The Charles Burrell Museum owns and maintains three working Burrell engines, usually housed within the Museum. These can be seen outside in full steam at our Grand Opening and End of Season days every year.
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Steam roller No. 4061, built 1927 5NHP DCC, registration number UO 945. As far as known, she does not carry a name. Originally owned by Edwin Harris and Sons, Contractors. Donated to the Charles Burrell Museum by Tarmac Ltd as a kit of parts and re-assembled by a team of volunteers. |
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General purpose traction engine No. 2479, built 1902 8NHP SCC, registration number AH5239. Named “Old Dull Bob” but now affectionately referred to as Aggie , this engine worked all its life in the local area and was laid up at Burnham Market for a time. Bought for the Charles Burrell Museum, the boiler was overhauled, but new gears are needed. |
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Showman’s Road Locomotive No. 3833 , built 1920 8NHP DCC, registration number BR1498. Named “Queen Mary”, she was sold to Alf Payne, a northern showman. In 1923 ownership passed to Anderton and Rowland of Bristol, who travelled the West Country. She was eventually sold to Mrs Flo Simmonds of Salisbury, then in 1949 into preservation by Mr Viv Kirk in the Oxford Area. Remaining there until 2008, she arrived at the Charles Burrell Museum, bequeathed by Viv in his will. |
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Latest Engine News…
- Thanks to Land Rover Charity Events for a very kind donation.
Cheryl handing over a cheque for £2000 A massive thanks to Cheryl from Land Rover Charity Events for popping by to see the team today with a cheque for £2000. Thank you so much from all of us at the museum.
- Heritage Open Days 2021
We are open during Heritage Open Days this year!
- Fundraising Page
In difficult times without income from the museum itself we have now started a small fundraising page to help with all the engine restorations needed and our wider aims. http://gf.me/u/ytgjra
A few words from museum manager Helen….
We are solely manned by volunteers, relying on donations to assist in the upkeep of the museum and its engines. We encourage local visits from groups and schools, educating on how things were done in a Thetford whilst the Burrell works was the main employer of the town. We also have Steam Apprentices within our volunteer group who are learning the art of boiler management and steam operations. The benefits gained from fund raising will assist a wider audience of the town with knowledge of past workings as well as preserving these magnificent engines and building (housed in the original paint shop). This is an ongoing long term project and would welcome funds anytime to assist as we are a free to visit museum. We, as a volunteer group, appreciate any financial support small or large as all goes into the running of the museum as a whole.
- New Shoes for Queen Mary
After a 3 year fundraising campaign & a 13 hour road trip to collect them, we are delighted to be able to say we have new tyre segments for Queen Mary! Our wonderful volunteers will soon start work to fit them & we’ll keep you updated on our progress! We would like to thank everyone who donated to this appeal & also Jimmer & Sarah Marsh who sourced, pressed & cut the tyres for us.
- Happy 100 birthday to our very own Queen Mary, Showman’s Road Locomotive No. 3833 , built 1920!!!
Due to lock down, she is still undergoing maintenance/ boiler testing, but looking forward to celebrating once complete and restrictions are lifted!
