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Chatterbox spring

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  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:45 PM

Paul, it was a madhouse all day, all right!  There were still Blackhawks fans headed in after 11:00 (when the rally started), and I was trying to get on the scoot.  Plenty of red shirts, for sure!  I was at Elmhurst for about two hours, during which time I saw one outbound scoot in addition to the regularly-scheduled ones.  When I got on one, just after 1:00 p.m., I couldn't have gotten beyond the vestibule if I'd wanted to!  I stayed and watched trains roe a couple of hours at Lombard as well, and saw another outbound extra, as well as an empty inbound going back for more.

Plenty of freight action, too, including some ACFX covered hoppers built this month.

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)

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 18, 2015 5:26 PM

Rain has arrived in Nw Ohio.Some towns are shut down due to flooding.Might need a creative way to get to Lima on Saturday.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:52 AM

It's going to be a lot crazy today.  The Stanley Cup parade will go past my building this morning and at least I'll have a decent seat for watching.  Lots of extra riders wearing RED on my morning train, which arrives at CUS at 6:15.

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 Wednesday, June 17, 2015 6:23 PM

Nice day today, and it looks like it will pretty much hold until Sunday afternoon (so much for dad's matinee golf game...).

Got the lawn mowed and all the petunias planted, too.  Now we'll see if they'll take and flourish.  Especially since I won't be home to water them for a few days...

Packing up for four days working on "Day Out with Thomas."  Could be a little crazy if all the people we hope show up actually do...

Time for supper and the "Seaway Net," a nightly on-air gathering of hams here in the area.

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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 5:48 PM

evening

Went into town for errands.Csx was moving some trains but slowly.Had mud problems in places.Some towns like Kalida are underwater.A pool and park area here is Defiance is underwater too.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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 7:18 AM

Although they were all originally lettered and numbered for Amtrak, two of the B32-8WH's (501-502) were built for Caltrans.  They were eventually relettered and renumbered as Caltrans 2051-2052.  I believe that they are assigned to the "San Joaquins".

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 NorthWest on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 10:05 PM

I love the B32-8WHs! Since there are only 20, I've been trying to track down all of them. I hope it returns to Seattle this weekend, as I may get down there.

Since they were constructed with a minimum of modifications from freight models in order to get Amtrak out of a power jam, they do ride rougher than the P42DCs. Often they are in the lead because they have a percipitous drop in traction HP when in full HEP mode, so the P42DCs often trail.

Since Cascades Talgos have an HEP car, they sometimes show up there, but unfortunately I don't see them as often as I would like. :)

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 9:08 PM

Texans  are getting to the point that rain is a 4 letter word.   Maybe instead --  call it

  " A mass profusion of aqueous globules falling from the sky "

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 4:50 PM

The Butler
 
Deggesty

Oh, yes--I had never seen the engine combination that we had out of Seattle--we had egines 22 and 505 on the point. I commented to one of the engineers that I had never seen one like 505 in road service; he commented that he had it aboout every other run, and the engineers preferred that it trail, since it is a rough rider. When we I arrived in Portland, I saw him again and he asked me how the ride was--and I told him that my ride was good. I understand that the 505 is a tunnel motor; I did not find a builder's plate on it.

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Dash_8-32BWH

 

 

 

 

Thanks. I had ridden the Coast Starlight several times, and this was the first time such power pulled the equipment I was riding.

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 4:42 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Ran errands.Csx sent a single bnsf engine eastbound with empty coal cars.Then a westbound  CSX rebuilt sd40-3(spongebob) went by itself west.Finished mowing our swamp.More chores to do.Matt is going to a nature center to play in the mud as part of his  summer bible school tomorrow.

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 Mookie on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 4:39 PM

Ms Mookie had her tongue re-sandpapered over the weekend.  

Stick out tongue

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 7:13 AM

The 500's started out in road service and were known for their flamboyant paint jobs.  I rode behind one on a Chicago-Springfield round trip several years ago.  I also remember seeing a pair of them heading up the "Southwest Chief".  There are several assigned to Chicago as heavy switchers and protection power.

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 The Butler on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 3:24 AM

Deggesty

Oh, yes--I had never seen the engine combination that we had out of Seattle--we had egines 22 and 505 on the point. I commented to one of the engineers that I had never seen one like 505 in road service; he commented that he had it aboout every other run, and the engineers preferred that it trail, since it is a rough rider. When we I arrived in Portland, I saw him again and he asked me how the ride was--and I told him that my ride was good. I understand that the 505 is a tunnel motor; I did not find a builder's plate on it.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Dash_8-32BWH

 

 

James


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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, June 15, 2015 10:26 PM

Oh, yes--I had never seen the engine combination that we had out of Seattle--we had egines 22 and 505 on the point. I commented to one of the engineers that I had never seen one like 505 in road service; he commented that he had it aboout every other run, and the engineers preferred that it trail, since it is a rough rider. When we I arrived in Portland, I saw him again and he asked me how the ride was--and I told him that my ride was good. I understand that the 505 is a tunnel motor; I did not find a builder's plate on it.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, June 15, 2015 10:19 PM

I did arrive home this morning--more than an hour late because of a bad meet somewhere west of here early in the morning--I woke, and realized that we were standing still, and we stood for quite some time more until a westbound at last arrived. Almost as soon as the DPU passed my car (I was the Tail-end Charlie on the train, occupying room A at the rear of the last car) the DS gave us a Proceed signal, and we left for Salt Lake City; the DS was alert. #6 was held in Emeryville almost an hour yesterday morning because of brake problems, but the train brakes performed well all the time I was aboard.

I had an interesting experience with turning the part of my ticket that I could not use in because I had to change my travel plans--Friday morning, after realizing early, early, that I should cut my trip short, I called Amtrak, canceled the rest of the existing ticket and obtained reservations for bedroom accomodations for getting back here, I went back to the station in Seattle to turn what I had back and get the new ticket; the man in the station was able to get a refund on part of what I had canceled (it s value was a little more than my new ticket ticket cost)--but he could not get the refund on the last two coupons and gave me an envelope to use to send them to Philadelphia. Immediately after arriving here, I went into the station and told the lady behind the window my situation--and she worked the system and geve me two vouchers that the Seattle man had been unable to get for me. She, and the two men here are good to work with.

Odds and ends--I do not remember where they were, but I saw many tanks cars labled as having inedible tallow in them; I saw more new reporting marks on petroleum tank cars than I had ever seen before; even though we were down more than an hour crossing Montana, we arrived in Spokane early, left there an hour late, and arrived in Seattle just a few minutes late; at one place, I saw an "FP" sign near a switch--I presume it indicated the Fouling Point; the BNSF has "swing nose frogs" on crossover switches (there are signs indicating their ability near them)--are they movable point frogs? most of the people I ate with in diners were good conversationalists--and my Engine 999 tie clasp attracted some notice (and some of it  was knowledgable) .

I go to see one of the PA's at my uroligist's office tomorrow morning; I hope to get something going to alleviate my concern that caused me to abbreviate my trip.

The temperature reaches about ninety in the afternoon now.

Johnny

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Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, June 15, 2015 6:29 PM
Y'all best send me an Ark, it's a bit damp here in eastern Oklahoma. Forecast calling for several inches of rain the next few days, aggravating the flooding down here. Hope it's dry when I get back to Chicago..........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 15, 2015 3:55 PM

evening

swamp was trimmed but mother nature has sent us some thunder boomers.Maybe will finish tomorrow.When I got to work there was an eastbound freight waiting on a crew.It had a flat car with some green tractors.When I left we had a westbound stacker and the local was shuffling cars.More muggies for tomorrow.

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 Monday, June 15, 2015 2:27 PM

If you want water, the Finger Lakes is the place to be - they've got way more than they want...

The rivers in my area are running a bit high, but most of the feeder creeks have settled down.

Today is just kinda gloomy.  No rain, just grey skies and a tad humid.

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
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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, June 15, 2015 12:53 PM

Tuesday (tomorrow) isn't supposed to be a bad day here.  Today, however, we've had over an inch since 0800, most of that in the first half-hour.  

No railroad stuff to share yet today.  Grandson Nico was able to get to the All Aboard Diner yesterday as part of his seventh-birthday celebration.  He's a train nut without the influence (but definitely with the support) of his Grandpa.

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)

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, June 14, 2015 8:51 PM

Carl: Just make sure to turn the water off on Tuesday. As is it was, mid-saturday was a goood Old fashioned frog strangler in St. Louis on I-70 with 4" of standing water and no place for the water to go. 90 degrees and 70% humidity in Cincy today - I don't miss the wet blanket summer lifestyle.

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 CShaveRR on Sunday, June 14, 2015 8:55 AM

Happy birthday to the Onionhead!  (Or has he outgrown that?)

The "mugs" are filling up today!  We had 1.6 inches overnight, and over a half inch in a sprinkle yesterday afternoon that cut short my yard work.  Time to enjoy the green, green grass--even in the places where it comes up to my ankles.

The file I've been working on was more than 50 percent destroyed when the old latop was waterboarded.  However, "destroyed" in this case doesn't mean completely lost.  I can just replace the words and we'll be okay.  Time-cosuming, yes, but I can keep track of progress, and the "replace all" function has been very useful for words and some phrases.  I'm back up over 70,000 words; it was around 57,000 when I noticed that I had a problem.

Learning International Morse Code was one of the requirements for First Class in my days as a Boy Scout.  It was the requirement that most Scouts saved for last; it was the first one I finished.  I guess that's the way I'm "wired".  I think I've retained most of 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)

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 14, 2015 5:31 AM

good morning

muggy here in Nw Ohio.Larry the lake levels should be going up.Mother nature sending us rain through Friday.Matt has chocolate cake with his name on it.He is 14 already.Time to get ready for church.

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 Saturday, June 13, 2015 12:38 PM

-..-. .- --.

Translation - I passed the test to upgrade to the Amateur Radio General Class...

Now I can play with the "big boy" radios, as soon as I can afford to acquire some.  And get the appropriate antennae up.

Code is no longer a requirement at any level - but I'll probably learn it eventually.

Next step is "Extra."  But that will require a fair amount of study.  

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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  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
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Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, June 13, 2015 2:50 AM

NorthWest
(Railroad/American Morse)

I've also seen it referred to as American Landline Morse. I always liked that term becasuse my Dad always referred to the International Morse that Tree will use as "radio morse", because that is how both of his older brothers who served in WWII used morse code.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by NorthWest on Friday, June 12, 2015 11:47 PM

It's a space. I've always seen that convention used to eliminate confusion about possible beginnings of new letters or words. I use a _ for a space and a - for a dash.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, June 12, 2015 11:16 PM

NorthWest

Or .._.

(Railroad/American Morse)

 

Is that a space or a dash between the dots?  Hopefully a space, as in ".. ."

Jeff

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, June 12, 2015 11:03 PM

It was a pleasant trip from Chicago to Seattle. Yesterday, I saw much container. covererd hopper. and tank car traffic, and several loading facilities for lines of tank cars. We were down by a little more than an hour most of yesterday (and left Spokane more than an hour late after arriving early), but were only a few minues late into Seattle.

Tomorrow, I leave for Sacramneto and then home from there, for I fear that a medical situation is worse, and I should not risk its causing me embarrassment; the worst part of the change is arriving in Sacramento before breakfast and there is not much to eat in the Sacramento station.

Johnny

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Posted by NorthWest on Friday, June 12, 2015 7:36 PM

Or .._.

(Railroad/American Morse)

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, June 12, 2015 7:29 PM

zugmann
"C"

_ . _ .

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