I'm not the only superhero here at BearCom. We've got people with amazing levels of experience and expertise in two-way radios and other wireless solutions who every day solve complex and unusual challenges for customers. One of my personal BearCom superheroes is Product & Purchasing Manager Hugh Johnston, who recently told me about how he helped restore power to the mobile two-way radio in an unusual vehicle: a steam locomotive built in 1896. "My favorite attraction in my Texas hometown is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and its crown jewel, the 1896-built steam locomotive affectionately called Puffy," Hugh told me. He explained how Puffy had been out of service for several years after one of her ancient steam cylinders, which power the driving wheels, disintegrated from age. "Spare parts for steam engines cannot be found at the local hardware store or on the Internet," he said, "but eventually, a suitable parts-donor engine was found, and the long process of rebuilding Puffy got under way. One Friday morning during that process, I got an urgent call. The electrical system had failed and there was no power to the two-way radio in the engine cab. Could BearCom find a suitable power converter?" Hugh has a knack for explaining technical details in a way anyone can understand. Just listen: "Mobile two-way radios are powered by 12-volt direct current, such as you have in your car. I have lots of experience finding power supplies and converters for different power sources. For instance, railroad diesels have a 70-volt floating ground system. Those power supplies cost about twice as much as the radio itself. I was quite certain none of the power supply manufacturers would have application notes for a 117-year-old steam engine!" Hugh added, "Actually, I was aware that the power source was fairly simple. Puffy has a steam generator up on top of the boiler behind the headlight. A steam line is routed to spin the generator and create electricity. But these old generators were never intended to power anything but the headlight and cab lights. No electrical systems here; just mechanical wheels, knobs, handles, and valves." He continued, "I was pretty certain I had a suitable power converter in the BearCom warehouse. I dropped it off at the engine house on Saturday and said I'd be back first thing Monday to talk to the mechanics." That Monday, Hugh met Ben Benda, the head mechanic, who told him the old converter was ruined by a power surge. With that problem fixed, and a steady input of about 32 volts, Hugh was confident his converter would get the radio up and running. His visit gave him the opportunity to sit in the cab and talk steam engines and trains with Ben. Hugh said, "It was the best service call I ever made!" Puffy is back on track, thanks in part to BearCom's Hugh Johnston.