Steam, Stories and Community: Powerhouse at Steamfest
Steamfest 2026 delivered a high-energy weekend of heritage, engineering and community, with the Powerhouse proudly contributing to one of the region’s most popular events. With nearly 18,000 visitors on Saturday 18 April and close to 25,000 on Sunday 19 April, the passion and enthusiasm across the weekend were phenomenal.
A Standout on the Tracks
A major highlight was the Aveling & Porter steam tip wagon, expertly brought to life by Powerhouse conservator Ralph. Getting the engine into steam and running across both days was no small feat, and seeing it move around the track created a dynamic, living connection to the collection. It quickly became a crowd favourite—drawing visitors in and sparking curiosity about the engineering and history behind it.
Volunteers at the Heart
Supporting the activation was a dedicated team of Powerhouse volunteers.
On Saturday, Phoebe, Natasha, Ernie and Gabby led the experience, while Sunday saw Ernie and Natasha return alongside Ron, Valeria and Rizquin.
Their commitment was remarkable—travelling more than three hours each way from Sydney—and their impact was clear. Through storytelling, conversation and hands-on engagement, they created meaningful and memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.
Hands-On History
The Powerhouse activation centred on interactive, hands-on experiences using replicas of key collection objects. These included:
- Bakelite Telephone (c.1940, Object No. B1678-4) and Tytel Desk Telephone (1987, Object No. 88/59D)
- ‘Remington Portable’ Typewriter (Object No. 95/74/3-1) and ‘Royal’ Portable Typewriter (Object No. 88/493-1)
- Hornby No. 2 Steam Locomotive (Object No. 85/2582-9) with Shell Tank Wagon (Object No. 85/2585-61)
These stories acted as powerful conversation starters, particularly with family groups, encouraging curiosity, participation and the sharing of personal stories.
Strong Community Engagement
Visitor engagement remained consistently high across both days. Families were especially drawn to the hands-on activities, while Sunday saw a higher proportion of older visitors—many of whom shared personal memories and connections that enriched the experience.
Foot traffic was further boosted by surrounding attractions, including a Scouts coal shovelling activity and a large-scale automotive show on Sunday. The Great Steam Race was another key highlight, with locomotive 3265 placing third and drawing significant crowds.
Building Excitement for Powerhouse Parramatta
Steamfest also provided a valuable opportunity to connect with future audiences. Promotional materials for Powerhouse Parramatta were widely distributed, with strong interest in the upcoming opening and Task Eternal. Visitors from Newcastle and Maitland noted the ease of train access, highlighting the potential for strong regional visitation.
Looking Ahead
The weekend reinforced the value of hands-on, story-led engagement. Future opportunities include expanding the range of activities and incorporating additional collection objects—particularly those linked to engineering and agriculture—to deepen connections with audiences.
With plans for Maitland to host a 10 day
National Historic Machinery Association National Rally in conjuction with Steamfest over 10 days in 2027, there is strong potential to build on this momentum.
A Team Effort
Steamfest 2026 was a clear success, driven by the expertise of staff and the passion of volunteers. Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive, and we are super excited for Thirlmere Festival of Steam in May.
From steam engines in motion to stories shared across generations, the weekend captured exactly what the Powerhouse does best—bringing history to life.
