Phoenix locos are UK based international distributors of high quality, affordable battery electric model locos,
rolling stock and loco bogies in 5 inch and 7.25 inch gauge that are ideal as club locos or in garden railways.

Scooter Frequently Asked Questions

What do you get with a Scooter kit?

Chassis
Chassis cover plates
Buffer beams
Brackets couplings
Suspension units with self aligning bearings
Wheels
Axles
Taper lock sprockets
Chain
Motor-mounting bracket
DC motor
Motor-drive sprocket
Motor speed controller
Handset
Fuse holder and fuse
All wiring
Illustrated instructions
All fasteners and plywood body panels to make battery box and seat

Why is it 24volt?

We fit a 24volt motor and control system as standard on all our larger locomotives as it will give enhanced performance along with an increased running time between charges.

Do you need special paint?

We have all the structural parts powder-coated. This is an industrial process whereby the bare metal part is electro-statically charged and the coloured powder is blown on to it. The part is then baked in an oven to provide a durable industrial finish. This process is commonly used on domestic appliances such as washing machines and cookers and by the bicycle and car industries.

The chassis, side cover plates and cab roof are finished in Satin Black, the buffer beams in Red and the cab and bonnet can be finished in your choice of colour from a range of powder coat finishes.

We can also arrange special colour schemes at additional cost.

The plywood body is exterior grade red faced plywood and can be sealed and left its natural colour or painted with a suitable exterior woodwork paint.

What happens if I scratch the powder coat finish?

Unfortunately scratches and marks are a consequence of a hard working loco. The powder coat finishes we use are all taken from a standard colour range called the RAL colours, we supply the code for your loco colour and you can purchase touch up paint to match your loco and treat it the same way you would with any scratched, finished part.

We particularly recommend enamel paints as they are thicker and closely replicate powder coat finishes in thickness and texture.

Do you need engineering skills to build the kit?

Absolutely not, the kit is designed to be built with hand tools only. We do all the machining and supply all fasteners. The comprehensive illustrated building guide takes you through the whole process of building your loco.

What is involved in the building process?

The following list demonstrates the principal stages in construction.

Bolt the buffer beams onto the chassis
Build up the axle assembly from the machined parts
Build up the layshaft assembly
Mount the layshaft and axle bearings
Position the wheels sets and put the chain on
Attach the motor drive sprocket
Mount the motor and drive chain
Build up the plywood panels using the fasteners provided
Mount the motor speed controller in the battery box
Install the wiring for the batteries and connect the motor
Install your batteries and connect them through the fuse
Test your loco and enjoy!

The kit comes with comprehensive illustrated instructions and we are always happy to demonstrate any stage of the build and we are also happy to discuss any aspect of Project Loco ownership at any stage.

Do you offer a warranty?

Yes, we do, subject to certain conditions we guarantee your locomotive for 12 months from day of purchase. The motor speed controller is warranted for an additional 12 months. We will repair or replace any item, which fails. We do however exclude items that have been mis-used.

How fast is a Scooter and what will it pull?

Speed is around 8-10 mph maximum. The speed range can be reduced with the optional low speed gearing which will drop the top speed to around 6mph. The top speed in both ranges can be limited electronically to half full speed with a switch which is mounted on the internal control panel in the battery box. Passenger hauling is around 1 to 12 passengers depending on gradients and track conditions.

How do I place an order?

You can order by telephone, mail or email.

Payment can be made by credit or debit card, cash, bank transfer (BACS) or cheque. We require a deposit and the balance on collection or prior to shipping.