the rally ground: Steam trucks, traction engines, horses, donkeys, pavilions, kids area and much more that we probably missed. Then over to the station to be ready for the 11:30 to Newcastle. Stopped to look at the model train in the signal box: Australian modelling has come a long way since the times you had to scratch build nearly everything and Australians now proudly display our country's colours and idiosyncrasies in model form. Down to the platform and off we go after taking some snaps of 3526 who will be right behind our carriage. On the way I learn much about photography on a moving train, where we can have lunch not far from the station and spot Frontline Hobbies, another short walk from the lunch spot and importantly, past an ATM. Caught 3265 departing which had been at the other end or our train to Newcastle in stills and on video. While lunch was going on, 3642 came in and left and I managed to get a few shots and some okay video. Then off to Frontline, a shop I have ordered from over the internet and been very happy with. Their store is excellent and I managed to keep spending to a reasonable limit by selective purchasing. I had not realised there was only Frontline store and where it was but now know and will keep it in mind in future. Back to Maitland, much ash and smoke and more camera learning. We then took a quick walk around the other side of the main bridge to get an idea of what was over there: the carnival area and more markets to look at tomorrow. Off to shops for ingredients, back to cabin, cook dinner & sleep as the coal trains rumble trough at regular intervals
Sunday: Up, breakfast, pack everything into car to go. First stop rally grounds again, longer stay, more looking at pavilions, sample bags, miniature train rides, running off to get photos of full 3642, 3526 and 3265 as they left on various trips. Too much can be enough though so over to the dodgems and break for lunch. Many varieties of food though most not so healthy. Then down the Church St stalls. Apart form the carnival stuff which we were fortunate to be able to ignore. Soaps, doll's clothes, train mugs, books & nibbles were all purchased in due course. There was a bunch of layouts on view at the CWA hall, one of which was at Kaleen last weekend! And then off to Woolworths for some hydration for the walk to the car and the car trip home.
So a worthwhile weekend and we would seriously consider doing it again next year, although not until next year, to give us a chance to recover. Some things to keep in mind: keep your gold coins handy as many things are gold coin entry, a good camera makes a big difference, wear sunscreen and a hat and good walking shoes, plan ahead but remain flexible as things can change and you won't want to miss the train that leaves from a different platform due to having to fit the Steamfest schedule in with the regular passenger and freight traffic.
And now to the video and still shot I am most proud of, or at least the still shot, the jury may still be out on the video :-)
