The History of Burrell Road Locomotive "Britannia" - By James Davis
Burrell 8 NHP Showmans Road Locomotive No 2668, Reg No NM 257 was built in 1904, and bought new on the 15th of June that year by William Thurston of Cambridge. She spent the greater part of her working life with this famous showland family. Firstly she was used with a new Bioscope show introduced in the summer of 1904 by brothers William and Henry Junior, but later reverted back to William for hauling his gallopers and other side shows. In 1920 William purchased a set of Venetian gondola switchbacks from Pat Collins; Britannia attended the lights for many years, transferring to William’s son Stanley Thurston of Kempston, Bedfordshire in 1932, for lighting his dodgems.
In 1946 she was sold to John Gumble of Willingale, Essex and then in 1952 to Albert J Manning of Cottred, Hertfordshire, who was to be her last showland owner. In 1953 she narrowly escaped being cut-up and was saved for preservation by J.P.Bury of Great Tew, Oxon.
In 1966 she was purchased by William (Bill) McAlpine of Fawley Green, Bucks and then in 1973 by Samuel Alper of Fordham,
Cambs.
In 1984, the engine was purchased by its present owner.