Solid Rear Axle

Burrell rear axle

OK, this isn’t a solid rear axle like a 1960’s muscle car. This is an actual solid round phosphor bronze bar that supports both rear wheels on the Burrell traction engine. The rear axle is fixed and the wheels then rotate independently on each side. Inboard of each wheel there is a gear that is … Read more

Burrell Gearing

Burrell and new domed smokebox door

I’ve been thinking about the Burrell gearing for some time. Calculating the overall ratio, estimating the maximum torque and speed of the traction engine. Looking online a Mamod TE1a traction engine flywheel speed is between 2000rpm and 2500rpm. 1st stage engine to layshaft is 4:1 reduction 2nd stage layshaft to rear wheels is 4:1 reduction … Read more

Burrell Door Lock

Burrell

The Burrell door lock is a T-head bolt with flat sides on the threaded section. This bolt goes through the door from the back, a handle with a slot then goes on allowing the bolt to be rotated. A second handle with a threaded not then allows the bolt to be pulled up tight. In … Read more

The Burrell Door

The Burrell Door

It’s taken a while to get back to working on the Burrell door. In particular making a new set of hinges for the curved door that I made a few weeks ago. The Burrell smokebox already had two holes drilled to accept 8BA bolts. Therefore, one of my first jobs was to align the door … Read more

Curved Smokebox Door

curved Burrell traction engine door

Finally I have a curved smokebox door for the miniature Burrell traction engine. The radius turning tool has taken a few days to devise and make. However, I managed to set this at 71.4mm radius and turn the dome on the smokebox door. I must admit that turning mild steel in this way is not … Read more