That's a bummer on the plastic handrails. This is the first I've heard about a problem with them.
I wonder if the 70 ton will have a scale-width hood? I remember the WbB 44 tonners as being over-width, scale-wise. I thought that was the main complaint with them.
Not necessarily a deal breaker for me though. If I decide I want one, I'll get it. I can always scratch-build new rails out of brass or steel. And as far as any over-width hood goes, I'd just have to learn to live with it. I'm just a "little" over-width myself, ya' know.