501 and 901 Foden Diesel 8-wheel Wagon (194757)

Thank you John. Please barewith me, I am still learning how to get on the 'Forum' as lack of knowledge of computers prevents me from showing about 600 plus photos of my collection. Son in law helps but do not see him that often. I am in the process of attempting to download a written artical onto a memery stick ( which I have done but having trouble with photos) to send to the editor for the journal about refurbishing and making good damaged pintwork. Anybody in North Kent willing to help? The main problem appears to be I take all my photos with full frame Nikon 600, macro lens and standard lens. I do not own a smart phone., in fact my emergency car phone has not even got a camera. On another issue but related to FODENS, I have just received an almost 'mint' orange and mid green MK2 502. No box but for 31. you can't have everthing. After a good clean in soapy water the chrome axles with domes at each end looked a little thinner than normal but in perfect condition. Holes in the casting are correct for these axles. It is a very early MK2 with dull paintwork, the smaller black treaded radial tyres which I have now found to be the same as 2 other models in my collection, namely both my boxed French Blue and Cherry Red 502 flatbeds. These models have the same axle ends and smaller tyres. I think I did not notice before as they are the usual dull finish with some surface rust. There is clearly a difference in the factory axles for these 1952 first issue MK2's. These axles are thickerthan MK1. type. Has anybody else notice this? or am I a bit thick! I have a very early 505 Mk2 with box wth the same early tyres, all 'Maroon' including hubs but with nomal size axles with the different ends. Help required for my gaps in knowledge please.

Some images of the grey and red first type Foden Wagon below. The only thing that was not correct about this newly acquired model was the type of tyres. On this example with its green paper covered box dating from 1949 the block tread tyres cannot be original. Although the first owner kept it in its box all the way from 1949, he must have changed tyres some time in the course of its long life. Probably the originals collapsed or flattened, the Foden model continuously standing on them in its box in an unchanged position all these years. Inspection of the details of the tyres demonstrates that even the block tread tyres are not homogeneous, some slightly different. Fortunately I had a full box with 12 original replacement spares, indeed, the harder-to-find black ones with round tread, in use ca. 1949-1952. This is the only time I changed something to a further fully original near mint model. But now its really how it should look, and the replacements are fully original Dinky tyres. As the model itself is concerned, the tow hook and slits for the tanker are present, so in this appearance they were made end 1949-mid 1952 (type 1c). A visual comparison with the earliest 501, without those characteristics, included. Kind regards, Jan

A lovely model Jan.....your usual wonderful photos show it off very nicely. Isnt it interesting how the later, wrong tires just dont look right on these earlier versions.....our eyes become adjusted to whats right! Best regards, Terry

You're correct, Terry, when I had it in my hands in Birmingham I immediately knew something was 'wrong', but it took some moments before I realized what was wrong. Fortunately it was something 'secondary' which I was so happy to be able to mend by using these pristine original spare tyres, which was suggested to me by Rob van der Hoort, when I consulted him. Only then I definitely ordered the model, which was subsequently sent to me by mail from the UK. Unfortunately the contents of the spare tyre box is incomplete now, but this more than compensates for the present 100% original state of this Foden Wagon. Kind regards, Jan

JanThat was so nice you had that box of original vintage tires, and it was nice you could put them to good use like you did. It would have been nice to preserve that box full of tires, but I think you did the right thing for sure. Best regards, Terry

Many (if not all) variations of the first type no. 501 Foden Diesel 8-Wheel Wagon (Rob van der Hoort's collection).