Hi guys,
I'm locking this thread down due to it's size. You may have noticed this with other threads around the forum. I'm going to start locking current editions and ask that new editions be created on a more frequent basis (monthly) so the forum doesn't have to pull around all these threads with dozens and dozens of pages.
Thanks,Bergie
CShaveRRJust heard that some places around here got a foot of the stuff. We've got the flurries in our forecast every day through Wednesday (including today), with more accunulation likely tomorrow (Monday). Driveway still looks good, except that the plows came through and moved some of the street into it. I hope they plowed the road up to the tower overnight--it never got done yesterday; the construction equipment was busy keeping Global 2 open (at least five front-end loaders, about a dozen dump trucks, one road grader, two Bobcats, and a couple of trucks spreading salt, of which about a half-dozen carloads were unloaded here Friday).
(When you're the only one posting, you run out of people to quote!)
In retrospect, it's amazing that we got through that snowfall without things slowing down too much because of switch or other issues. Now, we'll see what happens tonight. Not as much snow forecast, but the factors (snow, low temp, and wind) have combined to cause a blizzard warning to be issued for us from midnight until noon--and a blizzard watch again starting Wednesday afternoon. As they say, stay tuned--this could get interesting!
Haven't heard yet whether Joe's wreck (CSX, Defiance) was weather-related, but I'm suspecting that it was--at least indirectly.
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)
Well, I guess that now it can be told...this was on the UTU website, following publication on UP's own site and elsewhere. Pat and I did some shopping and banking today, but were careful to avoid spending Uncle Pete's money.
On Thursday (Jan. 8), Union Pacific employees who receive direct deposit learned that their bank accounts had been fattened up by double paychecks due to a slight glitch in a new pay system set up by Union Pacific for their employees. The new system paid the employees, but so did the old one.
According to Corporate Relations and Media Director Mark Davis, the miscue was caught by the railroad and action has been taken to rectify the situation.
"It seems that our union employees who receive direct deposit were double-paid [Thursday]," he said. "Anyone who receives a paycheck other than direct deposit were not affected and we are working with the banks to rectify this as quickly as we can."
Davis said Union Pacific employees don't have to do anything themselves and that it would be taken care of for them.
"The employees don't have to worry about doing anything," he said. "We've let all of our employees know about what happened and we'll take care of the problem along with the banks we are working with. We do want to let our employees know that we are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused for them."
Davis said that should any employees incur extra charges due to the mishap, Union Pacific would review each and every case and compensate the employees if it is deemed to be the fault of the financial hiccup. Davis did not have information as to whether or not the accounts set up by Union Pacific for payroll would also be impacted by the double payment to an undetermined number of employees.
(This item appeared Jan. 11, 2009, in the Telegraph.)
Someone at work was just asking about Orlando's temperatures yesterday. Maybe I could get someone to Tow-me to Orlando by Dawn. Our usual conductor hasn't worked for a week, so the air won't get much hotter as it passes us.
Sidewalk is clear and ready to be dumped on again; at least we should be able to find it after tomorrow's snow. I got stuck while parking at work this morning, but it only took a couple of minutes with a shovel to free me.
.....And Carl, just a comment to go along with your winter comments....Noted this morning it is to be 79 degrees in central Florida {Orlando}, for a high today.....Nice contrast. But I believe they will participate in the cold blast coming down from Alaska later this week. Of course, modified by the time it gets to them.
Quentin
Just heard that some places around here got a foot of the stuff. We've got the flurries in our forecast every day through Wednesday (including today), with more accunulation likely tomorrow (Monday). Driveway still looks good, except that the plows came through and moved some of the street into it. I hope they plowed the road up to the tower overnight--it never got done yesterday; the construction equipment was busy keeping Global 2 open (at least five front-end loaders, about a dozen dump trucks, one road grader, two Bobcats, and a couple of trucks spreading salt, of which about a half-dozen carloads were unloaded here Friday).
We got nearly eight inches last night, with more forecasted for Monday .
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Carl: On this side of the state we received less than an inch. I'm real happy about that.
With all of the bad news (layoffs, train-offs, etc.) that we're getting from all quarters lately, I thought we might be interested in something positive.
My favorite program on Public Radio these days is "Wait-Wait, Don't Tell Me", a weekly news quiz produced in Chicago. Pat and I giggle ourselves to sleep over it on Saturday nights. Guess who recently became one of the sponsors...CSX!
Yesterday, we were supposed to get 4-8 inches of snow, followed by another inch or two today. However, the meteorologists seem to have gotten it backwards, and today was the day we were dumped on. Tracks had to be "broken", or the cars wouldn't roll. And it wouldn't take much of a pause in the action before they had to be broken again--and again.
Pat and I shoveled the driveway (after work and shopping today), and the measurement on undisturbed snow was a good six inches, and that had settled some. The snow had pretty well stopped by the time we got the driveway done; I shall have to tackle the front sidewalks (ours and our neighbor's) tomorrow after work.
Are you around, Willy? I didn't think you folks had gotten much of this storm, but our trains seem to be having a bit of difficulty in your neck of the woods.
Note to anyone at work reading this: yesterday I had to have an EKG in preparation for an upcoming procedure. They were satisfied with the results. So was I: it proves once and for all that I do have a heart, and apparently it's not broken.
Thanks for the added details, Bob. However, if it was any road on which anyone could drive at 50, I'd be willing to bet that the crossing was protected (if you can call it that) by crossbucks, and, in addition, a round yellow warning sign in advance. His attention was obviously elsewhere, or he was driving without lights.
Sorry--I remain unconvinced that it was anyone's fault but his.
On the night of December 18, 2006, Trooper Driesen was on patrol on an unlit country road as he approached a railroad crossing that was not marked by mechanical or lighted devices. Stretched across the roadway was a train without any reflective materials, and he collided with the train at an estimated 50 miles per hour. The patrol vehicle suffered catastrophic damage, trapping Driesen in the wreckage until assistance arrived at the scene. He suffered multiple injuries and fractures, but attending physicians indicated his body armor was instrumental in preventing serious internal injuries. Driesen returned home following more than six weeks in the hospital and is working hard to return to full duty.
Weather in the Pacific Northwest is doing a number on the railroads up that way. The Newswire has an article about the effects of flooding on Amtrak and the freight lines, but snow is killing things up in the mountains. UP's perishable train has had some delays due to frozen switches and signal problems in the Blue Mountains, and Stevens Pass (BNSF) was specifically mentioned on The Weather Channel last night as a trouble spot (they probably don't have the remotest idea that a railroad runs through there, though).
There's a thread out there marking the birthday of our fearless leader.
So, Erik...we saw some wishful thinking. As my daughter (whom you know indirectly) would put it, which annual celebration of your 29th birthday is it?
Pat and I both hope you got out there and enjoyed it. Happy birthday, Bergie!
CShaveRRThe ButlerCShaveRRThe ButlerIf a railcar sits still for a length of time, doesn't the signals turn off? No, not if the equipment is directly on the crossing. So, with this info and the story above, I infer there weren't any signal devices at this crossing. Do rules from railroad or gov. agencies regulate the location of spotted or "parked" railcars? I wouldn't be so quick to infer that--although the cars might have been difficult to see, I suspect that driver inattention probably had a lot to do with this. There are laws (usually state) that specify how long a standing train is allowed to block a public grade crossing (except in cases of emergency), and there are also rules that state how far away from grade crossings cars must be spotted. There may be a default federal minimum on this, but some states (Illinois is among them) have greater distances. I don't have the numbers available at the moment.
The ButlerCShaveRRThe ButlerIf a railcar sits still for a length of time, doesn't the signals turn off? No, not if the equipment is directly on the crossing. So, with this info and the story above, I infer there weren't any signal devices at this crossing. Do rules from railroad or gov. agencies regulate the location of spotted or "parked" railcars?
CShaveRRThe ButlerIf a railcar sits still for a length of time, doesn't the signals turn off? No, not if the equipment is directly on the crossing.
The ButlerIf a railcar sits still for a length of time, doesn't the signals turn off?
No, not if the equipment is directly on the crossing.
I wouldn't be so quick to infer that--although the cars might have been difficult to see, I suspect that driver inattention probably had a lot to do with this.
There are laws (usually state) that specify how long a standing train is allowed to block a public grade crossing (except in cases of emergency), and there are also rules that state how far away from grade crossings cars must be spotted. There may be a default federal minimum on this, but some states (Illinois is among them) have greater distances. I don't have the numbers available at the moment.
James
MookieAnd I remember also commenting how spine cars - a whole train of them just disappear when it is pitch black outside. You can see above them - lights from a farm, or city in distance, but someone may not look about waist/knee/shoulder level (depending on your height) for a railroad spine car. To me, those ought to be wrapped in reflective tape
Empty flats suffer a similar problem...
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...
Mookie Was this before or after the ruling/law that went into effect that all equipment have reflective tape on it?
Was this before or after the ruling/law that went into effect that all equipment have reflective tape on it?
http://www.epa.gov/EPA-IMPACT/2003/November/Day-06/i27649.htm
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/04-28407.htm
If a railcar sits still for a length of time, doesn't the signals turn off?
If you recall my story awhile back - work train, spotting cars at small town elevator. Daylight, middle afternoon, sunny, warm - sheriff came roaring up with lights, siren and found a line of several cars waiting for the crossing to clear, went around the cars and right into the side of the train.
Probably just so focused on call that he never even took note of the train.
And I remember also commenting how spine cars - a whole train of them just disappear when it is pitch black outside. You can see above them - lights from a farm, or city in distance, but someone may not look about waist/knee/shoulder level (depending on your height) for a railroad spine car. To me, those ought to be wrapped in reflective tape
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
The law was passed in 2004 or 2005, but I doubt that his accident (2006) occurred before the law's deadline. I'm sure we'd find out if we were kept updated here. I'm wondering about the crossing itself--did he miss the flashers and gates, too?
Pat and I visited Eola today, just long enough to observe what's been done at the former grade crossing and to watch a couple of westbound freights. I don't think we'd ever come at it from the south side of the tracks before. We're still OK on the parking lot, thankfully!
CShaveRR SIOUX CITY, Iowa - An Iowa State Trooper seriously injured when his patrol car crashed into a parked train car is suing the railroad company for negligence, the KCAU Web site reports. In December 2006, David Driesen of Orange City, Iowa, suffered multiple broken bones in his arms and legs, as well as internal injuries when his patrol car slammed into a train car left on a railroad crossing in Spencer. The lawsuit was filed by Driesen and the State of Iowa on Wednesday in Sioux City. It claims the Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern Railroad Company was negligent in that there wasn't enough reflective material on the car warning driver that it was there. Among the other lists of violations and negligent acts includes a violation for leaving the train car on the tracks longer than state laws allow. (This item appeared on the KCAU Web site Jan. 5, 2009.) I can think of a few things to say about this guy...
In December 2006, David Driesen of Orange City, Iowa, suffered multiple broken bones in his arms and legs, as well as internal injuries when his patrol car slammed into a train car left on a railroad crossing in Spencer.
The lawsuit was filed by Driesen and the State of Iowa on Wednesday in Sioux City.
It claims the Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern Railroad Company was negligent in that there wasn't enough reflective material on the car warning driver that it was there.
Among the other lists of violations and negligent acts includes a violation for leaving the train car on the tracks longer than state laws allow.
(This item appeared on the KCAU Web site Jan. 5, 2009.)
I can think of a few things to say about this guy...
Unfortunately this person was injured. However, having said that......
He must have dropped his donut on the floor...
....then he knocked over his coffee while reaching for the donut.....
....then while he was hanging up his cell phone he looked up, saw the big 16' tall train and said....
"......*expletive deleted*....."
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - An Iowa State Trooper seriously injured when his patrol car crashed into a parked train car is suing the railroad company for negligence, the KCAU Web site reports.
CShaveRRThat sounds like our "mini-train" (CNW called it the "Commoditrain") that hauled sand from Harvard to Elmhurst. Those were ex-DMIR ore cars with heightened sides, and were lettered IWSX (Illinois-Wisconsin Sand & Gravel). The big deal about these runs was that one crew would handle them over several seniority districts. I used to think it strange that these trains would bring the sand into the quarry at Elmhurst. It was probably waiting to get on to the New Line/Milwaukee Subdivision. No more rail operation at the Elmhurst gravel pit; the locomotives are gone, and the tracks covered over (a very literal "railbank").
That sounds like our "mini-train" (CNW called it the "Commoditrain") that hauled sand from Harvard to Elmhurst. Those were ex-DMIR ore cars with heightened sides, and were lettered IWSX (Illinois-Wisconsin Sand & Gravel). The big deal about these runs was that one crew would handle them over several seniority districts. I used to think it strange that these trains would bring the sand into the quarry at Elmhurst. It was probably waiting to get on to the New Line/Milwaukee Subdivision.
No more rail operation at the Elmhurst gravel pit; the locomotives are gone, and the tracks covered over (a very literal "railbank").
PL - Methinks you'll endure less slings and arrows (and possible thread deletions) keeping sports off the main forum. Both the diner and the lounge are pretty much acceptable places to talk "off topic," so one or the other would be the place to discuss the fortunes and foibles of your favorite teams.
Beginning 2009 on a high note...
This short week at work I was monitoring both of UP's Railex perishable trains as they made their way across the railroad. Each one took about 66 hours this week, cutting a day or more off the scheduled time. Not much happened to them, probably due in large part to fewer trains being operated. Both trains were delivered to CSX before noon today.
Jeff, do you know whether these trains are exempt from TPOB regulations?
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