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Foster & Co badge IMG 0245

Foster Plate

Foster threshing machine at Harewood 08 - IMG 0509

A Foster threshing machine at the Harewood House Steam Rally in 2008

Foster no

Foster no. 14622 engine "Sir William" FW 1917 at Shugborough Hall Rally 2008

Foster threshing drum at Much Marcle 2014 - IMG 0994

Foster thresher at Much Marcle 2014

William Foster & Co Ltd was an agricultural machinery company based at Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK and usually just called "Fosters of Lincoln".

The company was known for producing threshing machines, regarded as among the best available. They also made traction engines, steam tractors such as the Foster Wellington and Showman's road locomotives, as well as Steam Wagons.

The last showmans engine built by fosters were No. 14632 Success in and No, 14634 Princess Marina a 7 nhp design.[1] During the First World War they built the first tanks for the British Army.

The Tank[]

Foster Tank logo IMG 0510

The Tank logo on a cast bracket on a thresher

Fosters as builders of agricultural machinery were involved in the production and design of the prototype tanks, which were in effect agricultural tractors with armoured bodies.

After the First World War, The Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors decided that the inventors of the Tank were Sir William Tritton, managing director of Fosters together with Major W G Wilson.

Steam Engines[]

Fosters MERL entry:

Products:

Traction engines, portable engines, grinding mills, thrashing machines, chaff cutters, tanks.

History:

William Foster began his business career as a flour miller, but in 1856 he took the decision to convert his premises into a foundry and engineering shop. Foster began by producing grinding mills, but he soon expanded his product range to include thrashing machines, chaff cutters and portable steam engines.

William Foster died of typhoid in 1876, but the company which he founded continued to prosper and by the outbreak of the First World War the Wellington Foundry employed 350 people. During the war the company made a vital contribution to the Allied cause by developing and manufacturing the world's first tank.

In 1927 Foster & Co. took over the Hammersmith-based pump manufacturer Gwynnes Engineering and three years later pump production was transferred to Lincoln. Over the next few decades the company moved away from the production of agricultural machinery and concentrated on pumps.

In 1960 Foster & Co. was acquired by W H Allen & Co. Ltd and the company began trading as Allen Gwynnes Pumps Ltd. Sadly, the new company did not prosper and the Wellington Foundry closed in 1968.

Steam Wagons[]

They also manufactured steam lorries (wagons).

Preserved Machinery[]

Please add any missing engines details to the list.
Preserved machines built by William Foster & Co. Ltd (71 listed in TER list)
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Engine No. Name Build Date Type Weight Power nhp Reg No. Owner Image Other info
Foster no. 201 Gt.Tew 1870 PE 4 ton ? hp - Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 1384 Name ? 1885 Portable ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, Canterbury 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Incomplete
Foster no. 2127 Jumbo the 4th 1898 TE ? ton 8 nhp DO 2003 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 2163 Master Fred 1896 TE ? ton 8 hp DO 1945 Owner ? Foster no. 2163 - TE Master Fred - DO1945 at Haddenham 2010 - IMG 0755 Oldest Foster TE - more photos on Steam Scenes
Foster no. 2373 - 1899 TE ? ton 8 hp DO 2050 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 2728 Stargazer 1903 TE ? ton ? hp V 7917 Owner ?, Rudgwick To add At Rudgwick Steam rally
Foster no. 2775 Jane 1903 TE ? ton 8 nhp FW 3333 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 2821 Beryl 1903 Traction ? ton ? hp BE 7228 Bressingham Steam Museum 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


In the collection of Bressingham Steam Museum
Foster no. 2948 Abigail Date Tractor 3 ton 3 hp CT 5475 David Ragsdale collection Foster no. 2948 - ST - Abigail - LT 5475 at Cromford 2010 - IMG 9771 at Cromford Steam Fair 2010
Foster no. 3002
(New build)
Dragon 2006
(Original 1904)
TE - Wellington pattern 5 ton 3 nhp NK56 NRE M. Young Foster no 3002 Dragon of 2006 reg NX56 NRE at Barnard Castle 09 - IMG 0616 New build recreation of a Scrapped engine. Built by the owner in his garage
Foster no. 3008
(New Build)
MTOTWO circa 2006 ? Wellington Tractor
(based on)
3 ton (est) 4 nhp EE 8913 Great Northern Steam Foster Wellington MTOTWO at Old Warden 09 - IMG 0692 New build - Pickering Steam Rally & Old Warden 2009
Foster no. 3084(T14) - 1905 TE ? ton 10 hp Reg no. ? Preston Services, Kent 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


photos on steamscenes.org
Foster no. 3456 Name ? 1907 Type ? ton ? hp Reg no. ? Owner ? - In New Zealand 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


photos on steamscenes.org
Foster no. 3633 Debbie 1907 Tractor ? ton 4 hp SD 527 Owner ?, Richmond Yorks. 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


photos on Steamscenes.org
Foster no. 3642 Maude 1608 SRL ? ton 8 nhp PB 9832 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) year
Misc notes
Foster no. 3643 - 1908 Light Engine - - - Preston collection Foster no. 3643 - Light Engine and Organ at Masham 09 - IMG 0152 Mounted in a road trailer with small Organ
Foster no. 3682 Name ? 1908 TE ? ton 7 nhp CT 3896 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 3710 Phoenix 1908 TE ? ton 7 nhp CJ 4222 Owner ? Foster no. 3710 TE Phoenix - CJ 4222 at Holcot 08 - IMG 0242 At Holcot Steam Rally 2008
Foster no. 12299 - ? PE - ? nhp - owner? 074 No info just photo (Not in TER)
Foster no. 12394 Pride of Freystrop/Old Smokey 1909 Tractor 9 ton 7 hp BE 7638 Owner ?, Haverfordwest 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


photos on Steamscenes.org
Foster no. 12438(Plate is on no. 13111) - - TE - - AH 5496 Owner ?, Ballynahinch ROI 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Misc info
Foster no. 12458 Name ? 1909 TE ? ton 5 nhp AW 9434 Owner ?, Walsall 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 12509 Maid Marian 1909 Showman's Tractor 5 ton 4 hp UX 6727 W. Thompson, West Bridgeford Notts Foster no. 12509 - ST - Maid Marion - UX 6727 at Bedford 09 - IMG 0749 Seen at Bedford Steam Fair 2009 + Hollowell 2010
Foster no. 12539 Winnie 1910 TE 10 ton 6 nhp MA 5730 P. & F. Moston, Warrington Foster TE sn 12539 Winnie reg MA 5730 at Southport 09 - IMG 7528 Seen at Riverside 2009 & Lincoln in 2008
Foster no. 12544 Independence 1910 TE 9 ton 6 nhp AW 9397 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 12545 - 1911 PE 8 ton ? hp - The Netherlands Foster PE 12545 In Dutch preservation
Foster no. 13031 Mighty Atom 1913 T 5 ton 4 hp FE 1456 P. Parker, Lincoln Photo to add Lincoln 2008
Foster no. 13036 Pride of Essex 1913 Showman's Tractor 5 ton 4 nhp FE 1079 Owner ?, Maldon Essex Foster no. 13036 SM Pride of Essex FE 1079 at Barleylands 09 - IMG 8677 A Barleylands Steam Rally 2009
Foster no. 13088 Name ? 1913 Tractor ? ton 4 nhp FE 1125 Owner ?, St Austell 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 13111 Pioneer ( formerly Herbert) 1914 TE 9.5 ton 8 nhp AH 5496 Owner ?, Ballynahinch ROI 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 13149 Venture 1914 ST 5 ton 4 nhp FE 1216 Owner ?, Boston 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 13163 - 1914 PE ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, ST Austell 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 13190 - 1914 PE ? ton ? hp - Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 13200 Aquitania 1914 SRL 10 ton 6 nhp NM 224 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14044 Pride of Reading 1914 ST-C
Ex Roller
5 ton 4 nhp FE 1469 Owner ?, Chorley 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 14046 Pride of the North 1915 RR ? ton ? hp FE 1350 Owner ?, Cheddar 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Foster no. 14066 Endeavour 1915 SMT 4 hp FE 1589 (ex PP 5649) G.R. Dawson & Sons Foster no. 14066 SM - Endeavour - FE 1589 at Llandudno 09 - IMG 8881 At Lincoln 2008 & Llandudno 2009
Foster 14077 Sir William Tritton 1921 Wagon 5 ton ? hp SV 5506 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Mistake entry in TER for Foster 14550
Foster no. 14153 Admiral Beatty 1916 Showman's road locomotive 20 ton 7 nhp BE 7221 Owner ?, Bridgenorth 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Foster no. 14205 Obsession 1915 SM (R) 5 ton 4 hp FE 1874 Dawson & Sheldon, Boston Foster no. 14205 SM - Obsession - FE 1874 at Llandudno 09 - IMG 8877 Lincoln 2008 & Llandudno 2009
Foster no. 14289 Olive 1918 T 5 ton 4 nhp SA 5264 In Grampian Transport Museum, Alford. 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14347 Helpmate 1921 Showmans Tractor 5 ton 4 nhp AY 9464 Owner ?, ROI 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14378 The Iron Duke 1925 ? Tractor 5 ton 4 nhp PP 7306 Owner ?, Huntington 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14410 Sprig 1920 TE 10 ton 7 hp UP 6481 J. Bosworth, Derby Foster engine Sprig 14410 at Cromford & Lincoln 2008 + Belvoir Castle show 2009
Foster no. 14411 The Colonels Lady 1920 TE ? ton 7 hp MI 4388 Owner ?, ROI 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14412 - 1920 TE ? ton 8 nhp AH 6098 Owner ?, Asford Kent 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14418 Viscountess Rhondda 1920 TE 10 ton 7 nhp LVN 891 Owner ?,Bucks 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14422 - 1924 TE ? ton 7 nhp CT 6708 Mrs R. Groom, Kettering Foster no. 14422 - TE - CT 6708 at Strumpshaw 09 - IMG 9787 Strumpshaw Steam Rally 2010
Foster no. 14427 - 1924 TE Agricultural - ? hp ? Mrs R. Groom To add At Holcot Steam Rally 2008 (sn Typo in guide ?)
Foster no. 14431 Robin Hood 1921 SM 8 ton 4 nhp FE 3217 F&L Dockray, Loughborough Foster no. 14431 SM - Robin Hood - FE 3217 at Driffield 08 - P8100478 at Driffield Steam Rally 2008
Foster no. 14438 No. 105 1921 Tractor 5 ton 4 nhp NR 7262 Belfast Transport Museum 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


In the collection of the Belfast Transport Museum, NI
Foster no. 14446 The Leader 1920 SRL ? ton 10 nhp DH 4593 Owner ?, 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14470 Sir William Tritton 1921 Wagon (tipper) ? ton ? hp SV 5506 Owner ? , Ex Tom Varley photos on Steamscenes Sole surviving Foster Wagon in UK (now found to be Foster no. 14550)
also listed as 14077 in TER in Error.
Foster no. 14501 Victorious 1920 SRL 16 ton 7 nhp MD 983 I. Holgrave, Market Rasen, Lincs Foster no. 14501 Victorious reg MD 983 at Strumpshaw 09 - IMG 0428 Lincoln 2008 & Strumpshaw Steam Rally 2009
Foster no. 14502 Victory 1920 SRL 16 ton 7 nhp XC 9852 Owner ?, ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images
On Steam Scenes
Lincoln Ag Show 2008
Under restoration
Foster no. 14514 His Grace 1925 ST ? ton 4 nhp CA 8534 Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14550
formerly listed as 14770
Sir William Tritton 1921 Tipper Wagon ? ton 5 nhp SV 5506 Owner ?, Farnborough 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Was formerly thought to be Foster 14470
Foster no. 14564 Victoria 1926 Showmans Tractor (Conversion) 12 ton (8 in TER) 5 hp FE 8065 W. Thompson, West Bridgeford 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Hollowell Steam Show 2010
Misc notes
Foster no. 14568 Matilda 1925 TE 7 ton 5 nhp NT 7184 Owner ?, Stroud 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14589 Lord of the Isles 1927 Showmans Tractor (Conversion) 5 ton 4 nhp UT 2109 A. Waling, Wisbeach, Linc's Foster no.14589 - Showmans tractor - Lord of the Isles (UT 2109) - IMG 7709 Holbeach Vintage Rally 2017 + Shrugbrough Hall Steam Rally 2008
Foster no. 14593 Fiery Elisa 1927 ST 9 ton 8 nhp FE 9179 Owner ?, Hinkley 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14605 - 1929 Showmans tractor (Conversion ?) 6 ton 4 hp YC 7165 Owner ?, Bedford 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


on Steam scenes at Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally 2002
Foster no. 14608 Ikanopit 1930 ST 5 ton 4 nhp PN 5629 D Harding, Burton-on-Trent Foster no. 14608 ST - Ikanopit - PN 5629 - KM 09 - IMG 7171 At Elvaston Steam Rally & Klondyke Mill 2009
Foster no. 14622 Sir William 1931 TE ? ton 8 nhp FW 1917 ?, Stafford Foster no. 14622 TE Sir William - FW 1917 at Shugborough 08 - P6220161 Shugborough Hall Rally 2008
Foster no. 14625 Barbara 1931 TE 10 ton 8 hp VL 3465 Owner ?, Bedford 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14632 Success 1934 SRL 17 ton 10 nhp AAU 370 D. Byass, Beverley Foster AAU370 Success sn 14632 of 1934-Driffield-P8100494 at Driffield 2008
Last Showmans built by Fosters
Foster no. 14636 - 1936 TE ? ton 7 nhp JI 7021 Owner ?, in ROI 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14637 Bonnie
(Ex Saint)
1933 TE 10 ton 7 nhp VL 8371 H. Smith, photo to add Lincoln 2008
Foster no. 14638 The Little Gem 1933 TE 8 ton 5 nhp VL 4777 Owner ?, Shaftsbury 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14639 John Michael 1938 Showmans Tractor 5 ton 4 hp BWV 338 H. Epton & Sons collection, Boston, Lincs Foster no. 14639 - ST - John Michael - BWV 338 at Carrington 2010 - IMG 4844 Carington 2010
Last Foster tractor built
Foster no. 14657 - 1940 Portable - 10 nhp NA Summerlee Industrial Museum, Coatbridge, Scotland to add 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Photo in gallery -Here
Foster no. 14661 - ~ 1940 Portable ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, Boston 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images
on Steam Scenes
misc notes
Foster no. 14720 - ~ 1940 Portable ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, Lanark 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Incomplete
Foster no. 14724 - 1941 Portable ? ton 10 nhp - Owner ?, woodbridge 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14736 - 1942 Portable ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, Northampton 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images
on Steam Scenes
(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14737 - 1942 Portable ? ton ? hp - Owner ?, Louth, Lincs 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) 2008
Misc notes
Foster no. 14739
(NEW Build)
Johnboy 2007
(1904 design)
TE 5 ton 3 nhp GN07 UZE I Gilbert, Kent Foster Wellington GN07UZE-Johnboy sn 14739-Driffield-P8100491 At Driffield & Lincoln 2008 & Strumpshaw Steam rally 2009
Foster no. 14740 Annie 2007 Type (New build) 5 ton 3 hp FX09 OCL Hubbuck, Hexham Foster no. 14740 - ST- Annie at Border City rally 2010 - IMG 6070 At Border City Rally - Carlisle 2010
Foster no. 14741
(New build)
St. George 2008 ST 5 ton 3 hp FX09 OCM ex P & D Tansley, Rothley Leicestershire to add at Bedfordshire Steam Rally 2009
Misc notes
Foster no. 14742
(New Build)
? circa 2016 ? TE 5 ton (est) 7 nhp Reg no. ? ?, Boston 100px


New build by William Foster & Co. Ltd, Bicker Boston
Foster no. UP102 - 1875 PE ? ton 6 nhp - At Preston Services 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


Foster no. ? Name ? Date Type ? ton ? hp Reg no. ? Owner ? 100px Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki:Requested images


(Location of photo) date
Misc notes
Machine types Key: SW = Steam Wagon, PE = Portable, Plg = Ploughing Engine, RR = Road Roller, SM = Showmans, ST = Steam tractor, SRL = Showmans Road loco,
T = Steam tractor, TE = Traction Engine, RL = Road Loco
Foster engine Sprig 14410

Foster no. 14410 - 7 hp tractor of 1920 "Sprig" at Cromford Steam Rally

Several examples of there engines are in UK preservation and can be seen at shows during the summer.

They are not as common as some of the other makes.

See also[]

References / sources[]

Wikipedia for original summary

  1. Steam Traction Engine

External links[]


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