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.

Riding Car Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum radius you can use a riding car on?

We have used them on garden railways with a 10ft radius.

Is it easy to build?

To build a riding car you will need to complete the following tasks:-

• Bolt the clevis hitch to the buffer beam
• Bolt the buffer beams on using the brackets and fasteners provided
• Bolt the chassis side plates in place
• Hand assemble the suspension units
• Position the suspension units at each end of the axle
• Bolt the wheel set assembly to the chassis
• Square the assembly and tighten all fasteners

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 and side cover plates and are finished in Satin Black, the buffer beams in Red .We can also arrange special colour schemes at additional cost.

What happens if I scratch the powder coat finish?

Unfortunately scratches and marks are unavoidable on hard working rolling stock. The powder coat finishes we use are all taken from a standard colour range called the RAL colours, we supply the code for your riding car 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.

What do I sit on?

We have left that part to you ! You can build a tender or a truck or simply install a simple seat to give you a comfortable driving position.

What do you get in a kit?

The chassis, buffer beams, chassis side plates, self aligning roller bearings, springs, axles, wheels, clevis hitch, brackets, all fasteners and illustrated instructions.