About St. Nicholas Works, Thetford

In the 19th century Britain led the world in the development of steam road transport. Charles Burrell & Sons of Thetford, Norfolk were builders of steam traction engines, agricultural machinery, steam trucks and steam tram engines. Over 4000 engines left the works during the life of the firm. Burrell is most famous for its magnificent showman's engines, over 230 of which survive today, but they also produced the first practical steam road locomotive.

The company operated from St. Nicholas Works in Thetford, initially established as a foundry and agricultural machinery works by Joseph Burrell in 1803. Joseph's nephew Charles (1817 - 1906) built the company's first steam engine in 1846. Following on from successful Burrell marine engines, steel launches were built for a short time from 1884, and tramway engines were also supplied by Burrell's. Road rollers were made at Thetford from 1891. Charles Burrell took out a patent for rubber tyres protected by steel clips in 1871, the year of his first high-speed road engine. Other patents representing technical improvements over the years covered further wheel refinements, clutch gearing, and Burrell's famous single crank compound (SCC) system of 1889.

Burrell's made 207 showman's engines, not counting the many conversions made from road locomotives and steam tractors, which was far more than any other firm. They were built for fast travel over long distances, with 160 km (100 miles) in twelve hours being possible. The double crank compound (DCC) system was used from 1897, and later models had solid rubber tyres and three-speed gears. Most magnificent of all were the 8 n.h.p. special scenic locomotives of the 1920s, equipped with auxiliary dynamo for energising the field coils of the main dynamo to drive fairground rides.

Charles Burrell & Sons employed over three hundred and fifty people and exported to all corners of the world. During the First World War the company produced munitions, while the boiler shop made Admiralty gun mountings. From 1928 the firm was wound down and finally closed completely in 1930, when the plant and equipment at St. Nicholas Works were auctioned. The loss of its major industry was a blow to Thetford. The last engine to be finished at the works was no.4088, a 7 n.h.p. SC traction engine. Spares and unfinished orders were transferred to Richard Garrett & Sons of Leiston in Suffolk (see entry), where the last Burrell of all, the 8 n.h.p. SC traction engine no.4094, was completed in 1932. Nothing was preserved at Thetford.

The Charles Burrell Museum opened in 1991 and is housed in the former Paint Shop on Minstergate in Thetford. The collections include a Charles Burrell and Sons Ltd steam roller and traction engine, parts of Burrell engines, factory machinery, and items linked to the Burrell Family.