Well Coleman, gotta give you props for igniting one of the liveliest threads to hit this board in a long time.

I can't disagree with you about the UP management structure, it is what it is.

I will take exception with your comments about the steam crew. If you feel there's a problem, keep it to yourself. As has been said, work a 12 to 36 hour day, away from home for weeks on end, in often hot and always dirty conditions, and have some bozo ask for the umptyseventh time, "This isn't a real steam engine, is it?", or, "How do you steer it?". Trust me, at some point your cheerfulness and enthusiasm will go out the window as you attempt to restrain yourself from choking the living dogsnot out of them.
Once that urge passes, perhaps your reply might not be from the P.R. handbook. Fact is, they're out there doing the job, doing it well.

Been there.