afternoon
Ns local was shuffling around after work.Another swamp drying day.Friend made it back from his trip.Going to get chores done 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").
I forgot to mention, Johnny, that we toured the Sloss furnaces when we were down in Birmingham last May (as much as was allowed, and as much of that as we could stand, in the heat).
Your whistle posts down there have probably been NStandardized.
Paul, now that we've been to each other's stomping grounds, we've got to get together sometime!
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)
I got back from a side trip to Brunswick, Maine, about forty minutes ago--a trip that I enjoyed as I added new miles and a new state, rifing over the former B&M and former Maine Central.
Oh, yes, while going to Birmingham and back, I noticed the mile posts and whistle posts I di not see a single whistle post that indicated what is to be blown; all I saw were sheet metal signs with "W" on them. I saw none of the old cast metal mile posts; most of what I saw were light metal signs with the numerals set vertically; I did see some ligt metal signs that are oval in shape and the numerals arranged horizontally (the old arrangement).
Tomorrow, I start back home from Boston and have the opportunity to sample Amtrak's second style of substitutes for diner food. From the description on the website, this style is much better than the original.
Johnny
Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.Swamp is drying out.Chores to do here at home.
I'm about two miles from that part of Clearing Yard. The WSOR power routinely lays over at that locale near 68th and Old Harlem. Every so often, I will do a go-around that includes IHB at Argo, various layover points at Clearing and possibly Landers.
Today looks beautiful outside! It would be a great day for catching up on yeard work, except that I'm not allowed to, owing to the procedure I had done yesterday (that was only a prelude, for exploration and mapping out my circulatory system...the real valve replacement will come in early July). Hope you have a good trip back west tomorrow, Johnny! We should be able to make the trip in on Thursday. Paul, is Bedford Park in your neck of the woods? I've lately extended my train-hunting trips to the public street (68th Street?) that comes fairly close to the leads there, and have seen equipment that's a bit exotic for a west-suburban guy. (Sunday there was a bunch of WSOR power sitting there.) No trains were moving, but the west end of the yard provided some valuable sightings that I'm still working on (no biggie, since I was in the hospital most of the day yesterday and napping for much of the rest of it).
Looks like we're finally getting some decent weather today starting with a nice sunrise on the ride to work this morning. Some of the Chargers previously held at Pueblo are now turning up at 18th Street.
MC, the Sloss Furnaces are the first thing I remember seeing the first time I came into Birmingham--on the overnight train from Atlanta, in July of 1953; they were working then.
The wye east of the Terminal Station was never used, so far as I knew, and I was not sure that it was still there until one of the conductors who came in on #19 Friday told me that that was where the train was turned so it could start back north after the passengers and crew out of New Orleans arrived. As well as I could tell, the track that leads to Sheffield and passed through the station is still there--and the track from Woodlawn Junction to North Birmingham seems to be still there.
I have ridden over the track that runs through where the station was and on the track from North Brmingham to Woodlawn Junction. In June of 1963, I was on my way to Bristol (I boarded the train in Meridian), and we stopped in Birmingham. A litle while before we were ready to go, a SB L&N freight and a Northern Alabama freight just out of the yard almost met; the L&N crossing watchman swung the gate (it's automatic now) right in front of the NA train; the engineer hit the independent brake--and you know what happened. After a while, it was decided that the Pelican would back to North Birmingham, and then run to Woodlawn Junction so it could be on its way.
Rain and cold air in the Northeast.
Ns had a westbound powder river train waiting on Main 1 after work. Guy was also mowing real quick around the parking lot.Still waiting for the swamp area to dry.With all the water can't wait for the mosquitoes this year.Chores to do here at home.
The lawn got it's first cutting of the year yesterday and the veggies were moved out of the house to their places in the garden. (Dining room is suddenly less crowded with seedlings)....
Concern here is the coming warm weather (into the 80's this week) is going to cause the overly large snowpack to melt at an accelerated rate. Could be interesting in the South Platte and Arkansas river valleys for a while. (They may not be mowing the river bottoms in Dodge City and Garden City this summer? Sand Creek becomes a river?) Good year for the river rafters and eastern Colorado farmers? Rockfalls, snow slides and avalanches are a concern for Uncle Pete up in the mountains on both sides of the divide.
Johnny: Sloss Furnace is quite the landmark. Been working on the track that crosses where you were and runs N-S on the east side of Sloss Furnace (32nd)...Kind of a shame that the former SAL main and Birmingham Belt that ran two blocks or more south of the NS main you were on is gone from Sloss Furnace on to the west.
CShaveRRWe haven't had a dry day (except for freight-car observations) for a long time now. And any of our rain that does to drainage will find the Mississippi River eventually, though not in a way that should disrupt Johnny's trip.
Locally the weather guessers have stated that there has not been a 'dry' Friday since January 25 - every Friday has had at least a 'Trace' of measurable rain.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
We haven't had a dry day (except for freight-car observations) for a long time now. And any of our rain that does to drainage will find the Mississippi River eventually, though not in a way that should disrupt Johnny's trip.
Was able to get out and watch some Csx today.Saw a very long q 370 eastbound manifest.Also saw 2 coal trains back to back westbound.Matt has to go and do dishes tonight.Deggesty hope your train home doesn't need pontoons to get you there.
I found my notes on the cars I rode in from Washington to Birmingham. The sleeper was 62007, and the diner was 68003. Amtrak used to put names on the inside doors, but apparently the expense of doing so--and of restoring existed names--is an unnecessary espense.
Oh, yes; this past Tuesday, #6 ran slowly after crossing both the Missouri and the Mississippi for there was flooding beside the track. I hope I will be able to get home next Friday.
MikeF90 samfp1943 Per BNSF customer notification several subdivisions in the area are out of service. Sounds like your vehicles need to be snorkel and periscope equipped ....
samfp1943
Per BNSF customer notification several subdivisions in the area are out of service. Sounds like your vehicles need to be snorkel and periscope equipped ....
You're right, MikeF90, Weatherfolks were saying last night that here in Mulvane they recorded 7" of rain and over East in Rose Hill they recored 10" (Both are on BNSF lines). The Arkansas river is running at an extremely high level( aparently, not quite to full flood, but high) It was in a flood in the 1960's that took out the Panhandle Div line of the AT&SF at Oxford,Ks. The Ks Turnpike was washed out near the OKLA line, as well, resulting in detours over 60 miles for truck traffic ! And according to weatherguesser's, we are in for some more throughout the week-end.
Train count was effected; only a couple of trains through here, on Tues and Wed; I counted about a dozen, when I was at home, thru the day, some MOW 'critters' were skittering about, taking advantage of the traffic(?), even had a 'long' Export container train through here this morning{4x2x2) THe front half was over 5,000' from the switch, past here, must have been heavy, as there were a lot of singled out 'cans'.
Back to the movie set on Monday - more filming involving the rail equipment. I could work Tuesday, too, but one afternoon of hurry up and wait is enough...
It's a Netflix movie called "The Half of It." Supposed to be out later this year.
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...
evening
Ns had plenty of trains after work today.We followed the line to try to avoid some construction.Ns sent more trains.Also a road paint contractor decided that Friday afternoon is a great time to paint the road.We still made our appointment for mamma's car on time.Chores day tomorrow.Guessers say rain for Sunday.Hope all the mom's have a happy Mother's day wherever they are.
I had an interesting ride through Atlanta his morning--when we reached Howell, we kept right on going!--a CSX intermodal was waiting for us to cross the CSX. Also, I saw two intermodals with UP power as we went on west.
We made good time--until we entered the AGS track at about mile 135--and then we crept along, stopping at the former L&N station 10 minutes late. Birminham's Greyhound station is now in the same building with Amtrak.
Washington has nice new carts for carrying feeble passengers--last spring, the old carts has given up the ghost, and Red Caps used foot-power wheelchairs to carry feeble passengers. Last fall a small number of powered carts had been provided, and I think they have a good stable of them now.
Yes, at least one Viewliner diner is in service--I ate dinner in Augusta last night and breakfast in the same place this morning. I did not get the name of my sleeper, but I believe it is a new one (I made a note of its number but cannot find it).
A note about the design of the ablutions room in the accessible bedroom--the commode is in a corner and the lid does not go all the way back, so it falls soon after you leave it up. I rode in one of the earlier Viewliner sleepers from Chicago to Washington, and it has the same problem.
The Sloss furnaces are still there by the AGS; I expect they will stay there until the structure disintegrates. I saw the loaders in operation on my first trip through Birmingham, in 1951.
samfp1943Wednesday AM; and the rain gods have for the last two days delivered rains of almost Biblical proportins for around here. Flooding throughout this area, and schools closed for the day, due to that same flooding and road conditions. Even the traffic on BNSF seems to have quit overnight; normally we get a couple of trains overnight and on first thing in the AM.. So far today, Bupkis.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Ns sent a westbound after work today.Chores and errands to do.Carl they can send another Lima product back for a visit from Portland Oregon.It's been almost 10 years since it's visit to Michigan.Need to get stuff done.
I remember discussions a few years ago about Big Boy vs Allegheny. My "little" N&W Y6 could out pull either one of 'em. ( I know, I didn't say how fast.)
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
The Big Boy and the Allegheny are pretty much contemporaneous, hence the recurring arguments about which was more powerful. My money's still on the Allegheny, which should have gotten an opportunity to open up in territory like UP's. Those 2-6-6-6s were built by Lima...'nuff said!
Back home in Denver, watching it snow (2" of wet stuff in the grass) outside.
Was in New Jersey Sun-Tue watching up close, the progress on the New York cross-harbor (NYNJ) railroad carfloat and yard upgrades. Neat stuff all within sight of the Statue of Liberty.
The Tuesday field inspection trip included the NYNJ and the New York & Atlantic (NYA) , including riding the NYA from Brooklyn/69th Street (Brooklyn Army Terminal to Queens).... The older forum contributors may remember Matt Van Hatten; he was along for the ride in his new capacity.
One of the new "stupid zone" highlights involved the shortline's wars with the homeless, poor planning, illegal encroachments, restrictive geometry, clearance violations and rediculous local political behavior. Got so bad that one homeless camp under a bridge was listed by AirB&B(!) The AREMA committee got a good dose of rhe trials and tribulations of shortline railroading in a large urban environment. Illegal dumping problems brought back memories of the bad-old days in LA. (The city holds you responsible for cleaning-up after their "finer citizens" and if you catch 'em, they won't prosecute 'em.)
samfp1943 I was amazed at how big that 4014 is, and she sure is polished up with the for the events coming in regards to the Transcontinental Celebration.
I've seen the Big Boy at Steamtown up close, as well as the Allegheny at the Henry Ford in Dearborn. Massive stuff...
Ns had some cars uptown when I left work.Still breezy from the east today.Checked the swamp.It is turning into a mudhole.Guessers say rain for tomorrow.Larry I had your kinda day at work.Just wait.Chores to do here.
Wednesday AM; and the rain gods have for the last two days delivered rains of almost Biblical proportins for around here. Flooding throughout this area, and schools closed for the day, due to that same flooding and road conditions. Even the traffic on BNAF seems to have quit overnight; normally we get a couple of trains overnight and on first thing in the AM.. So far today, Bupkis.
Just watched a report on the 4014 from Evanston,Wy on F&F; interview with Ed Dickinson, apparently, they are going to do som 'chasing' for broadcast today(?).
I was amazed at how big that 4014 is, and she sure is polished up with the for the events coming in regards to the Transcontinental Celebration.
Spent the afternoon running trains for a movie production.
https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Netflix-movie-filming-at-Thendaras-Van-Aukens-Inne-this-week-509549041.html
The train crew kept out of sight when possible... Aside from that, it was a lot of wait. Not even hurry up and wait. Just wait...
Ns sent a westbound with empty spine cars after work.The local was also uptown as well.We got the cooler air but the rain must have stayed in Michigan.Chores to do.
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