3827 VICTORY - Built 1920 - Charles Thurston of Norwich - Survived
Burrell's first 'Special Scenic' engine. Delivered to Charles Thurston of Norwich in May 1920 for his Golden Dragon Scenic ride. This ride appeared at the Lynn Mart Fair in February 1920 attended by Burrell Scenic engine KING EDWARD VII No. 2780. The new engine provided the lighting and the two engines worked in partnership. The engine is now part of the famous Cushing Collection in Norfolk. Sadly it is no longer ever in steam. You can read more about the collection (which includes Scenic Rides) and the opening hours by clicking here http://www.thursford.com
3840 QUEEN ELIZABETH - Built 1920 - Mrs John Wilmot - Scrapped
Canopy: JOHN WILMOT'S TOURING AMUSEMENTS
Delivered to Mrs John Wilmot in July 1920 for her Number 1 Switchback ride. She was the widow of a celebrated Scottish showman, John Wilmot, the Father of the Scottish Showland. She carried no name initially, nor any traditional brasswork decoration. She was sold within a year to J. Green & Sons of Preston for their Golden Dragons Scenic and named Queen Elizabeth. She was cut up in 1948. She is shown here in the ownership of Green & Son. Note she was supplied without an auxiliary dynamo, later fitted by John Green.
3865 No. 1 Built 1920 - Pat Collins - Survived
Canopy: PAT COLLIN'S PRESENTING FUN FAIR
This engine was purchased to provide power for Collin's Scenic Whales managed by Miss Clara Mullett, who later became Pat Collins second wife. Collins' acquired her to drive their No. 1 Scenic Railway ride. Before the war the engine was dismantled for repair and rebuilt in the late 1940's. She was then used to power the Lakin Odeon fronted waltzer. She is believed to be the last Scenic-type engine seen working in the fairgrounds and when the Scenic ride was eventually taken off the road she powered the Collin's Noahs Ark ride. Sold by Collins family to John Crawley in 1961 and completely restored.
3866 - VANGUARD - Built 1920 - Marshall Hill, Bedminster - Scrapped
Canopy: MARSHALL HILL'S GREAT WORLD FAIR ON TOUR
Built in December 1920 and sold to Marshall Hill of Bedminster, Bristol for his motor scenic ride. Later acquired by Bernard Hill of Leominster who scrapped her in 1952. Vanguard travelled the West Country Fairs including Frome Fair. She was fitted with an auxiliary dynamo platform and dynamo and also had the bunker extension crane. I have included Vanguard here as she appears to have been upgraded to the full Special Scenic specification at some point in her working life. The Burrell records show she was built with the bunker extensions and a jib crane was fitted but they only list the auxiliary platform as fitted. The dynamo may have been added later by her owners.
3872 HERO - Built 1920 - Caris & Sons - Scrapped
Canopy: CARIS & SONS, NEWCASTLE ON TYNE
HERO was mechanically identical to 3840 but carried the tradition brass decorations. She was supplied new to Caris & Sons of Newcastle-upon-Tyne for their Gondola Switchback Ride. Later acquired by Sam Crow & Sons of Middlesborough. She was cut up for scrap. A photograph exists of the engine being driven away on a low loader having been sold for scrap. The last owner was heard to comment that the photograph would never have been taken if he had known the value of the engines in later years of preservation. Oh the value of hindsight.
3879 JACK - Built 1921 - John Proctor & Sons - Scrapped
Canopy: J PROCTOR & SONS, AMUSEMENT CATERERS
Exhibited at the Lynn Mart Fair in Norfolk in 1921. JACK was built to the order of John Proctor for his second Scenic ride, a magnificent set of Peacocks. It always had pride of place at the famous Nottingham Goose Fair until taken off the road in the 1930's.
3884 GLADIATOR (I WONDER) - Built 1921 - Frederick Gray - Survived
Canopy: F. GRAY'S NEW SCENIC RAILWAY
This engine was supplied to Fred Gray of Hampstead in March 1921 for his new set of Scenic Motors. She was originally named I WONDER and later renamed GLADIATOR. The engine and ride (which incorporated a very fine 110 key Gavioli organ) travelled London fairs until the early 1950's. They always had pride of place at the Hampstead Heath Holiday Fairs. The canopy was lettered Fred Gray's Steam Yachts". The engine was owned by the famous merchants the Hardwicks of West Ewell before being sold on.
3886 LORD LASCELLES - Built 1921 - Harry Gray of Battersea - Survived
Canopy: HARRY GRAY'S STEAM YACHTS
This engine was new to Harry Gray in April1921. She travelled with Gray's Scenic Ride until 1939. . In 1951 she went to Hardwick's scrap yard in West Ewell where she was renamed TULYAR after the 1952 Derby winner. She was then purchased by the heavy haulage firm, J. Hickey & Son. It was only in 1964 when the late Steve Neville took possession of the pieces that her survival was assured. After reassembly she was extensively rallied in preservation until 1980 when it was sold to Mr Richard Marsh. He carried out a complete rebuild, an exceptional effort, to completely restore it to near new condition.
3887 THE PRINCE OF WALES - Built 1922 - Henry Jennings - Survived
Canopy: JENNINGS' WONDERFUL WHALES
Supplied new in 1922 to Henry Jennings & Sons of Devizes Wilts, to power his famous Whale Scenic Ride. On the canopy carried words "H. Jennings' Wonderful Whales". Henry Jennings was known as Tom Jennings. On his death the ride and engine was used by his sons. Last appearance of the ride was in 1937. Engine purchased by L C V Corbett in 1952. Sold in 1956 to Peter Barber, MD of James & Crockerell Civil Engineers of Devizes. Sold in 1971 to L R Searle & Sons Horsham. Now owned by James Searle. It is believed this engine was the last to work regularly on Fairgrounds between London to Bristol. She attended the Salisbury Fair every year.
3888 GENERAL GOUGH - Built 1921 - Swales Bolesworth - Survived
Canopy: BOLESWORTH'S AMUSEMENTS ON TOUR
Built in 1921. She was not fitted with a bunker crane. Supplied new to Swales Bolesworth of Dagenham, Essex for travelling his ex-White Bros Gondola Switchback ride. The engine was operated by members of the Bolesworth family for many years touring the fairgrounds of the London area. Certainly in the 1940's the engine was still touring the fairs under the ownership of Tom Bolesworth and bore the legend 'British Amusements on Tour'. Owned in later years by D.W.White of Margaretting, Essex the engine was eventually brought by Hardwicks scrap merchants of West Ewell. Whilst on route to Lea Bridge one Easter, the engine suffered a broken front axle. By that time, Burrell had gone out of business and manufacturers Richard Garrett and son of Leiston, Suffolk, who had taken over the final orders and spare parts, fitted and new front axle and front wheels. The replacement parts were different to the original ones, which resulted in the front of the engine standing higher than previously, and gave the engine a unique appearance to the other scenic engines. She was restored in 1958 to Anderton and Rowland showman's engine standards by Jimmy Miller of Bristol. Purchased by present owners Nigel and Andy Myers in 1998 and underwent an extensive restoration in 2005. Her main dynamo is from Fowler Super Lion The Lion and her auxiliary dynamo is off 3887 Prince of Wales.
3896 EARL BEATTY Built 1921 - Anderton & Rowland - Survived
Canopy: ANDERTON & ROWLANDS GOLDEN DRAGONS
Supplied to Anderton & Rowland, the well-known West Country showmen, on 13th May 1921 at a cost of £3500. The engine was given a Plymouth registration and named by the firm's manager of the day, Mr.George De Vey Snr, as Earl Beatty. On completion at the Burrell works in Thetford the engine was steamed direct to Messrs Orton & Spooner at Burton-On-Trent, Staffs and was set to test run the new Scenic Railway that the firm had just purchased. The engine worked until 1940. The engine was eventually sold by John Weaver of Cinderford, Gloucestershire to Jack Wharton of Witney. Her original front wheels are now on 3887 Prince of Wales.
3909 WINSTON CHURCHILL (Prince Albert) 1921 Albert Holland - Survived
Canopy: HOLLAND'S GOLDEN DRAGONS
Despatched to Holland Bros in April 1922 for Albert Holland's Peacock and Dragon Scenic Ride. Originally named PRINCE ALBERT but this was later changed to Winston Churchill in preservation. The late Eric Middleton bought this engine (for £250) directly from Hollands of Swadlincote, Derbyshire in about 1952 . It had been laid up and abandoned some years previously and had become pretty derelict by the time it arrived at Hartlebury. The engine was completely restored by Mr Middleton and was later sold and rallied in the 1980's by the Hardwick family - the famous West Ewell scrap merchants.
3912 DRAGON - Built 1921 - ANDERTON & ROWLAND - Survived
Canopy: ANDERTON & ROWLANDS DIVING DOLPHINS
In November 1921 DRAGON was supplied to Anderton & Rowland to work with her identical twin engine EARL BEATTY and the older Burrell LORD NELSON No. 3443. DRAGON and EARL BEATTY were the two most famous engines on the West Country circuit. The trio of engines travelled the Dragon Gondola Ride until 1936 when the ride was broken up. Both engines had special smaller than normal 6 foot diameter rear wheels. These were considered as better for negotiating steep hills in the Devon and Cornish countryside. Earl Beatty had a full jib crane but Dragon never carried a jib although she had the extended bunker sides.
936 RENOWN - Built 1922 - Edward Danter & Sons, Newport - Scrapped
Canopy: E DANTER & SONS, AMUSEMENT CATERERS
In July 1922 Edward Danter & Sons took delivery of their third Scenic type engine. RENOWN was purchased to drive their newly rebuilt Scenic Peacocks ride which travelled until 1936. The engine also carried the nameplate ICH DIEN off the old 1901 Burrell 2379. RENOWN was always a smart, well cared for engine with wider than usual front wheels for tackling soft ground. Sadly she was cut up for scrap during the Second World War.
3938 QUO VADIS - Built 1923 - William Wilson of Peckham - Survived
Canopy: Wm. WILSON'S RENDEZ-VOUS, PECKHAM RYE
New to William Wilson of Peckham, London. Travelled with Rodes Switchback, until mid 1930's then sold to amusement contractors Walls of Petersfield, Hants with whom she ended her Showland life in the early 1950s. Eventually she ended up in Hardwick's West Ewell scrapyard. She was retrieved in a hopeless condition in 1959 and rebuilt by Mr Ken Coombe. He then sold her to Mr Edward Hine of Shaftesbury, Dorset who fully restored her. The engine became one of the most recognised and loved engines as it has been used for many years in all of the promotional literature produced by the famous Great Dorset Steam Fair. Now owned by Robert Cole, Shaftsbury.
3948 JOHN BULL (KITCHENER) - Built 1923 - H. Studt & Sons - Scrapped
Canopy: HENRY STUDT & SONS, SELECT AMUSEMENTS
This engine was exhibited by Burrell at the Royal Smithfield Show in 1923 before delivery to H. Studt & Sons Swansea. She was purchased as an additional engine for Studt's Scenic Dragons working with the Burrell 3599 KITCHENER and the Fowler LADY MARGARET. The engine was later renamed KITCHENER. The ride was sold in 1928. The engine was used to demolish damaged buildings in Swansea during the blitz in the Second World War. Her brass valve chest covers were embossed with Dragons. Finally scrapped in 1958.
3968 THE WHALE - Built 1924 - Harry Hall of Derby - Scrapped
Canopy: HARRY HALL'S GORGEOUS GLITTERING WHALES ON TOUR
This engine was delivered to Harry Hall of Derby for his "Gorgeous Glittering Whales" Scenic Ride. The engine was fitted with the larger cylinders of the contractors type engines. The engine joined No. 4921 LORD CURZON. This photo shows the engine with chains strapped around the rear wheels to get better traction in the muddy conditions. The engine was being used to rope out other engines and caravans at the end of the Fair. Sadly the engine was scrapped at the end of its long, hard working life.
3969 MAJESTIC - Built 1925 - Enoch Farrar - Scrapped
Canopy: FARRAR BROS, GOLDEN DRAGONS ON TOUR
MAJESTIC was delivered to Enoch Farrar, a well-known Yorkshire traveller. She was bought to provide the power for his Golden Dragon Scenic ride. This engine did not have the usual twisted brass canopy supports (olivers), stars or rings, nor an auxiliary dynamo. She was therefore used as a second engine generating power for lighting rather than power for the actual ride. Apparently Burrells were best in flat countryside and the engine did not perform as well as Proctor's Fowler VENTURER and Foster THUNDERER on hills around Sheffield.
4000 EX-MAYOR - Built 1925 - G. T. Tuby & Sons - Survived
Canopy: TUBY & SONS, OWNERS DONCASTER
Alderman George Tuby was a famous Yorkshire showman and he ordered 7 brand new engines from Burrell over the years. They were all painted in the dark blue of the Great Eastern Railway. They were probably the finest fleet of Showmans engines. She was delivered in 1925 after being exhibited at the Lynn Mart Fair. The Scenic ride she was to power had been sold to Pat Collins so she never carried the auxiliary dynamo. She was saved by her driver Frank Cheffin who bought her from Tuby.
4021 LORD CURZON - Built 1925 - Harry Hall of Derby - Scrapped
Canopy: HARRY HALL'S GORGEOUS GLITTERING WHALES ON TOUR
This engine was supplied new to Harry Hall to power his "Gorgeous Glittering Whales" ride. It worked with THE WHALE. Harry Hall named the engine after the distinguished statesman who lived at Kedleston Hall, near Derby. Both engines travelled the Scenic Whale ride at fairs throughout the Midlands until 1937. LORD CURZON was then transferred to Hall's brother-in-law, Pat Collins of the famous Bloxwich concern, with whom she ended her days. The photo shows her with Hall's Whales in 1932. Apparently the Burrell Scenics were not the best engines in the hilly Derbyshire countryside. Harry Hall was quoted as saying his Fowlers (LORD KITCHENER and LITTLE ALF) would 'walk away' in the hills while the Burrells had to 'get down to it'.
4030 DOLPHIN (GUVNOR) Built 1925 William S. Davies - Survived
This was the last engine built at Burrell's Thetford works. The engine was supplied to William Davies in September 1925. In 1927 she was sold to John Shaw of Sheffield and renamed The Guv'nor. While in John Shaw's ownership the canopy was lowered by 6 inches. Later she was sold to the Merseyside traveller , H.J Wallis Junior and renamed The Commando. She was eventually sold to a market gardener to be used for soil sterilisation. Luckily she got bogged down in a field and was sold to John Alderson in 1959. He undertook her restoration in preservation.
4092 SIMPLICITY - Built 1930 - Mrs Deakin of Brynmawr - Scrapped
Canopy: A DEAKIN & SONS MODERN AMUSEMENTS
Mrs Alfred Deakin ordered the last Showmans engines from Burrell and John Fowler - SUPREME. Although SIMPLICITY was ordered from Burrells A.G.E decided the engine would be completed at Richard Garrett's Leiston Works. The engine was delivered directly to the Stratford Mop Fair where she powered a new set of Dodgems. Later both engines were sold to Road Engines & Kerr the Scottish heavy haulage company. Both had their dynamos removed and their roofs cut back. Sadly SIMPLICITY was saved by a group of preservationists but eventually got cut up for scrap - read how this happened under the Engine Gallery.
The engines below were converted to the Special Scenic's specification later in their lives.
2780 EDWARD VII - Built 1905 - Charles Thurston of Norwich- Survived
This engine was the first of the big 'Contractor's Type' Showman's Road Locomotives with the 7" DCC cylinders. She was delivered new in 1905 to power Thurston's Bioscope Show, known as the 'Original Royal Show'. In 1919 this engine was returned to Thetford for overhaul and a full conversion to the Special Scenic specification. The engine appeared at the Lynn Mart Fair in 1920 with the new Orton & Spooner built Golden Dragon Scenic ride. The new engine VICTORY No. 3827 also attended the ride. Both engines are on display at the Cushing Collection in Norfolk.
3285 KING GEORGE V - Built 1911 - Tom Clarke - Survived
In March 1911 the Abbot and Barker partnership of Norwich took delivery of 3285 and named her King George V to mark the accession of the new King. The engine was later sold to Anderton & Rowland. The engine was converted to Scenic specification in 1920 and fitted with an auxiliary dynamo platform and car lifting crane. Later the engine was sold to Swales Forrest, the London traveller for their standing top Gondola Switchback. The supporting rods under the dynamo are unique to this engine.
3483 PERSEVERANCE THE SECOND - Built 1913 - Harniess Bros - Survived
CANOPY: HARNIESS BROTHERS NO. 1 SCENIC
Supplied new to Harniess Bros in June 1913 for their Savage-built "Little Wonder" ride. She and the Fowler ENTERPRISE were a popular sight at the country fairs in South Yorkshire LIncolnshire and Nottinghamshire. 3483 generated for the cars and organ. She was fitted with a post-type crane which was later changed to the bunker extension design. She was later sold to Mrs John Cole of Chichester for her Savage-built Spinning-top Switchback ride, A unique feature of the engine was a hatch in the canopy above the main dynamo so it could be lifted and removed easily.
3441 - WILLIAM IV - Built 1913 - William Murphy - Scrapped
No. 3441 William IV was supplied to the Newcastle Showman William Murphy in February 1913. She was fitted with brackets to carry the raised auxiliary dynamo platform. She was later acquired by Thomas Murphy and in 1934 she was sold to Captain Rowlands to travel his set of dodgems. Turret crane later removed.
3547 - AMY (TUCKER) - Built 1914 - Walter Murphy - Scrapped
Canopy: MURPHY'S DIVING DOLPHINS
3547 Amy (Tucker) at Newcastle Town Moor Fair in 1925. Built February 1914 with auxiliary dynamo platform and bunker extension crane. Sold to Walter Murphy of North Shields to power and haul their Electric Scenic motor car ride. Several years later when the motor cars had lost their novelty they were replaced by the Dolphin cars (as per the canopy in this photo). In September 1935 she was sold to John Powell of Jarrow, Co Durham.
3547 in John Powell's ownership when renamed TUCKER. Location is Newcastle Town Moor Fair in June 1938.
3590 - Kitchener - Built June 1914 - A Danter & Sons, Newport - Scrapped
This photo is believed to be 3590 Kitchener in Cardiff city centre in 1940 clearing buildings after Blitz.
3610 - WILLIAM V - Built 1914 - William Murphy - Survived
3610 WILLIAM V was one of the eleven Scenic engines built with an auxiliary dynamo platform and subsequently fitted with a Feast post type car lifting crane. She was delivered to William Murphy. Her sister engine 3547 AMY (later TUCKER) was delivered to Walter Murphy in March 1914 to power his Scenic Motor ride. In 1933 she was sold to Samuel Ingram of Hyde, Cheshire and worked along side Fowler 'Onward'. She was sold in 1942 to Bason & Sons, Longsight Manchester. She was acquired by James Botton & Sons of Green Street Green, near Orpington, Kent and in 1955 sold out of showland to John Crawley. Above photo taken at the Queen's Road Fair , Manchester 5th August 1940. She costarred in the 1963 film 'The Iron Maiden' painted battleship grey and renamed 'Dreadnaught'. Purchased by Richard Hazell in 2015/16 from Sean Cox of West Sussex who bought her from Nigel Myers in 1998.
3659 - Lord Kitchener - built 1915 - O'Brien Bros - Scrapped
3659 Lord Kitchener was built for O'Brien Bros of Winchester with whom she spent her entire working life. At first she travelled their Gondola Switchback ride but later was with their Dragon's scenic ride. In 1947 she was sold for scrap to J.W Hardwick of West Ewell. She is seen here at Norbiton Fair on 22 June 1935.
3787 - Thomas William (Her Majesty) - built 1918 - Goldthorpe - Scrapped
3787 Thomas William was built in July 1918 for Goldthorpe Marshall Jnr of Bradford and named after Willie Marshall. She travelled their scenic motor cars. Burrells were best on the flat. Goldthorpe who enjoyed engine driving apparently got 'browned off' on a 100 mile trip across the Pennines driving THOMAS WILLIAM as he had to uncouple his Fowler ENVOY to assist the Burrell up the hills. In 1930 she was sold to Walter Shaw & Sons of Sheffield for driving their electric speedway. They renamed her Her Majesty. In 1939 she was bought by Wall Bros of Petersfield, Hants before being sold to J.W Harwick the scrap dealers in West Ewell. This photo was taken at Millfield Cattle Market on 23 May 1934.