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 Tug Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Garden Railway gearing option for?

Many people want to run their locos at a slower pace in the garden, especially if they are replicating the narrow gauge scene of agricultural and plantation railways. In full size the narrower gauges run at lesser speeds as speed was often less essential than the ability to haul large loads around tight bends so locos were geared accordingly.

The two large DC motors in the TUG loco run more efficiently at higher revolutions so the extra gearing allows the motors to run efficiently but the loco speed is reduced by the extra gearing.

What if I want to change the gearing for a higher speed?

The electronic controller has a speed limiting switch which can run at full or half speed. With the extra gearing the loco has a range of 6mph or 3 mph. If you disconnect the secondary lay-shaft and drive from the motor to the primary lay shaft the speed range will be increased to 10mph and 5mph. The whole changeover will take about 30 minutes to achieve.

How long will it take to build the kit?

You can build aTUG Loco in a weekend, the parts all bolt together and we supply a pre-made wiring loom and a fully illustrated build manual.

What do you get with a TUG kit?

Chassis, bonnet, body panels and seat, 12V Headlight, buffer beams 2 pocket industrial style couplers, brackets, suspension units with self aligning bearings, wheels,springs, axles, lay-shaft with roller bearings, taper lock sprockets, chain, motor-mounting bracket. Two 750watt DC motor, motor-drive sprocket, digital 180 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 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:

1. Bolt the buffer beams onto the chassis
2. Build up the axle assembly from the machined parts
3. Build up the layshaft assembly
4. Mount the layshaft and axle bearings
5. Position the wheels sets and put the chain on
6. Attach the motor drive sprockets
7. Mount the motors and drive chains
8. Build up the bonnet and cab using the fasteners provided
9. Install the 12v Headlamp
10. Mount the motor speed controller in the cab
11. Install the wiring for the batteries and connect the motor
12. Install your batteries and connect them through the fuse
13. 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 TUG ownership at any stage.

Does the headlamp need a special bulb?

The headlamp uses a standard H4 car headlamp bulb; they are widely available from car accessory outlets.

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?

We have TUG Locos in continuous production and can usually supply one within 4-8 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 much is a TUG Loco?

The standard loco is £1,950; the options are listed on the order form.

The Price is ex works and includes VAT.

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.

I would like to fit my own diesel engine, is this possible ?

Yes, we have had requests from customers for an unpowered version of the Tug to allow builders to use their own petrol or diesel engine. The unpowered version is will be supplied without the motors, motor mounting, digital controller and related wiring. We can also supply the loco with or without chain drive and the centre lay-shaft. It is likely that an IC engine installation may need additional apertures in the chassis and a larger chain or belt drives, these options can usually be accommodated and will be quoted on an individual basis.

Is the Tug available in 10¼" gauge?

Yes, we can change the gauge to 10¼". We also fit wider wheels with a different profile to suit the larger gauge.

E&OE we reserve the right to change specifications at any time as part of our ongoing product development programme