Trackside Lounge: 1Q 2010 Edition

[CShaveRR]

Just saw an article on a UP derailment in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, this afternoon.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/83839177.html

Sounds like it would have been MPRSS (Proviso-South St. Paul). The hazardous material most likely to be found on this train would be sulfuric acid; it reportedly wasn't affected by the derailment. Guess Zardoz will have a few more freights in his neck of the woods for a day or so. Hope they get it cleared up before the snow flies up there!

[CShaveRR]

So far, the big, bad weathermaker has been kind to us. I've been out shoveling twice (about three inches at 10:30 this morning and another inch just now). The second time wasn't bad (Pat helped), but the village plow had left us a sloppy present in the driveway.

The snowfall rate is supposed to increase tonight, and so's the wind. Blizzard conditions are possible overnight. I hope to do another shoveling job (maybe only the driveway) this evening, and that'll have to be enough to get me out of the driveway for work tomorrow morning.

There may have been problems on our line through town--I heard a number of trains blowing themselves by men working on or near the track. I doubt that it was serious.

[Modelcar]

After the 2" overnight and up to late this morning when it stopped....then another very light flurry activity for an hour or so this afternoon and now the overcast seems very light. 

Unless it really comes at us tonight, it might appear we're on a path of less snow than anticipated.  That would be nice, but I'll not gloat yet.....

[CShaveRR]

The snow is falling harder now--after six hours, I took another four inches off the driveway. Now I might be able to get to work in the morning if another foot of the stuff falls. If I had to go through 16 inches, I might not make it!

[blhanel]

Get tossed out of bed alittle earlier than usual this morning, Carl?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585337,00.html

 

[CNW 6000]

A pleasant 20 degrees and sunshine with little wind to make snowblowing easy.  I'd say we had about 8" or so.  Ran the Bolens for about 90 minutes this morning.  Did the west half of my block, the west half of the block south of me, and the east half of the block across the street.  I must've woke a few folks up (with snowblowers) as when I finished the last part and was running "light blower" back to the garage...I heard a bunch of snowblowers start up and begin working.  When they got to their sidewalk (cleared!) they looked around and seemed confused.  Pretty funny. 

Heard CN blowing for crossings in town last night during the snow.  I know that Oshkosh is normally a quiet zone, does/can weather change that?

[mudchicken]

The QZ probably became a stupid zone thanks to some of the fine local citizenry.

(train vs. snowplow or yellow equipment [take your pick] have a frightening penchant for colliding with trains in the snow...)

[spokyone]

I-80 in Iowa. 18 wheeler rear ends snow plow. He said he could not see it. Gee! I can see 'em 1/2 mile away with all their strobe lights ablaze.I don't like I-80. I bet he can't see crossing gates either.

[CShaveRR]

No, Brian, Pat and I slept right through it (so I still haven't experienced an earthquake). I was surprised when my relief (who lives well south of Chicago) said that it woke her up.

The storm left over a foot of snow (12.9" at O'Hare, some distance from the lake--where it was probably heavier). I had to drive through only a couple of inches in my driveway this morning, thanks to my shoveling last night (and Pat, bless her heart, took care of that later today!).

It seemed like not much had been done at the yard overnight, as we were contending with snow-blocked classification tracks and failing switches. Up in Penthouse A, I had to have one switch swept out before we started. After that, everything was fine. There were apparently drifting problems in Yard 9, because we didn't get very many shoves from there--the RCOs spent a couple of hours sweeping out just the switches they needed to get a shove out (then, when they got to the hump, they had to go in and warm up--the wind wasn't too friendly, even though the temps were in the 20s).

From the looks of things, Round 2 is really causing problems out east. Let's hope some lessons in mountain railroading for flatlanders* were learned in time!

________________________

* I know nothing! But even flatlanders like I eventually develop a healthy respect for stuff moving downhill and what that energy can accomplish.

[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.

 

[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!

[zardoz]

CShaveRR

Just saw an article on a UP derailment in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, this afternoon.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/83839177.html

 

Sounds like it would have been MPRSS (Proviso-South St. Paul). The hazardous material most likely to be found on this train would be sulfuric acid; it reportedly wasn't affected by the derailment. Guess Zardoz will have a few more freights in his neck of the woods for a day or so. Hope they get it cleared up before the snow flies up there!

It was MPRSS.  The derailment happened about 1/2 mile due west-northwest from my place.  Wouldn't you know it, I was sitting in the dentist chair when it happened.  By the time I got there, it was already closed off to the public. It happened about 1/4 mile north of Bain Station road.  At first, I thought that maybe the train picked one of the switches around the Bain south leg of the wye, but there was no crossing damage (too bad, it is an extremely rough crossing). But to the north I could see the wreckage near the switch for the north leg.  Couldn't get close enough to get a photo.

The snow hit long before serious cleanup started.  I have no idea how they tamp track when everything is covered in snow.

The trains were running already the next day. 

This morning (2-10) I saw a convoy of about 10 tractor-trailers from Hulcher loaded with heavy-duty equipment departing the site heading south.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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...

[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.

[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

 

[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!

[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!

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[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. 

[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.....

[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

[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]

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.