I like the idea of using Percy's mail car, it would be more appropriate. I have 2 mail cars that have opening side doors, which would be cool. I dont have any (1x) 18650 battery sleds, ill order some tonight (their dirt cheap).
I thinking about putting side rods on it, it would be more realistic like on a real train. I'm running the stock 2x AAA batteries for now.
I'm not sure how he did his version, if you just connected a custom side rod and pushed them into the holes then it would jam. I was thinking if I set the wheels so the holes are farthest apart from each other then put a pin of some kind that would fit in the front wheel so I could slip on a customized side rod it might work. The rod could slip a bit and not jam the wheels, similar to the original setup, but the pin would be much smaller than the original front axle.
having both sets of wheels connected via gears is just what is needed for proper side rods, love what you have done so far mate keep it up!
Wow! Now, since TMR engines all have the exact same chassis, you could change the shell to Thomas or James (better, since the wheels are the right colour), and they could have accurate siderods!
Thanks, I could make all of the body's fit but some need alot more clearance than others to fit the front drive wheels. Gordon's body fits but his front fenders dont line up with the front axle too well. I'm still looking for better pins for the side rods, the ones Im using now I cant screw the body shell all the way down, there isn't enough plastic in the body to make them disappear.