Modification Idea - Need some opinions

The same reason as to why Toby, Mavis and Flora's cowcatchers and sideplates do not cover their wheels, and why several engines have their faux wheels floating above the rails. If you have slopes or other "irregular" track pieces, you should check to see if James would not struggle running over them with the "leading axle". Hope this clears that up (no pun intended).

Oh, there won't be an axle. The wheels would be closer to the bottom of the running board, and wouldn't actually be near the track. It'd look very strange to have half a wheel floating there