Re: What the builders said

When after WW II the fist modern design steam engines were built over here, the should take over the place of some 50 - 60 year old Prussian and Bavarian engines. And what happened,the oldies survived the new one becaus they were more durable and not so spophisticated. That is the cause why some "Thrird world" countries (I hate that term) still operate steam engines, they are reliable and you can make spare parts by yourself instead of buying them fo many $$$ on the market.
When we got our first railcars (built from mayor street bus components) in 1952 the were designed for about 15 years of life. From over 1200 about 130 are still in service today.
The last "F unit clones" the "M classes" were retired in Norway last years after a modern constrution had failed for 4 years in a row.
Steffen