either the rain washed it off or someone cleaned the lens. looks much clearer this am
Opened up the microphone too....a lot of wind noise with no trains in the area.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Cananyone identify this vehicle (loco + one flatcar + this)?
https://goo.gl/mAvehF
Some sort of track inspection, I guess ...
[edit] ... thanks Google, it's EC-5:
https://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/capital_investment/2005/1216_ec5.shtml
MOW track geometry car. Testing the track for problems with gauge, rail defects, etc. Flat car is probably just an insulator/isolator between the heavy engine rattling things as well as producing electrical and RF (EMI) noise that might interfere with the instrumentation.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Some serious attention being paid to one of the diamonds.
Brian Schmidt Link: Rochelle Web Cam Trains Magazine has upgraded the Rochelle, Ill., webcam with a bigger picture and sound. The webcam is free for registered users. See something cool on the video feed? Post about it here! And don't forget our Rochelle railfan guide for when you visit the Hub City!
Link: Rochelle Web Cam
Trains Magazine has upgraded the Rochelle, Ill., webcam with a bigger picture and sound. The webcam is free for registered users. See something cool on the video feed? Post about it here!
And don't forget our Rochelle railfan guide for when you visit the Hub City!
rdettmer either the rain washed it off or someone cleaned the lens. looks much clearer this am
I am sure someone could, but it involves getting a ladder to the site, then climbing up the ladder and then up a relatively steep roof, while taking the cleaning supplies along. Not the most convenient thing to accomplish and if you have been listening to the sound from the website, it has been very windy and that would not be the safest working environment (not to mention the cold weather making it a miserable task). I also believe that whoever does it, is not being paid to do so, but rather is a volunteer, who probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
Semper Vaporo I am sure someone could, but it involves getting a ladder to the site, then climbing up the ladder and then up a relatively steep roof, while taking the cleaning supplies along. Not the most convenient thing to accomplish and if you have been listening to the sound from the website, it has been very windy and that would not be the safest working environment (not to mention the cold weather making it a miserable task). I also believe that whoever does it, is not being paid to do so, but rather is a volunteer, who probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
Surely when the camera was installed some arrangements were made for maintenance. . .
/Mr Lynn
Semper Vaporowho probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
In this day and age, this is a major consideration. I believe the city owns the site, and I'm sure they'd prefer not to have a visit from OSHA, fine book in hand.
True story - a building inspector in CA was photographed on the roof of a building he was inspecting. The photo appeared in the media as part of a story about the building, or something along that line.
His employer (the city) was fined because he wasn't using appropriate safety gear, as evidenced by the photographic evidence...
The camera is on the peak of the roof - you can usually spot it in pictures of the park. A fall would not have a good outcome.
Larry 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...
The roof itself isn't all that steeply pitched...someone with experience (a roofer, for example), could handle it without too much difficulty--in ideal weather. Still, I think the city would want to be assured that it was being done competently and safely.I think the pavilion is probably too wide to get a truck with a cherry-picker unit in position to do it.
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)
Hey! I just logged in, and it looks like someone DID clean the lens! No more smudge!
Many thanks to that someone.
yep looks good how long till the spider comes back??? lol
Respectively dissagree. I still see a smudge above and to the left of the center scene signal hut... the utility pole has a gray spot and the spot extends over the BNSF tracks.
Semper Vaporo Respectively dissagree. I still see a smudge above and to the left of the center scene signal hut... the utility pole has a gray spot and the spot extends over the BNSF tracks.
Saw a squeege (looked like a windshield wiper blade!) pass over and back across the camera twice this morning... unfortunately, it did nothing to clear the blurry spot on the tree above and to the left of the signal box in center frame. Looks like it might take some elbow-grease and soapy cleanser to remove that smudge. I hope that it is not something that etched the weatherproof glass/plastic cover over the camera.
And the giant wiper blade from the sky will work much better if the lens gets a little rain on it today.
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
We've had rain on that "snot" before, and it hasn't helped much. You're going to need elbow grease, ammonia compound, and perhaps a little rainwater (in that order!), or, I'm afraid, a chisel.
The current smudge is not in the same place as the one a week or so ago. This one is higher up, to the left, and is more opaque. My guess is a gift from a passing bird.
More interesting: Yesterday logged just in time to see a short eastbound UP freight led by two GPs running long-hoods forward. Shades of 1970!
What we need at Rochelle is a transparent Teflon coating for the webcam lens. Come on, chemists; get busy.
Don't ask me; I'm just an idea guy. Beside, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
ChuckAllen, TX
Maybe time to get a used "darth vader" hood from the RR scrap yard ?
Just saw my first Coal Train BNSF 10:16am EB
Maybe the first time I've seen a coal train on the BNSF side. Maybe re-routed? There are plenty on the UP.
blue streak 1 Maybe time to get a used "darth vader" hood from the RR scrap yard ?
tree68Then, again, it would give Mr (or Ms) Spider that much more area to spin a web.
Most likely Ms Spider. My understanding is the Mr Spiders have a rather short life expectancy. I think you might say they're the ultimate in One Night Stand guys.
HEY! The grass is GREEN!
Semper Vaporo HEY! The grass is GREEN!
But no leaves on the trees yet. We had blossoms on trees two weeks ago and leaves last week. I've heard people here talk about "the winter that wasn't".
Anyone know if UP or BNSF (whoever has responsibility) plans to do anything to alleviate that swaying seen on UP trains anytime soon? Also, was wondering if anyone knows when UP is going to cut in those new signal bridges. Thx..
I see this is your first post. I had guessed that from its content before noting it on your mini-profile. Look back through the 51 pages (and counting) of this thread and you'll see lots of near-duplicates of your post (including mine many months ago).
UP seems to perform the maintenance at Rochelle. In their defense, they do spend a lot of time and effort on these diamonds. It does seem though, that posts like yours are noticed by somebody in UP management and another gang will show up in a day or two to do what they can.
Again, welcome to this forum. This thread sometimes drifts to other topics (other than the Rochelle crossing) but it's been 99.99% pure railroading as long as I've followed it. Don't be a stranger.
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