I don't pretend to be a great modeller, so I won't try and advise you! But good luck with an excellent choice of a curious model. I would think that, as you can cover the wheels with the side-coverings, one could take liberties with the exact wheels you use, if you have difficulty. But do make it run slowley. I think they normally ran at a max of 20-30mph.
Of course, similar locos were used on many street tramways (streetcar lines) in Europe (possibly the US as well) before electrification became standard, but the ones used on "main line" branches like the Wisbech & Upwell and on some quaysides were very interesting and lasted into the 1950s.
I received my first "Thomas" series book in 1945 (aged 3) and then yearly for many years. They provided my with hours of enjoyment and they still do (age 60+!). Even tho' there are some odd un-prototype things that happen in some of the pictures, some of the stories are based on real incidents that happene on Britain's railways over the years!
Rev Audrey was a quaint chap, whom I was once privilaged to meet. He judged a "fancy dress" competition at my children's school. My elder son won first prize, dressed as a railway signal!!!
Eric Stuart
