A 3 inch scale Foden J-type steam wagon, one of the finest road steam models we've seen - a highly detailed build, work is to an exceptional standard throughout.
On completion the Foden won the Aveling-Barford Trophy at the Doncaster Show in 2019 and the Staffordshire Joinery Cup at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition.
The builder is a professional engineer, he studied for five years at Imperial College, London with papers published for a doctorate in his specialist field of lubrication. He worked for the family business which was started in 1939, latterly taking over the company which manufactures high precision instrumentation systems to this day.
No efforts were spared to build an authentic replica of the original wagon, whilst producing a practically usable model:
- Chassis channel produced with correct radiused corners
- Rear axle featuring enclosed differerential with lubrication by central grease nipple
- Working leaf spring, with dummy leaves interleaved with steel to get correct spring rate
- Stainless steel water tanks with filter system based on full-size design
- Lever-operated brakes working on rear axle
- Engine driven boiler feed pump fitted with uprated 7/16" (rather than 3/8") diameter ram and poppet valves
- Hand pump fitted in cab beneath right hand seat
- Valve eccentrics fitted with commercial roller bearings
- Outrigger bearing fitted to crankshaft
- Van body built from ash planks, canvas covered roof, opening rear doors with working padlock and dropdown tail board
- Cab roof built up from individual planks with barge boards, canvas covered. Removable section for driving
- Windscreen glazed in glass, central and top windows opening, with brass stays
- Windframes were originally made in mahogany, but the grain appeared out of scale. They have been remade in sycamore, with a finer grain, stained to match the original
- Apron and door trim beading specially produced half round aluminium as per prototype, rather than brass
- Front mudguards as prototype with rolled bead to outer edge
- Cab doors overlap bodywork at rear, with metal skin over timber framing as per prototype
- Brush painted in coach enamel and varnished using contemporary 1920s colour scheme
- Hand lined and sign written in Baskerville font, correct for period
- Side lamps modelled on Lucas 742, fabricated in brass and bronze, nickel plated
- Rear lamp modelled on Powell & Hammer prototype, showing red to rear and white over number plate
- Headlamp modelled on Lucas acetylene lamp
- All lamps 12 volt, powered from battery in rear of van body, switches in cab
- Water hose wire-wrapped and canvas covered with brass rose and cranked coupling, leather strap and buckles
- Chassis hose bracket modelled from one fitted to a preserved wagon - possibly Fowler, the builder found much variation in designs fitted to restored wagons
- Works plate in aluminium as prototype, chassis number and index mark plates matched by Road Locomotive Society records to a wagon registered in Huddersfield
- Lubricator maker's plate James Moore & Son, Warmingham
- Cab plate "instructions for drivers". No original complete plate in perfect condition could be found, so the builder photoshopped images of two damaged plates together to produce the artwork
- Rear "Caution left hand drive" and 20 limit plate
- All plate artwork prepared from photographs of original plates
- Reproduction period tax disc in cab window
Built as one of a pair, the boiler was hydraulic tested when completed, with club certification issued.
The engine itself, built as a true compound turns over freely but requires further work - there is a leak path from regulator direct to exhaust where sealant used to secure the cylinder liners has broken down.
The pictures opposite speak eloquently of the scope and standard of work - suffice to say it's one of the finest models we've seen in terms of fit, finish, execution and fidelity to prototype. The builder logged a total of 3000 hours over a thirty-five year period creating what is likely to be one of the finest model Foden wagons ever produced.
