New to O Scale but not to model trains, recently got a MTH 20-20903 GP38-2 BN and noticed that the grab irons are flush to the body. I've watched a couple of videos online and have seen many grab irons flush to the body while some are slightly raised as they should. I also have a GP30 in which the grab irons aren't flush so maybe it's just with the GP38/40's. I really don't want to get a pair of pliers and pull them out.
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Please note, this is just in fun! 
The grabs touching the body bother you but that huge lobster claw coupler is OK? (and the third rail, huge pizza cutter flanges, etc., etc.)
I just find that funny. 
I believe they are soft brass. I believe that they just got shoved in too far at the factory. Maybe you could remove the shell and push them out from the inside?
Just couple a boxcar to the back of the locomotive and forget about it. Whats a grab iron stick out? 3-4"? convert that to O scale and you'll probably find that the grab irons on the reading loco stick out too far.
Haha, those things you mentioned are expected and is the standard but to have details parts that are supposed to be a certain way will bother me. I'm easily pleased and all I want is some properly installed grab irons darn it, got some n scale locos and cars that have them. Hmmm, maybe I will try to see if they can be pushed from the outside.
aflores59 posted:Hmmm, maybe I will try to see if they can be pushed from the outside.
Try inserting an X-acto blade under one and see if you can lift it out a bit
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