For the first time in the history of the country music festival, the Locomotive Hotel is taking a back seat in the entertainment department and, while it might echo one or two others who have downsized their festival faces, or like the Calala Inn which has offered a music-free space most festivals, it is a major move.

And its significance is not lost on some festival watchers.

Over the years the William St, West Tamworth pub has hosted everything from some of the finest country bands, wacky talent quests and even goat, camel and pig racing – but not this year.

Publican Matt Zell said the Loco would have a half dozen concerts this year, including one at 10am on Wednesday, January 20 and the other at 8pm on Friday, January 22.

The news is news to former Locomotive Hotel publican Fred Thompson who became one of the legends of the festival in the early days.

At the height of one event, his record at the William St pub was selling 98 of the-then 18-gallon kegs in one day.

Between the Locomotive and Joe Maguire’s Pub, thirsty patrons went through 340 kegs in one week.

In January 1981, The Northern Daily Leader reported more than 830 kegs of beer had been consumed during the festival between two clubs and seven pubs. 

Once again the Locomotive Hotel, with Mr Thompson behind the bar, rated highly in the beer-drinking stakes, being responsible for 244.5 of those 830 kegs.

That report stated Mr Thompson’s hotel had outsold both clubs – West Tamworth League Club and Tamworth and District Workmen’s Club.

Greg Stannard, another former publican, is another longtime festival watcher who can relate some classic festival tales and memories from the Loco’s storybook.