Trackside Lounge: 1Q 2010 Edition

[CShaveRR]

"Just a manifest train"?

Those are the best trains to look at, and they're what's keeping me gainfully employed. It would be a lot easier to hump unit trains, but that wouldn't be very productive.

I trust you have Aedan swimming by now as well, Dan, My grandkids have all been in swimming lessons already (the oldest is five). Considering that they spend a lot of their summers on Green Lake (not that far from you!), it's probably wise.

[The Butler]

CNW 6000

snip... It was 'just a manifest train' but better than no train to see and shoot: ...snip

 

[CNW 6000]

I will chime in that I'm definately not perfect, grammatically speaking.  My keyboard & fingers constantly conspire to trip me up with "taht" and "teh" in lieu of the proper arrangement.  I have sent PMs to folks on occasion in a friendly attempt to help out.  Sometimes it works...sometimes maybe not.

I've been able to get out a little lately...saw a few trains and a remnant of the past.
Heading south through Neenah after chasing errands on Friday (last week) I took the 'scenic' route to see what was happenin' at the yard.  I ended up catching "The J" working as a switcher: EJE 665

CN's East RTC was talking to a few trains and one seemed to be heading out of the yard so I headed south on Harrison St and caught one already heading down Dixie Siding (near US41) so I boogied to get ahead of it and find a decent vantage point.  It was 'just a manifest train' but better than no train to see and shoot:

The reason the manifest train was taking the siding was some MoW work going on near "South Neenah":

It was getting late and I had to get home so I headed south taking my time (cuz I could hear RTC talking to a SB stacker) and I was hoping to get it in decent light.  Things worked out this time.

On the "homestretch" near the house there's a field where I've wanted to try an artsy shot like the one I'm going to share.  It's not the best shot I'll admit...but a decent first attempt I think.

I was driving through Neenah yesterday and spotted a familiar color.  Sure enough...

A CNW hopper.  Not that common around here with CNW reporting marks yet. 

On to the important stuff.  Aedan is getting bigger and stronger (7 months and change).  Just the other day...he was trying to do pushups!

That'll do for now.  Off for a short stint at work this morning.

[The Butler]

CShaveRR

I never intend to ridicule the person whose post contains the typo. And I won't usually say anything, unless I can find a smile hidden somewhere in there. I appreciate wordplay, and am a sucker for puns. When the mistake is something patently ridiculous (I haven't seen a load of flowers at all in my experience, and I'm sure the spokesperson meant "flour"), I try to have fun with it. ...snip

With lurking on this site for two years before joining, I know that you, Carl, would never ridicule a person over a typo.

I grew up in a household where wordplay and puns were enjoyed and common place.  Scrabble and later UpWords were (and still are when I visit) some of the games we enjoyed playing.

I try to take the time to read my posts before posting.  That way I can catch a missing "s" or rearrange a sentence or two so my thoughts are presented more clearly.

So, those of you who have felt the need to correct a Forum member, do y'all do it in a PM or in a regular post? 

If the need ever arises with concern to me, I gladly accept helpful criticism, just keep it polite. 

[CShaveRR]

I never intend to ridicule the person whose post contains the typo. And I won't usually say anything, unless I can find a smile hidden somewhere in there. I appreciate wordplay, and am a sucker for puns. When the mistake is something patently ridiculous (I haven't seen a load of flowers at all in my experience, and I'm sure the spokesperson meant "flour"), I try to have fun with it. That's just me. (And if that makes me a smart***, I can live with that; I've been called worse.) But ordinary typos, or use of the improper word (such as your brake vs. break, James) usually won't get a reaction from me--I sometimes do the same thing, and this keyboard is known for making mistakes as well (seriously--it doesn't think I strike the "o" hard enough, among other things).

If I somehow were given the job of making everyone's posts presentable, I could do it--but it would be a task that I'd take no pleasure in. So I just do what I can to eliminate mistakes in my own posts, and make sure I'm saying what I want to without encouraging misunderstanding (I rearranged the structure of the preceding paragraph to make more sense one time). Sometimes I fail. I'd like to think that I'd appreciate the joke as much as the person who is laughing--not at me, but at my failure.

[The Butler]

zardoz

CShaveRR

How do things like that get by everyone before the article gets out? Oh, well, I may be in the minority when I react to typos (or I might be a "smart***", as somebody on the Forum called me today for jumping on a typo). So should I just leave these alone, go out, and smell the flours?

FWIW, and IMHO, typo's and misspellings reflect poorly on the writer.  If one chooses to use the written word as a means of communicating, then the tools used to express the thoughts and feelings of the writer should be the correct tools. One wouldn't use a hammer to change a light bulb (well, one could try, but likely would not be very successful). Same goes for words.  If the reason for arranging letters in a particular sequence is to convey a thought or feeling, wouldn't it be desirable to want the communication to be as precise as possible?

The (dis)advantage of speaking instead of writing is that one can be sloppy in usage without anyone noticing. When the thoughts are in print, errors are much more apparrent.

As to whether those of us that value accuracy and clarity should (unrequested) publicly point out flaws in other's writings, I usually refrain (although sometimes I just can't help NOT doing it).

I am guilty of making spelling errors, ending sentences with prepositions, and the like.  English, Spelling and Grammar were not my strong subjects.  I do do my best to get things correct.  I do not mind being corrected, just do it with some tact, please.  Since I am a two finger typist, my brain runs faster than my fingers and I have been known to type the wrong word while in a hurry to get my thoughts out (break instead of brake).  Then, I was ridiculed on the Forum for said mistake.  I can be thick skinned but it still hurts.

My take on the error in the quote is that the journalist didn't know what the spokesperson meant and felt quoting her with flower instead of flowers would show the possible contempt or dislike the writer has for the spokesperson to the readers.

[Deggesty]

zardoz

CShaveRR

How do things like that get by everyone before the article gets out? Oh, well, I may be in the minority when I react to typos (or I might be a "smart***", as somebody on the Forum called me today for jumping on a typo). So should I just leave these alone, go out, and smell the flours?

FWIW, and IMHO, typo's and misspellings reflect poorly on the writer.  If one chooses to use the written word as a means of communicating, then the tools used to express the thoughts and feelings of the writer should be the correct tools. One wouldn't use a hammer to change a light bulb (well, one could try, but likely would not be very successful). Same goes for words.  If the reason for arranging letters in a particular sequence is to convey a thought or feeling, wouldn't it be desirable to want the communication to be as precise as possible?

The (dis)advantage of speaking instead of writing is that one can be sloppy in usage without anyone noticing. When the thoughts are in print, errors are much more apparrent.

As to whether those of us that value accuracy and clarity should (unrequested) publicly point out flaws in other's writings, I usually refrain (although sometimes I just can't help NOT doing it).

How do bad syntax (should there be a sin tax on bad syntax?), misspelled words, etc. get by? There are few, if any proofreaders these days at newspapers. Zardoz, Ricki and I agree with you, Carl, and Paul North. These errors leap out at us when we see them in the newspaper and other places. (I have forwarded your notes to her, and she appreciates them.)

Ricki has had the same problem that Carl mentioned--her corrections in style were rejected by at least one author; I like Paul's comment about a doctor's being inaccurate in writing a prescription or describing treatment. Ricki came up with a new problem with one author after she edited a book--the author made changes, and did not give any documentation. After the corrected manuscript was returned to her, she had to spend much time in re-preparing the book for publication. She was paid more than the usual amount for her editing because of the additional labor.

And, on the subject of education, I saw an item this morning that indicated that less than half of the math teachers in British schools understand simple mathematics. http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=18998&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD

Apparently, after we older people finished our public education, the education system collapsed.

[zardoz]

CShaveRR

How do things like that get by everyone before the article gets out? Oh, well, I may be in the minority when I react to typos (or I might be a "smart***", as somebody on the Forum called me today for jumping on a typo). So should I just leave these alone, go out, and smell the flours?

FWIW, and IMHO, typo's and misspellings reflect poorly on the writer.  If one chooses to use the written word as a means of communicating, then the tools used to express the thoughts and feelings of the writer should be the correct tools. One wouldn't use a hammer to change a light bulb (well, one could try, but likely would not be very successful). Same goes for words.  If the reason for arranging letters in a particular sequence is to convey a thought or feeling, wouldn't it be desirable to want the communication to be as precise as possible?

The (dis)advantage of speaking instead of writing is that one can be sloppy in usage without anyone noticing. When the thoughts are in print, errors are much more apparrent.

As to whether those of us that value accuracy and clarity should (unrequested) publicly point out flaws in other's writings, I usually refrain (although sometimes I just can't help NOT doing it).

[CShaveRR]

Paul, interesting that you should say that--the author in question was a doctor! I kid you not.

The best compliment an editor can receive from an author is that he doesn't notice what you've done. The author still has to shine through in the final publication. Pat is currently editing the publication of our local historical society (often with help from Yours Truly), and both of the regular authors of major articles like the way things look in the newsletter--but Pat has often had to rearrange, reorganize, and other "re-" jobs just to make them coherent. And they claim they can't see what she's done!

I was once selected (possibly based on my writing) to work on computer programs for the C&NW. They actually took me out to lunch in their recruitment effort. I had to tell them I wasn't interested.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

CShaveRR

  [snip]  I went through one manuscript with my usual thoroughness, and totally ticked off the author. He refused to work with me, and gave me the scathing insult: "You are super critical of everything!" One of the best compliments I ever got. Needless to say, somebody else did his book, and it was an embarrassment.

(I was also called a "syntax guru" by another author in his acknowledgements.) [snip] 

  ''Been there, done that'', and am still here, doing that, too - not as editor for a group, but merely as writing my own stuff and as an in-house reviewer of various documents.  I've been told - as recently as yesterday - that we don't want to embarrass someone during my review, because we need to stay on good terms with them.  I don't hold myself out as any great maven of the English language, because I'm just not into the details of the rules and articles of speech, etc. - but I usually recognize spelling and synonym problems, and the worst of the convoluted phrases.  Which is also to say that my own writing isn't perfect, and I won't get bent out of shape if someone calls me on something. 

  I suppose said author wouldn't mind too much if his doctor was equally lackadaisical in writing out prescriptions, treatments, and the like ?

Carl - maybe you've heard this already, but - in another life, I believe you'd have done just fine writing computer code/ programs.  It's just like reporting marks and car numbers - if they ain't right, the machine doesn't care - it just isn't going to process it correctly. 

- Paul North.

[CShaveRR]

I have the feeling our PR person was either misquoted, or possibly was talking down to somebody who still didn't get it right. Johnny, I was smelling the flours because they had freight cars "stocked" with flower. And maybe if you put those light bulbs in the flour it would flouresce! (Yes, the misspelling was intentional!)

Speaking of misspellings, smart***es, and such, I used to serve as an editor for a certain historical society that would from time to time publish books on various aspects of the railroad in question. I went through one manuscript with my usual thoroughness, and totally ticked off the author. He refused to work with me, and gave me the scathing insult: "You are super critical of everything!" One of the best compliments I ever got. Needless to say, somebody else did his book, and it was an embarrassment.

(I was also called a "syntax guru" by another author in his acknowledgements.)

Quentin, I saw a series of pictures of the Sand Patch wreck--you could put four or five different teams to work clearing that up and they wouldn't have to interfere with each other! The most sobering shot was the one of the wheelset in the picnic area. The ones posted on our own thread are different, but just as telling.

James, NICTD is the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, operator of the passenger service on the Chicago South Shore & South Bend right-of-way. I could have called it a South Shore passenger train, but that's no longer accurate. It will become even less accurate when NICTD expands to other routes serving Lowell and Valparaiso (I may not live to see it, but it's been talked about for years).

And, yes, there is no comma in "Chicago South Shore & South Bend". Nor was there one in "Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee".

[The Butler]

Deggesty

Going back to the subject of flour, do NOT put grain of wheat light bulbs through your wheat grinder when you want to bake light bread.

Ain't that where light wheat flour comes from?

[Deggesty]

Going back to the subject of flour, do NOT put grain of wheat light bulbs through your wheat grinder when you want to bake light bread.

[Deggesty]

There's not much use for ditchfinders around here right now, unless you go up into the mountains. We had light rain in the valley today, and the ski resorts received 3-4 inches of snow.

This afternoon, Ricki and I went out to get our hair cut, and saw the result of a rear-ender, in which both had been in the process of making a right turn (perhaps on red), on the way out. Coming home, we saw, about 500 feet west of that spot, the result of a head-on meet--in the left turn lane.

I have just finished (and passed) a safety course for the mature driver, which our insurance company requested (Ricki is still working on hers) so that we can get a discount on our insurance. It has all sorts of statistics about injuries and deaths, as well as advice on taking care of your vehicle and how to watch out for everything. One bit of information I had never known: our vision and hearing perception both peak at about 10-15 years of age, and they are downhill after that. My vision was going downhill when I was 8 years old; I started wearing glasses then.

[Deggesty]

CShaveRR

UP spokeswoman Lupe Valdez said the Colton yard is not an intermodal facility, so it's devoid of freight trucks. It only processes train cars stocked with just about anything, including flower, cement, wood or giant turbines used to generate power at wind farms.

I'm not sure that this spokesman (call me politically incorrect if you like; this is the proper term), if she was quoted precisely, knows much about railroading. I did not know that freight cars are stocked with anything; I thought they were loaded with all sorts of merchandise. Surely the UP is not going to sell the wares with which the cars are "stocked?"

Carl, "flours"' or "flowers?" I react to misspelled words, though I seldom respond in print. One that bothers me is "flouride" when "fluoride" is meant; Once, when someone wrote "Hydroflouric acid," I asked him if he had mixed flour with water. Even though the coating inside fluorescent lamps looks somewhat like flour, they are not flourescent lamps. OFF

[Modelcar]

Carl....check out the pic's Brian {Pennsylvania}, posted over on the Sandpatch wreck {of last week}, on the east / west CSX line....Loaded coal cars.  You can get a pretty good idea of the extent of damage.....

[The Butler]

Carl, it looks like your road trip was more fruitful than my most recent one.  I am glad you and Pat had a safe trip. 

What is a NICTD train? 

Were there complaints about your previous post?  I didn't think it needed toning down.  I thought about answering the questions you posed, alas, I had no answers. 

[CShaveRR]

I toned down my comment in the previous post. It's still saying the same thing, so I'd probably be in just as much trouble.

In other news, Pat and I took a trip to Michigan today to shop for some non-Illinois necessities. We took the "scenic route" through Indiana and Illinois to get home this afternoon. Saw a SouthShore freight in Michigan City, powered by a pair of GP38-2s. At Burns Harbor I was able to "strafe" a big block of ex-Frisco gondolas in the CSS 43000 series, getting the old Frisco numbers off a bunch of them (turned out I needed six of the numbers I got, and still need about as many of the cars that didn't have a readable ACI label). A NICTD train went west just before we got to the gons.

West of Gary I had reality sink further in as a southbound train went overhead on the former EJ&E, powered by a CN Draper-tapered unit and an IC SD70. An eastbound CSX manifest prompted a detour in East Chicago, where I also saw a lot of evidence of tracks (and crossing signals) no longer in existence.

Dolton revealed only a power move east of the crossing, past the village hall: three BNSF units and a Ferromex. The last unit of the consist was an ex-ATSF "Warbonnet". Nothing was in sight when we rode across the crossing at Blue Island (the grade crossing was actually about the smoothest part of that road!). But as soon as we got away from there, we saw a southbound stack train (couldn't see the power, nor tell at that distance whether it was on CN or CSX), and an eastbound CSX manifest on the IHB line.

[CShaveRR]

Excerpted from an article I found on the UTU News website:

UP spokeswoman Lupe Valdez said the Colton yard is not an intermodal facility, so it's devoid of freight trucks. It only processes train cars stocked with just about anything, including flower, cement, wood or giant turbines used to generate power at wind farms.

How do things like that get by everyone before the article gets out? Oh, well, I may be in the minority when I react to typos (or I might be a "smart***", as somebody on the Forum called me today for jumping on a typo). So should I just leave these alone, go out, and smell the flours?

[CShaveRR]

MC, I know what you mean about the Newberry--I did a little research in those Pullman books (digging out lot numbers for freight-car orders) a couple of times. I'd have to become a member again if I needed to do more.

Chicago's main library (the Harold Washington Library, that red blockhouse just south of the Loop) has a room of old and rare books, in which I got to look at a 1912 book about a previous railroad plan for Chicago, which had advocated electrification of most of the lines now operated by Metra, and lots of grade separations.

We expect snow here later today but the routes into Indiana and Michigan look good. I think it was KC, where they were showing an amazing number of cars piled up (literally!) on a short stretch of bridge.

[mudchicken]

Best stay up north , Carl. Central Illinois got ugly after dark. I-70 and I-55 are taking reservations for space in the ditches. Slid into Springfield at midnight. I hear  KS and NE are having ditchfinder festivals too. Watched CSX put in an appearance on the St. Louis Sub at *PM in Altamont while getting go-juice.

(fascinated with the Newberry Library...want to back some day.)

[CShaveRR]

CShaveRR

Tomorrow after work, I'm taking my Valentine out to an Italian restaurant, and she's taking me out train-watching. Guess what...we're doing it simultaneously, and a lot of you know where!

Pizza, creme brulee, and two inbound freight trains: not a bad end to a nice, sunny Valentine's Day!

Tomorrow we're off to Michigan to import some libations. This trip was supposed to be made last week, but the weather didn't cooperate. We're assured that the weather this week won't cause too many problems--now if we could get a couple of eastern railroads to sign on, we'll be happy!

[CShaveRR]

Thanks, James! I'm trying to figure out how a 2-6-0 and tender can exceed 100 feet!

_________________

Student was slightly ill today, so I'll have him again tomorrow, after all. We came into a receiving yard full of stuff to hump (over 900 cars), and put a small dent in it.

_________________

Tomorrow after work, I'm taking my Valentine out to an Italian restaurant, and she's taking me out train-watching. Guess what...we're doing it simultaneously, and a lot of you know where!

[The Butler]

CShaveRR

I guess the subdivision information on the computer is restricted to employees only. Checking my timetable (I have one for the St. Louis area, since I'm supposed to be qualified in the yards around here on the ex-C&EI), Bismarck is on the DeSoto Sub, and Desloge is on the Bonne Terre Industrial Lead.

Carl, thank you.  Also...

CShaveRR

Here's something that I hope somebody catches in a photograph: http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=50733 And no fair posting a white rectangle showing this in a snowstorm!

check here: http://www.northcountrynow.com/hometown-photos/view.asp?a=Norfolk&id=3006

 

[tree68]

Carl - I've found that teaching someone something really helps you understand it yourself - especially when a student asks a question about something you'd always taken for granted.

I've got to get down and see the grandson soon (already promised daughter I would).  I have to schedule the visit between home showings, though - they've signed on their new house and are in the process of selling the old townhouse.  Daughter relates that the sign had only been out for two days and they already had two showings scheduled...  She's got a challenge there - keeping up with a 10 month old and keeping the house ready to show...

Which reminds me, I need to start fishing for ideas for a housewarming gift.

[CShaveRR]

I get to graduate my student tomorrow. He'll do all right.

It was a learning experience for both of us--a former yardmaster, he taught me some useful things to play with on the computer. I'm sure he learned a trick or two from me, too.

We humped a train from NS today, so they're making it in. Hope CSX opens up before the perishable train hits here!

_________________

Had another job to do after work today: babysitting with my wife for three very active grandchildren. Heaven help us if they had all been healthy and at full strength (the little guy has quite a cough, but it doesn't slow him down much). I think they somehow absorb my energy...at least I could make them laugh. And we were laughing when we left them, too.

_________________

Pat posted my evaluation score on the fridge, with a couple of magnets. Emily has some drawings that will go up by it. There's also a photograph of an Onionhead...

[CShaveRR]

I think all of the open water around our yard is closed--that's where they dump the snow. But these geese looked determined...

SJ, it would be a good chunk of change if you folks were to head this way to visit again. Bring cake?

__________________

We had a CN train arrive from the east today. Not unusual in normal times, but this one made it in spite of what the weather system left behind in Michigan and Indiana. I haven't seen any evidence yet of NS or CSX getting through, and it appears that the Conway cars weren't pulled today.

[Mookie]

Don't bet on the geese.   Go with the DQ!  The geese never left Lincoln - must have a year-round diner somewhere west of town.  (We have had open water out by the BNSF yards)

Congrats on eval points.  That and a chunk of change will get you a good piece of chocolate cake!  Ready? 

[CShaveRR]

My student and I were both given our evaluations at work today. I think my position must skew the score a bit: I got 999 out of 1000 possible points--the missing point was due to the 99% I scored on the battery of rules exams last summer. I'll have to do better next time. Hey, wait! There may not be a next time!

___________________

Two signs of impending spring (already). Today, I saw a good-sized wedge of geese heading straight north over the yard. Tomorrow, the local Dairy Queen ends its annual winter hiatus.

[CShaveRR]

The Butler

 Carl or anyone else for that matter, do you know of an online source for UP division and subdivision names?  I am looking for the names of the lines in Bismark, Missouri, the main line through town and the branch line to Desloge, Mo.,and a few others.  I've searched UP's website and could not find anything.  Thanks either way.

 

I guess the subdivision information on the computer is restricted to employees only. Checking my timetable (I have one for the St. Louis area, since I'm supposed to be qualified in the yards around here on the ex-C&EI), Bismarck is on the DeSoto Sub, and Desloge is on the Bonne Terre Industrial Lead.