Wondering what tricks or tips, success or failures, others have had with removing the molded on hand-rails on LGB and USA Trains box cars, stock cars and such ?

These are those strips of hard solid plastic that is part of the car mold itself, for a hand rail. Some latter generation cars have actual hand rails from brass rod or such.

Anyone found a good practical way to remove (cut and chisel off) the molded on strips?
Or from experience (not guessing), anyone tried and failed and really suggest sell the cars and try to find latter versions?

I have a number of new and used, LGB and USA Train cars I am looking to kit-bash and upgrade. These hand rails have to go, else swap the car.

Frolin
San Antonio, Texas

I used an Xacto chisel blade and emery boards to remove the molded on handrails on a set of MDC hopper cars. But I was repainting the cars anyway. If you want to save the paint job on the cars you have, you will need matching tough up paint.