Full STEAM ahead for ambitious Stourbridge Lion 2029 project

Dudley borough has a proud industrial heritage and an ambitious project in Stourbridge is going to bring past, present and future together to inspire local school children.

I’ve been working with the founders of Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC for the past few years, ever since Simon got in touch to tell me about their ambition to build a working replica of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive. I was awed by the scale of the ambition and really excited to support, because for me it felt like worlds colliding. I used to be an historian and I already knew a little about the Stourbridge Lion having done some reading about it as inspiration for a song my other half and I were working on – spooky! To play a small part in helping Simon and his colleagues set up a not-for-profit and plan to make it a reality was exciting.

What is the Stourbridge Lion?

The Stourbridge Lion was the first steam locomotive to run on commercial railway track in the USA. It was built in Stourbridge by Foster, Rastrick and Company in 1829. The building it was constructed in still stands, now known as Lion Health.

The aims of Stourbridge Lion 2029

Of course, this project isn’t just about building a replica to commemorate the 200th anniversary. It’s about heritage, but it’s also about using the past to inspire current and future generations. It blends industrial heritage, civic pride, science, technology, engineering, education and tourism.

As well as raising awareness of this important cultural and industrial heritage, the CIC aims to work with communities and local industry to use the Stourbridge Lion as a vehicle for improving local skills and aspiration. It hopes to inspire more young people, women and people from all sorts of backgrounds, to consider careers in engineering. The recreation of a fully working locomotive will use new lightweight materials and state-of-the-art propulsion technologies. It will generate income from tourism and be an ambassador for the design and manufacturing expertise of the town, region and UK.

If you scan this QR code using your smartphone, you’ll be able to project the Stourbridge Lion wherever you are using augmented reality

The Primary Engineer Rail Programme

And now, Stourbridge Lion 2029 has partnered with Primary Engineer, an educational not-for-profit, to bring rail engineering to 10 local schools.

Image courtesy of Primary Engineer

The Primary Engineer Rail Programme will train teachers from local schools in April. It will give teachers skills and knowledge to feel confident in delivering this STEAM-based* project in their classrooms. Pupils will build their own locomotive models while interacting in class with engineering professionals from the Stourbridge Lion 2029 project. Over 500 local pupils will have the opportunity to learn about Stourbridge Lion’s history and the future of engineering and manufacturing. The scheme will encourage children to think about a future role within this exciting and rapidly evolving sector. The schools programme will conclude with a celebration of pupils’ achievements.

Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC is grateful for the support of a number of leading local businesses and organisations including:

engineering recruitment company Jonathan Lee
local manufacturing companies SYR (Scott Young Research), Sponmech, JVM Castings (Kidderminster) and Evtech Aluminium Ltd (Worcester)
the Lanchester Trust

The schools programme would not be taking place without their generous support.

Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC is keen to hear from any local firms that would like to join in the programme, either to fund further education activities, or to express interest in taking part in the build of the ‘New Lion’ locomotive.

*STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.