Good evening
Tomorrow is the first day of winter.Mother nature going to send us some nasty weather for Christmas.Didn't see anything on Ns after work today.Down south an Ns train ran into a truck with a construction concrete beam on the back causing a derailment.Got a Christmas card from Pat Shaver today as well.Need to send hugs to another family.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").
Since as of 4:47 PM EST it became Winter, I'll post.
Went to a local mall today after my Doctor's appointment (good to go for another 3 months).
In one of the vacant stores, a local model railroad society had set up a layout. One of the trains they were operating was a 15 car representation of The Capitol Limited in its late 50's and early 60's era of equipment. Had one of the Columbian's streamlined combine/coffee shop cars. Had the double unit diners that B&O bought from the NYC. Had one of the square end observation's that was bought from the B&O and also had the two dome cars that the train operated during that time period. The coach dome that was purchased with the Columbian's eight car streamlined consist, either High Dome or Sky Dome. The Pullman Dome that was purchased from the C&O, Moonlight Dome, Starlight Dome or Sunlight Dome. B&O mounted a set of 4 flood lights to the leading ends of the dome cars so those in the domes could view the passing scenery at night (since the Capitol was an overnight train). The individual that put the model train together made two mistakes - both domes were in the train with the flood lights on the trailing end of the cars. When I mentioned it to the curator, he couldn't be bothered.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD, I had the privilege of riding the Capitol Limited between Chicago and DC in the mid 1960's. I had a roomette, so I enjoyed the great dinner and then woke up early to enjoy the last three hours into DC. Returning, the food was great but the scenery into Chicago was no attraction.
evening
Ns had some cars uptown after work.Went and checked on my brother.Ns did run some trains by while I was there.We are under a Winter storm warning.Just glad a building got used to run trains.Tomorrow is our last day of work until after the New Year.Chores to do.
BaltACD B&O mounted a set of 4 flood lights to the leading ends of the dome cars so those in the domes could view the passing scenery at night (since the Capitol was an overnight train).
This B&O ammenity always puzzled me. To this day I try to imagine what the actual effect was of putting a couple of spotlights on the train and what must have been the result. I mean, how much of the scenery could such lights possibly illuminate? The B&O's tracks ran (run?) quite close to houses along the way; it must have been either maddening or hilarious to have a spotlight/searchlight to light up the many bedrooms in these communities.
The B&O's Capitol Limited was a train I'm very sorry I missed riding, and though I did a round trip on the Washington (and Chicago) Night Express in March, 1967 (sans searchlights), it had no diner, but it did create in me the desire to want to ride in a roomette, once I saw how plush those looked, at least to this college kid.
NKP guy BaltACD B&O mounted a set of 4 flood lights to the leading ends of the dome cars so those in the domes could view the passing scenery at night (since the Capitol was an overnight train). This B&O ammenity always puzzled me. To this day I try to imagine what the actual effect was of putting a couple of spotlights on the train and what must have been the result. I mean, how much of the scenery could such lights possibly illuminate? The B&O's tracks ran (run?) quite close to houses along the way; it must have been either maddening or hilarious to have a spotlight/searchlight to light up the many bedrooms in these communities. The B&O's Capitol Limited was a train I'm very sorry I missed riding, and though I did a round trip on the Washington (and Chicago) Night Express in March, 1967 (sans searchlights), it had no diner, but it did create in me the desire to want to ride in a roomette, once I saw how plush those looked, at least to this college kid.
With the schedule of the Westbound Capitol Limited, Departure from DC was late afternoon, in general terms DC to Cumberland basically follows the Potomac River, crossing it multiple times - into and out of West Virginia (which in the 50's & 60's was a Dry state). On the diners and lounges, the waiters would announce the 'last call for alcohol' in time to serve the beverages in Maryland so they could be consumed in West Virgina. In the Summer, arrival at Cumberland would be near sundown. The dome car flood lights came into their own as the trian climbed and descended Sand Patch grade and you could see nocturnal wild life watching the passing train. From Connellsvlle through Pittsburgh to New Castle the route basically followed the Yougheney and Monongahela Rivers as well as the Ohio, Beaver and Mahoning Rivers. Pittsburgh was a 11 PM to Midnight stop. The trip between McKeesport to Pittsburgh was a light show put on by the steel mills that would rival the best of todays laser & LED light shows. Around Center Street and Haselton Tower in Youngstown there was another small light show with the steel mill there.
Eastbound the dome car floodlight would illuminate the farm lands from Gary all the way East, with sleep time coming at about Akron.
Having my Father as a B&O Transportation Officer conveyed a lot of priveledge to me as I traveled as a teenager. Until I got a automobile, making near monthly trips from Garrett or Akron to Chicago to visit the All Nation Hobby Shop as well as 'railfan' around all the passenger stations in Chicago.
Local driver tried to avoid a deer and ended up down an embankment, instead. Likely totalled the van/SUV, and he was probably hurt worse than he thinks.
The deputy who investigated commented that as he was beginning his response he wondered how someone could hit a deer, although he's hit a few himself. Once he turned off the state highway and onto the county road where the accident occurred, he almost hit two...
Weatherguessers are preaching gloom and doom for the beginning of the weekend. High winds, moderate temps with rain, then, boom! On Friday a precipitous temperature drop - down to the +15F range. And some lake effect. Lakes Ontario and Erie are going to be treacherous as well, just as ships are trying to clear the St Lawrence Seaway, which closes for the end of the season next week.
I got my shopping all done, but there remains the trip to the Syracuse area on Christmas Day. Hoping for the best.
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...
-4 with wind chill @ -13 in Lawrence, KS this AM.
BaltACD Until I go a automobile, making near monthly trips from Garrett or Akron to Chicago to visit the All Nation Hobby Shop as well as 'railfan' around all the passenger stations in Chicago.
Until I go a automobile, making near monthly trips from Garrett or Akron to Chicago to visit the All Nation Hobby Shop as well as 'railfan' around all the passenger stations in Chicago.
diningcar -4 with wind chill @ -13 in Lawrence, KS this AM.
The temperature drop is supposed to arrive here around noon tomorrow.
Followed by beaucoup snow and wind.
afternoon
Ns had more cars uptown.They dropped one off at my building and left the empties behind.Rain has started.Boss said we needed to go to town so we did.Back home safe.Time to get some supper.
-11 at home this morning with about a 30mph breeze. Got maybe 2-3 inches of snow yesterday, too cold for salt to do anything. Gonna be a rough weekend, as the block heater in the pickup shorted out, so we get to start the diesel the hard way. Don't have to go anywhere today, so we get to try starting it on Saturday, will likely hook up my charger/booster to give the batteries some help..........
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
morning
-6 right now here at home.Multiple reports of ditch finders and bending fenders.Ohio Turnpike closed to high profile vehicles.Csx is having switch problems,broken rail problems and crew problems too.Glad we stayed home.
Last night of Polar Duty for me last night at CRRM. Or should it be POLAR duty. The actors, train crew and outside staff each get a giant ATTABOY for making that work in ugly conditions (-9 degrees). Surprisingly few cancellations or cast absenses. GREAT EFFORT.
For Tree to compare (NG vs SG) : Three train movements, with a total of 188 coach and 36 first class passenger per day.
No elves were harmed or lost this year (last night is tonight).
Well, the cool-down arrived right on schedule. It was +44F at 7:30 this morning, and has now dropped to +28F as I write this about a quarter to 1 in the afternoon.
The wind is starting to kick up as well, with a 29 MPH gust in the books already.
We checked out our storm stuff at the fire station last night, and I've got a full gas tank in my truck and extra gas for the snowblower, and generators if I need them. There have already been a number of reported trees down around the area.
I'm hoping this settles down before Sunday so I can make it down to my daughter's place for Christmas day festivities. Wrapping their gifts this afternoon.
Watching the Deshler cam. Can't tell how cold it is there, but the blowing snow is, indeed, chilly.
It is, after all, winter...
tree68Well, the cool-down arrived right on schedule. It was +44F at 7:30 this morning, and has now dropped to +28F as I write this about a quarter to 1 in the afternoon. The wind is starting to kick up as well, with a 29 MPH gust in the books already. We checked out our storm stuff at the fire station last night, and I've got a full gas tank in my truck and extra gas for the snowblower, and generators if I need them. There have already been a number of reported trees down around the area. I'm hoping this settles down before Sunday so I can make it down to my daughter's place for Christmas day festivities. Wrapping their gifts this afternoon. Watching the Deshler cam. Can't tell how cold it is there, but the blowing snow is, indeed, chilly. It is, after all, winter...
Locally it was 42 at 0730 when I woke up and raining. At 1230 it was down to 20 and the winds were up to a measured 25 MPH on my gauge that is in a semi-protected area.
Can't speak to what the NEC is experiencing, however, a tall pine tree in my side yard had a large branch break off in the winds and plant itself in the yard. Luckily it missed my heat pump/air conditioner. Winds at the house are measuring 25 MPH and the wind gauge is in a semi-protected area. The sounds of the wind whistling through the trees tells me that the winds at their levels are much higher.
Forecast is for a high of 72 on Christmas day in Encinitas, with inland valleys of San Diego County forecast highs in the low 80's.
In Maryland it is currently 6 with winds in the mid 20's.
+13F with a zero wind chill as I write this.
Blew a foot high snowdrift out of the driveway last night. Looks like it's back this morning...
Power out in a number of areas. My lights flickered a few times, but I never lost it.
You got a heat wave up there tree!
3 in my area of Maryland - but no snow and no drifting with 20+ MPH winds
Yesterday afternoon a branch on a pine tree decided to leave its home -
2 degrees here at home.Had a power outage this morning.Hoping it stays on now as we have things in the oven for lunch and supper.We thawed out the vehicles as well.Csx is trying to move trains.Have other trains without crews in the way.Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
When located in Florida I would work the holidays and go North and celebrate the holidays a week or two before Christmas. Once I was relocated to Maryland and I had the seniority to do it, I would take Christmas week and the first two weeks in January as vacation - to celebrate the holidays and go South for racing in South Florida.
My everyone celebrate the holiday of their choice to the max.
Fired up my diesel pickup this morning, sat for two days with no block heater. Took cycling the intake heater twice, but it fired on the second try of the key. Took two minutes before it was running on all six. On the plus side, we fogged for mosquitoes.........
I'll have to schedule some mechanic time soon for replacement heater and cord..........
BaltACDYou got a heat wave up there tree!
I'll take cold over this wind any time. High gust since midnight is 43 MPH, and I live in a valley. Up on the flats, I'm sure it's worse. Still running 10-15 MPH most of the time, and still moving snow around.
The drift in the driveway next to the house returned with a vengence - it almost overtopped the snowblower this morning, so 18". Definitely would not have been able to get through that with the truck. Ironically, at the front of the house, the driveway was bare.
So, too, is the windward side of the house. Had to make a trip out to clear the snow off one of the bird feeders, and I'll be making a trip out again later to top them off. Lots of visitors.
Sheriff has ordered no travel, but there seem to be plenty of people out on the roads. The tow companies aren't even answering their phones because they are so backed up.
good morning
Merry Christmas
Ns will start back up later this evening to run trains.Csx is trying to get priority trains through if they can find the crews.They have parked trains ans track problems to deal with.Going to head to G+G's house for supper tonight.Thankfully the wind has calmed down.Projects with Matt to do tomorrow.
No trip to daughter's house today - heavy snow in the lake effect bands, and I'd have to drive through that. An ambulance got stuck on the way to the hospital, and there are two structure fires ongoing, one in very rural Lewis County, and one that just was dispatched not far from here.
About 8" of snow in the driveway this morning - made short work of that.
The winds blew the hinged cover off one of the bird feeders. I've got the parts to fix it, just haven't gotten out there yet...
Christmas will be Tuesday at daughter's house (at least as far as my involvement is concerned)
Merry Christmas all !
Noticed just before I nodded off at ~1:30am that Amtrak #4 was on time.
By contrast Southwest Airlines is mass chaos in the communications department. The massive storm-in-progress east of the Rockies has wreaked havoc with airline schedules especially for those who planned travel long in advance; my deepest sympathies and snuggle with a friend!
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! ***
Calm wind this morning.Took care of some light snow we had overnight.Guessers say maybe 60 for NYE? Csx is playing catch up.Some places I need to run errands to will now be open today.Might be going to old hometown to give hugs.Not sure if Sis needs an uber or not.Hoping our neighbor was able to get his new tire yesterday on his car.Hopefully can go watch some trains later today and tomorrow.
65 degrees here today. Bottom falls out again tomorrow and snow tomorrow night. (weather-guessers all over the place on how much snow is getting pumped this way from CA and the Pacific "moisture river" hitting northern CA right now).
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