IEEC2 – 2021 Conference
Theme
“A wider view of early engines and their operating context – beyond valve gear and famous engineers”

IEEC2 Conference, 2021
The Second International Early Engines Conference (hereafter IEEC2) will now run over 3 days in October 2021 – Friday 8th- Sunday 10th October 2021 (postponed from May 2020 and May 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic).
The host venue is the fabulous Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, West Midlands.
The purpose of the conference is to provide a continuing forum for the presentation and discussion of new research into heat engines prior to 1812.
Venue

Arrangements for October 2021
Registration for delegates will open on the Morning of Day 1 (Friday) and the conference programme will run from 12.00 that day, through Day 2 (Saturday) and finish at noon on Day 3 (Sunday).
Approximately twenty presentations, long papers (thirty minutes) and shorter research updates (10-20 minutes) are planned, plus visits to local industrial engine sites and the fabulous BCLM museum itself. Catering will be provided and relevant publications will be on sale.
As with the inaugural IEEC Conference in 2017, the proceedings of the Conference will be published.
Programme
- View Draft Programme for IEEC2 – (updated 24/03/21)
- Final Programme (TBC April 2021-Sept 2021)
Booking Options
Booking for the conference includes whole conference options as well as individual day delegate tickets, with or without evening meal option.
FULL CONFERENCE TICKET ~ £135
Includes ALL short and long papers, lunch, AND evening meals on Friday and Saturday, refreshments (coffees & teas) on all three days, PLUS copies of the final published Conference Transactions.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus emergency, the original dates in May 2020 were postponed until October 2021. The revised dates, still following a 3 Day conference format will be Friday 8th October, Saturday 9th October and Sunday 10th October 2021.
CONFERENCE DAY TICKETS ~ £30-£60
- Day 1 – FRIDAY (8th October 2021)
- DAY ONLY – £40 Includes papers, lunch, and tea & coffee
- DAY & EVENING – £60 As above, plus evening meal at Sandfields and coach from Dudley and back.
- Day 2 – SATURDAY (9th October 2021)
- DAY ONLY – £45 Includes papers lunch, and tea & coffee
- NB BCLM’s “Red by Night” programme of active engine workings may be visited in the evening (extra BCLM entry cost).
- DAY ONLY – £45 Includes papers lunch, and tea & coffee
- Day 3 – SUNDAY (10th October 2021)
- DAY ONLY – £30 Includes papers and tea and coffee
Booking Form
Please use the Booking form below which provides details of the options and how payment can be made (cheque or electronic bank transfer).
Any queries can be directed to: admin@earlyengines.org
Getting There
PLEASE NOTE THAT the BCLM site was temporarily closed in accordance with Government guidance in light of the Coronavirus epidemic, so please check the latest visiting information if you wish to visit before the conference. Expected to start opening from May 2021.
The Black Country Living Museum is situated in the heart of the Black Country on the A4037 between Dudley and Tipton. The Museum is well signposted from the M5 and M6.

Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ
Accessibility
Detail information about site accessibility including a useful guide to the attractions in the BCLM site can be found here:
Local public transport
Rail
The Museum is one mile from Tipton railway station, on the Birmingham to Wolverhampton line operated by West Midlands Railway. See National Rail Enquiries for journey planner services.
Bus
Network West Midlands operate a number of services that stop outside the Museum, including:
- 24 Foxyards Estate to Merry Hill via Dudley
- 229 Bilston to Dudley via Coseley, Sedgley
- 311 & 313 Walsall to Dudley via Wednesbury
- 610 Wednesbury to Dudley via Great Bridge, Tipton
For bus information from Wolverhampton, Birmingham please use the NWM journey planner above, or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 to plan your journey.
Car
Main motorway route directions:
- M5, Junction 2: Follow the A4123 northwest toward Wolverhampton/Dudley. After three miles, turn left onto the A4037 Tipton Road heading south. The entrance is 150 yards on your right. Note: these directions are from the M5 junction 2. Please note that the Black Country ‘i’ (information) signs at junctions 1 and 3 do not direct to the Museum.
- M6, Junction 10: Follow the A454 (A463) ‘Black Country Route’ toward Wolverhampton and Dudley for 4.4 miles. Turn left onto the A4123 Birmingham New Road toward Dudley heading southeast for 2.4 miles. Turn right onto the A4037 Tipton Road heading south. The entrance is 150 yards on your right.
Parking: There is ample car and coach parking at the Museum. A parking charge of £3.50 applies to cars for the whole day. See also the BCLM Travel guidance.
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.
Some nearby hotel accommodation options include:
- Travelodge, Dudley (Discovery Way, Dudley DY1 4SQ) Tel. 0871 984 6517
- Premier Inn, Dudley (Castlegate Way, Dudley DY1 4RJ) Tel. 0333 321 9306
- Village Hotel, Dudley (Castlegate Drive, Dudley DY1 4TB) Tel. 01384 888830
- Station Hotel, Dudley (Castle Hill, Dudley DY1 4RA) Tel. 01384 253418
- Other hotel, Guest house/B&B and apartment options are also available in the local area
Please contact us if you require further guidance (admin@earlyengines.org).
Preparations for the Conference
Date | Activity |
July 2019 | |
May 2020 -April 2021 | Revised programme agreed and advertised. Conference rearranged again for October 2021. Early access to papers prepared during COVID-19. |
May 2021 | BCLM confirm final dates for “Red by Night” Steaming events to fix IEEC2 dates |
October 2021 | IEEC2 Conference runs from Friday-Sunday in October 2021 |
October 2021 -Winter 2022 | Conference Proceedings edited and published – Full delegates receive copies. |
Conference Partner and Sponsors
The Organisers are grateful to the following for their assistance and support in preparing and delivering the 2nd International Early Engines Conference.



