Bachmann N gauge Thomas and Friends “Percy” DC model “UPDRADE”

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Have been looking for the above mentioned model as a donor chassis for a Fourdees 3D Bagnall 0-4-0st 009 scale project.  Purchased the standard Bachmann N gauge Thomas and Friends DC "Percy" model however, on closer inspection on various sites the NEW "Percy" seems to have undergone a small change to his running gear.  There has been an additional of a U shaped bracket to the running gear where the coupling rod, crosshead and slidebars meet.  This looks terrible but may prove to be a solution for the gear disconnecting.  Any thoughts?