FMW Inc.

What FMW Inc. does

FMW Solutions LLC, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, is a specialized railroad contracting, consulting, and engineering firm operating across North America and selectively in Europe. The firm delivers multi-disciplinary services including mechanical engineering and design (3D CAD modeling in SolidWorks, finite element analysis, Form 4 boiler calculations), diesel and steam locomotive repair and overhaul, code-regulated pressure vessel fabrication under ASME S-Stamp and NBIC R-Stamp certifications, alternative energy development (battery and hydrogen propulsion, coal-to-oil conversions), and rail transportation logistics. Customers span Class I freight railroads, short line and regional operators, tourist and heritage railroads, industrial rail operations, government and public agencies, and film/television productions.

The company operates through three principal entities: the parent FMW Solutions brand delivering engineering and mechanical services; National Rail Consulting Group (NRCG), which provides finance, strategic planning, and federal grant writing services (over $40 million raised for clients through CRISI, BUILD, and RRIF programs); and FMW Rail Operations (FMWX), a standalone operating subsidiary managing tourist rail ventures such as Sugar Express in partnership with U.S. Sugar Corporation. Notable technical and reputational anchors include the restoration of PRR K4 No. 1361 (with FRA-accepted boiler repair procedures), Nashville Chattanooga & St. Louis No. 576, Pere Marquette No. 1225, and Great Northern No. 2313 (a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark).

FMW monetizes via project-based, custom-quoted professional services engagements billed through multi-year contracts, with no public pricing tiers. Distribution is direct: enterprise field sales, website-driven inquiries, and industry referrals, supported by a content-marketing program of case studies and video documentation. Operations are anchored in a primary machine and fabrication shop in Soddy-Daisy, a 52,000 sq ft former Lucey Boiler facility in Chattanooga, and supporting locations in Jacksonville and Watervliet. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors and has scaled entirely through operating cash flow since inception.

Name

FMW Inc.

Legal name

FMW Solutions LLC

Website

https://fmwsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FMW Solutions is a Tennessee-based railroad contractor and consulting firm providing ASME/NBIC-certified mechanical engineering, diesel and steam locomotive repair, federal grant writing, and tourist rail operations for Class I, short line, heritage, industrial, and government clients across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Soddy Daisy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Railroad Consulting and Engineering Services: Professional consulting services including mechanical and engineering design, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and project management for railroads and rail operations.
2. Locomotive Repair and Maintenance: Diesel and steam locomotive repair, overhaul, inspection, and maintenance services for Class I, short line, tourist, and industrial railroads.
3. Railroad Grant Writing Services: Grant writing, analysis, and advisory services for federal funding including CRISI grants, with over $40 million raised for clients.
4. Rail Operations and Tourism Services: Operating tourist rail services, passenger train coordination, and marketing services for heritage railroads and tourist operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FMW Solutions is a railroad contracting, engineering, and consulting firm that delivers mechanical engineering and design, diesel and steam locomotive repair and overhaul, rail operations support, regulatory compliance, grant writing, and strategic planning services for railroads, museums, public agencies, and private organizations across North America. The firm also develops and operates tourist rail services (e.g., Sugar Express, Finger Lakes Rail Experience) and provides film/television rail coordination.

Product overview

FMW Solutions is a full-service railroad contracting, consulting, and engineering firm that operates across multiple service divisions rather than as a single unified software product. The company's core offerings span railroad mechanical and engineering design, diesel and steam locomotive servicing and repair, rail operations, strategic planning support, marketing and public relations, safety compliance administration, training, and alternative fuel technology research and development. FMW operates through several divisions including its National Rail Consulting Group (NRCG) for grant writing and strategic planning, and FMW Rail Operations (FMWX) for managing railroad operations. The company also develops and operates tourist rail brands such as Sugar Express. The portfolio is organized around service lines: Railroad Engineering & Design, Diesel Locomotive Repair & Service, Railroad Grant Writing & Development, Steam Locomotive & Historic Equipment Repair, Railroad Strategic Planning & Development, Rail Transportation/Shipping/Logistics, Passenger Rail & Tourism Development, and Movie Trains/Specialty Services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Railroad Engineering & Design Mechanical engineering and design services for railroad systems, infrastructure projects, and emerging technologies, including pressure vessels and CAD design, for both historic and modern rail equipment.
• Diesel Locomotive Repair & Service Inspection, diagnostics, overhaul, repair, lease evaluations, alternative energy development, and operational support for GE and EMD diesel-electric locomotives.
• Railroad Grant Writing & Development Grant writing, analysis, and advisory services for railroads, public agencies, and institutions seeking federal funding such as CRISI, RAISE, BUILD, and RRIF loans. Has raised over $40 million for clients over six years.
• Steam Locomotive & Historic Equipment Repair Locomotive and appliance overhauls, feasibility studies, training, and repair required to restore, operate, and sustain historic steam locomotives and vintage equipment across North America and Europe.
• Railroad Strategic Planning & Development Practical consulting guidance grounded in operational realities, market conditions, financial considerations, and long-term sustainability for railroad operators.
• Rail Transportation, Shipping and Logistics Inspections, transportation planning, regulatory compliance, and project oversight for safe moves of locomotives, passenger cars, complete collections, and infrastructure assets.
• Passenger Rail & Tourism Development Development, operations planning, strategy, marketing, and customer experience design for railroads, museums, and public agencies in the passenger rail, museum, and tourist railroad industries.
• Movie Trains, Marketing, and Specialty Services Strategic and safety consulting, movie trains, research, scouting, and on-site railroad unit coordination services supporting film, television, and commercial productions involving rail equipment and locations.
• National Rail Consulting Group (NRCG) Wholly-owned consulting division providing railroad finance, strategic planning, and grant writing services, including CRISI, BUILD, and RRIF loan applications for short line and industrial railroad clients.
• FMW Rail Operations (FMWX) Wholly-owned railroad subsidiary that manages insurance, agreements, training, and operations for tourist rail ventures such as Sugar Express and Finger Lakes Rail Experience.
• Sugar Express Seasonal steam excursion brand developed by FMW for U.S. Sugar featuring restored steam locomotives and vintage passenger cars for tourist rail experiences in South Central Florida.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $40 million raised for clients through grant writing services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Abbeville FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for cosmetic restoration of USRA 0-8-0 steam locomotive (now ACL No. 1235) in Abbeville, Alabama. Eight-month restoration project creating historically accurate tribute to steam era railroading.
• U.S. Sugar Corporation / Sugar ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for steam locomotive restoration (No. 148, ACL No. 1504) and Sugar Express tourist rail operation development in South Central Florida. Includes turntable preservation from St. Louis and passenger car fleet restoration.
• Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop and operate Finger Lakes Rail Experience tourist rail service in upstate New York. Startup developed, funded, and operated by FMW in partnership with Class 3 short line.
• United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey (URHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for passenger car sourcing and lease for Finger Lakes Rail Experience. URHS provided historic NYC and PRR cars that were refreshed and deployed in tourist service.
• CSX TransportationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRailroad partner for Finger Lakes Rail Experience providing trackage rights and operational coordination for passenger train movements.
• New Jersey TransitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRailroad partner providing operational coordination for equipment movement in Finger Lakes Rail Experience project.
• NYSW RailwayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShort line railroad partner for Finger Lakes Rail Experience providing trackage for tourist rail operations.
• Operation Toy Train (TOYX)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing power car and operational support for Finger Lakes Rail Experience project.
• Nashville Steam Preservation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for restoration and operation of Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway steam locomotive No. 576. FMW leading mechanical restoration effort with over $3 million raised for the project.
• Railroaders Memorial MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for restoration of Pennsylvania Railroad K4s No. 1361 'Spirit of Altoona.' FMW provides day-to-day restoration oversight and strategic planning for the museum's flagship preservation project.
• Mid-Continent Railway MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted for restoration of Great Northern No. 2313 gas-electric motor car at FMW's Soddy-Daisy facility.
• Steam Railroading InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pere Marquette Locomotive No. 1225 running gear overhaul. FMW performing most extensive running gear work on the locomotive since its retirement in 1951.
• Everett Railroad CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteam locomotive No. 11 fuel oil conversion engineering and design work including drafting system modifications and exhaust nozzle design.
• Western Maryland Scenic RailroadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC&O Steam Locomotive No. 1309 driving wheelset machining work including journal re-profiling and crankpin quartering.
• Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoiler engineering and 3D CAD work for new-build PRR Duplex locomotive boiler, the largest new-build boiler project since end of steam era.
• Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog RailwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMechanical inspection of historic 1897-built steam locomotive No. 4 and coach 104, including feasibility study for conversion to new rack system.
• GE PowerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocomotive repair services for 110-ton center cab switching locomotive including traction motor support bearing repair and gearbox replacement.
• MetroLink / Bi-State DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurntable rescue and preservation partnership. FMW coordinated removal and salvaging of historic 1917 Wabash Railroad turntable for relocation to Sugar Express.
• Tennessee Valley Railroad MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for driving wheel machining work. TVRM's Soule Shops used for wheelset overhaul of Atlantic Coast Line No. 1504 and journal lathe repair for C&O No. 1309 work.
• Historic Watertown Inc. / Tennessee Central Railway MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurntable removal and transportation project management from Atlanta, GA to Watertown, TN for preservation and installation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Burns & McDonnell: Burns & McDonnell is a large engineering, construction, and consulting firm with a rail practice serving Class I, short line, and transit operators. It is a broad incumbent in the rail engineering and consulting market that overlaps with FMW's engineering design and grant writing services.
• Loram Maintenance of Way: Loram provides rail maintenance-of-way services, equipment, and contracting for freight and passenger railroads. It is comparable as a specialized railroad services contractor serving both commercial and rail operator clients, though focused on track maintenance rather than mechanical/locomotive work.
• MotivePower Industries: MotivePower is a locomotive manufacturer and remanufacturer (now part of Wabtec) specializing in rebuilds and new-build switcher and road locomotives. It is a broad incumbent in the locomotive repair and services space that overlaps with FMW's diesel locomotive practice.
• Wabtec Corporation: Wabtec is a large rail equipment and services conglomerate providing locomotives, components, and digital solutions. It is a comparable broad incumbent in locomotive services and engineering, though FMW operates at a much more specialized, heritage-focused level.
• Progress Rail Services (Caterpillar): Progress Rail is a Caterpillar subsidiary providing rail equipment, remanufacturing, and maintenance services for locomotives and rail infrastructure. It is a comparable broad incumbent in the diesel locomotive repair and rail services space that FMW addresses at a more specialized, niche level.

Direct peers

• RailPros: RailPros provides engineering, planning, and management services for rail infrastructure projects, including track, signal, and structural engineering. It is a direct peer in the railroad consulting and engineering services market that FMW serves.
• Brookville Equipment Corporation: Brookville is a specialty manufacturer of rail cars, locomotives, and streetcars, including heritage and new-build equipment. It is a direct peer in the specialty rail equipment manufacturing and restoration space that FMW serves.
• Short Line Data Inc. Short Line Data provides consulting, technology, and rail industry services targeting short line and regional railroads. It is a direct peer in the short line railroad consulting and advisory market, an area where FMW's NRCG division actively competes.
• Knoxville Locomotive Works: Knoxville Locomotive Works is a locomotive remanufacturing and services firm in the Southeast that rebuilds and services EMD and diesel locomotives. It is a direct peer in the diesel locomotive repair and rebuilding market that FMW serves.

Others

• Center for Railroad Photography & Art: The Center for Railroad Photography & Art is a nonprofit dedicated to rail photography, art, and heritage education. It is an adjacent ecosystem player in the railroad heritage and preservation community that FMW serves through restoration, consulting, and operating partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fmw-solutions-llc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FMW Inc.