Trains.com

Chatterbox Spring 2017

34176 views
431 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 7, 2017 4:04 PM

JoeKoh
No snow as they guessers said but the ditches are full for sure.

The snow hasn't stuck, but it's definitely been in the air.

Most streams are still running banks-full, and water is ponding everywhere.

Had a couple of pump details overnight - one was just a matter of the sump pump hose having redirected itself back into the house.

The Black River has a flood warning.  It may just barely hit flood stage, though.

Winter isn't giving up easily...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Calgary
  • 2,043 posts
Posted by cx500 on Friday, April 7, 2017 4:22 PM
With the warm weather the kids are out looking for fresh places to "play". http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/911-call-from-moving-train-1.4056565
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,785 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Friday, April 7, 2017 5:09 PM
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Friday, April 7, 2017 6:22 PM

Larry,

At 10AM I had an inch and a half of crusty snow on the windshield I had to remove. Rare, but not unheard of in April.

Norm


  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 7, 2017 7:35 PM

Norm48327

Larry,

At 10AM I had an inch and a half of crusty snow on the windshield I had to remove. Rare, but not unheard of in April.

Yeah - just chatted with a fellow ham who's about 40 or so miles east northeast of me - he's gotten some 3" of the stuff today...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, April 8, 2017 8:37 AM

Spring has arrived!  Wilted FlowerUmbrellaStorm

Frolic in the sunshine!  Well, ok - at least sit in it and absorb it.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, April 8, 2017 8:41 AM

And Kansas is doing their annual smoking of Nebraska.  They burn off Flint Hills for Land Management and all the smoke comes north.  You can smell it and never open a door or a window, that's how pervasive it is.  Welcome to Nebraska! Cof Cof....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Saturday, April 8, 2017 11:16 AM

Mookie

And Kansas is doing their annual smoking of Nebraska.  They burn off Flint Hills for Land Management and all the smoke comes north.  You can smell it and never open a door or a window, that's how pervasive it is.  Welcome to Nebraska! Cof Cof....

 

We have that smell this morning as well. When we had it last year, Canada was on fire.

Wait a minute....Kansas has a hill? Where did that come from?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, April 8, 2017 11:39 AM

Murphy Siding
Wait a minute....Kansas has a hill? Where did that come from?

Prairie Dog mound....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Saturday, April 8, 2017 11:53 AM

Mookie
 
Murphy Siding
Wait a minute....Kansas has a hill? Where did that come from?

 

Prairie Dog mound....

 

 

Smoking prairie dogs? I had heard those critters had some bad habits that made them unpopular in the neighborhood.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, April 8, 2017 1:01 PM

Murphy Siding
Smoking prairie dogs? I had heard those critters had some bad habits that made them unpopular in the neighborhood.

I won't comment since we probably have most of the KS population mad at us - and I live a lot closer than you do....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,785 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, April 8, 2017 1:48 PM

They came from Colorado in the great migration. You can figure what they're smoking.

(Nebrasky and KanzAss highway patrol bubbas were too busy watching the highways Mischief)

Note to self: Must visit Mt. Sunflower (Elevation 4039' (NGS 1927 datum) this year.)North of Weskan on the KP/UP and South of Kanorado on the CRIP/Kyle)...Took my greenhorn road-dogs from the mothership to Meade's Ranch last year (geographical center of the lower 48, LAT. 39°50' N;  LONG. -98°35' W) near Smith Center/Lebanon KS....Still 39 ft lower than La Junta!

 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,284 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, April 8, 2017 3:54 PM

afternoon

Driver and I went looking today.Csx wasn't too busy.Went and looked on Ns and had better luck.Had a big "CAT" and some gons dropping ties along the old NYC main.The tonka toys are parked in a siding east of Archbold.Also Ns cleaned out the yard in Bryan and was taking the empties to Elkhart.There were no high hoods but they still had all three engines"Long hood forward".Going to be nicer tomorrow.Going to go see if we can trim the swamp.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Saturday, April 8, 2017 5:34 PM

mudchicken

They came from Colorado in the great migration. You can figure what they're smoking.

(Nebrasky and KanzAss highway patrol bubbas were too busy watching the highways Mischief)

Note to self: Must visit Mt. Sunflower (Elevation 4039' (NGS 1927 datum) this year.)North of Weskan on the KP/UP and South of Kanorado on the CRIP/Kyle)...Took my greenhorn road-dogs from the mothership to Mead's Ranch last year (geographical center of the lower 48, LAT. 39°50' N;  LONG. -98°35' W) near Smith Center/Lebanon KS....Still 39 ft lower than La Junta!

 

 

Funny, sveral states claim to have the geographical center of the lower 48 states, including South Dakota.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, April 9, 2017 11:11 AM

A. Wasn't there a Smoky Hill Railroad in Kansas? What caused the burn?

B. Now that two of our posteres have Drivers, I have to be sure to read who is posteing so I will not be confused by the content.

C. I'm back in Chicago, on my way home, despite derailments in Penn Station. I enjoyed my round trip (D.C.-Beantown-D.C.) riding in luxury, despite the delay northbound last Monday (no such delay on the return trip.

Going back to Bedlam-on-the Potomac Friday, I noticed a car lettered CSXY along the way. Does "Y" indicate that the car is stored (like the many UP engines lettered "UPY" in Grand Junction)?

I wonder: after leaving Quantico Friday, we were held for: Autotrain, VRE, CSX freight, VRE, and CSX freight. It seemed that we were on a two-track stretch (we were on track three, and all that went by on track two; once we were moving again, I did not notice our going through any crossover.

Oh, well. I start my last leg about two this afternoon.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 9, 2017 12:29 PM

Deggesty
Going back to Bedlam-on-the Potomac Friday, I noticed a car lettered CSXY along the way. Does "Y" indicate that the car is stored (like the many UP engines lettered "UPY" in Grand Junction)?

While UP may now be using the "Y" in relation to stored equipment, it was originally used because they ran out of four digit numbers.  The computers were only set up for the four digits for motive power.  By tacking on the "Y", that let them use four digit numbers again, and the computer could already handle the three letter RR symbol.

Nice day, today, and in a sign of the season, we responded to a motorcycle collision.  Allegedly, a driver in a van pulled out in front of the cycle.  Keep your eyes open!

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,785 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, April 9, 2017 1:14 PM

Murphy: http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/13900/

http://www.penryfamily.com/surveying/meadesranch.html  I can see SD as being halfway E-W but hardly N-S. Your northern neighbor been out drinkin firewater and smoking peyote again? Or did they annex Southern Canada? 

Johnny: Smoky Hill Railroad still there at Abilene,KS with ATSF 3415 wishing it was on its own rails instead of the remnant of a CRIP Branch. (Abilene to the connection with the Cotton Rock at Herrington) http://asvrr.org/  (as for the one in Missouri: http://beltonrailroad.org/ (the name was changed to protect the guilty - but it survives)  

Smoky Hills takes its name from the early morning haze that often gathers in the valleys, although lately the agri-dummies burning off ditches and fields in advance of spring growth season have gotten a little reckless. (Don't burn in the Chinook winds!)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Sunday, April 9, 2017 1:34 PM

I hate to change the subject now that I know I live pretty close to the center of NA - that and a fistfull of $$ will get you a decent cup of coffee...

Saw hotshot "Hunt" train going thru as it does on Sundays -usually heading to St Joe/KC & usually with COFC.  UPS I can understand, but Hunt - what do they haul that is so important and it qualifies for "get out of the way" status.  Do they still do food items?  And what else?  

They had TOFC and COFC both today.  And it bustled by our site at about 35-40 and 4 motors on point.  This is pretty fast for going thru a populated part of our fair city, so I know it must be really, really important.  (Sir C - it went down the Amtrak line and then headed west to GI, but usually it heads down the St Joe line)

Anyone feel brave enough to tackle this?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,785 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, April 9, 2017 1:57 PM

The JB Hunt stuff can be anything tied to just-in time delivery. Auto parts, electronics, foodstuffs, you name it.

Mooks: you have two tie gangs/ surfacing gangs and a curve rail gang out west of you now that the ground isn't frozen, which is putting a little hurt on your viewing. It'll change back.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Sunday, April 9, 2017 2:15 PM

Sir C - we only saw one SB out of the yard (KPLX), but a lot of in and out NB to main and inbound to yard.  And 99% of it was coal.  Since Hunt was freight and heading west on Amtrak, I wonder if they ran over anyone?  

They have ballast and rail ready to go around 3rd and J - so eventually I can watch Tonka toys in between the coal trains!

Thanx for the list - I can see how America can't live without any of those items!  Mischief

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,284 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, April 10, 2017 6:06 PM

evening

Ns had it's tonka toys by my work today.A westbound stack train was making noise as it went by the crew.Had a few thunderboomers today as well.Ran errands this afternoon.Got an invitation for an honor student dinner at the school.This kid is growing up way too fast.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, April 10, 2017 6:32 PM

But Joe - he is growing up to be a scholar and a gentleman!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,284 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 2:22 PM

afternoon

Ns tonka toys were back today.A stack train took the siding through town as the Mow held the main.Chores to do.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 2:50 PM

Back home about 11:00 last night after my almost two week trip (not vacation; I'm on permanent vacation). 

While we were in Denver yesterday morning, the train was subjected to several short moves to the rear and forward. When we were leaving Denver, I looked back and saw why--dome cars Puget Sound and Sierra Hotel were added (anybody know whose they are?). They have a nice band across the window line. Sierra Hotel has an extremely abbreviated platform with a railing around it on the rear. Apparently, whoever was in charge had trouble coupling the cars to the train. Of course, there was limited space for the work, since the platforms in Denver are high platforms. I told my car attendant that I might have been able to do a better job of coupling (though I don't think that I could have gotten down to the track level).

Altogether on my trip, all on board personnel were fully helpful.

 

I do like the new Metropolitan lounge in Chicago; it has much more room for travelers than the old one--and an hour or so before a train departure little snacks are provided (much more than the goldfish or mini-pretzels (these are still available)). There are also many 110 volt outlets scattered about the facility. It is, of course, much farther from the concourse than the old facility, but I had a ride each way.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,785 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 4:58 PM

Johnny snuk through without saying "Hi!" again. gonna have to change soap, or deoderant or feathers or sumpthin....Ick!

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 8:03 PM

MC:

There are some eagle parents in Decorah Iowa who can give you some lessons in feather hygene. They are raising three young-uns and doing a beautiful job of it. All three are as clean as a whistle, well fed, and growing like weeds. Boss Hen would be proud of their efforts.

Norm


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,284 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 2:01 PM

afternoon

Had errands to do today.Was able to catch some action at FC in Defiance.The ND&W's 1603 had a train to come across the diamond.Then CSX's y101 shows up.Then a trainmaster,union rep and Master trainmaster come by for CSX as well.Decided to come home.Chores to do here.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 8:35 PM

It was a long day, but we're done with rules, etc, for the year.  Now we can go run trains!

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 9:15 PM

Hey, Joe!  I just got some documentation about a fleet of covered hoppers run by the MAW at one time.  The cars (in MAW series 100-191) were previously JBRX 100-191, and most of them went back to JBRX.  These originated as Norfolk & Western 172000-series covered hoppers, which probably snapped their share of the old rails in their time. 

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,284 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 13, 2017 4:47 PM

evening

went along Ns after work today.They are doing trackwork along the line.They are also doing fill in work just west of Stryker.Found out they are going to re-tie our siding at work too.One of the crew said I needed a new jacket.He said he had a blue one.I thought it would be from TTUN but it was a Kentucky one instead.Chores to do.

stay safe

joe

ps Carl I'll try to keep an eye out for more cars.

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy