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.

The Hefty Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to build the kit?

You can build a Hefty Loco in a weekend, the parts all bolt together and we supply a pre-made wiring loom and a fully illustrated build manual. You will need two people to complete the loco as some parts are heavy.

What do you get with a Hefty kit?

Chassis, bonnet, body panels and seat, buffer beams 2 pocket industrial style couplers, Two fully built low profile power bogies with a 1hp motor in each bogie. Digital 200 amp motor speed controller, remote handset, fuse holder and fuse, all wiring, battery connector leads, illustrated instructions, all fasteners and decal set.

Why is it 24volt?

We fit two 24volt motors and control system as standard as it will give enhanced performance along with an increased running time between charges.

Do you need special paint?

You don't need any 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 is 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.

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 bogies are fully built and just need to be bolted in place under the chassis. 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
• Bolt the outer panels onto the chassis
• Mount the bogies
• Build up the bonnet and cab using the fasteners provided
• Mount the motor speed controller in the cab
• Install the wiring for the batteries and connect the bogies
• 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 Hefty 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. We will repair or replace any item, which fails. We do however exclude items that have been mis-used.

What kind of delivery time can I expect?

Hefty locos are now in continuous production and can usually supply one within 6-8 weeks. The choice of colour is usually the governing factor with delivery. Although the powder coating process is fairly quick, it is governed by the availability of the colour and the fact that the process can only do one colour at a time. However, the finish is very robust and saves an enormous amount of painting!

What else will I need for my Loco?

You will need two 12v batteries, we can advise on type and size and we can supply if required. You will also need a battery charger.

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 50% deposit and the balance on collection or prior to shipping.

Do you deliver?

We can arrange delivery by carrier at extra cost or you can collect your Loco from us. We can arrange delivery worldwide with a few exceptions. Please contact us for further details regarding export sales.