3" Burrell Traction Engine build.

  3" Burrell Reversing / Brake Lever (Year 7)! First of all — happy 53rd birthday! 🎉 That’s a proper milestone. You could go out and buy a finished engine for 7K. But that wouldn’t be your engine. It wouldn’t carry the hours in the workshop, the problem-solving, the remakes, or the “that went well to plan” moments. The value isn’t just in the finished article — it’s in the Model Engineering. Having completed a 1" Minnie to steam up when you want that instant satisfaction is actually a perfect balance. It keeps the joy alive while the bigger build continues at its own pace. Planning shows is a smart move too. Events like: The Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition Welland Steam Show. They do  — spark conversations, ideas, photos, and that little internal nudge that says “Right… back in the workshop.” Long projects aren’t about speed. They’re about momentum. And momentum doesn’t mean dramatic progress — it means not letting it quietly fade away. The engine will b...