Rusty,
Nice work on the comparison photos! I have a C&O train I run at shows and on my layout, and it takes a very good eye to spot any differences between any more detailed cars and the Lionel conversion, especially when the train is in motion. It blends in very well, and gives a nice variation to the cars in the consist. So what if the hand grabs and brake wheel are cast in? Try spotting that when taking in the train as a whole. I guess if someone wanted to carve off the grabs and brake wheel, and replace them, it could be done. But why? It all depends on your point of view on the hobby.
Keep bashin'!
Jerry