The Third International Early Engines Conference (IEEC3) March 2024 – Preliminary Announcement

19th July 2022 /

Ensuring Scottish contributions to early engine developments are recognised and celebrated

We are delighted to confirm that Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life at Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, close to Glasgow, have kindly agreed to host IEEC3 from the 22nd to the 24th of March 2024. Summerlee is Scotland’s flagship museum of industry and amongst its many attractions is the UK’s only surviving rotative Newcomen Engine, from Farme Colliery outside Glasgow.

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life


Format and timings will follow those of successful previous conferences, kicking off at midday on Friday 22nd March and running through to 12.00 on Sunday 24th March 2024. An evening excursion/buffet at one of Scotland’s significant early engine sites is planned for the Friday evening.


Whilst the conferences venue in Coatbridge may require delegates to travel, we believe this will be more than compensated for by the range and variety of local sites related to our topic.

We are working with appropriate local bodies to arrange a series of excursions on Thursday 21st and Monday 25th to local sites. Further details will follow.


Perhaps most importantly, we are determined that IEEC3 remains true to its non-elitist and welcoming culture – plus of course delivering a series of the highest quality papers. Reflecting the theme, these are expected to include:

  • The history of the Caprington Colliery Engine and its reconstruction at National Museums Scotland
  • Some lesser-known early engines in Scotland
  • Carron Ironworks’ contribution to early engines
  • The history of Farme Colliery and its Newcomen Engines
  • – We invite further papers on Scottish as well as on English, Welsh and European engines

Prices will be in line with previous events and will be confirmed in due course. Tickets will be available for all or part of the event and partners are actively encouraged to attend too.


If you are interested in attending, or have any questions, please contact admin@earlyengines.org.
For more information on the venue please go to https://www.summerleetg.co.uk/summerlee.html
Please circulate this preliminary announcement as widely as possible.

We hope to see you in 2024!
The Early Engines Team