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Chatterbox winter 2015-2016

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, March 18, 2016 8:15 PM

Another day of busy, busy, busy out of the way (almost).  Got some literature to print off, laundry to do, then bed time so I can do it all again tomorrow...

I need three of me this week....

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by Mookie on Friday, March 18, 2016 2:40 PM

Joe - is the quiet deafening?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, March 18, 2016 2:33 PM

afternoon

Matt & Co. arrived safely.Ns had a westbound stack train after we left work.Going to see where Mamma wants to go.

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 17, 2016 11:07 AM
Matt is going south for spring break.Ns had an interesting day today.Was able to watch a stopped train on the main and the intermodals had to pass it by usuing the siding.It got it's crew change and was eastbound before I got off work.Got a couple chores to do then off to taxi everyone to the airport. 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 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 5:05 PM

CShaveRR
We're being impacted by a line of thunderstorms, with a strong possibility of hail and tornadoes, both at home (where we aren't) and in western Michigan (where we are).

Probably the same system that wandered through here this afternoon.  Nothing severe here - just thunder and a quarter inch of rain.

Road trip to Utica done - now a meeting.  

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 mudchicken on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 3:52 PM

CShaveRR

Plenty of trains in the Gary area, mostly CN.  We chased a couple down...one because it had some new-looking garbage gons, and the other because it got there first. 

MC, we actually saw a train on the new connecting track across Clarke Road.  He had CN and NS power, and had pulled up to the crossing and stopped there while we were in the area.  I would assume that it was off NS (CFE?) and headed to CN (GRW), from the equipment it had, including a lot of cars from Thiele Kaolin.  If that were still the old PRR or WAB through there, he was westbound.

Nice to know that some of that Gary Airport line change reconfiguring is actually getting used, especially at the Clarke Jcn/ CP-501 end . (was that ever like working in a minefield - expected to find presents from the mob or the local gangs in da hood - fortunately never did. The Sugar Factory Connection over by 11th & Virginia was another scary mess as was Tolleston (CSX removed the IHB/Gary & Western bridge for that thing long ago...The IHB/Gary & Western now has two huge holes in it now with the track just rusting away. Kinda sad. Very little now left of the west end of the Wabash for that matter.) CP-501 Connection (Clarke JCN/ the part built by CR in 1978) now can connect to either the Porter Sub or the Ft Wayne line from there...

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 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 3:27 PM

Where's Matt going for Spring Break?  I presume he'll have his trainfinders with him.

We're home.  Our severe storm netted us about an eighth of an inch of rain here; it had to be more in Michigan.  We drove down through showers early on, but when we got to Indiana the sun broke out and stayed out.

It appears that the third NS main track at the eastern edge of Gary is down, but not yet usable.  The new control point signals were placed in service over the past couple of weeks along the Burns Harbor-Pine Junction stretch, and the old ones removed.

Plenty of trains in the Gary area, mostly CN.  We chased a couple down...one because it had some new-looking garbage gons, and the other because it got there first. 

MC, we actually saw a train on the new connecting track across Clarke Road.  He had CN and NS power, and had pulled up to the crossing and stopped there while we were in the area.  I would assume that it was off NS (CFE?) and headed to CN (GRW), from the equipment it had, including a lot of cars from Thiele Kaolin.  If that were still the old PRR or WAB through there, he was westbound.

At Dolton Junction, we saw a train en route from Barr Yard (CSX) to Yard Center (UP).  It was all covered hoppers; the mix suggested that they were probably potash cars.  Power belonged to CP.

Couple all of this with seeing a Consumers Energy coal train (BNSF power and DPU...2+2) on what's left of CSX north of Holland, and it was a pretty good trip home!

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 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 2:46 PM

afternoon

windy here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear when I left work.Chores to do.Matt has one more lenten service tonight.Tomorrow we take Matt and Cousins to the airport to find warmer weather.He will miss Mammas birthday on Sunday but I think he'll get over it.

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 CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 11:05 PM

We're being impacted by a line of thunderstorms, with a strong possibility of hail and tornadoes, both at home (where we aren't) and in western Michigan (where we are).

The Illinois primary was today, and we weren't home.  Fear not, though...our favorite candidate received our votes several weeks ago, soon after early voting opened.

I was in a helpful mood today.  We saw a young lady pulled off the road in an industrial section of Grand Rapids, attempting to change her tire without much success.  We got her donut on for her.  Even it appeared slightly soft, so I hope she got to somewhere useful (it didn't help that she was transporting her preschool-age son).  Pat twisted off a couple of lugnuts while I chased a train (it turned out to be a short switching move, so I was back in less than a minute).  Then at supper tonight, when my mother-in-law (91) didn't hear the "wait a minute" message from the hostess at our dinner venue, I quickly pitched in to help her (the hostess) arrange the necessary tables and chairs for our party of five.

It's nice to be retired.  We have to decide, now that our assignments up here are completed, whether to go home tomorrow (in what's left of the rain), or to spend an extra day up here where there is little left to do, especially not in rainy weather!  Fortunately, we're packed for either option.

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 tree68 on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5:18 PM

Congrats to Chris & his betrothed!

Damp here today, but no downpours. 

Gonna be a busy, busy weekend.  The FD chicken BBQ is this weekend, I've got a meeting Thursday night, food prep Friday morning, followed by setting up and manning a booth for the railroad at a local outdoor show.  Saturday, more food prep, then another meeting (antique fire trucks), then back to the booth.  Sunday it's the BBQ itself, then I've got to go to the outdoor show and tear the booth down (got someone else to man it for the day).

Who said being retired is easy?

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 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5:09 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Voted in Primary.They scan your drivers license now.ND&W was back in the paper about the closure of crossings.Don't think they have anything stored east of US 24.Still their best track is at the FC diamond.

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 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 6:12 AM

Thumbs UpThumbs UpThumbs UpWell how about that!

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 Monday, March 14, 2016 10:19 PM

At the risk of alienating yet another Forum denizen with a post of a personal nature, "CopCarSS" (AKA Chris) is engaged to an old high-school friend of his.  Pat and I know how the currents of time and the river can separate a couple and then bring them back together.  Congratulations, Chris and Amanda!

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 jeffhergert on Monday, March 14, 2016 10:15 PM

Mookie
 
jeffhergert
I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it

 

 Really!

 

I remember when the extra board was a dirty word and a pool turn was gold.  Obviously times have changed.  

 

Extra board, guaranteed, is cut way back (so they don't receive the guarantee) and turning fast.  Pool boards, not guaranteed, are turning slow.  I've been getting about 50 hours off between runs.  An East Pool engineer I talked to tonight said he had 60 hours off between runs. 

Jeff

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, March 14, 2016 10:03 PM

jeffhergert
I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it

 Really!

I remember when the extra board was a dirty word and a pool turn was gold.  Obviously times have changed.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, March 14, 2016 9:43 PM

Is it bad luck to have a black chicken cross your path?

The other day I called the licensing department about the multiple licenses I received.  The guy I talked to said I shouldn't have received one yet, that I should receive my new one in early April.  He didn't know why they were sent out.  I suspect that maybe the computer automatically generates an order for one when it receives notice that certain requirements have been reported as met. 

I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it.

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, March 14, 2016 6:00 PM

evening

wet here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear when I left work.Maybe tomorrow the computers will be in a better mood.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 mudchicken on Monday, March 14, 2016 4:55 AM

Mookie

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

Electroliner - she crossed to get to the other side and she made us wait while she took her time!  

 

Whew! - not another out of body experience.

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 mudchicken on Monday, March 14, 2016 4:06 AM

Amtrak #4 (EB Southwest Chief) is on the ground at Cimarron, KS (20 Miles west of Dodge City, Ingalls is the next town west)...looks to have happened at speed (79MPH, used to be 90mph  w/ ATS), 5 cars, from baggage transition back to lounge car on their side (almost all chair cars)....not good

Somewhere about MP 373 La Junta Sub, 3 miles out of Cimarron. (ABS territory on relatively new 136 CWR if the location is where the news has it)

BNSF roadmaster and trainmaster at Dodge City don't have a life anymore. So much for being in the boondocks.

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 tree68 on Sunday, March 13, 2016 6:02 PM

Murphy Siding
 I do believe it's a really stupid idea to have chickens in the city.

The village I lived in in Michigan recently banned livestock, including chickens.  I'm more or less in the country, and there are a few folks I know of (besides the Amish) that have chickens.

On the other hand, we're barbequing some 450 halves next weekend...

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 Murphy Siding on Sunday, March 13, 2016 5:39 PM

Mookie

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

 

 

 No collar huh?  I suppose you couldn't see brand either?  Having chickens around here is some sort of status symbol to show how much you love the environment- or something?  I don't know whay happens when the animal police catch you with more than 7 chickens.  Maybe they rearrange your weekly menu?

     I do believe it's a really stupid idea to have chickens in the city.  Don't like something about your neighbor?  Call the chicken police.  Before you know it, the city has an officer out there taking inventory.Dunce

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Mookie on Sunday, March 13, 2016 5:31 PM

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

Electroliner - she crossed to get to the other side and she made us wait while she took her time!  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:50 PM

Mookie
we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning

Did you learn the answer to the old qiestion, "WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?"

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:40 PM

Mookie
.  

And - I know at 250k population, we are still considered a hick town by outsiders, but ... we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning when we were coming home from advising BNSF how to run their railroad.  Many years ago, I saw a tumbleweed heading down our main drag, a fox, a turkey near the tracks, several deer, but never a chicken.  She looked very vulnerable....

 

 Our city pales in comparison to yours.  We're only 185,000 and we don't have any red football teams.  But, we do have this stigma where we want to be like all the big, progressive cool cities!  Like the cool cities, we now have an ordinance that alllows you to raise up to 7 chickens at a single family dwelling.  So now we have fights about chickens between neighbors- just like in the big, progressive, cool cities.  Maybe you've got a stray from up north?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Mookie on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:13 PM

Joe - I think this might be for you, except you don't have much coal thru there, right?  

NS might have lost a full unit coal train - loaded with 2 engines.  It was last seen backing....not leaving, just backing into our yard.  Maybe the migration route has somethng to do with it, but whatever reason - I was thrilled to my tippy toes.  Also saw 3 more NS engines - but probably part of shared power.  

And - I know at 250k population, we are still considered a hick town by outsiders, but ... we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning when we were coming home from advising BNSF how to run their railroad.  Many years ago, I saw a tumbleweed heading down our main drag, a fox, a turkey near the tracks, several deer, but never a chicken.  She looked very vulnerable....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 13, 2016 2:46 PM

mudchicken
Closing all the crossings permanently - Where's the $$$$$$ to do that coming from? 

The crossing closing fairy...

Not quite +50F.  Only a few vestiges of snow left here and there, except up at our banquet hall, where there's still quite a pile left from clearing the parking lot over the winter.

Rain in the forecast for the next few days.  We really will need it, as snow was way down this year, and that may come back to haunt us later in the season.

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, March 13, 2016 12:35 PM
MC not sure.Other friends are checking it out.Stay tuned. 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 Sunday, March 13, 2016 10:59 AM

I assume (ND&W) they are doing crossing maintenance and will be closing them one or two at a time on a temporary basis. Trying to rehab a crossing under vehicle traffic, like many locals insist on, is stupid dangerous and the finished product is less than optimal.(Your usually back there in 6 mos to a year to fix uneven compaction in the ballast section resulting in a dip in the track.

Closing all the crossings permanently - Where's the $$$$$$ to do that coming from? 

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
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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, March 13, 2016 9:56 AM
Well hope everyone sprang ahead today.Mother nature is wet and chilly here in NW Ohio.The local paper had an article about the ND&W.Said they want to close all the crossings east to Liberty Center.Guess a ND&W,I&O hook up is not an option.They are still working hard in the swamp for Defiance to Napoleon and Defiance to Wooburn Indiana.Csx has got some trackwork lined up as well.Going to stay inside today. 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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