It was full steam ahead in Westbury on Saturday for Pearn's Steam World's long weekend Steam Up! festival.
Tasmanian steam engines, train rides, bale making demonstrations, vintage tractors, craft and plant stalls and a sausage sizzle provided activities and sights for families on day one.
The event showcases the museum's restored steam engines, with other engines and tractors brought in for the three-day festival.
Pearn family descendant Ruth Paterson said it was a great tradition with lots of historical tractors and engines on display, such as an impressive green Aveling steam tractor.
"It was built in Kent in England and has had a $200,000 restoration from the ground up and Michael who did the work, is very skilled and has done a wonderful job," Mrs Paterson said.
"There is a free train ride for the kids, which they love.
"Every kid knows of Thomas the Tank Engine so it's great for them to come and see more like that and learn a bit more about what trains were like. They just love it. "
Among the steam engines were a range of vintage cars, charity stalls and fairground organs.
Mrs Paterson said the event was a celebration of all things steam and the history that was once a daily part of life in Tasmania.
"Pearn's Steam World collection was put together by the three Pearn brothers, of which John is my father," Mrs Paterson said.
"Their grandparents started with steam in the late 1890's and until the end of the Second World War steam was it, diesel power wasn't really in.
"In the '50s a lot of these engines were being sold for scrap and the brothers decided that they would collect one of every engine that worked in Tasmania.
"They ended up with the largest private collection and in the 1980's and when they retired they didn't want their collection dispersed so they started Pearn's.
"We raised money to build these sheds and in 2001 they donated it to a community in a trust.
"Over the years. we have gradually expanded and updated, we now have a women's section which shows the history of women and the role they played in agriculture here in Tasmania and features the story of four generations of my family."
Steam Up! finishes on Monday.
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Nikita McGuire
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
