@Brendan posted:I just got the 3 hopper set (Blue Coal). Same thing. Loose pieces and handrail issues. They are not necessarily broken. They might have originally been glued in. The sides of the hopper are bowed out so the support pieces don't stay in. The top piece goes in the middle (I broke that one trying to put it back). They are delicate. I have one car that seems ok so I am not going to try and remove the coal load since they don't come out without prying.
What a shame, Brendan. Sorry to hear this. Seems like one story after the next (similar to yours) is getting reported here. It absolutely doesn't have to be this way.