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The gas-powered, electrically-driven diesel engines were more complex than steam engines. Most of the breakdowns which occurred were electrical, and when a diesel engine would falter, another would usually be needed to tow the engine in for repairs. Although steam engines were unpredictable, train crews took great pride in being able to take the stop-gap measures needed to get it to the yard. When a diesel engine broke down, on the other hand, they were more often than not powerless to do anything about it. (Derwin Cole)

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