The bidding war has started on eBay as steam train enthusiasts pledge wads of cash for the opportunity to sit up front in a locomotive for the ride of their life during Steamfest.
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Three rides were put on eBay last week in what is a first for Steamfest – and not on offer anywhere else in NSW – with the idea already proving popular as prices rise well into the hundreds for each of the rides.
Bids for one of the rides has surpassed $600 with seven days of bidding remaining.
Similar rides have been auctioned in other states in the past and have reached $1000.
The winning bidder will receive an hour-long ride in the hot seat – the fireman’s seat which boasts the best views on the train. The ride in the fireman’s chair is said to be exhilarating, hot, noisy and dirty as the engine reaches up to 80km/h.
The driver controls the direction of the train while the fireman has the job of shovelling coal into the fire to ignite the heart of the engine.
The locomotive 3526 was built in 1917 and parts of it were rebuilt in 1940.
It is the only survivor of the class of 35, introduced as express passenger engines in 1914 as the NN (1027) class.
The 35 class was the first class of locomotive designed and built completely by the NSW Government Railway and the first passenger locomotive in NSW to haul 13.6 tonne.
Steamfest will be held on April 28 and 29.
