"I apologize if this thread is making people feel uncomfortable. You can imagine how I feel."
No need to apologize. I think anyone who has been in the hobby a while, or knows human nature, realizes that each of us is focused on different things regarding the products we buy. Some folks get upset if the color isn't exactly what they expected. Some get upset if the coupler is too long or too short. No one likes a locomotive that doesn't work. Your priorities may be different from mine, but I respect your desire to have a product look and function as you wish, regardless of whether the issue would be of concern to me. I do hope you get satisfaction one way or the other, and I'm sure your dealer and Lionel wish the same. Unfortunately, sometimes the only recourse is to return a product for credit, that another customer will hopefully be happy to get a good deal on, despite the issues that caused your dissatisfaction.
