Trackmaster Dennis variation

I should've noticed this before. I always thought the wheel color looked off on these listings, but since I didn't know much about early Trackmaster I didn't think much of it... I wonder now if it actually is a fine, working non-knockoff engine that's just been tinkered with, or a cheap clone.
I probably should've known that something was up anyway, since Dennis does have one-of-a-kind siderods, but I had completely forgotten that. Now, why would honger_hehe be selling some genuine new items as well as cheap knockoffs and/or modded engines???