Virtually all steam, NSW and featuring The Rail Transport Museum at Enfield, the big move to Thirlmere, the Museum at Thirlmere, great steam events associated with both places, including triple parallel running, double heading, triple heading, 3214 running in maroon colour scheme and lots more. The videotape opens with the museum at Enfield about 1972, engines present include 3801, 3616, 5910, 3203, 176, 3526 and 6042. All three roundhouses are there, and we briefly view the O gauge model railway. The same area on the occasion of the last Enfield Steam Extravaganza on 26 October 1974, where the trains are being hauled by 3203, 3801, 3526 and 5910. 5910 crosses the turntable of the demolished No3 roundhouse. There are views of a portable steam engine, and a traction engine, both beautifully restored and part of the display.
A few sad views of Enfield under demolition, then comes the big move in June 1975. 2-8-2 5910 hauls "dead" 36, 51, water tank, crane and MHG van out of Enfield. Next, a nicely painted 3203 hauls "dead" 3616, various other wagons etc. Then at Regents Park we find in steam 2705, 1709 and 1301 making their move. At Liverpool, 3801 hauls "dead" 5711 4-8-2, 1905 0-6-0, and several vehicles. This train is seen again over the picturesque Picton Bridge. At Thirlmere, 2-8-0 5461 hauls "dead" Garratt 6040, 1307 and more. With the museum established at Thirlmere, albeit with but one building, loop line trips with 3214 in Maroon colour scheme, are covered. 5910 is seen on loop line working too. A tour using 3801 from Sydney to Moss vale, with some dreadful slipping!, returns via the loop line. 3214 ventures south via the loop line to Goulburn where assistance is provided by a 42 class GM.
To bring us closer to the present, on 4 March 1990, an extensive extravaganza included 3112, 3801 and 3642 running parallel through Stanmore, followed by interesting steam combinations on the loop line, and the streets of Thirlmere a hive of activity with traction engines, steam car, vintage buses etc. The final scenes are of spectacular triple heading on the "Yulefest Express", with 5910, 3801 and 3642 on 1 August 1992, at Penrith, just west of Lawson and in the Blackheath / Kanimbla Valley area.
Recent scenes were taken on broadcast standard video camera. The older segments were taken on 16mm or super 8 film, transferred by Rank Cintel "flying spot" scanner (the best possible method), edited on 1 inch tape and directly duplicated.
Approximate run time: 60 minutes.