Burrell History

Charles Burrell & Sons Limited was a family firm based in Thetford, Norfolk. From its beginnings as a foundry and agricultural machinery business set up in 1803 by Joseph Burrell, in the latter half of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century it moved onto designing and producing many other types of steam engine, including self-moving ones. The company was renowned for the very high standard of finish, for retaining traditional methods of production, and for producing engines to meet each customer’s requirements.

Single Crank Compound

The Single Crank Compound system, patented by Burrell, was designed to give the economy of a compound engine, but with the lower maintenance costs of a single-cylinder type.

Burrell links

Information about the Charles Burrell museum which is based in the old finishing shop in Thetford, including opening times and admission prices.

An excellent book by Ronald H Clark, printed in 1952, now available from Engineering Info Services in both printed and CD ROM format, with masses of detail for the enthusiast.