Charles Burrell and Sons: AF 3518
Note: This is a sub-section of Charles Burrell and Sons.
Cornish Maid. General Purpose Engine. No 3816. Built 1919. Reg No: AF 3518
This engine was built in Thetford, Norfolk in 1919 to special order; only one built. It was ordered and purchased by Mr C. H. Parsons, contractor of St. Columb Major, Cornwall.
The engine has an extra long boiler and connecting rods, a solid disc flywheel, 3 speed gears and is fully sprung and weighs 11.5 tons, making this the only one in the world.
The Cornish Maid is an agricultural traction engine. During the summer the engine was used to pull the fairground equipment to the towns, as well as hauling some very large cornish mine boilers. During the rest of the year it would be threshing and wood sawing.
One of the drivers has said that the engine worked 364 days a year!
The Cornish Maid has always been kept in good condition, even during her working days.
Mark Syms purchased the engine in 1970 and he and his son Stevens, with the help of some friends carried out extensive restoration work, including a new fire box, fire tubes and tube plate. It has also had new bearings throughout and the making and fitting of the canopy. The works were completed in 1992.
In 1997 new rubber tyres were fitted.
During 2004, the Cornish Maid had more essential restoration with the fitting of new gears, a new back axle and balance weights were added to the crankshaft. It also had a new chimney and baffle plate.
The engine has recently had a complete paint restoration using the traditional brush method.
The Cornish Maid is owned by the Syms family of St. Columb Major, Cornwall who are only the second owners from new. It is also situated only a mile away from the original owner's yard.[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Boconnoc Steam Fair Programme, 2011