@vash44 posted:Have to agree with the OP. Big misstep for a great deal of invested $$$. Sadly, I can confirm the same copy/paste printing method was used on them all. SD70AH was used on the 1943/9026 models.
Most models made it without step issues. Model 9096 has 4 broken steps in total. While I would love to see Lionel fix the issue by bringing them in for repair, I just don't see them doing it. I also don't feel right by my dealer to send them back for a mistake that is not theirs. More of a stick it the dealer vs. QC.
Send it back to the dealer if Lionel won't take it back directly. When enough of the dealers get tired of the BS it will send a clear message. Keeping it and "dealing with it" won't change anything.