Introducing our New Venture… Craftmaster Restorations

In January this year we launched our new venture – Craftmaster Restorations. Managed by Jamie Allen who has over 15 years experience in road and rail heritage vehicles, we are able to offer a number of expertese through this company.

We are over the moon to announce the launch project of our new venture – Burrell Scenic Showmans 3827 ‘Victory’. That’s right, steam is returning to Thursford.

The work is being lead by Jamie Allen (Director of Craftmaster Restorations) who commented “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been asked to tender for the Victory Project and even more so that it has been entrusted to me to return it to steam. I would like to thank the Thursford Collection for entrusting us with their flagship engine.”

‘Victory’ was delivered to us in late September and we’ve been undertaking all works necessary to return her to steam, which began with a full boiler exam. The boiler is in very good order and whilst new stays, and rivets haven been needed, overall it’ll be good for many years to come. Mechancially there are various recommissioning jobs and areas in need of attention but again the condition of the engine is very good – testament to years of careful storage at Thursford.

Work is being overseen by Thursford Trustee and local engine owner Andrew Waling who said “I feel very privileged to head this project and very positive about the future at Thursford, I look forward to many happy years of steaming Victory and the joy it will bring to visitors at Thursford.”

Thursford CEO John Cushing OBE comments “Victory was purchased by my father in 1947 for preservation, it was one of three Thurston engines bought from Kings Scrap Merchants along with ‘Alexandra’ and ‘Unity’. All of us at Thursford are very excited that this project is taking place and are very much looking forward to seeing Victory in steam once again”

The project is slated for completion by late May, and ‘Victory’ will be the star of the show at Thursfords Steam Gala Day on July 2nd, as well as putting in an appearance at the Royal Norfolk Show.

To view more about Craftmaster Restorations please head to the website – www.craftmasterrestorations.co.uk

For latest updates please follow the Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/craftmasterrestorations