Mackwell Locomotive Co.

Hi, my name is Sam, I'm on a mission to build the world's most sustainable locomotives, using the power of steam!

I began this journey in 2012, committed to creating environmentally sustainable solutions to keep the world moving beyond fossil fuel. In 2016, following 4 years developing bio-fuelled turbine engines, I founded Mackwell Locomotive Co. Ltd to build advanced steam locomotives. This complete change of course was inspired by a simple fact: compared to liquid bio-fuels, wood fuel can use as little as 1/10th of the land area to supply the same amount of energy. So, how to turn wood into motion? A steam locomotive of course!

You may say, "he must be mad" (or more appropriately, loco!), but the raw numbers tell a different story. Nonetheless it was daunting when I first sat down before a blank sheet of paper to design not just my first full size steam locomotive, but the world's most sustainable locomotive. Five years of enthusiastic support from a growing team of people, coupled with exciting test results from the new boiler design has confirmed my conviction that the story of steam is only beginning.

Up until now the project has been largely hidden from view in a workshop in NZ. This was almost essential because the new boiler was a big and risky leap for steam locomotive technology. Now that I have proven the boiler works, it is time to give everyone, everywhere the opportunity to join the project and help me use the power of steam to make transport sustainable!

Find out more at: mackwelloco.com