2000 / Express Locos
The Express Locos beginnings
The roots of Phoenix reach back to Express Locos, formed in 2000 following a collaboration to build a GM F7 diesel locomotive in 7¼ inch gauge.
The company developed the F7 and Class 42 Warship in the larger gauge, along with the Class 52 Western in 5 inch gauge. Alongside the scale subjects came a freelance four wheeled design: the Project Loco.
That combination of recognisable scale models and practical freelance locomotives would remain part of the company’s identity.
2000–2003 / A railway story across the Atlantic
From the F7 to the “three delightful amigos”
Express Locos was already appearing in the 7¼ Inch Gauge Society’s records around the turn of the millennium. Issue 95, Winter 2000/2001, carried a Class 42 Warship kit advertisement and reported the development work behind the larger scale diesels. The company’s F7 and Warship designs were part of an ambitious early range.
In July 2003, the American live steam society newsletter The Golden Spike recorded a visit by Keith McDonald, John Payne and Ian McDonald. The three visitors from England had brought two prototype production model diesel locomotives, including the F7. The account captured both the international reach of the business and the friendships that miniature railways create.
“three delightful amigos from England sporting white ten gallon hats”
The Golden Spike, July 2003 · President’s Report
The account offers a glimpse of the people behind the models at the very beginning of the story, before the Phoenix name was adopted in 2004.
Historical references: 7¼ Inch Gauge Society News, Issue 95, Express Locos advert ↗ · The Golden Spike, July 2003 ↗. These are source links rather than reproduced magazine pages.
January 2004 / Phoenix Locomotives
Phoenix Locomotives, 2004
Keith’s business partner retired in 2003. Phoenix Locomotives Ltd was formed in January 2004, continuing the work under a new name.
The early years took Phoenix to model engineering shows in Britain and overseas. Keith recalled a calendar that included Sinsheim in Germany, Alexandra Palace, Harrogate, Guildford and the Midlands show, with visits to model engineering societies along the way.
These meetings connected the business with the people who would build, adapt and run its locomotives.
The Project Loco family
The Project Loco family
The Project Loco developed into Project Loco 2 in both 5 inch and 7¼ inch gauge. It also helped shape other members of the range.
One owner wanted to pair two Project Locos with their cabs back to back, creating the appearance of a centre cab bogie locomotive. Keith’s account traces the Titan to that request. A desire for a larger ride on locomotive capable of negotiating tight curves later led from the Tug to Hefty.
The Project Loco 2 launch
Keith recalled an unusual Project Loco 2 launch advertisement. A cardboard mockup was covered by a sheet, inviting readers to guess the new design. The campaign became a memorable part of the company’s early story.
The archive records Comet as a new design for 2013, and a Hefty announcement dated 21 August 2017. Each added a different character to the wider family.
People & engineering
Design, engineering and special commissions
The archived Phoenix About page described a family business drawing on specialist suppliers for machining, casting, controls and other manufacturing processes.
Keith’s history also records the growing role of laser profiling and computer aided design. As those methods became more accessible, more of a design could be developed and checked before parts reached the workshop.
The model range grew through requests for subjects including the Class 24 and Class 50. Other projects took Phoenix beyond its regular catalogue, including special vehicles for society events, film studio work and a drive system used to move a full size prototype sports car onto its Paris Motor Show stand.
Personal favourites
Keith’s personal favourites
Keith remembered the Tin Turtle as a personal interest that became a popular production model. Druid and the Voltswagen were other favourites that reached the range.
The original Timber Creek notes tell another story: Peter Griffiths built two versions of a logging locomotive inspired battery electric design, and Phoenix subsequently took it into production.
Keith’s account closes with Polar Bear and Sea Lion. Their inspiration lay in a childhood school trip to the Isle of Man and the discovery of the abandoned Groudle Glen Railway. Decades later, that memory became a pair of miniature locomotives.
11 September 2024 / Miniature Railway Workshop
Phoenix joins MRW in 2024
Phoenix Locomotives became part of Miniature Railway Workshop in 2024, following the sale of the company by Keith McDonald to Daniel Mason. MRW announced the addition on 11 September 2024, bringing the Phoenix range of locomotives, coaches and wagons alongside its existing products.
The new chapter combines the Phoenix heritage with MRW’s workshop and manufacturing work. Some designs appear in MRW’s current catalogue; the wider range remains part of the historical collection.
Keeping those two roles clear is the purpose of this website: to tell the story faithfully, preserve the designs and help visitors find present day information at MRW.
About this history
This history draws on Keith McDonald’s account, original Phoenix product descriptions and announcements, archived website pages and MRW’s 2024 announcement. Photograph dates follow the original captions and publication records.
Archived About Phoenix page ↗Archived 2018 collection ↗MRW’s 2024 announcement ↗