Our Rail Repair and Locomotive Machine Shop Facilities

Technical Expertise for Steam Locomotive Restoration and Operation

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From boiler work and heavy fabrication to specialty machining and field repairs, FMW Solutions provides the facilities, equipment, and expertise necessary to tackle complex railroad mechanical projects.

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FMW SOLUTIONS PROVIDES

FACILITIES, FABRICATION & FIELD SUPPORT

FMW Solutions provides facilities, fabrication, field support, and specialty repair services for railroads, museums, public agencies, industrial operators, and private owners. Unlike traditional machine shops or fabrication firms, our work is grounded in decades of hands-on railroad experience, allowing us to develop solutions that are not only mechanically sound, but practical to implement in active railroad environments.

Our Southeastern Office and Fabrication Shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee serves as a 20,000-square-foot machine, fabrication, and boiler facility capable of supporting locomotive, passenger car, and industrial equipment projects. As an ASME “S” Stamp and National Board “R” Stamp certificate holder, FMW is qualified to perform the repair and construction of locomotive and traction boilers in accordance with recognized industry standards. Our facilities routinely support projects from across North America, including work originating in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.

In addition to our in-house capabilities, FMW maintains a nationwide network of specialized railroad contractors, code-certified boiler shops, machine shops, foundries, and fabrication partners. Whether supporting a major restoration, responding to an urgent mechanical issue, providing long-term fleet support, or managing a complex capital project, we assemble the people, facilities, and resources necessary to deliver successful outcomes.

 

Railroad Engineering, Fabrication & Component Repair

Railroads routinely rely upon components that are no longer manufactured, difficult to source, or unique to a particular piece of equipment. From obsolete locomotive components and passenger car hardware to custom shop equipment and one-of-a-kind mechanical assemblies, FMW Solutions helps clients repair, reproduce, and manufacture the parts necessary to keep equipment operating, and we do it in-house with our own engineering staff.

Utilizing modern engineering tools, including SolidWorks® 3D CAD software, our team provides design, reverse engineering, specialty machining, fabrication, and component repair services for a wide variety of railroad applications. Whether repairing a worn component, reproducing a discontinued part, or developing a completely new solution, we combine practical railroad experience with modern manufacturing capabilities to deliver reliable results.

Our in-house capabilities are supplemented by a nationwide network of machine shops, foundries, fabrication facilities, and specialized contractors, allowing us to scale projects and access manufacturing processes beyond the capacity of any single facility. This flexibility enables FMW to support projects ranging from routine replacement parts to complex custom fabrications and large-scale restoration efforts.

Boiler Repair & Pressure Vessel Services

FMW Solutions provides code-certified boiler and pressure vessel repair services for railroad, industrial, and specialty applications. As an ASME “S” Stamp and National Board “R” Stamp certificate holder, FMW is qualified to perform the repair and construction of locomotive and traction boilers in accordance with recognized industry standards.

Our experience includes boiler inspections, welded repairs, staybolt replacement, sheet renewal, pressure vessel fabrication, code documentation, and support for both operational and restoration projects. Working in conjunction with our fabrication facilities and specialized industry partners, we can provide solutions ranging from routine repairs to complex boiler rehabilitation projects.

Whether supporting a heritage steam locomotive, industrial boiler system, or specialized pressure vessel application, our focus remains on safety, quality workmanship, regulatory compliance, and long-term reliability.

 

Specialty Railroad Machinery Repair

Many railroad facilities rely upon specialized machinery that is difficult—or in some cases impossible—to replace. Locomotive drop tables, transfer tables, turntables, maintenance-of-way machinery, and other shop equipment often remain in service for decades, making repair, remanufacturing, and modernization the most practical path forward.

FMW Solutions provides inspection, repair, fabrication, reverse engineering, and overhaul services for specialty railroad machinery and shop equipment. Drawing upon extensive mechanical, machining, fabrication, and railroad experience, we help clients extend the service life of critical assets while improving reliability, safety, and operational performance.

Our experience includes the repair and rebuilding of locomotive drop tables, transfer tables, turntables, maintenance-of-way equipment, and related railroad machinery. Services include lead screw and jack screw repair and fabrication, custom ACME screw manufacturing, bearing and journal repair, spindle reconstruction, drive system rehabilitation, structural repairs, component remanufacturing, and modernization of aging equipment.

Whether supporting a century-old turntable, rebuilding a critical shop asset, or repairing heavily utilized maintenance-of-way equipment, FMW develops practical solutions that preserve functionality, reduce replacement costs, and keep railroad facilities operating efficiently.

LARGE-SCALE MACHINERY SERVICES

  • Wheel Press (750+ Ton Capacity)

  • 230 Inch Betts Vertical Turret Lathe – 84 inch under rail

  • 192 Inch Niles Vertical Turret Lathe – 120-inch under rail

  • 150 Inch x 612 Inch Betts Engine Lathe

  • 32 Inch x 192 Inch American Engine Lathe

  • 38 Inch x 144 Inch x 192 Inch Super Mill Planer

  • Niles Quartering Machine

WELDING CAPABILITIES:

  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)

  • Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG)

SPECIALTY & TRADITIONAL MACHINERY SERVICES

  • Multiple CNC Machine Tools

  • Traditional Machine Tools

  • Boring Mills

  • Slotting Mills

  • Vertical Turret Lathe

  • Horizontal Boring Mills

  • Lathes

  • Traction motor Megger

  • Locomotive boiler tooling

  • Staybolt taps

  • Washout plug taps

  • Flue rollers

  • Reamers

  • Hot and cold riveting equipment

Facilities, Fabrication & Field Support Questions

Answers to common questions about FMW Solutions’ fabrication facilities, boiler services, specialty machinery repair, field support capabilities, and component manufacturing services.


What types of work can FMW Solutions perform in its fabrication facilities?


FMW Solutions performs fabrication, machining, boiler work, component repair, reverse engineering, welding, mechanical rebuilding, and specialty railroad equipment repairs. Our facilities support projects involving locomotives, passenger cars, industrial equipment, maintenance machinery, and custom railroad components.

Can FMW Solutions reproduce obsolete or hard-to-find railroad parts?


Yes. Many railroad components are no longer commercially available. FMW Solutions can often reverse engineer, repair, or reproduce obsolete components to help clients maintain equipment that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to support.

Does FMW Solutions perform boiler and pressure vessel repairs?


Yes. FMW Solutions is an ASME “S” Stamp and National Board “R” Stamp certificate holder qualified to perform the repair and construction of locomotive and traction boilers in accordance with recognized industry standards.

What types of railroad machinery can FMW Solutions repair?


Our experience includes locomotive drop tables, transfer tables, turntables, maintenance-of-way equipment, shop machinery, and other specialized railroad equipment. Services range from component remanufacturing and drive system repairs to complete machinery rehabilitation. In addition, we can restore or repair virtually any locomotive appliance.

Can FMW Solutions provide field service and on-site support?


Yes. Our personnel regularly perform inspections, repairs, mechanical support, technical evaluations, and project work in the field. Depending on project requirements, our teams can travel throughout North America to support client operations.

Do projects have to be performed at the Chattanooga facility?


No. While many projects are completed at our Chattanooga fabrication shop, FMW Solutions also performs work in the field and utilizes a nationwide network of specialized fabrication, machining, boiler, and railroad industry partners when appropriate.

What industries does FMW Solutions serve through its fabrication and repair services?


We support freight railroads, passenger operators, industrial railroads, theme parks, museums, tourist railroads, government agencies, contractors, and private owners throughout North America.

Can FMW Solutions assist with emergency repairs?


Yes. Depending on the nature of the issue, our personnel can provide troubleshooting, repair planning, fabrication support, and field services to help clients address urgent mechanical problems and return equipment to service.