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Chatterbox Spring 2021

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  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, June 21, 2021 10:44 PM
Well, my Farther's Day turned out as well as I'd hoped for, and better than I actually expected.
After church, the sky didn't look too threatening, so we headed out to Indiana. Soon after I-294 joined I-80, we got backed up in traffic. So I exited and surprised Pat by where we came out. It was just a small detour, but enabled us to find and purchase some (relatively) inexpensive gas. Never mind that we found some gas for under three bucks a little later on--Pat no longer had to worry about the fuel level. We got down to Griffith, and there was plenty of room on their outdoor patio. (A note on that...they have indoor dining, too, but one table--not many more--affords the view of the tracks that every table on the patio affords!) Sadly, only one train went through while we were there--a far cry from the seven or so that showed up when Matt, Joe, and I went last month. And it wasn't a very good one for my purposes.
We did hear another train squealing its flanges on a curve, but it didn't go past the restaurant. After we finished, I showed Pat the sharp curve that the train had negotiated. Then, when we went back north, we caught up to this train, moving very slowly. The decision was then made to go up toward Pine Junction, and maybe see the whole thing there. A Canadian National train was headed south on the old J, but he was stopped. We went in on Clark Road, and saw nothing at all, except for a headlight for a CSX westbound. And while he was going through, a CSX eastbound also went past (I couldn't get much off that one, for obvious reasons--the westbound was closer!).
We headed back out, and as we were coming up to the new overpass, I saw a northbound CN train on the old J. I did some near-spontaneous change of plans and went into my favorite parking spot, where we saw the entire train...it was the same train that we'd heard on the curve in Griffith, and had been moving slowly. He kept me very busy there.
Another CSX train was encountered at Blue Island. We'd seen this guy moving west out of Barr Yard, and I was planning on waiting for him to catch up to us. No need--it was a perfect meet at the Broadway grade crossing ("meet" in the railroad sense--we didn't actually collide or anything).
After that, we were content to head home. Within three miles of Lombard, the rain finally started...never hard enough to make it a problem to get out of the car, and into the garage and house. I am so glad we weren't scared off by the dire weather threats!
So far, research has uncovered 200 new cars for me from this trip. And earlier today Joe had sent a picture of a couple of new scrap gondolas, that turned out to be from a batch of 300. Plenty of secondhand cars to look into as well.

 

 

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 BaltACD on Sunday, June 20, 2021 6:44 AM

tree68
 
BaltACD
Started raining in Watkins Glen about 5 PM and has been steady up to the current time 11 PM. 

Oswego County got hit pretty hard.  The storm is just rain over Oneida County, and the Southern Tier just got wet, from the looks of it.  You should be out of it soon.

Several folks from up this way regularly work the safety crews at the Glen.

Had a 'exhausting' Watkins Glen race weekend.  Broke exhaust pipe on 1st session Friday.  Put on my spare pipe, which is a different configuration than my primary for the next sessions and was down on revs.  Got the donation of a pipe similar to my primary and put it on for the Saturday race and as I was completing the 1st lap of the race the exhaust manifold broke.  Two stroke engine don't work without a properly designed and operating exhaust and I don't want to be deaf for the balance of my life.  Weekend done as I don't have a spare exhaust manifold.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 19, 2021 10:29 PM

BaltACD
Started raining in Watkins Glen about 5 PM and has been steady up to the current time 11 PM.

Oswego County got hit pretty hard.  The storm is just rain over Oneida County, and the Southern Tier just got wet, from the looks of it.  You should be out of it soon.

Several folks from up this way regularly work the safety crews at the Glen.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, June 19, 2021 10:17 PM

tree68
I'll be painting a bookshelf I just built, and planting some more annuals.  I'm a little late on the annuals, but hopefully they'll look good...

I'm building the bookshelf so I can move some of my books off another shelf and repurpose it as a charging station.  Between my ham radios, railroad radio, and fire department radio it can be a challenge to find places to plug in all the wall warts.  I can't just use the bookshelf I'm building because there are no outlets where that's going...

Meanwhile, we're still looking for rain.  Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River are on the order of two feet low right now. The two bodies are the only ones on the Great Lakes that can be controlled, and the people in charge of that control have blown it badly.

Started raining in Watkins Glen about 5 PM and has been steady up to the current time 11 PM.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 19, 2021 8:12 PM

I'll be painting a bookshelf I just built, and planting some more annuals.  I'm a little late on the annuals, but hopefully they'll look good...

I'm building the bookshelf so I can move some of my books off another shelf and repurpose it as a charging station.  Between my ham radios, railroad radio, and fire department radio it can be a challenge to find places to plug in all the wall warts.  I can't just use the bookshelf I'm building because there are no outlets where that's going...

Meanwhile, we're still looking for rain.  Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River are on the order of two feet low right now. The two bodies are the only ones on the Great Lakes that can be controlled, and the people in charge of that control have blown it badly.

 

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: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, June 19, 2021 6:31 PM

My plans for Father's Day included watching a parade of trains at Griffith.  However, Pat thinks it will rain on my parade, so we'll have to see.

Got some interesting cars off a train at Old Harlem today.  It was headed by an NS and a BNSF unit.  Short train; they pulled all the way out so an EOT could be applied.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Saturday, June 19, 2021 10:11 AM

For a variety of reasons, Lynn gave me the green light to get out on Father's Day if no family events turn up.  I'm still deciding where I'll go.

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, June 18, 2021 4:19 PM

(Fingers crossed)  I think I finally have the access problem resolved.  I can no longer access the Rochelle webcam without going through the Newswire, but that's a small glitch that doesn't bother me too much.

Reports are out of the way for now, with 24 pages going to my carchaeologist friends.  I found most of an old CNW series of Evans-built gondolas on the KCS de Mexico, and am creeping ever closer to finding most of the P&LE 50000- and 51000-series gondolas.  One delightful discovery was a group of about 30 Illinois Terminal gons going to the old Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad.

Getting stir crazy here, with limited time out and very little productivity.  My cancer treatment is becoming a juggling act with a medication that has been essential to lowering my PSA numbers and its side-effect (presumably) of lowering my hemoglobin count, almost to the point where I need a transfusion.

We have a plan for Father's Day:  after church we're going to eat Mexican food at the restaurant Joe, Matt, and I found in Griffith...if the rain desn't show first!  Then--because it's Father's Day--the scenic route home.  This is why I'm glad my report is out--I can get started on another one!

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, June 18, 2021 4:01 PM

evening

Ns was clear after work.Ran errands in town.Saw csx q 191 meet csx q 192 at hire road in Defiance.The yard caboose is still in the yard lead track.Not too much yard left for csx.Guessers say round 2 will bring more rain etc etc.we'll see.Going to have supper.

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 Thursday, June 17, 2021 10:41 PM

Son of KudzuDevil

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 Thursday, June 17, 2021 9:54 PM

Electroliner 1935
Lots of luck, The pro's seem to agree that it is not easy and they seem to concur that covering the area with black plastic and letting it bake for three years is the most likely to be succesful.

Yep - read the same thing.  

I tried digging out my bulb beds and replacing the soil with bagged topsoil, but the darned stuff found its way back...

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 Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, June 17, 2021 9:44 PM

tree68
After forty years, I finally have a name for the weed I've been trying to get rid of for forty years.

It's known as bishop's goutweed.  And it's a real pain in the kazoo to get rid of.  It laughs at Round-Up and similar herbicides. It sends out runners, even under mulch and landscape fabric.  Trying to pull it up is a real exercise in futility.

At least now I can seek out some guidance on how to get rid of it...

Lots of luck, The pro's seem to agree that it is not easy and they seem to concur that covering the area with black plastic and letting it bake for three years is the most likely to be succesful.

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, June 17, 2021 8:41 PM

After forty years, I finally have a name for the weed I've been trying to get rid of for forty years.

It's known as bishop's goutweed.  And it's a real pain in the kazoo to get rid of.  It laughs at Round-Up and similar herbicides. It sends out runners, even under mulch and landscape fabric.  Trying to pull it up is a real exercise in futility.

At least now I can seek out some guidance on how to get rid of it...

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 17, 2021 5:46 PM

evening

Ns was clear after work.Guessers say mother nature going to send some rain tomorrow.Got the yardwork done.Glad tomorrow is Friday.To all the Dad's out there have a happy fathers day weekend.

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").

 

  • Member since
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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 3:54 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work today.Doing chores here at home.More 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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 7:48 PM

evening

Ns had some cars to shuffle uptown.Also sent a stack train each way after work as well.We followed q 368 to Deshler and we had our meeting.Museum is getting back in order.Have a couple chores to get to here before bed.

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").

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Denver / La Junta
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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, June 14, 2021 7:50 PM

First of four days in a row of 100 degree temps (it was at 100 degrees at 4pm) ...there are gonna be some really tired track department guys and gals come Friday.

 

Hopefully nothing outrageous happens and the Colorado railroads get through this. The slow orders are already being placed to lessen the track dynamics.

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 Monday, June 14, 2021 3:06 PM

Happy Birthday, Matt!  Dinner Happy B-Day

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 14, 2021 2:53 PM

afternoon

Ns had an empty mow train in the siding in Archbold.Not sure where they are working at.Getting ready to take Matt out for his birthday dinner.

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").

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 13, 2021 11:15 AM

afternoon

Washed off the deck this morning.Mother nature is sending us cooler weather today.It is now ready to be sealed.Checked on brother as well.Ns sent 4 trains as we visited.Going to finish up in the back yard.Back to work 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 Paul of Covington on Sunday, June 13, 2021 12:50 AM

   "Areal" is the adjectival form of "area".

_____________ 

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

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 11, 2021 9:39 PM

tree68

Displayed on the TV screen as 'Areal'.  If it were 'Area-L' there should also be 'Area-A or Area-B etc.

 

I believe Carl was talking about the pronunciation.  I would imagine some folks might well pronounce it "Ay-reel."[/quote]

Talk is cheap and varies by region.  What is printed is real.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, June 11, 2021 9:13 PM

Displayed on the TV screen as 'Areal'.  If it were 'Area-L' there should also be 'Area-A or Area-B etc.

 [/quote]
I believe Carl was talking about the pronunciation.  I would imagine some folks might well pronounce it "Ay-reel."

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 11, 2021 7:39 PM

CShaveRR
Not A-real, but Area-l.  It is pronounced like "Aerial", and I, too, wondered what other kinds there were when there were no dams nearby.

Displayed on the TV screen as 'Areal'.  If it were 'Area-L' there should also be 'Area-A or Area-B etc.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, June 11, 2021 7:35 PM

Not A-real, but Area-l.  It is pronounced like "Aerial", and I, too, wondered what other kinds there were when there were no dams nearby.

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)

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 11, 2021 6:12 PM

tree68
Noticed it was raining lightly here - and realized the truck was still in the driveway (vs the garage) and the window was open.  No disaster, fortunately.

The 0.06" we've gotten so far doesn't put a dent in our rain deficit, though.

Has been raining in Central Maryland all day - Over a inch everywhere - some places over FIVE inches.  Areal Flood Warning is in effect in certain locations.

Over the past several years the media have been pushing flood warnings as 'Areal'.  What other kinds of flood warnings are there but real flood warnings?  Is there 'Afake' Flood Warning?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, June 11, 2021 6:06 PM

Noticed it was raining lightly here - and realized the truck was still in the driveway (vs the garage) and the window was open.  No disaster, fortunately.

The 0.06" we've gotten so far doesn't put a dent in our rain deficit, though.

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, June 11, 2021 5:10 PM

evening

Ns sent an eastbound Carl special after work.It even had 2 mid train dpu's.Ran errands and took care of yardwork.Have other projects this weekend.Might see a couple trains here and there.The young man know as "Matt" will be 20 on 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").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, June 11, 2021 4:38 PM

We just had a shower here--brief, but sometimes heavy and with appropriate sound effects.  Sun's out again now.

Added an outbound CP train to my recent spottings; this will keep me busy through an otherwise dull evening.  Earlier today we bought pizzas to go after having lunch at our favorite place in Elmhurst.  These are going to be good for a couple of meals, but biy, you should have seen the total bill!  

At Elmhurst they're rehabbing the York Road grade crossing (York is basically Elmhurst's main street).  No trains went through for our dining pleasure (I know I missed a manifest by ten minutes or less), but we watched the crews position a long new track panel at the crossing with a pair of Speed-swings.

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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