I purchased a very reasonably priced repainted circus train consisting of the #353 and tender, 2 flats (without loads), and the coach. It is actually a very good looking repaint, smooth running engine, and the cars are in great physical condition. The loads that are available for purchase (IMHO) seem to be at unreasonably high prices, including at the "attic" website. I realize they are intended to look whimsical but can't understand why even the repro's are $65 plus? I guess it must be one of those supply and demand/only store in town things. My question is how do the pins in the wooden block hold the loads in place? Is magnetism involved or do they actually "pin" the loads in place? The "attic" repro prices are more reasonable than what the original pieces are demanding, so I will probably bite the bullet. When smitten with the toy train hobby, my logic seems to have "left the building"
Rich