ModelWorks Foden 
Builder's Diary

Introduction to the Foden Diary

This page includes useful background information including:-

• Foden wagons
• Overview of the Foden Model
• The Build Diary
• The origins of the Foden company
   

The Model
The ModelWorks Foden is of a 6 ton Foden C-type wagon and is based on the JMRE Foden model designed by Lou Rex.  The C-type is an attractive prototype to chose as it benefits for refinements of the final steam years yet retains the charm of a horizontal traction engine style boiler and engine.
  

Foden Model built to the JMRE design
note: this is NOT the ModelWorks kit

The ModelWorks Kit
Model works supply a series of pre-machined kits for assembly at home without the use of Lathe or Milling machine.  Except for paint the kits contains nearly everything necessary to complete the model.  The kits are supplied at a fixed rate of one a month however constructors starting after launch may elect to catch up.

While all components are machined they require hand finishing before assembly.  I do occasionally use my lathe/mill to speed this up and to avoid returning parts to Modelworks.  I know of several Burrells successfully build without a lathe.  Read further notes on this topic.

As with all their products ModelWorks have used the SolidWorks CAD  program to check and prepare the design for manufacture.   Until I discovered the power of CAD I wondered how ModelWorks could supply a chassis and much later supply a mating part that bolts perfectly into place without taking measurements off a prototype.  Even though there were a few 'failures' with the Burrell overall the CAD approach was remarkably successful.   The fear of non fitting parts is worse than reality and it is best to get on and enjoy the build and allow ModelWorks to sort out any problems.
 

Burrell Kit 6 - Note the substantial packing
As yet no Foden kits have been delivered

View from Solidworks CAD of ModelWorks Foden

The diary is profusely illustrated with pictures taken with my Olympus E10 digital SLR.  Most pictures are included at  320 x 240 resolution.  I find this size enables the subject to be seen but unfortunately leads to slow loading if using a modem connection.  

While I have no objection to constructors making printed copies of my diary for personal use I caution against this as I update entries to highlight any issues I discover at a latter date.  Thus constructors following on behind are alerted and can take steps to avoid repeating my mistakes.  

I have found that server caching may prevent surfers seeing the latest pages.  I recommend forcing a complete reload by pressing ctrl F5 after the home page loads or when viewing the latest kit page.  This is effective even when a standard refresh has failed to show an updated page. 
 

During the 19th century the railways established a near monopoly of land transport within the United Kingdom.  Competition from road transport was suppressed by a series of  punitive parliamentary acts that limited the speed and operating hours of self propelled road vehicles.  Against this background, Fodens concentrated their efforts on power plants for industrial and agricultural machinery.  Most agricultural engines were horse drawn portables as that circumvented many of the restrictive parliamentary acts.

In 1878 the legislation affecting agricultural use was eased and as a result Fodens produced a successful range of agricultural  traction engines.  The perfecting of the compound traction engine in 1887 gave a significant marketing advantage and later proved invaluable to the development of the steam lorry.

Foden Wagons
It was not until 1896 that the restrictions affecting road transport were eased permitting vehicles up to 3 tons to travel at up to 12mph without a red flag.  The time was now right and Foden produced a series of 4 prototype wagons.  The experience gained enabled Foden to build a 3 tonner for the War Departments 1901 Self- Propelled Lorry Trials. This wagon was consistently faster and more economical over the arduous road trials but was placed second overall as its off road performance was bettered by the Thornocroft entry. While off road performance was important to the military the Foden's impressive road speed and economy was just what  the fledgling road transport industry need.   

Further relaxations made way for a range of very successful 5 tonners which became the main stay of production until the introduction of the C-type in 1923.  The C-type had 6 ton unladen weight and probably represents the panicle in development of the overtype steam lorry.  
 

 

Edwin Foden 1841 - 1911

Outline of the forth prototype wagon produced 1901 and already 'recognisable'

Full size Foden "C" type Reg YA7952 Built 1924
click image to enlarge

e-mail to:

or use the ModelWorks Kit Builder's Forum

Start reading at Kit 1