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Chatterbox winter 2022-2023

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Sunday, March 12, 2023 10:01 AM

Not that different from rapid-transit equipment that decides to try street running. (Fortunately a rare occurence on CTA)

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 12, 2023 4:16 PM

mudchicken
Learned here on Saturday morning that light-rail cars can climb poles.

Talented little cusses, aren't they!?

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, March 12, 2023 5:51 PM

Quick Oroville reservoir update: 

Due to the ongoing storms the level is being maintained at about 840 feet ASL.  In the short term high rain runoff needs to accomodated while later the slower snow pack melt will be allowed to top off the reservoir.

Today the inflow rate is ~19.1k cfs, up from 14.1k and 6.6k two days ago. Outflow has been increased to ~15.4k cfs. A good overview of the flood control strategy can be seen here.

The nearby UP Canyon sub apparently is open as no recent announcements have been noted.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 12, 2023 6:30 PM

Looking like the east coast might be in for it - biggest winter storm of the season, per some prognosticators.

We're just far enough from ground zero that we might see an inch or two of snow.

We've got enough snow on the ground for the moment, but the roads are all clear.  Might have to go clear out the area around our barbeque pit before next weekend, though.  Cooking 650 halves of chicken for our spring barbeque.

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...

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, March 12, 2023 9:38 PM

Very short CSX train about 1900,, 2 locos back to back, 1 hopper car of unknown, 2 tank cars with a complete white band on each from the 1/3 to 2/3 points with black on each end.  could not tell if EOT on train.  Train making track speed.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, March 13, 2023 2:31 PM

afternoon

Ns has a powder river coal train in the siding uptown.Meanwhile on our dock they dropped off another boxcar.That makes 4 cars.Not much room for anything else.This mornings snow has melted.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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 3:22 PM

afternoon

No changes on Ns at work today.Sun is nice but a bit chilly.Grabbed some pie for the correct Pi day today.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").

 

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Posted by MikeF90 on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 4:26 PM

The latest 'atmospheric river' has arrived here. Occasional bursts of rain alternating with sunshine and high winds. Ambient temp is a smoking 62F.

To the north the Coast Starlight 11 and 14 have been cancelled due to mudslides in the Oregon Cascades. As predicted the Sierra snow level is much higher and heavy rain is inundating the foothills. Our largest reservoir Shasta Lake is finally getting some serious water: inflow is 36.1k cfs vs 10.8k the previous day, lake level is 1005 ft ASL up from 1002 ft in one day.

Likewise the spillway at Oroville Dam is earning its keep.  Inflow is 37.2k cfs up from 20.4k while outflow is being held at about 15.3k for now. Lake level has gone up three feet in a day and is at ~77% of capacity.

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 5:01 PM

What we got from the Nor'easter is done, although downstate is still getting slammed, from what I hear.

Maybe two inches fell here.  I ran the snowblower over the driveway, just so it would clear itself of the residue.

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...

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 6:43 PM

While New England may be getting a NorEastener - in the Mid-Atlantic it has been 40 degees and winds of that number and higher.  Similar to what created the following just before Christmas 

 

Which brought about the following this month

 

 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 2:36 PM

afternoon

Plenty of toothpick material there.No changes on Ns after work today.The sunshine is nice this afternoon.Matt's friend has an Amtrak Pass.He was delayed on the zephyr.He wanted to go south into California but he is stuck in Portland.Have 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, March 16, 2023 4:05 PM

evening

Ns was the same after work today.Ran errands uptown.Rain is coming.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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").

 

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, March 16, 2023 5:01 PM

72 degrees yesterday, snow this morning (again) ...almost springtime in the rockies.

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
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Posted by MikeF90 on Friday, March 17, 2023 4:28 PM

The BNSF Southern Transcon has been unusually quiet for two days due to derailments at Topock, AZ and Topeka, KS.  Look for the 'floodgates' to open up soon ....

Speaking of west coast weather, the latest AR has passed through and left plenty of water in its wake. Shasta Lake inflow has tailed off, going from 36k cfs to 73k, 48k, 29k as of last midnight. Outflow has been set to 1.4k cfs.

By contrast, Lake Oroville outflow has been ramped from 15k cfs to 18k and 23k due to anticipated short term snow melt. Inflow seems to have peaked, going from 37k cfs to 63k, 62k, and 41k.  Another storm is due this weekend, so standing by ...

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, March 17, 2023 4:52 PM

evening

Still 4 cars on our dock where I work.Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.We will see what is there after vacation.Matt and I ran errands.We saw 016 on Csx.Also omni has more scrap cars.The NDW has more ties.Tomorrow we go to G+G's house for the boss who will be a big number.Then we are off to see our niece and the wizard for their play.Time for supper.

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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, March 17, 2023 5:33 PM

Last week's NorEaster has been replaced with rain.  +45°F right now and 0.38" of rain so far.

The lake effect machine is supposed to fire up this weekend, but should stay mostly south of us, which is a good thing, as we have 650 halves of chicken to move on Sunday.  

I used my snowblower to clear out around the BBQ pit.  Only sheared a pin once on the rocks the pit sits on...

So, yes, there is still plenty of snow on the ground, although not enough to keep the local snowmobile trails open.  Portions are OK, but other places are mud...

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...

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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, March 19, 2023 5:52 PM

West coast winter weather update - last one before vernal equinox tomorrow:

For the past few days the southern San Joaquin valley has had numerous flooding alerts due to upstream rainfall. The 'central' Central valley / delta is now being impacted due to this 'upstream' river water plus of course Sierra rainfall. It is unknown if UP or BNSF has been affected yet.

Further north Trinity Lake has finally received some decent rainfall and is up to 35% capacity. Our largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, is up to 73% and after inflow peaking at 73k cfs a few days ago is down to 24k.  Lake Oroville is up to 83% with a peak inflow of 63k cfs down to 26k as of midnight.  Outflow is set up higher to 36k in anticipation of further high rainfall and snowmelt.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:05 PM

MIKE:  Has the repairs to Orville been completed?

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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:28 PM

blue streak 1
MIKE:  Has the repairs to Orville been completed?

According to all oversight agencies, the spillways have been repaired and reconstructed as of late 2018.  See:   https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/SWP-Facilities/Oroville/Oroville-Spillways

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Sunday, March 19, 2023 10:59 PM

Oroville's spillway has been used in the last couple of weeks and looks like it is holding up nicely.

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