Products
- SuperSound
- C14 Teddy Bear
- Hesketh
- Class 52 Western
- Class 50 Hoover
- Project Loco
- Riding Car
- Class 42 Warship
- V200
The Project Loco
The Project loco is available in both 5" and 7¼" gauges and has proved to be a popular starter loco, or workhorse for a club. Its simple design hides a surprising, yet affordable package. Ideal for small garden railways or larger tracks, it can negotiate raidii of 11 feet and can haul up to 20 passengers (we ran out of people) and is simple enough for youngsters to operate and maintain it. Its removable GRP nose and Plywood cab allow easy access, or an opportunity to customise your loco. The Project Loco is available from £1,395
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you get with a Project Loco kit?
Chassis, fully constructed with a single coat of protective paint.
Wheels & axles Pre-assembled with drive train fitted
Bonnet and cab, bonnet is a composite moulding and the cab is 12mm plywood with 2mm birch ply roof.
Wiring loom, fully assembled with all terminations fitted, battery connectors, horn, main and ancillary fuses
Digital 130amp controller, assembled and tested with remote handset supplied.
Motor, Industrial standard 600w 24 volt motor
Fixings, all fixings are supplied.
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, welding, drilling and tapping and supply all fasteners. Most of the work in a kit is in the body. There is modelling work to be done with apertures to be cut out and windows to fit. The mechanical side will take about 8 hours to complete and the body shell around 20 hours to finish.
What is involved in the building process?
You will need to paint the chassis and buffer beams, (it is supplied with a protective coat in black) and any other parts such as bearing blocks or wheel centres that you may wish.
The loco floor is 12mm plywood which will require sanding, sealing and painting.
The cab is 12mm plywood and will require the window apertures cut out and assembly (you will need PVA glue for this)
The composite (GRP) bonnet will require some hand finishing prior to painting with a plastic primer and final painting.
The wiring is pre-installed and will require removal and re-installation during painting. We cut all the holes etc, so it is a very straightforward job to complete.
We are always happy to demonstrate any stage of the build and we are happy to discuss any aspect of Project Loco ownership at any stage.
Why is the loco 24 volt?
We use 24 volt systems on all our locos, all electric locos use some of the available voltage to power its own operating system. (a bit like RAM in a computer). In a 12volt system this doesn't leave a great deal left over to provide power to haul passengers. A 24volt system gives you that power. If you then combine it with the recommended semi traction batteries, you will not only have that power, you will also have it available for all day running.
Will I need a 24 volt battery charger?
We do recommend it but it is not essential.
We recommend you use 2 off 12 volt 50 amp hr. semi traction batteries. When wired in series (we do that in the pre-assembled wiring loom) they will give day long running and fast over night recharge with the correct charger.
We can supply the batteries (we can not ship them by carrier) and the battery charger, which can be delivered by carrier. If you order a battery charger with your loco we will also supply and fit a charging circuit which allows charging via a single socket. We can advise on a battery supplier in your locale. Alternatively you can fit a pair of standard 12 volt batteries and charge them separately with a standard 12 volt charger. The decision is yours.
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.
Can I change the gauge of the loco?
Yes, you can, we supply the loco in either 5inch or 7¼inch gauge, you can also order an alternative wheel set and change the gauge (it will take approx 30 minutes to complete the changeover) The alternative wheel sets can be supplied at any time, they do not have to be ordered with a loco.
What is the Riding Car?
The riding car was designed to complement the Project loco and provide owners with a simple riding car of their own. It consists of a Project Loco chassis fitted with the same wheels etc as the loco with plain axles instead of driven ones. it has plywood floor and will need a seat fitted.
We do not recommend use of the riding car on raised track, it is designed for ground level working only.
Most raised tracks have suitable riding cars available for guest drivers or members. Plans are also commercially available for the construction of your own version.
How fast is a Project Loco and what will it pull?
Speed is around 8-10 mph maximum. Passenger hauling is around 1 to 12 passengers depending on gradients and track conditions.
What kind of delivery time can I expect?
We have project Locos in continuous production and can usually supply one within 3 weeks.