What did you do to your trains today?

Last Monday, I've finally done a mod I got inspired to replicate six years back, which had totally escaped my mind until now for various reasons. I have a feeling I did once attempt it but gave up for fear of using a poor method, causing issues while running or getting other results I would regret it for.

Introducing my first TOMY/TM mod since 2015: Toby with real cowcatchers and sideplates.



All five pieces were made out of cardboard and painted before being applied, notably the cowcatchers being corrugated fiberboard. Because I knew the fake middle wheels were at the lowest possible point without scraping, I wanted to make sure the new sideplates would end at the same point (like on the Flip Face variant). I have yet to run him with them, but I'm sure he wouldn't get stuck or derail. The cowcatchers were then cut accordingly, with some extra length to reduce the gaps in the corners. Here's an underside view to show where the pieces end:



I got the idea for this from GBHtrain's version, which was the first time I recall seeing this mod. I liked it so much that I knew I wanted to try it with mine.

Admittedly, he did a more faithful job with the cab steps and cowcatchers, but I based the steps more on those on the original chassis than the right thickness. I might make them thicker and fill the spaces in the cowcatchers to add the missing bars (I tried to improve them by adding thin lines in each bar since the photos were taken). Even though both use cardboard, the sideplates on mine turned out thicker and don't quite sit flush with the main body. If it would cause problems, I could just take them off and redo the whole thing with electrical tape. I hope I won't have to do this given how good the current version looks. If I had Mavis or Flora or made customs of them, I would've used him as a reference.

In addition, I also primed the long Clarabel and powered Annie shells to be repainted as Express Coaches.