Glen Labah  wrote:   
   > For the most part, the management of the railroad doesn't care what   
   > the locomotive looks like so long as it is working well   
   > http://www.railpictures.net/photo/331015/   
      
   To be fair, the caption *does* claim that one was on the way to the   
   paint shop.  But I have seen one or two like that pulling trains, too.   
      
   I think part of the preference for relatively simple flat-sided bodies   
   on locomotives is that flat steel sheet is readily available and always   
   will be, which makes repairs easier; this is good if you are going to   
   run the locomotive for 20 or 30 years.  Curved panels look nice but are   
   trickier to repair.   
      
   Matt Roberds   
      
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