I never cared for coffee.

I did spend much of this summer working as an engineer for a shortline that had a beat up GP38 as the yard engine. It did better than the GP15s because it weighed a little more and had the IDAC wheel slip. It wasn't the first time I had run a GP38. I did like them on the main at 45 mph with a loaded unit train. Didn't care much for the GP38-3 (either the rebuilt GP38 or GP35 versions), too many issues with the electronics. I've been on a GP38-2 and even a GP39-2, but was working as a conductor for that line. I did work at MK when we built one of the orders of GP39E for BN. I've also run a GE AC two weeks out of the factory a few years ago.

While you don't think the electrical system should be considered, I also repair locos, and when you are trying to troubleshoot or repair one it does make a big difference. I have slowly amassed a collection of EMD and GE reapir and parts manuals because we usually do not have an accurate electrical print or documentation. You think Starbucks is expensive? Try buying loco parts! About 4-5 times what they should cost, when you can find them, then wait 3-6 weeks for delivery if they don't lose or destroy the parts. You can buy a set of batteries on your MasterCard - but it will set you back almost $6000.

I might end up working on or running anything between a 70 ton to a GP49, so it does help to know more about diesel-electric locomotive theory. I'm consider myself best as an engineer and at air brakes, decent as a conductor or electrician, and am able to do just about any job on the railroad.

Enjoy your coffee at the internet cafe looking to Wikipedia for answers. We are all entitled to our opinions ...