Thanks for the picture, Len.  You're probably right.  Kind of similar.

I said I was just wondering if hatches were missing or that's the design of the car.  Just an observation.  I don't mind the car.  So, do YOU think hatches are missing or is that just a design?   Look at the catalog pic.

Got it at Charles Ro near Boston.  They had about 5 different Bachmann 56' hoppers and they ALL had the same hatches like mine and the catalog picture, minus covers.   

It was still up here.   I have lots of Bachmann that I like.  This just seems worth noting.   Did you mean which store did I get this from?

The more I look at it and compare it to other covered hoppers it is definitely missing its covers.

Just got the Bachmann NYC Covered Hopper #17523 and the hatches on top look like the covers are missing.  3 holes around each hatch look like something where a cover would go but after looking at several different hoppers at the store,  they are all the same on top.  The catalog pic shows it, too.  Just seems incomplete to me.  What say you?

I did check and I have 1 screw which I removed and put back in but not as tight.  I ran it and all was well so far!
Tnx

Didn't see a spring, just a screw holding it on which I'll probably remove if it drives me coocoo.

Sent it back for repair.   Nothing was working to fix it.  Still under warranty.

Got a Bachmann MEC 2-8-2 and the front wheels like to pop off from time to time going over my Peco turnouts.  The wheels appear very light, the slightest bounce knocking them off the rails.  Is this common for this loco?

I got it in September and it  had a factory set# at 3 where it stood until today.

Thanks, Hunt.  I set it back to 5 and still no go, just the functions.  I'll take to my LHS where I bought it ans see what he can do.  If he can't, then off to Bachmann for warranty work.

No.  All the functions work but it won't go.  Same thing when I went back to #3.  It DID go before the change.

UPDATE:
Watched the Bachmann Video about DCC programming and was able to change the RS3 from #3 to #5 but now it doesn't move.  All the functions work on 5 and not 3 so I know I changed the number BUT now it won't MOVE!!
By the way. the video instructions are different from the manual.  The manual says to hold the 3 button AND the stop down AT THE SAME time but the video says to push 3 and hold AND then hold the Stop button and release together.  Big Difference.

Just can't get the engine from #3 to #5.  When I release the stop button, it doesn't flash fast to indicate the program mode.  I followed the directions about 10 times but no go. I have 4 other engines I was able to program but this RS3  won't change.  Stop button stops the train but won't flash quickly and won't program from 3 to 5 .
Any HELP??
Thanks