Royalty to star at Cheffins Vintage Sale

Cheffins are delighted have been given the opportunity to sell the well known 8 NHP Burrell Showmans "His Majesty", which for many years has resided in the important collection of the Lee family in Sandy Bay, Devon.

Three speed 8 NHP Burrell Road Locomotive No.2877 left the Thetford works in February 1907,built to full showmans specification and delivered to the West Country showmen Charles Heal and Son of Glastonbury, Somerset. It is the earliest 8NHP showmans engine in preservation to be built to what was to become Burrell's standard type specification: double drive gearing; cylinders 6.5"x11" with a 12" stroke;4'1" front and 6'6" rear wheels. It is fitted with an extra large belly tank on the gearside (similar to Burrell 3443 "Lord Nelson") and, unusually, the footplate is accessed from the gearside. It also carries its original large brass embellished "scenic" type dynamo.

"His Majesty" spent all its working life travelling the West Country fairs with Heals, retiring from work in the 1940s and sold into preservation in 1959,for many years residing in the collection of Ben Brock (of firework fame) in Swaffham, Norfolk along with 7NHP Burrell Showmans "Theresa/Western Pioneer".

This fine engine is said to be sound mechanically and has just had a new set of firetubes prior to a hydraulic test and ten year inspection. It is finished to a high standard in the correct Burrell livery of crimson with red wheels - altogether a beautiful and important, pedigree Burrell Showmans.

His Majesty is accompanied by the 1908 Clayton & Shuttleworth traction engine, which is from the same collection. This 7nhp single cylinder engine, No. 40687 is offered for sale with 7 years remaining on the hydraulic test and is in fine condition.

Also joinning the His Majesty and the Clayton & Shuttleworth is a fine example of Burrell's famous type "C" double geared unsprung 8 NHP was built in 1891.More 8 NHP single cylinder engines were built than any other type or size of Thetford built general purpose traction engine. They were highly regarded by their owners as simple but powerful engines. Works No.1563 was supplied new to a farmer in Essex by the name of Belcher. The engine spent most of its working life, however, on contract threshing work in East Norfolk.

After retiring it stood derelict for 25 years before being rescued for preservation by Mr D.Potter near East Dereham. It underwent a thorough restoration by Mr Mervyn Mayes of Yaxham, Norfolk in the early 1980s which included a new firebox. She never carried a name in her working life and was christened "The Big A" by the present owners after one of their popular items of heavy plant.

She is said to be sound mechanically and will be sold with a current boiler certificate.

The Cambridge Vintage Sale will be held on Saturday 23rd July 2011 at the Saleground, Sutton, near Ely.  For further information on these important engine contact Willem Middlemiss on 07801 229129 or Bill King on 01223 213777 / 07831 732617.