Beyond the regular catalogue
Prototypes and other projects
Development models, special commissions and design work preserved in the Phoenix archive.
Super Tug
Super Tug was an experimental bogie development within the Phoenix ride on range. The records include a related 10¼ inch Tug proposal, but no standard production version is recorded.
Related history ↗Spuggy / Lister project
A Lister inspired design study survives under the Spuggy name, with drawings for the chassis, wheels, axles, grille and engine mounting. It is presented here as design work.
Meteor
Locomotive assembly and bonnet drawings preserve the Meteor design study. A completed production model is not recorded in the surviving material.
Turbostar and Class 357
Photographs preserved in the Phoenix project archive show a completed miniature Turbostar in Anglia livery, including views with the body in place and lifted from the chassis.
Related photographs show a blue c2c Class 357 Electrostar, including a view crossing the bridge at Canvey. It is identified separately from the Turbostar.
Bogie and coach bridge plate drawings accompany the photographs. Dates, gauges and production details are not recorded with this material.
The revised forward facing Tug
On 10 September 2020, Phoenix shared three photographs of its prototype Tug with a forward facing seat. The bonnet was widened with a shallower angle, and the screw down brake was moved to the spectacle plate.
Related history ↗The 5 inch Budgie prototype
On 25 August 2020, Phoenix offered its completed 5 inch gauge Budgie prototype for sale, with a pair of batteries. This is a documented prototype of a model that also appeared in the wider range.
Related history ↗The 5 inch Vale of Ffestiniog prototype
Phoenix’s post of 11 October 2014 announced a trip to Leyland Model Engineers with the prototype 5 inch gauge Vale of Ffestiniog for the following day’s Diesel Day.
Related history ↗Greene King and Tam O’Shunter
In an August 2022 archive post, Phoenix recalled Express Locos’ first AGM at Beer in Devon. Its Greene King vehicle was later reliveried as Tam O’Shunter for 2002. Keith said it was then retired from further livery changes and remained on a private railway.
CS Auto Trolley
A separate auto trolley design study is preserved under the CS Auto Trolley name, covering the chassis, side rails and buffer beam.
Related history ↗Steam project material
Steam locomotive reference drawings, including Dart and A3 material, form part of the wider company archive. They are retained as background to the design history; a Phoenix production model is not recorded.
Special commissions
Keith’s company history records vehicles for society events and film studio work, as well as a drive system used to move a full size prototype sports car onto its Paris Motor Show stand. These sit alongside the regular locomotive range as part of the company’s engineering history.
Related history ↗Early centre cab Project Loco and Speeder
Phoenix’s retrospective announcements identify an early centre cab Project Loco and a Speeder based on a Project Loco chassis. Photographs from the North American visit are dated June 2003.
Druid petrol engine fit trial
A Phoenix update in May 2016 showed a 6.5 hp four stroke engine fitting inside a Druid body. This records an engine fit trial rather than a completed petrol powered production locomotive.