Jason missed the worst part of Thomas. The f'n freight cars. They're always pushing the engines down hills; but, during the inevitable train wreck, they're the ones who don't make it.

Brown people the US government currently disagrees with.

"It was necessary to destroy the industry in order to save it."

Vrx simulators are pretty cool. (vrx.ca)

I'd also nominate the GM tech center — where the real work gets done. This facility cost $100 million in 1955 dollars (~$8 billion today) was designed by Eero Saarinen; and opened by President Eisenhower.

General Motors had an even better HQ than The Tubes: the Albert Kahn designed General Motors Building, which, along with the Fisher Building, formed the GM headquarters in their salad days.

Prices are a bit hard to come by, but figure anywhere from $200-$500 for the horse/carriage.

I'd go with the Tripartite Tumblers.

That's not completely true. The original plan was to bring *both* the C-Max and Grand C-Max to the states, which is a very confusing marketing position when you include the Kuga (Escape), Edge, Explorer, and Flex.

The Pere Marquette, a Lima-built 2-8-4. It was to be scrapped in 1955; when it was saved by the students of Michigan State University; and eventually restored to running condition. This engine was the template for "The Polar Express", whose author, Chris Van Allsburg, attended football games at Spartan Stadium.

I think we have a new nickname for Gregggggggggggg "Pretentious Fuckwad" Easterbrook: Bleach Guzzling Mouth Breather.

The Allegheny is 125-ft long, 11-ft 2-in wide, 16-ft 5 1/2-in tall and weighs approximately 771,000 lbs. It's tender is a 25,000 gallon water tank and a 25ton coal bunker; giving the power end a total weight around 970,000 wet.

They're using the wrong car for the javelin.

The methods that the military uses to achieve (a) and (b) is by being ready and prepared to kill people and break stuff. It achieves (c) through it's support organization for the parts that go out and achieve (a) and (b) via killing and breaking.

A motor powered by atmospheric electricity? This would be the perfect transportation for the rugged individualist.

Especially because it has a happy ending. Who can argue with that?

The big clue was at the end. "Can use APQP/PPAP/SPC to control product quality." APQP and PPAP are auto industry specific. APQP are requirements related to design and planning; and PPAP are requirements for demonstrating compliance to requirements.

"Most of the software in cars is not crucial to being roadworthy..."

I'll get this one.

It's not some grand conspiracy on the part of automakers to drive traffic to their service departments; it's mandated by CARB. That's why a loose fuel cap turns on the MIL; which in practice, has absolutely nothing to do with engine performance.