The 1930s styled steam train belted a nostalgic toot as it chugged its way into the historic town as part of the annual Berry Celtic Festival.

The sounds and the smells transported the crowd back to a simpler time when trains were the norm and ladies knew better than to wear white near a coal powered train.

The station was packed with locals who had bought a ticket and the excitement and eagerness to hop on board was clear.

LVR conductor John Adec said after 48 years serving in the Rural Fire Brigade it seemed only natural to follow the steam and jump aboard the train.

“The main thing people remember is the sound the steam trains make as they travel through the countryside,” he said.

“I love talking to the passengers. Most of them sit there amazed there is still a steam train running.”

He said the engine was over 120-years-old.

“It’s had a couple of facelifts since then mind you. Given the maintenance, they will run forever,” he said.

“The train’s original home is Cowra, but there is no funding to maintain the tracks there so this train has become somewhat of a backpacker.

“NSW and all of Australia needs some form of funding package, like the UK, to be able to keep these trains going.”

Due to the closure of the line between Blayney and Cowra in June 2006 and between Cowra and Demondrille (Harden) in September 2009 the LVR stopped its romantic tours through fields of canola in our country’s west.

Mr adec said the train visited areas across New South Wales including, Nyngan, Taree, Wauchope, Kyogle, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Gosford and Dungog and he hoped it would continue to delight everyone who had a chance to see it.

The hot-headed locomotive left Sydney’s Central Station early Saturday morning. It stopped at Wollongong before travelling to Berry dropping off passengers near Berry Showground where the annual Celtic festival was in full swing.

The train continued to commute to and from from Berry and Bomaderry stations throughout the day to allow passengers to relish in its delights - from wooden hallways, plush leather seats and bronze bag racks.

For some, the best part of the trip was to hold their heads out the windows and wave goodbye to those left behind to whiz down the tracks past the lush countryside. For others, it was the experience of having cinders and ash fall from the engine’s smoke into their hair as they listened to the sounds of boiling water leaving the engine and of course, the immortal sounds of the train whistle.

Mr Adec said there was a reason goggles were worn by conductors as they looked out the sides of the train.

“You look, they have black faces from the soot.”

The trip was no doubt an experience for the senses.