Converting Coal Fired Steam Locomotives to Oil
FMW SOLUTIONS TO CONVERT STORIED U.K. STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TO OIL IN AN EFFORT TO FUTURE-PROOF NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY
G R O S M O N T, U. K. | U.S.-based railroad engineering and mechanical contractor FMW Solutions (“FMW”) is excited to announce that it will be working alongside the talented shop forces of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (“NYMR”) to convert historic steam locomotive “Dame Vera Lynn” from coal to oil. This will be the first full-size steam locomotive oil conversion in the U.K. since the end of steam, and it is a crucial step forward in “future-proofing” the busiest heritage railway in the country.
“We are thrilled to work alongside the NYMR Engineering Department at Grosmont to convert War Department (“WD”) 2-10-0 No. 3672 as part of its upcoming overhaul,” explained FMW President Davidson Ward. “This work will be a trans-Atlantic effort, with key firing components being manufactured both at our workshop in Tennessee and by the NYMR forces at Grosmont. The final installation is anticipated to take place on the NYMR.”
In recent years, domestic sources for high-quality steam coal have dried up in the U.K., and changing climate patterns have caused the NYMR to stop running steam locomotives during the height of summer due to the acute risk of lighting lineside fires. The conversion of Dame Vera Lynn from coal to oil is a key step in the “future-proofing” of steam heritage in the U.K.
“We had a chance to join FMW leadership on the Sugar Express steam operation in Florida and experience enhanced oil firing firsthand,” said NYMR Director of Engineer Paul “Piglet” Middleton. “There is no doubt in my mind that the proposed conversion will enable our railroad to adapt to a changing environment and preserve our ability to run steam in the coming decades.”
Ward was a headline speaker at the U.K. Heritage Railway Association conference last November in Newcastle. The presentation before a sold-out room was well received, and FMW is working with various preserved railways in the U.K. to discuss additional opportunities for oil conversion.
Also during his visit, Ward worked alongside engine crews to get a sense of the NYMR operation, firing and driving steam locomotives on their rugged line. With ruling grades over 2% and an 18-mile mainline, the NYMR is among the steepest and longest heritage railways in the U.K., boasting more than 300,000 passengers per year.
FMW and NYMR inked the deal at the close of 2023 and preliminary engineering work is expected to begin in early 2024. Fundraising for the restoration project is underway, and the timeline to see the locomotive returned to operation largely depends on public donations. To learn more about the opportunity, visit the NYMR website.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway has served as a living museum since 1973, playing a vital role in helping preserve the past and protect the legacy of steam travel for future generations in the UK. Its mission is to engage with wider communities, encourage learning for all, and ensure our future environmental and financial sustainability by being an adaptable, dynamic, and innovative charity that inspires all generations. To learn more, visit www.nymr.co.uk.
FMW Solutions and its subsidiary National Rail Consulting Group offer professional services for the railroad industry, including mechanical and engineering design, diesel locomotive servicing and repair, rail operations, strategic planning support, marketing, public relations, safety compliance administration, training, and alternative fuel technology research and development. FMW is also an accomplished rail preservation resource, with expertise in the restoration and operation of historic equipment. For more on FMW Solutions, to request a quote, proposal, or to explore opportunities for your railroad operation, visit fmwsolutions.com, email info@fwmsolutions.com, or call (423) 425-9753.
