Gustavo???

[Super]

I am a bit confused...isn't this Gustavo a diesel? If so, why has he side rods, is it normal?

He’s an electric locomotive, so he’s not supposed to have side rods (he doesn’t have them in the show). Mattel just gave them to his Motorized model anyways though for no apparent reason

Preempted.

Specifically a GE Little Joe. Also: it may look like he has buffers, but they're really just little lumps that his basis also has (possibly mounting spots for buffers).

[Super]

Thanks T-Raw and LaG

And to add to that...the new re-boots don't have rods where they should be???

It's because of the TV Show, Super: if they had rods, it would be hard for them to use their wheels as hands!