Locomotive No. 2 (Stevo).  Photos by Noel Rowsell

THE fun returned to the lower Blue Mountains over 10-12 July, with the Blue Mountains Steam FunFest held at the historic Blue Mountains Locomotive Depot at Valley Heights.

For the first time, Transport Heritage NSW brought historic Steam Locomotive 3265 from Thirlmere to FunFest, allowing visitors to get up close and personal in the cab whilst in steam and learn how the locomotive works by talking to the crew

As with previous FunFest events, Campbelltown Steam & Machinery Museum displayed historic steam and other machinery and the Steam Tram and Railway Preservation Society provided two rides for visitors.

Valley Heights Rail Museum has a close link to over 200 years of railway history. In 2025, rail fans worldwide celebrated George Stephenson’s contribution to developing rail as an economical, efficient form of transport.

Locomotive No. 2 (Stevo) from his son Robert Stephenson’s UK factory was in action at the Museum over the weekend, ferrying enthusiastic passengers on a short journey from the Museum to Valley Heights station and back.

Stevo (No 2) is the only survivor of its kind, being one of four built in the late 1890s.