1901 Burrell Compound Traction Engine

SteamX, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Zack Sex

S u m m a r y

ScaleX
“Old Duch” 1901 Burrell Compound Tractor Engine
1:35 scale
Item No. SX-35001

F i r s t L o o k

This latest release by ScaleX is a second Burrell in the first of what will be a series of tractors and trailers in both 1:16 and 1:35 scale. Having already released the Burrell 1901 in 1:16 scale, the folks at ScaleX decided to release the kit in 1:35 due to popular demand, and this kit doesn't disappoint.

Like the 1:16 scale version, the new release 1901 Burrell is beautifully designed by the husband-and-wife team of David and Amanda Jones in conjunction with ScaleX. David, who works as an aircraft technician, handled the 3D scanning and digital engineering, while Amanda, who is also an award-winning modeller and published photographer, handles areas such as intricate detail and historical accuracy. This passion project of theirs started in 2025 and combined their skills to produce this outstanding kit.

The 1901 Burrell is a single-crank compound traction engine built by Charles Burrell and Sons at St Nicholas Works in Thetford, Norfolk. The engine's distinctive single-crank system was designed by Frederick Burrell and represents one of the earlier types to survive in such excellent condition. These engines were used extensively in threshing and sawing in lumber mills.

The kit goes together with ease and, unlike the four sheets of decals in the 1:16-scale kit, the 1:35 variant has a single sheet. The model, named “Old Duch”, is based on a vehicle expertly restored to its original condition by Ian Holt and was featured in the 1990s in the extremely popular television series Heartbeat, well known to viewers in the UK and set in rural Yorkshire in the 1960s.

The model cleans up with ease, as the 3D-print frames cut away with no real issues. It is important to dry-fit the kit together in a series of subassemblies. These are then painted Burrell green, brown or black, with a small number of polished brass or copper fittings.

ScaleX also supplies the modeller with a smashing figure in the form of a farmer leaning on the side of the tractor. Two thin drainpipes are supplied in the form of lengths of hollow steel tube, and the only real consideration is whether to finish the Burrell in Variant “A” pristine condition or as the somewhat sooty Variant “B” working finish.

Many modellers will find this 1:35-scale offering of the Burrell, which is available for just under one hundred pounds sterling and comes in a handy size and scale, highly attractive. In the opinion of this reviewer, who has a major interest in military equipment and aircraft, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the challenge of getting the look and colours of this working tractor as correct as I could, and how construction wasn't an issue at all.

I would highly recommend this Burrell for anyone with an interest in the subject.

Purchased from Mars Models by the reviewer