Crazy diesel guys...

I think I've finally figured out the diesel guys. They're crazy. 

I found that out this week because we've had two stories recently on Norfolk Southern Dash 8s. One story said they would be scrapped, another said they would be rebuilt. 

And I stopped in my tracks.

Editing the first story, on scrapping, wasn't much of a problem. I trusted the author to get the model numbers right. The second one, a day later, on rebuilding (to Dash 8.5 standards of all things) threw me for a loop.

So I researched. And I now know that diesel guys can tell you that "Dash 8" can refer to 12 different four- or six-axle locomotives GE built in the 1980s as well as certain re-builds and modified locomotives. There's the B32-8, B40-8W, and even a C44-8W, for example. It so happens, that in referring to the locomotives, you're even allowed to refer to them by re-arranging their numbers: 8-32B, 8-40BW, and 8-44CW. The same naming convention holds true for Dash 9s and Dash 7s and their number series', but since Dash 7s are so rare, people just call them C30s these days.

Seriously?! 

I shared this revelation with Brian, a fellow editor here at Trains.

"No wonder I can't tell what model you guys are talking about when we're out watching trains," I yelled. "You call everything a Dash 8 or Dash 9 when you look at a GE and I think they're all the same. You're awful."

Brian laughed, shrugged his shoulders and paused. Then he reminded me that some guys (and gals) like to trace the locomotives they see or hear about through every owner, every re-build or update, and even when a locomotive swaps out trucks. When I watch trains, I look to take photos that tell a story, find a place that is aesthetically pleasing to me, or I look for information that will help me have a better understanding of railroad maintenance or operations. 

Not Brian and his diesel guys, some of whom have photographic memories for these things, while others use computers or notebooks to track decades-long locomotive careers. But just like my baseball-stat astrologer family members who can compare Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, and Mike Piazza (famous baseball catchers) without thinking more about it, these diesel guys have knowledge to share.

It's likely I'll never fully grasp the finer points of diesel designations in the way I easily compare Mikados, Berkshires, and Niagaras in my mind. And that's OK. It's more important that I know what I don't know AND that my crazy friends answer calls for help from time to time. Where would I be without them.