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Come and get your rocks.

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Posted by Semper Vaporo on Monday, April 28, 2014 10:53 AM

"New" browsers seem to have changed the way that some HTML code is executed and that has broken the forums that have not updated their code to work the "new way".  IE-10 and IE-11 have a feature where they can revert to the "old way" and that is called "Compatibility Mode".

In IE you can tell the browser to use that mode for all sites within a domain by putting that domain name (like "Trains dot com" {substitute just a "," for that " dot "}) into a list... click the "Gear" icon in the upper right corner of the IE window and select "Compatibility View settings" and put the domain name into the text box and click "ADD", then close the dialog box and refresh the display.  You can even set it to treat ALL websites in Compatibility Mode using a checkmark in the Internet Settings option of the program, but if you do that, you might lose some operability of some websites that might be using the "New" features available in the "new" way of interpreting HTML code.

I have no idea what would need to be done on a Smartaleckphone or tablet or other device, nor what to do if you are using some other Browser.

 

 

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 28, 2014 10:16 AM
Deggesty

blue streak 1

ACY
If it's any comfort, I can't get this site to make separate paragraphs either.

 Maybe could hold down space bar multiple times ?

Nope, that does not work; at least with my trying that the multiple spaces were ignored.

This time, when I got on line using my laptop (I am traveling), the menu for all sorts of things came up, but there have been several times that it has not come up. At one time, I thought using wireless caused the failure--and then it failed when I was plugged in (I am plugged in now). Perhaps it is something with the site. 

This morning, I am in Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles--and I am not able to choose my font or type size, as well as to make paragraphs. I wonder, how will it be when I next log on?

Johnny

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Posted by WSOR 3801 on Saturday, April 26, 2014 10:54 PM

A second to what Carl said.  UP also used to use the former CNW mountain and quarry at Rock Springs, WI, home of the famous Pink Lady ballast. 

The trains would come up from UP Janesville, and head up the WSOR to Rock Springs, as the line was leased from UP starting around 1995-6.  The former CNW Janesville-MADison line is no longer in service, so WSOR's ex MILW line between those points is used, then former CNW to Rock Springs. 

A 60-car set of Herzogs would just fit between switches at Rock Springs, had to bunch the slack. 

A view from the tower.

The older loadout is visible, relegated to chip loading.  The loadout tower I am in is on the mainline. 

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

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Posted by wanswheel on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 2:25 PM

Paragraph spacing requires a toolbar in the "Compose" box.  If there is none, I click "Tools" (on my computer it resembles a gear in the upper right corner of the screen), then “Compatibility View settings,” then “Add” (this website, Trains . com). Thanks to Semper Vaporo.

http://cs.trains.com/trc/f/2/t/227847.aspx

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 8:31 AM

blue streak 1

ACY
If it's any comfort, I can't get this site to make separate paragraphs either.

 Maybe could hold down space bar multiple times ?

Nope, that does not work; at least with my trying that the multiple spaces were ignored.

This time, when I got on line using my laptop (I am traveling), the menu for all sorts of things came up, but there have been several times that it has not come up. At one time, I thought using wireless caused the failure--and then it failed when I was plugged in (I am plugged in now). Perhaps it is something with the site. 

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 11:29 PM

Murphy Siding

     It sounds as if the Herzog cars are made for dumping ballast on the fly.  Would UP then simply order the cars filled with generic ballast, or are there specific kinds and sizes of ballast to order?

PDN: Committee 1 be a busy tribe  at AREMA. They've also been around since AREA Day1 and ballast is only a small section of that rascal.

Murphy:

Names and Railroads vary a little, but the general scheme Is:

Waste/Screenings/fines: Less than 3/4" (air dumps or well sealed hoppers)

Chips: 3/4"

Yard Ballast: 1 1/2"

Main Line Ballast 3 1/2"   *most of what arrives in automated GPS/ remote control hoppers

Two Man RipRap (Football Sized in air dumps)

RipRap: The big stuff (in air dumps)

 

 

 

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 blue streak 1 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 10:43 PM

ACY
If it's any comfort, I can't get this site to make separate paragraphs either.

 Maybe could hold down space bar multiple times ?
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Posted by erikem on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 10:15 PM

I had problems with not separating paragraphs when using Safari, no problems when using Firefox.

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Posted by ACY Tom on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9:52 PM
If it's any comfort, I can't get this site to make separate paragraphs either.
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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9:42 PM

Murphy Siding
 [snipped - PDN] . . . are there specific kinds and sizes of ballast to order?

Yep.  While AREMA has a very comprehensive set of specifications for ballast sizes, as well as shape (angularity), hardness, resistance to abrasion, water absorption, etc., apparently UP has its own standards for the size and gradation aspects.  See this chart and graph of "BALLAST & SUBBALLAST GRADATION TABLE", STD DWG 0010E, Revised: Jan. 3, 2011 (1 page, approx. 180 KB electronic file size in this 'PDF' format):

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/operations/specs/attachments/std_dwg/0010.pdf  

I did find a 2012 copy of AREMA Chapter 1 on-line, but it's like 632 pages (24 MB), most of it is about other subjects, and it seems like "Too Much Information" for the question asked.

- Paul North.     

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:47 PM

     It sounds as if the Herzog cars are made for dumping ballast on the fly.  Would UP then simply order the cars filled with generic ballast, or are there specific kinds and sizes of ballast to order?

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:45 PM

CShaveRR

You seem to be suggesting that because UP locomotives brought the cars out (and presumably brought them in) that a UP crew was in charge.  I suspect that the Dakota & Iowa's own friendly personnel were handling this power and getting a big thrill from running it there, too (were tracks upgraded enough to allow this power recently?)!

If UP wishes to use this ballast in a high(er)-speed mainline application, it would make sense to get it in the cars it leases (or with the service it leases, assuming that Herzog technicians come with the deal), rather than use some other cars and power, then swap power and transload everything.  They're like unit trains--it just doesn't make sense to swap out anything any more.

    Thanks that all makes good sense.  I hope UP sends more neat stuff my way.  The heaviest thing the D&I runs is some ex Rio Grande SD-40's.  The only part of the line that would be exciting might be the northern 15 miles that D&I owns.  On that section, the speed is usually in the 10-15 mph range, and everything rocks back and forth.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:55 AM

...and they have plenty to accomplish around Chi-town in a relatively short time.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:03 AM

Randy Stahl

Its the time of year for capitol track projects. If it don't get done the customers won't accept the explanation that the track is slow ordered because they didn't get the work done on the track.

 Railroads have a narrow window to get all the work done.

Randy

You're right about that.  Over the last week or so, there has been an NS rail gang train (camp cars, diner, tool cars, etc.) at 47th Street where the Metra Southwest Service splits from the NS main line.

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 jeffhergert on Monday, April 21, 2014 10:54 PM

CShaveRR

You seem to be suggesting that because UP locomotives brought the cars out (and presumably brought them in) that a UP crew was in charge.  I suspect that the Dakota & Iowa's own friendly personnel were handling this power and getting a big thrill from running it there, too (were tracks upgraded enough to allow this power recently?)!

If UP wishes to use this ballast in a high(er)-speed mainline application, it would make sense to get it in the cars it leases (or with the service it leases, assuming that Herzog technicians come with the deal), rather than use some other cars and power, then swap power and transload everything.  They're like unit trains--it just doesn't make sense to swap out anything any more.

What Carl said.  In years past the UP has sent mty ballast trains to the D&I at Sioux City.  The D&I leaves the train intact and takes it be loaded, then delivers it back to the UP.

Jeff 

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, April 21, 2014 9:44 PM

After the mergers, most of the railroads got rid of better than half of their ballast car fleets hoping for better utilization and taking up the slack with lease fleets who also took care of the cars and technology that the understaffed mechanical departments were loathe to maintain at all. ("Emperor's new clothes syndrome" which was well and wonderful until the shortages and other blunders of that approach kicked-in....but the operating beancounters are never wrong, are they?Confused

The shortcomings of that line of thinking show up every crisis and every production season. At least the operating bubbas give the lease cars a little higher priority than their own company service cars.

Biggest blunders were seen with the air dump fleet (which mechanical still does a lousy job of maintaining).

Kinda odd that all those unwanted derelict ballast hoppers have gone on to productive new lives on shortlines. I see former ATSF 177000, 178000 and 76000 series ballast hoppers in all sorts of new uses.

(Ya might want to see what makes ballast tick beyond the Rockwell Hardness test, like the LA Abrasion test and counting the facets - See AREMA Ch. 1.2)

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 doghouse on Monday, April 21, 2014 8:45 PM

samfp1943

Randy Stahl

Its the time of year for capitol track projects. If it don't get done the customers won't accept the explanation that the track is slow ordered because they didn't get the work done on the track.

 Railroads have a narrow window to get all the work done.

My paragraphs are pretty

 

Randy

    Around these parts, BNSF seems to rely on Herzog for many maintenance projects. From Ballast trains to CWR laying, and some other MOW functions. The Herzog MPM Machine seems to be a frequent visitor around here, as well as their CWR Equip. along with the GPS Ballast Spreaders.  Georgetown  has also used their Ballast Tran around here to stock pile ballast ( It is a 'self unloading train" pretty interesting to watch.)

 Over on the former MKT line through SE Kansas they still get their ballast rock from the former MKT Quarry down at  Stringtown, Okla. ( reportedly its rock has a very high 'Rockwell rating' ?).    

 

Good place to start.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_scale 

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Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, April 21, 2014 6:38 PM

Randy Stahl

Its the time of year for capitol track projects. If it don't get done the customers won't accept the explanation that the track is slow ordered because they didn't get the work done on the track.

 Railroads have a narrow window to get all the work done.

My paragraphs are pretty

 

Randy

    Around these parts, BNSF seems to rely on Herzog for many maintenance projects. From Ballast trains to CWR laying, and some other MOW functions. The Herzog MPM Machine seems to be a frequent visitor around here, as well as their CWR Equip. along with the GPS Ballast Spreaders.  Georgetown  has also used their Ballast Tran around here to stock pile ballast ( It is a 'self unloading train" pretty interesting to watch.)

 Over on the former MKT line through SE Kansas they still get their ballast rock from the former MKT Quarry down at  Stringtown, Okla. ( reportedly its rock has a very high 'Rockwell rating' ?).    

 

 


 

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:55 PM

You seem to be suggesting that because UP locomotives brought the cars out (and presumably brought them in) that a UP crew was in charge.  I suspect that the Dakota & Iowa's own friendly personnel were handling this power and getting a big thrill from running it there, too (were tracks upgraded enough to allow this power recently?)!

If UP wishes to use this ballast in a high(er)-speed mainline application, it would make sense to get it in the cars it leases (or with the service it leases, assuming that Herzog technicians come with the deal), rather than use some other cars and power, then swap power and transload everything.  They're like unit trains--it just doesn't make sense to swap out anything any more.

Carl

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:55 PM

I hear those herzog trains aren't cheap, either.  So they probably just kept the UP power on it to save time, and expedite the loading/delivery. 

  

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:47 PM

Murphy Siding
The Dakota and Iowa railroad hauls units trains of pink Sioux Quartzite rock through town every day from a quarry in Dell Rapids, 20 miles north, to Sioux City Iowa, 70 miles south. Today, I caught a train headed through town that was out of place. Three big, yellow, UP SD70's pulling about 50-60 Herzog cars full of pink rock. The nearest UP tracks would be at Sioux City. If the big class ones are so hard up for power and crews, why would UP be picking up at a quarry that usually delivers?

Because this source ends up being the lowest delivered cost for the carrier where it needs the ballast place.  If the ballast were destined to another location on their system, another source would probably have a lower delivered cost and be used for that location.

Additionally, the quarry would not deliver their ballast in Herzog cars.  Herzog ballast trains dump through computerized GPS mapping at speeds between 10 & 25 MPH - thus getting the ballast on the ground in the right locations and using a minimum to track time to do it.

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Posted by Randy Stahl on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:42 PM

Its the time of year for capitol track projects. If it don't get done the customers won't accept the explanation that the track is slow ordered because they didn't get the work done on the track.

 Railroads have a narrow window to get all the work done.

My paragraphs are pretty

 

Randy

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:31 PM
And why, oh why, can't I have paragraphs in my post?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Come and get your rocks.
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, April 21, 2014 4:31 PM
The Dakota and Iowa railroad hauls units trains of pink Sioux Quartzite rock through town every day from a quarry in Dell Rapids, 20 miles north, to Sioux City Iowa, 70 miles south. Today, I caught a train headed through town that was out of place. Three big, yellow, UP SD70's pulling about 50-60 Herzog cars full of pink rock. The nearest UP tracks would be at Sioux City. If the big class ones are so hard up for power and crews, why would UP be picking up at a quarry that usually delivers?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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