Jeff -

Very good -- thanks for your comments. You guys do terrific work out there. Regarding the filters, you can PM me back channel or send me a message via the text message box of our website:

http://www.rmne.org

[quote="Steve C"].. I and 2 other gentlemen were in the cab when the call from outside came to hit the start button. One quick push of the button resulted in an almost instant belch to life by the big FLD.[/quote]

I recently watched a crew at a Mid-Plains shortline start up a U23B. After the requisite preparations, the starter was engaged. The prime mover turned for what seemed almost a minute before the cylinders actually began firing. The only audible difference came when the cylinder-stroke went from a muffled "whump whump" to a slightly crisper "thok thok..."