There was a running competition like this between the B-26 (in reality re-designated A-26 attack bombers from late WWII) squadrons the USAF had in theater: you didn't get any credibility in the pilot's ready room unless you had 5 locomotive kills and were a "Locomotive Ace." I once read an article in Aviation History about this: you don't know pain until you see your wingman get clotheslined by a telegraph cable strung between two mountaintops...ouch. sawed the poor guy's wing off.
