Off topic, but this thread made me reflect a bit...
The Alco's I run on a daily basis have automatic transition... sort of. As a transition point is reached, the revs decrease, you hear a loud POP inside the electrical cabinet, your amp meter adjusts, and the engine revs back up. Almost like a manual transition being done for you. Alco's have very strange electrical circuits. (Truly terrible wheel slip circuits.)
Very good point, and thanks for bringing that subject up. The "FT" and "F2" and "F3" units all had truly manual transition, where the Engineer had to first reduce the throttle setting (below #5 if I recall), then move the transition lever to the next appropriate position (either UP or DOWN), then return the throttle back to Run 8.
