IEEC 2017 Conference

Theme

“Thomas Newcomen and colleagues’ achievements untainted by the smokescreens of Watt”

copy_rees_Newcomen

IEEC Conference

The inaugural International Early Engines Conference (IEEC hereafter) runs from 11th-13th May, 2017 at The Ironworks, Elsecar Heritage Centre in South Yorkshire. The purpose of the conference is to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of new research into heat engines prior to 1812.

Programme

Registration for delegates opens from 10am on Thursday 11th May 2017.

The conference programme runs from 12.00 on Thursday 11th May 2017. Proceedings close by 13:00 on Saturday 13th May 2017.

Twenty papers, each of thirty minutes duration are planned, plus visits to local engine houses and related sites. Catering will be provided and relevant publications will be on sale by the sponsoring organisations.

Conference transactions will be published as themed editions of the International Journal for the History of Engineering and Technology.

Final Programme

IEEC 2017 Conference Programme

(updated 01/05/17)

Registration details

Registration for the conference includes whole conference and day delegate options. To view the options and check registration details for the conference, please visit the host Barnsley Museums, at the following link:

IEEC 2017 Conference

  • Alternatively, for postal bookings, please use the Printable IEEC Booking Form.
  • All other queries can be directed to: admin@earlyengines.org

Venue

The Ironworks, Elsecarelsecar

The inaugural IEEC is hosted at The Ironworks, Elsecar, South Yorkshire, part of the Elsecar Heritage Centre in Barnsley (postcode: S74 8HJ). The Ironworks is wheelchair accessible and assistance or guide dogs are welcome. 

The Heritage Centre is home to the preserved 1795 ‘Great Engine’ – the only Newcomen-type atmospheric beam engine in the world to have remained in its original location and recently conserved and reinterpreted thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund Project steered by Barnsley Museums.

The preserved 1795 Newcomen engine in situ on its original site at Elsecar
The preserved 1795 Newcomen engine in situ on its original site at Elsecar

Getting Here

Elsecar is located in Barnsley, the heart of South Yorkshire. Accessible internationally via regional rail connections at Sheffield (from London, Luton, Manchester or Leeds), and well-connected on the motorway (Junction 36 of the M1), below are further travel planning options.

Local public transport:

Travel South Yorkshire provides excellent travel planning, timetable and fare information online and by phone: https://travelsouthyorkshire.com/journeyplanning/

Tel: 01709 515151

Rail: Elsecar [ELR] has a local railway station served by Northern Rail once an hour from Sheffield, Barnsley and Leeds. Free Parking is available next to the station, off Millhouses Street (S74 9LT). See National Rail Enquiries for journey planner services.

Bus: A local bus service from Barnsley (66) runs frequently during the day, operated by Stagecoach.

Car: Elsecar Heritage Centre is just 2 miles from Junction 36 of the M1. Leave the motorway at junction 36 and follow the brown heritage centre signs.  A free car park is available just off Wentworth Road, but dedicated conference parking will also be available next to the Ironworks building itself, opposite the Elsecar Heritage Railway station.

Direction signage will be displayed prominently around the site, but please contact us (admin@earlyengines.org) if you have any concerns regarding getting to the venue.

Accommodation

Specific hotel and accommodation arrangements are not being handled by the conference organisers directly, but there are a wide variety of places to stay nearby, i.e. within 20 miles of the venue/under half an hour’s drive. We trust the following list of suggestions may prove useful.

Please contact us if you require further guidance (admin@earlyengines.org).

Partners and Sponsors

Site facilities, bookings and support are provided by Barnsley Museums, and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

The Newcomen Society agreed to be lead sponsor,

and the Historical Metallurgy Society,

the Northern Mine Research Society (NMRS)

and the South Gloucestershire Mine Research Group (SGMRG)

are kindly providing sponsorship in support of the conference.


Preparations for the Conference

Date Activity
December 2015 Confirmation of sponsors, appointment of committee and initial publicity
January-February 2016 Initial Publicity and call for papers
end of May 2016 Deadline for declaration of intention to submit papers
end of August 2016 Deadline for submission of synopses of papers (300 words)
September 2016 Confirmation of final list of papers/speakers
October 2016 Bookings arrangements go live
February-March 2017 Travel and local accommodation information available
April-May 2017 Confirmations and delegate packs sent out
May 2017 Conference runs – Registration, programme sessions and departure
June 2017- May 2018 Conference Proceedings editorial process
July 2018 onwards Conference Proceedings Part.1 publication – Full delegates receive copies. Parts 2 and later to follow in 2019