page_title: Showman's road locomotive
section_title: "Special Scenic" engines
hierarchical_section_title: Showman's road locomotive / Sub-types / "Special Scenic" engines
caption_attribution_description: English: Fowler Showman's road locomotive no. 15653 - "Renown" registration no. "CU 978" built in 1920 for Showman John Murphy of Newcastle.
context_page_description: A showman's road locomotive or showman's engine is a steam-powered road-going 'locomotive' designed to provide power and transport for a travelling funfair or circus. Similar to other road-going traction engines, showman's engines were normally distinguished by the addition of a full-length canopy, a dynamo mounted in front of the chimney, and brightly coloured paintwork with ornate decorations. The dynamo was used to generate electricity to illuminate and power various fairground rides. Although originally the ride's motion was powered by an internal steam engine, some later rides were driven direct from the showman's engine via a belt drive.
  Showman's road locomotives were built in varying sizes, from relatively small 5, 6 and 7 NHP engines, right up to large 8 or 10 NHP engines. Probably the most popular design was the Burrell 8NHP single-crank compound design.
context_section_description: Special Scenic engines were perhaps the ultimate development of the showman's road locomotive. Built almost solely by Burrell's of Thetford (Fowler built just one experimental engine) these were developed for the heavier rides that were emerging. Basically a 'Special Scenic' engine has a second dynamo located behind the chimney, known as an exciter. This extra dynamo helped to start the heavy new scenic rides. The first engine to be built new as a 'Special Scenic' was No. 3827 Victory. Supplied to Charles Thurston of Norwich in 1920, this engine is now preserved in the Thursford Collection in Norfolk.
caption: The Fowler no. 15653 Renown fitted with a crane at the back for loading the cars onto the ride
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