Trackside Lounge - Spring '09 Edition

[zardoz]

Carl, thanks for the hospitality today. I had a good time; too bad those schmucks at the resturant were not willing to move those tables by the window together for us (what's up with that? It's not like they were busy....)  Also please tell Pat that Kathy had a great time at the quilt show.

Chris, it was real nice to see you in person, so I could finally meet the person responsible for so many fine photographs.

I even got a few decent photos, despite (or perhaps because of) the rainy weather.

[CShaveRR]

Well, Brian, I did make the mistake of not checking on him before writing that post. Turns out he'd gotten to the CSX an hour or so earlier, so he could have been into Indiana by the time I wrote it.

Had a great session this afternoon at an Italian restaurant you know and love, with Mr. and Mrs. Zardoz and Chris the cop-car driver. He (Chris) had just concluded a weekend of meeting a lot of big-name photographers and practically the entire Trains staff. I tried to get him to lure some of them down here, but no such luck. The weather was not conducive to photography, but the freight traffic that went through after we sat down to dinner was frustrating nonetheless. Two freights in each direction, IIRC.

[CopCarSS]

Hi Gang,

Sorry I haven't been around lately. As Zardoz and Carl mentioned I was back in that corner of the world. Jim it was great to meet you and your wife, and Carl, it's always a delight to see you and Pat! It was nice of Uncle Pete to put on a dinner show for us, too!

The impetus for the trip was the 2009 "Conversations About Photography" conference run by the Center for Railroad Photography and Art. This is the first time I've really had the opportunity to socialize with some of the biggest names in the industry, and it was a true joy to be there. These folks all really have an interest in railroad photography as an art.

Possibly the highlight of the conference was being introduced to David Plowden and talking with him for the better part of an hour and getting some amazing advice. He is a true gentleman and an extraordinary photographer.

I also had to the chance to meet some giants in the industry: Mark Hemphill, Steve Barry, John B. Corns, Steve Crise, M. Ross Valentine, etc. etc. etc. Additionally, a good slice of the Kalmbach staff was there and I had the opportunity to meet Jim Wrinn, Andy Cummings, Kathi Kube, Matt Van Hattem, Kevin Keefe, and Angela Pusztai-Pasternak. All fascinating folks that I really enjoyed talking with.

It was definately an amazing trip! I highly, HIGHLY recommend the conference to anyone who has a passion for railroad photography. I can guarantee that I'll be back next year!

[Modelcar]

You must have been  in your glory Chris meeting all the professonal photog's and then  with many of them the high interest of the railroading part of photography.

[CShaveRR]

I probably would have been very nervous meeting an icon like David Plowden. Not only do I enjoy his railroad photography, but I've drooled over his book on bridges in the past.

The trip to Oshkosh didn't materialize Monday--car problems kept us close to home. We'll try again next week.

Four days before vacation. After a brutal day like today, they can't go by quickly enough!

[CopCarSS]

Quentin - It was a lot of fun to be around the photographic luminaries like I was. There wasn't a rivet counter or roster shooter there (not that there's anything wrong with rivet counting or roster shooting...it just isn't my thing).

Carl - I think one of the things that sets David Plowden apart is his proficiency at such a wide variety of subjects. He is so amazingly versatile. Alas, I haven't read the Bridges book yet, but I think it's moving towards the top of the list of books I need to acquire. You aren't the only one I've heard make reference to it.

Meanwhile, I've been SWAMPED since getting back to work, but I did finally find a little time to process the shots from this trip. Ironically enough, even though the trip was inspired by the pursuit of photography, I didn't actually shoot an awful lot. Here are a few shots that I kind of liked, though:

[zardoz]

Chris, I was hoping we'd get to see the shots with the bell and the shot of the carts.  Very nice!  Amazing what you can do during a rainy, dreary, gray day!!

[CShaveRR]

Chris, I don't have Bridges, either; I borrowed it from the local library more than once.

Pardon my ignorance, but where were the bell and platform in those last two photos? The first three make me "homesick" for Highlands again!

Yesterday, Pat and I rode Metra downtown to meet Johnny ("Deggesty") and his wife, Ricki. These veteran travelers are on the last leg of their train trip across the U.S. and Canada, headed home to Salt Lake City on today's California Zephyr. We didn't have nearly enough time to talk, but had an amazing dinner at Miller's Pub, an old-time Chicago establishment and celebrity hangout, just down the street from the Palmer house, where they were staying. This place has a great menu, and we'd recommend it for Loop dining (that's Chicago Loop, not Tehachapi). Ricki moves with the aid of a walker, and when the folks at the restaurant saw that, they seated us immediately, in spite of having told us to expect a 20-minute wait for a table. We'll go back sometime to try their ribs--they're supposed to be their number one claim to fame.

Johnny, Pat says you remind her of a particular uncle of hers. I didn't catch that immediately, but can see where that came from, and you should feel complimented.

Another rough day on the hump today. Our temporary conductor (and they've given him a trainee, amazingly!) is to the art of freight car classification what a spray can would be to the Art Institute.

[CNW 6000]

Carl,

I don't know if I'll be able to join you for lunch on Monday...I was told today to expect a very full Monday!  Also...if you get the Duo back by you on Sunday send 'em back up thru Adams on Sunday! 

[bubbajustin]

Hi all! It's Justin It's really warm here. 81*. I took a great pic today with my new camra. It will be up in a minute. I Missed interacting with you all! See you in a few minutes!

[bubbajustin]

It won't let me post them darn-it. This makes me really mad...

[bubbajustin]

Nice waether today. 81* here in western IN. The computer dtill won't let me post my latest pics on here. RRRRRRRR. Oh well mom says she will work on it. Have a good Sunday everyoune and a good week.!

[Deggesty]

CShaveRR

Chris, I don't have Bridges, either; I borrowed it from the local library more than once.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but where were the bell and platform in those last two photos? The first three make me "homesick" for Highlands again!

 

Yesterday, Pat and I rode Metra downtown to meet Johnny ("Deggesty") and his wife, Ricki. These veteran travelers are on the last leg of their train trip across the U.S. and Canada, headed home to Salt Lake City on today's California Zephyr. We didn't have nearly enough time to talk, but had an amazing dinner at Miller's Pub, an old-time Chicago establishment and celebrity hangout, just down the street from the Palmer house, where they were staying. This place has a great menu, and we'd recommend it for Loop dining (that's Chicago Loop, not Tehachapi). Ricki moves with the aid of a walker, and when the folks at the restaurant saw that, they seated us immediately, in spite of having told us to expect a 20-minute wait for a table. We'll go back sometime to try their ribs--they're supposed to be their number one claim to fame.

 

Johnny, Pat says you remind her of a particular uncle of hers. I didn't catch that immediately, but can see where that came from, and you should feel complimented.

 

Another rough day on the hump today. Our temporary conductor (and they've given him a trainee, amazingly!) is to the art of freight car classification what a spray can would be to the Art Institute.

As I said on another thread, Ricki and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with Carl and Pat.

It gives me a good feeling to be favorably compared to someone else's close relative. I do wonder, in what way I remind Pat?

As to your temporary conductor, may you get another conductor who understands the use of all tints and brushes. Does the trainee assigner know anything but spray cans?

Johnny

[bubbajustin]

Hi all! An overview of today... VERY VERY NICE! our high was 80 something. The wind was a bit harsh but all together it was a great day.

[CShaveRR]

CNW 6000

Carl,

I don't know if I'll be able to join you for lunch on Monday...I was told today to expect a very full Monday!  Also...if you get the Duo back by you on Sunday send 'em back up thru Adams on Sunday! 

Oshkosh trip is cancelled. We just found out that the museum isn't open on Mondays (a more thorough reading the first time would have told us that!). Tuesday is out, because we need to get ready for the bigger trip.

The Duo wasn't on the outbound trains today--I couldn't check on its status, unfortunately.

[CShaveRR]

Deggesty

It gives me a good feeling to be favorably compared to someone else's close relative. I do wonder, in what way I remind Pat?

Johnny

She says it was your general appearance, plus your voice and many mannerisms.

I now get two weeks of not putting up with any conductors (or semiconductors). I'm hoping that our regular one (recovering from a traffic accident) returns before I do. He sometimes uses a broad brush, but his work is at least editable. The other regular operators know how to put the "class" in classification, and the "pro" in Proviso. This guy--he just puts the "um" in hump.

[zardoz]

CShaveRR

 The other regular operators know how to put the "class" in classification, and the "pro" in Proviso. This guy--he just puts the "um" in hump.

[tree68]

zardoz

CShaveRR

 The other regular operators know how to put the "class" in classification, and the "pro" in Proviso. This guy--he just puts the "um" in hump.

After working on the auction this past week, I can identify with that!

Sometimes we get people who can read the copy clearly, concisely, and with some inflection.  Last night we even had the sports guy from the local commercial TV station reading.  He's something of a character anyhow, but it was a pleasure to have him on the air.

Sometimes we get folks who could put pretty much anybody to sleep (no matter how much energy drink they've had).  With them, "drone" gets a capital "D", and they don't do anything for keeping us on schedule, either.   They're probably the worst, and some of them simply don't understand the concept of reading faster.

Of course, we do encounter folks who aren't familiar with with local pronunciations (Madrid - with the emphasis on the first syllable - Mad rid).  Some of them simply don't have a clue about much of anything and can't pronounce even some common words.

Live TV.  There's nothing like it.

[CopCarSS]

Hey Carl! Look what I finally caught (complete with a 100% crop of their ACI labels):

Sorry about the shadows on the ACI labels. Hopefully they're still readable for you.

Meanwhile, I'll have a seperate post about the weekend's adventure up soon.

[bubbajustin]

Wow! That's nothing you see very often... Grafeti on a rail car! No! I guess that's the reader before the new gray strips.

[CShaveRR]

Hey, Chris--you done good! I'm seeing BN 528403 and 526811, respectively.

Our planned trip to Oshkosh turned into a little "Monkey business" with our grandchildren at a play-place for kids under six. This was followed by lunch in LaGrange, with a view of the tracks. Our oldest grandchild is beginning to ask questions like "Why is the train going backwards?", and if we said "A train's coming," both of the girls had their noses to the window. Oldest one also asked me, "Grandpa, how much do you like watching trains? And don't say 'Every day of the week.' "

Tomorrow: pretrip packing and preparation. Wednesday: outta here!

[zardoz]

CShaveRR

Our planned trip to Oshkosh turned into a little "Monkey business" with our grandchildren at a play-place for kids under six.

Didn't make it to Oshkosh?  Are you planning to try again at a later date?

[CShaveRR]

I don't think we'll make it to the quilt show up there, Jim--that's over with on May 10, and we're still on the road then. When planning our trip for today, we just found out that the Museum is closed on Mondays! Pat didn't want to travel tomorrow, since we have a lot to do around here before leaving on Wednesday.

Believe me, the grandchildren wore us out as much as the 350-mile round trip would have!

[CNW 6000]

Well at least you had fun with the Grandkids.  We'll catch up another time!

[CopCarSS]

Carl - That's great that your grandkids are starting to take an interest in railroading and asking questions! They've got a great teacher! Safe travels on your upcoming trip!

[CShaveRR]

Unfortunately, the teacher doesn't often get the chance to have his students in the proper "classroom" situation. I must say that, had there been any headlights at all showing on the "Racetrack" through LaGrange when we finished lunch, my daughter would have been willing for me to take the girls and watch from a safe place.

[CShaveRR]

On the road now, in the railroad town of Boone, Iowa.  Had a great meal and chat with Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Hergert in Ames (tomorrow is Becky's birthday!).  The biggest disappointment of the day was that we couldn't get close to the construction site of the new Des Moines River bridge.  We were not very close to any tracks today, except for breakfast at DeKalb, where MPRPE blew (referring to speed, not the horn) through town.

We were supposed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman as well, but Larry was at work, and in Fremont.

Tomorrow we'll be going to quilt-fabric stores in Ames, Ankeny, and possibly Des Moines, before visiting Council Bluffs and Omaha, and winding up in Fremont.  So, of course, Larry will probably be back in Boone!

[CShaveRR]

The peripatetic lounge has moved to Fremont, Nebraska, our base for the day--from Fremont we traveled to Lincoln, where we got together with Mookie and Driver, and had an unscheduled car repair done (I swear, as soon as the odometer hits six digits, the fun begins!). Thanks to our car problems, Millie took us to Camp Mookie, where the coal gons were moving freely on BNSF. Once the car problems were at least temporarily solved, we went to an Arby's south of Omaha to meet and greet Willy, who serves up a mean Roastburger and Reuben sandwich.

Back in Fremont for the night. Tomorrow, we all (Mookie and Driver, Willy and parents, Pat and I) meet at Camp Mookie and hope the action is still heavy there. After lunch, Pat and I will head west, joining the UP Overland Route again at Grand Island on our way to North Platte and beyond. Our thanks to both Mookie and Driver for their help in leading us to a good car repair place, and to Willy for being such a good dinner host!

[CShaveRR]

Camp Mookie didn't fail to please--in the time we all spent there Saturday morning, there were nine trains, plus a couple of light-engine moves--consists being wyed. Driver and Pat went to the International Quilt Study Center; Mookie and Willy's mom spent a lot of time in the cars (Willy a little less), while I was outside most of the time, garnering copious notes and considerable sunburn. Train Number Ten stopped short, allowing us to make our escape for lunch together, after which we all went our separate ways.

Pat and I got to Kearney Saturday night, then to North Platte (after driving to Ogallala and back) last night, sticking to U.S. 30 the whole way. Tonight we're back in the same room of the same hotel in Fremont. We're headed home now; should be back there in three days.

Highly recommended:

Fremont: Just park on Main Street by the tracks, and let the trains come to you.

Grand Island: They haven't yet done whatever they plan to with that caboose they positioned by the flyover, but it's still a great place to catch both UP and BNSF. Saw a BNSF train curving up and away from us just south of here--knocked Pat's socks off; it was spectacular. Speaking of which:

Curves anywhere on UP's Overland Route are apparently caused by geologic formations, and (in a non-photographer's eye) are extremely photogenic when enhanced by a train.

Wood River: Ginny's Cafe. Home cooking, done fast and well--trains just across the highway (diagonally because of a lumber house) if you're lucky. We happened to stop there, but although the place is mostly frequented by locals, the guest register shows lots of out-of-state visitors, including a trio from France!

Kearney: A road runs parallel to and north of the tracks all the way through town. Just let 'em blow past you!

North Platte: the quilt shop on Front Street. No, Pat didn't write this! I exited the shop in the pouring rain to see trains several times while she was (we were) shopping, and was protected in my observations by the Jeffers Avenue viaduct.

North Platte: the Golden Spike Tower. Staffed by people who know the yard, and can point out what's happening (or not--not a single car went over either hump while we were there!). Gift shop got a few bucks from us--stuff for the grandkids, you know! More improvements are planned; we'll have to return in a couple of years.

Paxton: Ole's Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge--it has a serious flaw, though: once you've eaten there, you'll probably be hungry again in two or three days! One can hear, but not see, passing trains. (We had the sunday dinner buffet.)

Finally, a couple of observations:

I may be a little prejudiced, but there's no better stretch of railroad anywhere than that three-track stretch west from Gibbon Junction! The trains we met and passed were usually moving at about 50 (we couldn't pass one intermodal!), and just gliding along over that track. No rock and roll, very little bounce. Never saw a wooden tie on the UP main lines all the while we were in Nebraska. We saw tampers, rail inspectors, and heavier track equipment doing an excellent job of keeping things in shape, without hampering the flow too much. Some grade crossings appear to have been recently closed. Off the three-track, it appears that the remaining double-track stretch of the Overland Route between Fremont and Grand Island is getting CTC: lots of fresh-looking signal and crossover work.

At about four or five places in Nebraska, both east and west of North Platte, there were large pedestrian overpasses in some of the smaller towns. These had ramps (not stairs) up to a distance well above the necessary clearance height (one was taller than an adjacent signal bridge), and made a smooth arc over the property (there was usually a chain-link fence to dissuade short cuts across the tracks). Might make good photo opportunities. But these were all of one design: whose?--the state's? the railroad's? There are places a bit further east that could learn from these!

[CNW 6000]

Holy Nice Trip Report, Carl!  Sounds like it was a fun time.  I hope you & Pat make it home safe.

Been seeing lots of DM&IR ore jennys going past my locale: north AND south bound.  I presume they're going to Shops (NFDL) for some kind of work, but I'm not sure what.