This web site contains an account of my experiences building the ModelWorks 4" Scale Burrell Agricultural Traction Engine kit originally supplied by ModelWorks and now by Steam Traction World. The kits are supplied ready machined and are intended to be assembled  with the minimum of equipment.  

I have completed my Burrell Dairy and only plan to make new entries if there are significant developments. My regular model engineering blog is now www.fodenbuilder.co.uk and its home page will be regularly updated.  

The Foden front page will carry notification of any Burrell updates.
  

FAQ

Foden

Construction of New Seat 

This account has been in preparation for months and was in danger of never getting finished.  I have hurriedly finished it off to ensure it sees the light of day.

Get Off my Back

Why sitting on "little Beastie's" back is not a good idea.  This account is quite technical but its conclusion are well worth noting.    

Events 

Throughout the rally season I take "little Beastie" to rallies around the country. For details see my events page.  This page is regularly updated.

In order to avoid  a complete news blackout  I've started this page for news snippets 18/8/06 Little Beastie in trouble

The main content of this website is now available as a book.  The book provides a handy reference  and  a good read to the armchair constructor. More information...

View how I got on at the MSRVS 21st Steam Rally

Please keep sending me your steaming reports
View the latest

With the Burrell coming to a successful conclusion read about my next project 

First I had to learn how and then I did it for real
updated 11/11/2005

View some pictures of the freshly lined Burrell basking in the sun.

Start here to read a day by day account of building the ModelWorks Burrell. 

Whist at the GDSF I spotted a single cylinder Burrell similar to our model. See the pictures I took

My experiences  at my first proper Rally

Pictures of Other Builders Burrells

Burrell Gallery (updated 28/09/05)

I made the Bodmer Sliding Cylinder Engine engine the hard way from a few casting and stock materials. 

January

Rear Wheel

Boiler 

February

Rear Wheel

Crank  

Marc

Tyres

 Ashpan 

April

Tender

Valve gear

May

Tender accessories

Reverser Regulator

June

HornPlates

Differential Gears

July

Axle Tubes

Steam Head & Water Pump

August

Cylinder

fittings

September

Steering

Accessories

October

Front Wheels

Governor

First Steaming

November

Front Axle

Winding Drum 

First Rally

December

Smokebox

No Delivery

More Steamings

Dealers Trading in Traction Engine Models 

An effective route to acquiring a model Burrell or other traction engine is through one of the many dealers that trade in complete and part built models.  My favourite site is Station Road Steam and this usually has number of engines.  Over the years I have seen most of the designs above and the good quality pictures give a good insight into the merits of each.  A typical 4 inch goes for about £10K. Food for thought!   selling  

Station Road Steam 
The Engineers Emporium 
Maxitrak  
View Models
Steam Models 
Dorrington Technische Raritäten GmbH German 

Burrell Info

Charles Burrell Museum Website 
Sharpo's World - Steam Power on the Road - Burrell list 

Forums

Steam Traction World's forum specifically for constructors of Steam Traction World & Modelworks kits.  traction.forumandco.com

A useful and lively forum covering a wide rage of traction engine topics is Traction-Talk.

Other ModelWorks Build Sites

For information on machining a Burrell from castings Conrad's site at http://www.burrell- engine-builder.co.uk/ will be of interest.

Contact

Contact Burrell Builder