Steamfest Flyer climbs Cowan Bank - with Steam Loco 3526 "The Nanny" solo!

Steam locomotive 3526 "The Nanny" powers the Steamfest Flyer returning from Maitland to Thirlmere after participating in the Hunter Valley Steamfest.
This video captures the loco working very hard hauling close to its maximum load climbing Cowan Bank, between Hawkesbury River & Cowan stations.
The 8.6km climb raises the line around 200 metres, with a maximum gradient of 2.5% (1 in 40) and passes through 4 tunnels.

[@davidmason7765]

Thank you Mitch this is really great. In 52 years of going on steam tours I have never ridden behind a solo 35 on Cowan bank and now thanks to you I have. Superb sound and vision. Also looks very nice work from the crew - steam kept up well without excessive smoke

[@pascalnemecek1502]

Superbe vidéo Mitch, avec la 3526 🚂📽️. De beaux décors. Salutations de Normandie à l'Australie 👋👍🤩

[@waynemather6560]

Great video. I was on the train. I've been doing train tours since 1971. That whole trip back is the best I've ever seen 3536 work. Credit to the crew.

[@video_mitch]

Couldn't agree more!

[@elsagillespie5210]

Thanx Mitch for the video, I've only done 1 steam tour (pre-covid) down to Bowel but I've never ridden solo on a 35 class (though I've seen the 3801 & taken photos of it & also the 6029 - like on you other video, when it was passing through Valley Heights in the Blue Mts) & like what some else has said thanks to you I have now.

[@caseycam9111]

What a fantastic ride - the sound of the steam loco working so had is amazing! It's so great that we can still experience these wonderful machines out on the mainline.

[@video_mitch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HowiesRailVideos]

What a great video! Fantastic work by the team on 3526. It was a real hard climb for "The Nanny", definitely a fantastic ride.

[@video_mitch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@john13u]

Superb video Mitch great video and sound and yes the crew did a great job…

[@video_mitch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Aussiehomestead1965]

Awesome video. Shows just how hard those locos work up that incline. Would be great to do the same video with the Garratt 6029 for comparison.

[@video_mitch]

Hopefully one day! I've done 3801 & 3642 before but not the Garratt.