Re: Earl being nice, doesn't swing at my pitches.

.....I learned not to swing at high inside fastballs long ago..... " />
But PRSL brings up a point. The 490's carry considerably less wieght on the pilot truck than the 480's. This gives them more traction on the grades, but makes the engines track poorly on curves as speed. This is why 490's weren't favored as passenger engines. The combination of a stiffer trailer truck, a pony truck which does less leading into curves and the fact the D&S tends to move thier trains along at a good clip, could lead to rapid flange wear, kicked out curves, etc.
I doubt wear in the spring rigging was an issue. Both the D&S and C&TS kept the sprigging up on the engines.
No, I'm not being nice, just busy. Throw me another one, and I'll see if I can put it in the bleachers...
Earl Knoob, winning pitcher
1973 Pony League Arizona State Championship
(1 run, 3 hits, 10 strikeouts)
(still have the game ball)