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Chatterbox Winter 2016-2017

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  • Member since
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  • From: Denver / La Junta
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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, March 19, 2017 11:18 PM

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company depot, Fred Harvey House, and El Otero Hotel, La Junta, Colorado - Page El Otero 1895-1954 (Closed 6-12-48), replaced by 1955 contemporary brick depot. La Junta, CO: Depot

 

Will try to find our traveller on the west end of the depot platform by the REA building, the only surviving piece of the El Otero. (now a communications and B&B facility)

Hopefully they won't have the delay like they did on #3 a few weeks ago. 

 

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, March 19, 2017 8:12 PM

We just got another recommendation for a restaurant in the station--from Pat's aunt and uncle, who'd be willing to join us there.  I think we'll probably take them up on that.  They offered to show us stuff in and around LA, but I don't have confidence in my own abilities at this point (travel in an automobile that I'm not driving could get miiiighty uncomfortable!).

MC, we leave Tuesday evening...that'd put us there about a day later, right?  Hooping up would be neat, but a bit of a problem from these vestibule-free, perpetually-closed-window cars.  If LaJunta is a smoke-break station, you might be getting a handshake and a hug if we know about it!

Had a bit of a setback today...Linda's platelet count was dangerously low this weekend, so I spent the morning with her in the local hospital getting an infusion (a count of 150 is the low end of normal/healthy...hers was 14!).  It only took a few hours to get some more into her, and she's her cheerful self again this afternoon.

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 Deggesty on Saturday, March 18, 2017 7:20 PM

I had a good evening meal at the Traxx restaurant in the Los Angele station last fall. I do not remember just what the hours are, but it was open the evening I left on the Eagle. Of course, you two are betterable to walk to a restaurant near the station than I am. It is where the ticket office used to be.

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, March 18, 2017 5:45 PM

Phillipe's http://www.philippes.com/  1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012

What day are you leaving LA? ...might hoop up vittles from the platform at La Junta if you are close to on time? (remember what happens in da bar car on the CO/KS line (besides the flying monkeys taking over Smile, Wink & Grin))

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 Saturday, March 18, 2017 5:33 PM

I'm just hoping that it will lay us out a little flatter and mor comfortably than coach seats have done.  I, for one, just need sleep (though I don't mind being awakened if something significant happens).  It will be an experience for us, one way or another, and we might be able to upgrade.  No, the bedrooms weren't sold out (though the roomettes this day nearly were!).

Another quick question:  what is the name of the long-standing restaurant a few blocks from LAUS?  We went two years ago, and it was an eperience.  If we have the opportunity (Pat's aunt and uncle, both in their 80s, will be with us), we might do it again.

Edit:  Never mind...Philippe, the Original.

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 Deggesty on Saturday, March 18, 2017 8:12 AM

Carl, if you have never before spent a night in a roomette, the two of you are in for a big surprise. The last time we had a roomette, Ricki said that it is not big enough for two people  (altogether, on our various trips, we had had only two roomettes). We went from Washington to Jacksonville in one in '07--and we were able to get a second roomette (in another car) for our return north. This was back when Amtrak had a second accomadations coupon for couples traveling traveling on a railpass.

Johnny

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Saturday, March 18, 2017 6:46 AM

Carl,

  With all due respects, a roomette will be a bit tight.  My wife would made me sleep in the baggage car if I booked one.  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, though, if all the bedrooms were already sold.

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 CShaveRR on Friday, March 17, 2017 5:01 PM

Hi, everyone!

The week since I last posted has been kind of busy.  After a hard, grueling start, the Tehachapi weekend went off well, for the most part.  We saw a few trains, Linus got an engineer's cap his size, and we had Sunday dinner at Kohnen's bakery (great place for big appetites, Joe...not really dinners, but the sandwiches will fill you up!).  On the way there I saw motive power of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad for the first time, and while there we had a decent parade of rail action.  Chris liked the Red House barbecue place, as we knew he would.

We went into the station/museum (which is where Linus got his cap, showed off a few of his reading words, and liked the diorama of the Loop).  Our docent at the museum told us that we really should go down to the Loop (a treat in itself, as Driver Chris loves narrow, winding roads like that!).  There had been a stringlining derailment there a couple of weeks back, and there were still cars to be removed from the site, a mile or so down from the actual Loop.  We weren't lucky enough to see any trains at the Loop itself.  What was interesting to see was the new second track through a fresh cut next to Tunnel 10.  We were shown the significance of this added infrastructure on the diorama (which is now out of date, naturally).

Linda:  for someone undergoing radiation for brain cancer, she's riding very high this week.  Yesterday, after her morning radiation, she and I drove down to Culver City so she could take her test to be a contestant on Jeopardy!.  This was already a call-back test, which means that she'd gotten as far as one of only about one of 50 applicants do.  She took the quiz, ane apparently had a good screen test, which placed her in the pool of contestants who could be called within the next 18 months.  

She got her call today...her filming begins on April 17!

Also yesterday, she received a commission (unsolicited) to write the program notes for a concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic!  This is at least a cut above the venues she usually works with, so she's riding high, in spite of the fact that she has only a couple of weeks to make their deadline.

We're proud of her, obviously, but we won't be able to stay around for the excitement of filming (and we won't know any results until everyone else does) or the concert.  In fact, today I booked the return trip for next week (surprise to Pat:  we've got a roomette!).

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 Friday, March 17, 2017 3:10 PM

afternoon

Mother nature sent us heavy wet "Widowmaker" snow.Plus added some rain on top.Ns had a stack train go west.The local was also uptown using 2 engines to push/pull on their switching duties.Chores to do here.Errands to run in the morning.Spring comes Monday.

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, 2017 3:25 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Ran errands uptown.Stacey's brother made the front page for his work with the Soil & water district.Matt is working on his homework.Going to watch the basketball games.

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 Thursday, March 16, 2017 1:34 PM

It's too bad the reporter didn't say something to the effect of "she was struck by a train while trespassing on railroad property..."

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, March 16, 2017 1:31 PM

The photographer can join the Savanna GA Midnight Rider movie producer in jail. The newsworker idiots will start smearing Uncle Pete for their ambulance chaser buddies any moment now.

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 BaltACD on Thursday, March 16, 2017 11:51 AM

mudchicken

EXPECT movement on ANY track in ANY direction at ANY time.  She failed.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, March 16, 2017 9:57 AM
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 Norm48327 on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 1:23 PM

JoeKoh

afternoon

Took 1/2 day vacation.Now waiting for a delivery.After 22 years of service time for a new stove.Ns still had some cars to shuffle uptown when I left work.Didn't see anything on CSX when in town running errands either.Going to keep working on chores here.

stay safe

Joe

Joe,

You're a day late. You should have had the stove delivered yesterday. Then the boss could have made you an after dinner treat. Pi Day; 3.14. Wink

Norm


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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 12:09 PM

afternoon

Took 1/2 day vacation.Now waiting for a delivery.After 22 years of service time for a new stove.Ns still had some cars to shuffle uptown when I left work.Didn't see anything on CSX when in town running errands either.Going to keep working on chores 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 Tuesday, March 14, 2017 5:20 PM

Evening

well if you are coming to Joe's please call ahead first.Errands run in town.Matt working on homework.Ns had empties and loads to move around uptown.Chores to finish up.

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 Murphy Siding on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 11:50 AM

tree68
 
CSSHEGEWISCH
It's not so much an invasion of privacy as it is a willingness of the suckers who are making Zuckerberg rich to post almost everything imaginable on his website.

 

And it never ceases to amaze me how people will lay bare their lives for all to see.  Kind of reminds me of CB radio, where some people seemed to think that the only folks who could hear their conversation was themselves and the person they were talking to...

And there have been indications that the "criminal element" (which sometimes includes ones friends) use some of the postings to time break-ins.  After all, if you're at Joe's Bar, you aren't home!

 

We had a situation where a gal was on a CB radio lining up a hot date with a boyfriend while her husband was shopping in our lumber yard. For whatever reason, her half of the conversation was broadcasting over our speaker system throughout the whole store. He quickly paid for some plumbing parts and left with steam coming out of his ears. The last we heard of it was when she said "Here he comes! I gotta go!".Surprise

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 11:08 AM

Send it back. Stella missed a spot (East half of Colorado).

Lotsa grass fires.

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 Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:22 AM

Meanwhile, the big storm has arrived.  So far we've seen about a quarter inch of snow, but it's still early.  Talking to someone in NYC this morning, they've already changed over from snow to rain and hail...

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 tree68 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:20 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH
It's not so much an invasion of privacy as it is a willingness of the suckers who are making Zuckerberg rich to post almost everything imaginable on his website.

And it never ceases to amaze me how people will lay bare their lives for all to see.  Kind of reminds me of CB radio, where some people seemed to think that the only folks who could hear their conversation was themselves and the person they were talking to...

And there have been indications that the "criminal element" (which sometimes includes ones friends) use some of the postings to time break-ins.  After all, if you're at Joe's Bar, you aren't home!

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
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:12 AM

Norm48327

Well, they may be able to hack my computer but they're not going to find much cause I don't keep any personal information on there. I will not have a "Farcebook" account. Too much censoring and invasion of privacy there.

 
It's not so much an invasion of privacy as it is a willingness of the suckers who are making Zuckerberg rich to post almost everything imaginable on his website.
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 Norm48327 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 4:10 AM

Well, they may be able to hack my computer but they're not going to find much cause I don't keep any personal information on there. I will not have a "Farcebook" account. Too much censoring and invasion of privacy there.

Norm


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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, March 13, 2017 6:39 PM

Norm48327
Paul of Covington

   I'm surprised you people using W7 haven't been force-fed W 10 yet, but maybe the pro versions are treated differently.  We have two computers that were converted in the dark of night.   I still miss XP.

I refuse to do automatic updates and know which ones to avoid when doing them manually. Windows 10 is well known as a data collection tool for Microsoft. They can trace your every action on line. That's one reason people avoid it. If you don't mind them spying on you, go for it. And, NO, that's not some conspiracy theory.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, March 13, 2017 3:16 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Snow here in Nw Ohio starting to stick.Got 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 tree68 on Monday, March 13, 2017 1:59 PM

Norm48327
They can trace your every action on line.

Which explains why features you use on a regular basis disappear....  Angry

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
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  • From: Southeast Michigan
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Posted by Norm48327 on Monday, March 13, 2017 1:55 PM

Paul of Covington

   I'm surprised you people using W7 haven't been force-fed W 10 yet, but maybe the pro versions are treated differently.  We have two computers that were converted in the dark of night.   I still miss XP.

I refuse to do automatic updates and know which ones to avoid when doing them manually. Windows 10 is well known as a data collection tool for Microsoft. They can trace your every action on line. That's one reason people avoid it. If you don't mind them spying on you, go for it. And, NO, that's not some conspiracy theory.

Norm


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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, March 13, 2017 1:53 PM

Paul of Covington

   I'm surprised you people using W7 haven't been force-fed W 10 yet, but maybe the pro versions are treated differently.  We have two computers that were converted in the dark of night.   I still miss XP.

 

I have W7 on my laptop, and I have not been irritated at all by an offer/demand that I go W10. When I bought my current desktop, it had W9 on it, and I became accustomed to its irritations--until I was forced into W10 with its irritations. (One of which is that one of the solitaire games that I enjoyed playing now is a time limit game). In my usage, I do not see any advantage of W10 over W9.

Johnny

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Monday, March 13, 2017 12:33 PM

   I'm surprised you people using W7 haven't been force-fed W 10 yet, but maybe the pro versions are treated differently.  We have two computers that were converted in the dark of night.   I still miss XP.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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