MAITLAND'S Steamfest will bring what it bills as one of Australia's most beloved trains to the Hunter next month for the 2020 event.
Organisers announced on Monday that Locomotive 3801 will join the festivities this year, more than 30 years on from its 1987 debut at the festival.
The 3801 has won nine Great Train Races at Steamfest, when locomotives are pitted against a plane in one of the event's signature attractions.
The locomotive has been inactive for 13 years and last participated in Steamfest in 2007.
The 2020 event will also feature Locomotive 6029, known as The Garratt.
It is the largest operating vehicle of its kind in the southern hemisphere and won the 2018 train race.
The 2020 Steamfest is being held on April 18-19.
READ MORE: Newcastle Flyer locomotive 3801 fired up
