Privatization of Steam Restoration?

fmwsolutions · **Joined:** Fri May 14, 2021 10:57 am **Posts:** 28

PRR8063 wrote:

By private contractor, I am referencing organizations such as FMW solutions who do not have a physical shop building and are not associated with a railroad line.

For what it's worth, FMW Solutions has two shop facilities. The smaller fab shop and Tennessee office are in Chattanooga, and the heavy machine shop space is in Watervliet, NY. Photos, details, and capabilities here: https://www.fmwsolutions.com/facilities.

Much of the small appliance repair and work for Nashville's 576 has recently occupied Chattanooga, whereas the heavier shop has been used most recently for our diesel-electric work and other non-preservation projects.

We're also fortunate to have agreements with several partners in the rail preservation industry to use and maintain whichever specialized facilities or equipment they may have. Overall, there's a good deal of cooperation happening between steam and preservation contractors and the various organizations, businesses, and projects we all serve. There's work to go around and plenty of opportunities to collaborate to come in ahead of project deadlines, or even come in under budget, which ultimately all benefit the client.

KL

murph · **Joined:** Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:58 pm **Posts:** 40

The FMW website says that the Chattanooga shop can handle small boiler fabrication. How big is “small?”

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:24 am

PRR8063 wrote:

I figure that financials are a substantial factor in the decision, but what else does FMW offer above SRC? SRC restoration shops have been in the business for a long time and clearly have success with their own locomotives and other contract work, have they lost their touch? Are they too backlogged? Are they getting greedy and asking too much? Have they failed to keep up with the times? I noted that in the 1361 press conference, a 3D model was made of the boiler. Not sure if SRC provides that (more modern) service

I have been told--accurately or not--that between Strasburg's own internal shop needs, stuff already publicly in the queue, stuff they can't talk about, and stuff "in the wings," unless you show up with enough cash in hand for Strasburg to go out and hire additional warm bodies, the wait time for any project showing up at Strasburg would be measured in years.

Now, as with any such industrial concern like an auto garage, you can "buy" your way up the line. The old saying is "We have three rates: We need it yesterday; We need it as soon as you can get to it; We need it eventually."

Is there any need for 1361 to be finished by, say, December 31st at 11:59 PM? No. (Not that we know of.)

Is Strasburg the ONLY option for 1361? No.

co614 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2021 8:25 am

None of us is privy to what went into the 1361's leaders selecting FMW as their GC for the project.

I'm sure we'd get a 99% yes vote if we asked is Strasburg's shop the gold standard in the railway preservation industry.I have often said how fortunate we are to have a Strasburg to set the bar for the rest of the players.

I'm also pleased to see a new outfit come along comprised of relatively young men with established credentials to carry the baton well into the 21st. century.

Me thinks that FMW will do a good job and produce a reliable runner that will bring the magic of steam to countless thousands going forward.

All good. Ross Rowland

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

fmwsolutions · **Joined:** Fri May 14, 2021 10:57 am **Posts:** 28

murph wrote:

The FMW website says that the Chattanooga shop can handle small boiler fabrication. How big is “small?”

Right now, small boiler fab would include boilers up to 15′′ (i.e. Cagney Class D is the largest.) There are plans to expand on-site boiler capabilities to include standard gauge.

Kelly Anderson wrote:

We have communicated with FMW since then, and do hope to be used as a sub-contractor at some point.

This Kelly concurs. Appreciate the kind words.

- Kelly Lynch

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

I have been told--accurately or not--that between Strasburg's own internal shop needs, stuff already publicly in the queue, stuff they can't talk about, and stuff "in the wings,"

I wonder what category this falls into:
https://twitter.com/USDOTFRA/status/1413532145746857984

Dave · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:04 am

I think if Strasburg wants to open a branch in Europe it can only be a good thing.