FRI 6th, SAT 7th & SUN 8th AUGUST 2010 COTSWOLD AIRPORT : KEMBLE : GL7 6BQ
'Old Tim', was built by Charles Burrell & Sons of Thetford in Norfolk, in 1910. The engine based on a typical Road Locomotive design was supplied to the Screen Bros of Oldbury in Birmingham. The engine was of course fitted with a crane jib and very powerful winch, which sentanced it to a very hard working life of heavey haulage.
3197 soon became a familiar site around the Midlands hauling boilers, castings and anything that was needed to be moved from A to B. At times the awning and chimney was removed to allow the engine to enter factories through low doorways, shifting and lifting as it went.
Like many other engines, 'Old Tim' played its part in the war effort, which along with its fierce work rate in domestic duty basically wore the engine out. It was returned to Burrell's in 1926 where it was completely rebuilt and repainted, returning to Screens to be worked agin to the maximum, contributing to the Second World War. In the 1950's Screem Bros, ceased trading and the engine moved to Kingwinford where it was used by Cliff James.
After a few years the engine entered preservation and went through a number of other owners before finding a home with Len Crane in 1976. The engine was often seen in Lens ownership at the Black Country Museum, alongside his other Crane Engine, Fowler 'Wolverhampton Wanderer'.
The present owner purchased the engine in 1991 and was exhibited far and wide in its 1926 livery (as shown in photographs). By 1994 it was apparent that the engine was once again fairly worn out and an extensive rebuild was again undertaken.
Today the engine looks resplendant in an exact replica livery as it was seen in 1926 after its first rebuild. It offers visitors to events such as The Gloucestershire Steam Extravaganza a fantasic insight in not only the work this engine has done in making the UK as it is today, but also the skills both past and present used to keep 'Old Tim' running.
Old Tim will be appearing with a number of other Burrell Road Locomotives, namely 'Duke Of Kent', 'The Badger', and one other engine to be confirmed at a later date.
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