Ed,
You are 100% correct, I experienced that too. Even when we uncovered issues that would compromise the design when it was to be put in service! I guess us "end product users" just don't have a tangible effect on the "suits".
EM2000,
As an aside, the area of testing we were doing was acceptance testing, not testing to finalize the C1 production cars. There is a big difference between the two, and the C3s were supposed to be a result of the "lessons learned". However, at the final meetings our (meaning the "end users") criticisms were ignored by LIRR engineering and they marched on to the tune of "ease of maintenance". I will not get into the particulars because I absolutely despise the politics of the issue. Suffice it to say, if some would have listened, and compromised, a LOT of cash could have been saved later on in years. And saying "I told you so" later on just makes the situation worse.
Wheelslip! Back to the Barn.
MOTEL