diff --git a/moorpy/helpers.py b/moorpy/helpers.py
index 9da081d..65ec62a 100644
--- a/moorpy/helpers.py
+++ b/moorpy/helpers.py
@@ -1868,6 +1868,12 @@ def read_mooring_file(dirName,fileName):
     
     data2 = np.array(data)
     
+    # Check if *** characters in data2 and if so replace with 0
+    for i in range(len(data2)):
+        for j in range(len(data2[i])):
+            if data2[i][j].count('***') > 0:
+                data2[i][j] = '0.0'
+
     data3 = data2.astype(float)
     
     return data3, ch, channels, units    
diff --git a/moorpy/line.py b/moorpy/line.py
index 5b5968e..87ab36a 100644
--- a/moorpy/line.py
+++ b/moorpy/line.py
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ def __init__(self, mooringSys, num, L, lineType, nSegs=100, cb=0, isRod=0, attac
         self.type = lineType    # dictionary of a System.lineTypes entry
         self.cost = {}          # empty dictionary to contain cost information
         
-        self.EA = self.type['EA']  # use the default stiffness value for now (may be modified if using nonlinear elasticity) [N]
+        if not self.isRod:
+            self.EA = self.type['EA']  # use the default stiffness value for now (may be modified if using nonlinear elasticity) [N]
         
         self.nNodes = int(nSegs) + 1
         self.cb = float(cb)    # friction coefficient (will automatically be set negative if line is fully suspended)
diff --git a/moorpy/system.py b/moorpy/system.py
index 34a9558..0ba298f 100644
--- a/moorpy/system.py
+++ b/moorpy/system.py
@@ -4148,7 +4148,7 @@ def animateLines(self, figure=None, axis=None, color=None, interval=200, repeat=
         # Animation: update the figure with the updated coordinates from update_Coords function
         # NOTE: the animation needs to be stored in a variable, return out of the method, and referenced when calling self.animatelines()
         line_ani = animation.FuncAnimation(fig, self.updateCoords, np.arange(1, nFrames-1, speed), fargs=(colortension, cmap_tension, label, dt),
-                                           interval=1, repeat=repeat, repeat_delay=delay, blit=False)
+                                           interval=interval, repeat=repeat, repeat_delay=delay, blit=False)
                                             # works well when np.arange(...nFrames...) is used. Others iterable ways to do this
         
         return line_ani