Works No’s. 10320 & 10322 were built in 1920 by the Foden Works in Sandbach, Cheshire for the Isle of Man Highway Board. Foden only used even works numbers for vehicles. The sister wagons were both identical 5 ton, 2 speed, hydraulic tipping wagons, with 220psi boilers. They were also ordered with 2 sets of wheels – the metal straked type shown in the early photos, more suitable for unmade and muddy roads and a cast set with press-on rubber tyres, as per the later and preservation photos, better for tarmac roads.
The pair of Fodens worked for the Highway Board from new in 1920. The wagons would have been used to move and tip road construction materials, as well as any general carting required. The mountain routes would have been quite a challenge, particularly before tarmac roads were commonplace. The wagons were geared to the lowest ratio offered by Foden and were fitted with very robust rear wheel brakes, along with the usual flywheel, and rear axle brake, which would have been essential around the island.
In 1938, or so it is believed, both were sold to contractor Mr R G Shimmin of Lower Sulby. By 1939 one wagon, more likely 10322 was with Mr Ivor Crowe working at the Bride Sand and Gravel Plant at Point of Ayre. No doubt both wagons were getting tired by this time and steam was largely becoming obsolete in road transport. This Foden was alledgely scrapped as landfill.
The other wagon 10320, finished its days steaming pig swill at Strenaby Farm, Abbeylands. Largely stripped to just a boiler and cylinder, a handful of people recall it languishing in a hedge until it was rescued with the intention of restoration. The surviving parts moved to England and by the early 1990s could be seen at Beamish Open Air Museum in County Durham.
1920
220psi
2 speed
“Henry and Margaret enjoyed many years rallying 10320, including returning to Beamish many times.”
Tom, NTET Board Member
Henry and Margaret Netherway spotted the Foden and set about trying to purchase it from Jim Rees. On the 18th January 2001 the sale was agreed and the remains moved to Herefordshire and so began the monumental task of recreating the almost totally lost wagon. Henry and his friends worked over a short period of time to repair the boiler, form the chassis, source replacement original parts from other collectors, including a cylinder from Australia. All other parts were made new, with some improvements adopted, such as the rear brakes, electric lighting and chain driven pump rather than the original friction drive. A flat deck rather than the tipping gear arrangement was also fitted. Henry completed the wagon in 2006, an incredible achievement and one that many had passed up, as too far gone to be saved. Henry and Margaret enjoyed many years rallying 10320, including returning to Beamish many times.
mm x mm x mm
5 ton
Sandbach, Cheshire
