A bit of engine history . . .

My engine Burrell ‘A’ Class road roller ‘Monarch’ was new to Mr. T.R. Doran, Rolling Contractor on October 29th 1908. Here we are . . .

She was the fourth Burrell engine to be owned by them, the first being 1900 in 1896, when they were established. She was fitted with her curved nameplate ‘Monarch’ on the front fore carriage along with an eight pointed star, in common with most of the Dorans fleet; and came with her contractors plate, ‘T.R. Doran, Contractor, Thetford.’ 

Thomas Robert Doran was born in Haughley, Suffolk in 1868 and moved to Thetford when still a young boy with his family. He left Thetford Grammar School in 1881 and spent two years working at Charles Burrells’ St. Nicholas Works. He then went to work on the local railways before starting his own business as a roller and steam haulage contractor. Initially he had just one engine and a horse and cart and worked from his yard adjacent to his home in Croxton Road. In 1910 he went into partnership with his brother Fredrick, previously a draughtsman at Burrells, forming Doran Brothers Limited. It is this plate that my engine now carries.

This photo by R.J. Bantock, was taken in the garden of 23 Croxton Road, Thetford, the home of Fredrick Doran. The gentleman to the rear is believed to be Thomas Doran.


(David Osborne Collection)


Technically she has 5” and 8 ½” cylinders with a 9” stroke, works at 160 psi; has a 4’ dished flywheel; cast iron chimney and finished with lake paintwork. The original specification sheet in that it states that the engine had ‘ Mr. Dorans’ own front and hind rollers‘. They must have come from either 2535 or 2769. When were they scrapped? I’d be keen to know.

In July 1960 four of the Dorans fleet were sold to R. Palmer & sons of West Dereham. 3047 Monarch, 3313 Scout, 3962 Roamer and 3993 Buster. Scout, Roamer and Buster were purchased by Mr Alan Bloom and they are mentioned in his book ‘Steam Alive’.

Monarch was sold in 1962, to a Mr. John Mills & Mr. George Turner, both of Hauxton, Cambs. John Mills also owned a Fowell Traction Engine and worked for George Turner & Son who were Public Works Contractors at Hauxton Mill. It was while with them she must have attended the first rallies since she is listed in the Ickleton traction Engine Rally (September ‘62) being driven by George.

In September 1964 she attended the EATEC rally at Downham Road, Ely and is in the programme as belonging to Jack Green (Builders) Ltd., Haslingfield, Cambs. She was driven by J.W. Clarke, assisted by L.Dockerill.

Taken when Jack Green first owned her. You can clearly see the Burrell-Rutty scarifier.

She was sold into preservation in February 1967 to Mr Stan Burgess for his sons Bill and Tony. She was lovingly restored and rallied extensively. She attended the first Haddenham Rally in 1971 and the Burrell Reunion in 1972, all done up but without the canopy and a splendid Burrell scroll on the headstock. By September 1973 she had been refitted with her full length canopy all sign written ‘S.A. Burgess & Sons’.

Their younger son, Tony, who was interested in engineering and steam, was sadly killed on a motor bike so then in 1977 she was sold to Mr. Fred Webb, a general dealer from Hockwold. Then onto a Mr. Reynolds until she appeared in the Cheffins’ Ben Taylor Sale at the Saffron Walden Crank-Up on 12th July 1980, along with Ben's collection of Avelings. She must have been a late entry since she was not actually printed in catalogue. She made £5,050 and sold to Mr David Horton and moved south to Sussex.

David Horton renamed her ‘Sally’ after his wife. It was in his ownership that much work was carried out on her - she was fitted with a new set of gears; much of the motion work was overhauled; new tube plate fitted and barrell repairs.

She remained in his ownership until September 1999 when Steve West of Swindon purchased her. Again Steve was active in her continued maintenance and his brother, Andy, was responsible for the fantastic paintwork which she has today. In his ownership she attended the Burrell year at Dorset in 2000.

Taken shortly after her new paintwork was completed.

In 2003 she moved west again to Roy & Karen Harmer, close to Bristol. In January 2005 we purchased her from them.

Her first steaming at home, January 2005.


Castle Coome rally 2006.


My thanks to David Osborne, Robert Pumfrey, Brian Camps and Keith Grimsay for helping me with all the information and historical photos I have collected.

Here at home, when we first put her in the 'new' shed. I like the black and white photos - timeless scenes. As an 'A' class, 10 ton she has a 4' diameter flywheel - I often wonder why some were dished like this and others flat - can anyone let me know.