Super's Mod's, Customs, Layout's & Video's 👍

The Polar Express engine clearly still looks like a D51. You could've used a repainted Hank (loco drive version) with some modifications to make it look right.

[Super]

Thanks for the suggestion DalaGStanator.

I actually don't go for authentic look in my modifications only something different. I guess this came from my youth when having no money I would often use spare model parts from different models to create something new. The Polar Express was a collaborative idea from my Grandson and I. He wanted a Polar Express for the layout and I had a defaced Trackmaster Hiro that was laying around. You can read about him HERE. Yes, I know it says C62 but I had some loose decals left over that fit perfectly in the space once occupied by Hiros name plate.

I thought about using a Hank as looking a lot closer to the real Polar Express but didn't because of 2 things. We really aren't a fan of any of the tendered powered, push the engine, trains. And I don't like painting a mod because the paint ends up chipping or peeling. That being said, the mod I am currently working on will be painted. Even considered Murdock or a C57 with the C57 the most detailed and if I removed the "wings" would be a better look with black wheels and no painting needed. I ended up selling all of the Murdocks, Hanks, C57's and even Molly we had because of our dislike of powered push tenders. I also considered using a big Tomy C12 as it has no wings doesn't need paint, has black wheels but alas, its a tank engine with no tender.

We really aren't a fan of any of the tendered powered, push the engine, trains. And I don't like painting a mod because the paint ends up chipping or peeling. That being said, the mod I am currently working on will be painted. Even considered Murdoch or a C57 with the C57 the most detailed and if I removed the "wings" would be a better look with black wheels and no painting needed. I ended up selling all of the Murdochs, Hanks, C57's and even Molly we had because of our dislike of powered push tenders.

I said there was a loco drive version of Hank, where the tender is unpowered and the loco is the power source.

Ucwepn did a review and compared it to the original:

[Super]

Too much painting which doesn't wear well with played with toys. A model on the shelf yes but it seems like no matter how much prep you do there always is places where the paint doesn't adhere well. I even went as far as using primer and paint used for plastic car bumpers. My dream is that in the series they do an episode for a repaint of Hank like some of the other trains i.e. Salty, Rheneas etc, and make him black with black wheels then he would definitely be our Polar Express replacement. I know, fat chance that will happen. The original looks to be bigger than the remake and would be much closer to the behemoth that the Polar Express is.

[Ucwepn]

humbrol adheres really well

[Super]

I wish I could try Humbrol, at least the spray primer, but I can't find it in the US in the Spray. I see the jars are sold here but I have yet to find the Spray cans. I suspect, and this is just a guess as I have no data, that the spray uses some sort of controlled propellant that may not be allowed here, at least I am assuming. Humbrol has a very nice "How To" YouTube Video Channel. I would also like to try that "Maskol" product but I haven't checked for it here or researched to see if Testors, Tamiya or other company sells a similar product here.

[Super]

I have had three trains sitting on my desk for a couple of months, each in a different state of modification. I wanted to complete these before the next video so they can be included.

And now...after an extended stay in the Diesel Works modification shed, I introduce to you....Mr Werx!!!

Mr. Werx features over sized buffers like the real ones, Black replacement wheels and coupling, hand rails and custom front grille.

Nice mods Mr Super, why the over-sized buffers? Any particular reason for those?

[Super]

Thanks Nigels

A lot of the pictures I found of what the real train looked like had giant buffers on them. Even the original Dart has large buffers which are actually bigger and can be seen behind my modified ones. Here are some pictures of real engines...

Ah right I gotcha, quite ironic really, most Pla-Rail locomotives tend to be 'squished' in comparison to their real world counterparts, yet here the model is actually longer and beefier than the real thing lol!

I think you'll find the reason for the over-sized buffers on that locomotive is probably that its primary use is as a shunter in a goods yard and/or a dock locomotive. At least that's what I believe that type was used for in the UK