[dawidloubser]

I find it interesting that the article and paper which it summarises takes the analogy of representing steam locomotives as a species with a "driving force of survival" that far.

Steam Locomotives are simply a *product* in a competitive market, and that market changed.

If one wants to imbue them with all these biological properties, one can surely do that with any failed product? The Blackberry? 3D Televisions?

(Full disclosure: I'm a lifelong fan and studyer of steam locomotives)