Yeah I don't know, I remember something about extra super steel in the beginning, where it was kind of like "assertive entrepreneur makes eggheads do the impossible". That is just not how anything in engineering works at all. Was kind of a turn-off for me also.
But I am glad that this stuff made it into a cool train story for you. I like your sentiment.
Started reading Atlas a couple of months ago and put it aside after a third or so. I am used to reading "conventionally boring" stuff but this was such a slog. Super sterile, the characters are stereotypical, the message Rand wants to bring across seems awfully clear very early on. It may be the historical context that makes it more interesting, I didn't see it, though. Just couldn't do it.
Reading your comments on this thread is a relief, maybe there is nothing wrong with me after all.