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Chatterbox Fall 2021

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Chatterbox Fall 2021
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 2:54 AM

Good Morning

Welcome to the first day of Fall.Rain here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear yesterday after work.The Csx Toledo sub through Deshler was busy before our meeting.Saw q 016 go east on the way home.Had a gentleman donate some pictures and documents from his grandfather to the museum.They were from WWI.Always more work to do in the museum.Time for me to get ready for work.

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, September 22, 2021 11:06 AM

Wet start to the season, although we've only gotten 0.05" of rain.  Hopefully it will clear up some by the weekend - I'm sure we'll have full trains.  I'm working Friday and Sunday.

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, September 22, 2021 2:30 PM

afternoon

Ns had some cars uptown when I left work.Brother in law asked us to go mow ma and pa's when it dries up.Their gauge said 3 inches of rain already.Time for 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 CShaveRR on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 8:05 PM

We've been getting only spits of rain compared to you folks...0.3" overnight last night, and also the night before.  That's okay, as we don't need too much too fast.

Got some not-so-good news from my blood labs yesterday.  Not panicking, though, as it was done over the transitional period from one chemo med to the other.  People in my doctors' appointments are saying that I'm looking and sounding a lot better...which all goes with my just feeling a lot better in general.

I've walked nearly three miles today, and I'm wiped out, but that was the most in a while.  During my break on the platform, UP sent a gorgeous manifest west...at least six units on the point and one each in the center and on the end.  I took two pages of notes on that guy...net gain in information, zero.  Hmm

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 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 8:45 PM

CShaveRR
I've walked nearly three miles today,

I got a Fitbit for Christmas last year, and wear it all the time.  Normally I'm around 5,000 for a day (the watch wants you to do 10,000).

While I was in Ohio and Michigan, I was hitting that 10,000 mark, and on day at Milford Memories, I managed to log 20,000.  

Of course, the watch also reminds me that I've got X steps to take to get 250 for the hour, which is kind of nice.  Gets me out of the recliner sometimes.

I'm sure I'll rack up some steps Friday, as I'll be assistant conductor.  Sunday I'm engineer, so I get to sit...

Rained most of the day here, with more to come.  As of this moment, my weather station is reporting 0.39" of liquid sunshine for the 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...

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, September 23, 2021 2:14 AM

tree68
Rained most of the day here, with more to come.  As of this moment, my weather station is reporting 0.39" of liquid sunshine for the day.

What is this “rain” you speak of?

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, September 23, 2021 2:27 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.The swamp is full here.The container game is getting tighter and tighter.Might even cause Santa some problems too.Chores to do here.Tomorrow we pick up Matt from school after work.

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 BOB WITHORN on Thursday, September 23, 2021 2:56 PM
Wet enough I may need to put the brush hog on the tractor to mow the yard. I want summer back so can finish some projects.
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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Thursday, September 23, 2021 3:00 PM
Had our Flint Central class of 1971 50th reunion on 9/11. Amazed by the number of people who remember my that I've got no clue who they are.
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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, September 23, 2021 3:48 PM

BOB WITHORN
Had our Flint Central class of 1971 50th reunion on 9/11. Amazed by the number of people who remember my that I've got no clue who they are.

Went to my 25th in 1989 - recognized most that attended.  Went to my 50th in 2014 - didn't recognize a soul without their name tags.

One thing I found interesting is the number of individuals that never left the general area in their adult lives - and area experienced real economic contraction with the leading industries closing or moving.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, September 23, 2021 4:31 PM

BOB WITHORN
Had our Flint Central class of 1971 50th reunion on 9/11. Amazed by the number of people who remember my that I've got no clue who they are.

We had our 50th in 2018 - I recognized many of them.  It didn't hurt that our senior pictures were on our name tags...  Of course, I was the tallest in the class, so I stick out, well, you know.

Out of 316 people in the class, though, only about 100 attended.  Some we just haven't been able to find, others are still in the area but once they left HS had no desire to ever "go back."

I did considerable research for our 20th and found a fair number of people.  This was before FB and the like, so there was some real rooting involved.  The Internet did help - it was a matter of finding ways to use it to find folks.

It's funny that some people you never really associated with are more than happy to chat.

A couple of years later I got an invite to attend the Class of '70 reunion.  A good time was had there, too.

 

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 CShaveRR on Thursday, September 23, 2021 7:38 PM

I've tried to be a faithful attendee of all class reunions, starting with our class' ten-year reunion in 1977.  Even then, it was surprising to see who would stop and chat with you, often someone with whom you had nothing to do in high school.

I don't think we've ever had a bad reunion.  We've had some where some people were pretty down (and I was sorry to see/hear that), but someone was always there to take up the slack.  This coming year will be our 55-year reunion.

As for whom I recognize, a few seconds is usually all it takes for recognition.  

One of the nice things is that many of our classmates don't wait for the five-year cycle.  I can go back up to Michigan, let somebody know I'm coming, and we'll plan a lunch or breakfast somewhere, depending on people's schedules.  We've had abut three times where people came up to the vicinity of our cottage, and attended the fish-boil put on by a fruit-stand/bakery nearby.  That's quite the experience.  

I'd say that the Internet, especially Facebook in my case, has done a lot for me to keep in contact with folks.  They knew about my love for trains in high school, and aren't surprised that that's where I still stand, even after a railroading career (hard to believe that some folks choose their career for money, not for love).  We mourn our classmates who have left us, care about those who are ailing, visit on trips, and are a big family (there were 363 graduates in our class, plus a number who were once in the class but moved away, didn't graduate, or whatever, but are still welcomed and appreciated.  For me, it's perfect...I think I had better experiences in high school than in college, and I remember nearly everyone...most of them fondly.

(In contrast, Pat's class, about the same size as mine and from the same year, may get together every ten years.  She doesn't stay in touch with her classmates very much, and though her reunions are fun, she's usually pretty ready to go home after a while.)

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 Thursday, September 23, 2021 8:54 PM

CShaveRR
One of the nice things is that many of our classmates don't wait for the five-year cycle.

There are folks I usually touch base with - perhaps dinner or a drink.  

A group has established a sort of "over 50" gathering.  I have yet to make it, as it's usually in June and my usual visit to the area is in August.

I don't hear many rumblings of 60 year reunions of our school.

There were a couple of the reunions I would have liked to attend other than my own class, but didn't.

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: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, September 24, 2021 7:52 PM

evening

Ns had some cars uptown after work.Went to get Matt from school.Saw a few Ns intermodals on the way.One had UP power going west by the I&O shak in Delta.Mother nature wants to send more rain tomorrow morning.So many options tomorrow for trainwatching.

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 Friday, September 24, 2021 8:34 PM

Worked on our "local" train today.  A great crew is always a pleasure to work with.

The colors are starting to come out in the Adirondacks - some areas are at peak already.  Where we run is approaching peak, but not there yet.

One of the participants in a ham radio net tonight said that some trees are starting to show their colors, others are being a bit hesitant, and a few are just laughing at us...

Sunday I get to take a train load of color seekers from Utica to Thendara on our "short turn" trip.  Hoping for good rail...

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 Electroliner 1935 on Friday, September 24, 2021 8:55 PM

tree68
Hoping for good rail...

How do you handle leaves on the rail?

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, September 24, 2021 9:29 PM

Electroliner 1935
 
tree68
Hoping for good rail...

How do you handle leaves on the rail?

Copious amounts of sand...

Not to mention a careful throttle and the occasional application of some independent.

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: Burlington, WI
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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, September 25, 2021 5:36 PM

Busy week trucking, I figured around three thousand miles this week. Wisconsin to Florida to Michigan and then home. Did a bunch of running around the area today, then hung another TV mount for my sister and swapped out TVs. Had to buy another TV for us as my sister's daycare one died, and it's near impossible to find a TV smaller than 32 inches.........

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 Sunday, September 26, 2021 5:49 AM

good morning

Had rain to start yesterday.Afterwards Matt and I went to Deshler.Friends old and new were able to autograph his cast.Csx was busy having recrews and running long trains with nowhere to put them.There was a northbound and southbound waiting for other traffic when we left the park.Also a group came for a tour of the museum too.Their neighbor was a Deshler high school alumnus.They found his picture and sent it to him.Today is yardwork day.

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 blhanel on Sunday, September 26, 2021 12:22 PM

Our train to Two Harbors Thursday:

 

Note: Box car provided HEP for rest of consist.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, September 26, 2021 7:30 PM

Ran our Utica train today.  It's a 100 mile round trip.  I was a bit rusty, and had a check ride to boot, but got through the day without incident.

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
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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, September 27, 2021 2:21 PM

afternoon

Ns has some cars uptown.Going to check on brother in awhile with sis.Found out need to give hugs this week as well.Chores to do here at home.Matt has a checkup 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 JoeKoh on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 3:49 PM

afternoon

Didn't see too much on Ns today.Had plenty of traffic.They also had a large fire develop in Toledo as well.Saw a ladder company leave the neighboring fire department.Matt is on the mend.Doctor said to take Vitamin D supplements and go out and get sunshine when possible.(sounds like a mookie prescription).Time for supper.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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 4:25 PM

evening

Ns has an eastbound coal train in the siding at work.Worked in the yard today.Time for 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").

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Ajsik on Thursday, September 30, 2021 10:54 AM

rvos1979
it's near impossible to find a TV smaller than 32 inches.........

Just bought a 24" Onn (Roku) from the Walmart in Pewaukee but unfortunately had to return it.  Couldn't make my DirecTV Stream work with it.

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, September 30, 2021 12:09 PM

Ajsik
 
rvos1979
it's near impossible to find a TV smaller than 32 inches.........

 

Just bought a 24" Onn (Roku) from the Walmart in Pewaukee but unfortunately had to return it.  Couldn't make my DirecTV Stream work with it.

 

Many computer monitors now include an HDMI port, allowing them to function as TVs...

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
    July 2014
  • 81 posts
Posted by Ajsik on Thursday, September 30, 2021 1:13 PM

tree68
Many computer monitors now include an HDMI port, allowing them to function as TVs...

I currently use an Apple TV box and have connected monitors in this manner.  However, the Smart TV was an attempt to set up a second TV in another room without any external hardware.

Thing is, the TV supported the app but the limited function remote didn't seem to allow navigation within the app (and I didn't wan't to go the route of experimenting with a universal remote).

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Posted by MikeF90 on Thursday, September 30, 2021 4:30 PM

Ajsik
Just bought a 24" Onn (Roku) from the Walmart in Pewaukee but unfortunately had to return it. Couldn't make my DirecTV Stream work with it.

That's not a good sign. Had to return my new Sony TV, HDMI-HDCP would only work with Sony DVD players Angry,

My new ASUS computer monitor has no RF tuner but only 1 HDMI, 1 DP and 1 VGA (!! - dsub) input. BTW why do monitor and motherboard mfrs still include VGA - old analog projectors must be useless by now.  Now back to RRs....

Late night on VR La Plata webcam I've noticed fthat BNSF launches at least two WB short, fast 'express' trains with a few double stacks on the front followed by single COFC and trailers (UPS, Swift and a few of anything else), often 2x0 locos.. An unusual kind of PSR?

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, September 30, 2021 5:13 PM

evening

Ns still had a coal train in the siding at work.They did pull the bnsf power off.There was also a westbound waiting on track 1.Worked more in the yard today.Taking advantage of what Mother Nature gives us.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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 tree68 on Thursday, September 30, 2021 5:34 PM

MikeF90
BTW why do monitor and motherboard mfrs still include VGA...

I'm glad they do - if they didn't, I'd have had to buy a new video card ($$$) for my new computer.  I run two monitors on the desktop.  One is running on HDMI, the other on SVGA.

On my previous computer, putting in a new video card meant putting in a new power supply, as the existing power supply couldn't power the upgraded video card.  Probably would have been the same for this one.

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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