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Trackside Lounge: 1Q 2011

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:11 PM

Jim,

I'm reading this in Oshkosh, WI.  Apparently the trains.com sites allow reading on BlackBerry devices, but I'm unable to log in and thus can't post.  I did see the rail lines around JB.  Looked like a couple of industries on a single track and then a double tracked section heading towards what looked like a coal-fired power plant.  I did see a couple of UP trains west of 94W/41N as we turned for home but I'm so unfamiliar with that area I couldn't begin to guess at where they were.  I know that I saw one AC4400 at the end of the train of loads in silver bethgons.  Maybe next time?  I would like to spend a weekend between Duplainville and Milwaukee/ish sometime this spring/summer.  We'll see.

CN welcomed me home by sending a northbound intermodal through with a 4 GEs at the head and pile of auto racks tacked on the end. 

Glad to be home!

Dan

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Posted by zardoz on Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:48 AM

CNW 6000

Thanks for the tips Carl.  I know we're staying at a hotel in Kenosha somewhere near the Jelly  Belly factory.  Maybe I'll get lucky and we'll see something close enough.  If not, it's not like anyone's pulling up rails and I'll get back down there again sometime.

Dan, you may see this too late, but the Jelly Belly plant is adjacent to the Milwaukee sub of the UP. It is also only about a mile from my place. If you want a tour of kenosha's rail spots, give me a call.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:34 AM

Off to Michigan later this morning...we'll try to bring along a few examples of Michigan's state bird (Robin) in our slip-stream, in case they haven't gotten that far north on their own yet.

I was hearing a couple of strange horn calls on the railroad yesterday and this morning, that seemed to be from something moving slowly, possibly in connection with control-point work.  I couldn't check things out yesterday, but will do so this morning before church.

Dan, it doesn't sound like your trip to Chicago yielded much in the way of railroading.  Hope you have good luck on the way north today!

Carl

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Posted by WMNB4THRTL on Saturday, March 12, 2011 4:21 PM

To be perfectly honest, I was going to type almost the same thing, Paul. I just hadn't gotten around to posting that reply yet.

Dan, it's so nice to see a shot that is a little unexpected or unusual!! Very refreshing!! Thanks for posting, as always! Keep snapping those great shots!

Nance-CCABW/LEI 

“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right! --unknown

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Saturday, March 12, 2011 4:13 PM

I like the composition, context, and angle of that 1st photo, Dan - back a little ways and uphill a little bit from the grade crossing, instead of the usual 'clich/e' wedge shot.  Thumbs Up  thanks for sharing !

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by CNW 6000 on Friday, March 11, 2011 10:19 PM

Thanks for the tips Carl.  I know we're staying at a hotel in Kenosha somewhere near the Jelly  Belly factory.  Maybe I'll get lucky and we'll see something close enough.  If not, it's not like anyone's pulling up rails and I'll get back down there again sometime.

Caught up with the WSOR's HK/L595 job today.  Haven't seen them in a while.  Seen here on some rockin' stick rails near Elo, WI:
http://flic.kr/p/9pDJjr

Caught up again near Utica, WI as light and my time trackside was fading.
http://flic.kr/p/9pDLcB

Time for bed.

Dan

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, March 11, 2011 9:14 AM

Hey, Dan, thanks for the call last week!  Had I not been away from the phone, taking a nap on account of my cold, we could have made it out to West Chicago and seen the ore train.


Anyway, I'd invite you out to the western suburbs on Sunday morning, but we, too, will be migrating, in the opposite direction, after church (If you call before 9, I could drop Pat at choir rehearsal and meet you folks there for a little bit).  If you get a chance to come out to the Elmhurst station for a crack at train-watching, please do--it would be easy enough for you to get on I-294 and head north to Jelly-Belly land.  (My daughter has been there--they usually go for the deals on the Belly-Flops.)

Carl

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Friday, March 11, 2011 8:38 AM

Sounds like you had a full day Carl!  We're heading to Chicago this weekend.  Shedd Aquarium on Saturday and then my wife wants to go to the Jelly Belly factory on Sunday before heading home.  We're looking for signals south at around 0630 tomorrow.  We may have time to linger a bit on Sunday but I'm not sure for how long exactly.

Larry-congrats on 10k+ posts.  I think your fingers are due for an oil change and rotation.

Dan

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 10, 2011 8:25 PM

zardoz
Doesn't that qualify you for 5 Gold Stars?

More like "I should get a life...."

Alas I have the same occupational affliction as Carl, and it's all too easy to sit down at the computer and 'see what's going on...'

LarryWhistling
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Posted by WMNB4THRTL on Thursday, March 10, 2011 8:24 PM

StarStarStarStarStar Yup, here ya go, Larry!!

Nance-CCABW/LEI 

“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right! --unknown

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Posted by zardoz on Thursday, March 10, 2011 8:15 PM

tree68

Hee hee....  Devil

On a totally unrelated note, I just noticed that I have over 10,000 posts....Indifferent

Doesn't that qualify you for 5 Gold Stars?

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, March 10, 2011 4:04 PM

Since Pat needed the computer today, I stayed out on errands a little longer than she did, watching trains at the station platform in Elmhurst, writing a letter on my manual laptop (a.k.a. clipboard), and grabbing lunch from one of my favorite places (Hamburger Heaven). 

I was by the tracks for a little less than two hours, and was blessed with an extraordinarily long manifest freight (three units, including one NS, on the point and a DP in the middle), a stack train, a coal train (CWEX, 2/1) an auto-rack train, and the usual scoots.  Another stack train was ready to head west from Global 2 as I left.

My departure was aboard an eastbound Metra train, to allow me to see construction progress on the third track and flyover between Bellwood and Provo Junction.  This was the first time I'd seen it since Paul posted the drawings of the proposed changes.  More pilings have been driven, and it's now easy to see that the new line will pass over the main line (all pilings are driven in a way that they would form A-shaped piers).

The most efficient place to get off the train was at Oak Park, where I had roughly a half-hour before a westbound scoot would bring me home (I also found a place for Five Guys Hamburgers within walking distance of a Metra stop!).  The local Border's didn't have the DeLorme atlases I want to buy for our upcoming trip.

The return trip revealed that the old pedestrian crosswalk at Villa Park has been removed (it was 11 days ago that we made the last trip through here, and it was still there then). It's been replaced by a new crosswalk at the east end of the platform, outfitted with flashers, gates, and ATWS.  The grade crossing at Ardmore Avenue will also serve pedestrians needing to cross the tracks.  The footings for two of the three new signal bridges between Elmhurst and Lombard were being worked on as we went through.  The third bridge may have had its footings being worked on as well, but at that point I was distracted by a small CN freight about to pass beneath our route.


Carl

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, March 10, 2011 8:48 AM

And just how many trees were destroyed to produce all of those posts?

Congratulations!

Carl

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 10:01 PM

Hee hee....  Devil

On a totally unrelated note, I just noticed that I have over 10,000 posts....Indifferent

LarryWhistling
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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 5:51 PM

Since the theme is "Trees" you will need more than one.  So Larry would need a family member, or a mirror, or he would have to make sure there was a tree in the photo.

But yeah, I vote for "go for it" as well.

 

PS (unrelated to the above): I hate the waiting game..

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 4:33 PM

Oh, give it a try, Larry. Is there a category "Most Unusual Tree?"Smile

Johnny

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 1:45 PM

I like it, Larry!  And somebody like Joe could send a shot of an identical Tree in Deshler!

Carl

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 1:36 PM

Hmmmmm.  Theme for the photo competition this go-round is "Trees."  Probably be in bad form to send in picture of myself (albeit in a RR environment...).

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 9:43 AM

Sounds like a plan !  Thumbs Up (except for the route difficulties, though - too bad Sigh )

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 9:28 AM

Good thought, Paul!  Maybe in two weeks, when this test is to take place, it will be springlike enough to consider biking.  The shortest route to the hospital, unfortunately, is not one that even the bravest of bicyclists (me, once!) is comfortable with. I've taken a route that involves a detour of roughly three miles (nearly doubling the distance).  That, in turn, makes it too much of a trip for Pat to even consider.  I've done it in the past, and there's no question that it would provide the requisite warmup.  And downtown Downers Grove is mostly downhill from there, for the post-test recovery, meal, and train-watching.Stick out tongue

 

 

Carl

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 9:16 AM

tree68
[snipped]  Mine involved some time on a treadmill, followed by the dye inject, some cool-down time, then a half hour motionless in a special x-ray scanner.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the usual cool down (they had an opening in the scanner), so after the scanning, I passed out when I sat up.  Orthostatics and all that. 

I think they can do a similar test without the treadmill.  Not sure.  Haven't been back myself. 

 

About 20 years ago I had a non-nuclear stress test done before starting an exercise program - that involved a stationary bike to get the heart rate up.  Mischief  So Carl, you can just bike to the lab, and tell them you're "Good to go" already - oh, and by the way - to deduct the charge for the warm-up session from the bill ! (yeah, right - good luck with that ! Sigh )  But mark my words - maybe that'll be the future trend for lowering health-care costs - more "Do-It-Yourself" test preps !  We already have the various vile concoctions Ick! that you have to drink at home (with various 'cleansing' effects Embarrassed)  for various scans, as well as removal of IV tubes, 'pain pumps", etc. at home, so I suppose that is a next logical step . . .  Whistling 

Funny, though - despite all the hoo-hah about scheduling the lab tests, I too have had the experience of drastic rearrangements of various scans just because "There's an opening there now, and you're ready to go anyway . . . ".  Actually, now that I think about it - 5 years ago, it was - one of those was nuclear in nature, but not a stress test.  It was inserted with an IV, and was probably the least troublesome and annoying of any test of that sort that I've encountered.  As usual, the 'troops on the ground' - the lab techs - had the most helpful and informative advice on the whole procedure.     

Good luck with it, Carl !  Thumbs Up

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 9:00 AM

Thanks, everyone!  I won't be flying anywhere for the next few years (at least!), so I should be okay there.  And perhaps we can save electricity on the <1-watt night-light, Sam!


Got the story on what happened with Metra Southeast, from Railway Age:

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) on Monday signed a bill creating the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District, a step designed to implement regional rail passenger service for southeastern Chicagoland.

The district will be overseen by officials in 20 municipalities along the future line, and will help channel any funding required to institute Metra service. A final proposal for the line is due this year.

The proposed line, about 33 miles in length, would link Crete, Ill., almost due south of downtown Chicago, with Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station. Stops could include a Ford Motor Co. plant on Chicago's South Side and U.S. Cellular Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox.


I'm wondering about that Ford plant.  The one on the south side of Chicago is nowhere near the former C&EI line that would be used for this Metra Service.

Carl

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 7:07 AM

CShaveRR
Anyone hear know anything about a nuclear stress test?  In a few weeks, will you be able to find me with a Geiger counter?

Had one a few years ago after an EKG supposedly detected a slightly abnormal rythm.  Led to a trip to the cath lab, where I got a clean bill of health.

Mine involved some time on a treadmill, followed by the dye inject, some cool-down time, then a half hour motionless in a special x-ray scanner.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the usual cool down (they had an opening in the scanner), so after the scanning, I passed out when I sat up.  Orthostatics and all that. 

I think they can do a similar test without the treadmill.  Not sure.  Haven't been back myself.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
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Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 5:56 AM

Paul_D_North_Jr

 CShaveRR:
  [snip]  Instead, we saw a few trains at LaGrange, and one on the CN at Addison.  I like the looks of the IC spartan-cab SD70s, but they look downright ominous when there are a pair of them mid-train serving as DPUs. 
  Link to a broadside photo of an IC SD70: 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=344858 

Carl, you're not alone in that sentiment - remember this essay ? 

mid-train helpers
from Trains April 1976  p. 30

- Paul North. 

They sure are gruff looking in the all-black paint.  Best of luck with your test Carl. 

Dan

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Posted by samfp1943 on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 8:41 PM

Carl said:

Anyone hear know anything about a nuclear stress test?  In a few weeks, will you be able to find me with a Geiger counter?

  Just be glad you're retired; otherwise one of your former co-workers might want to use you to protect a crossing, 'Specially since you'll glow in the dark for awhile.Laugh

 

 


 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 8:37 PM

CShaveRR


Anyone hear know anything about a nuclear stress test?  In a few weeks, will you be able to find me with a Geiger counter?

CShaveRR

Anyone hear know anything about a nuclear stress test?  In a few weeks, will you be able to find me with a Geiger counter?

Carl: actually when you have the test the testers will give you the test global consent form and a statement is that your body may trigger some radioactive monitoring devices.  (TSA). Form was recommended to be carried for at least 30 days after.  My isotopes were TC99m and T1201.  BTW My test indicated that medication was working and almost blockage free.  Good luck. 

Test itself was very easy just had to take a bunch of pictures after being injected!!

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 7:13 PM

The more, the merrier!


Anyone hear know anything about a nuclear stress test?  In a few weeks, will you be able to find me with a Geiger counter?


Heard something on the news this morning about some approval or money or something granted to the proposed Metra service to the south suburbs.  It will run from LaSalle Street Station to a new RI-C&WI connection, and eventually down the UP (ex-C&EI) as far as Crete.  Stops serving the Ford plant (in Chicago Heights?) and U.S. Cellular Field were mentioned.  But the Metra website has nothing new on this, nor do the major media outlets I checked.

Sounds like another good reason for the Englewood Flyover to be constructed as planned.

Carl

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Posted by The Butler on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 12:09 PM

samfp1943

Just Curious;

   ...snip...

Was just wondering  what other Posters  had to say about the fact that a Thread of interest here was timely enough to make another web sites agenda?

I know from surfing around there are a number of topics we have discussed here that seem to wind up in similar categories on web browsers, to be searched: like GooGLE, and YAHOO, and MSM (BING).   

Just thinking out loud and curious.Whistling

I think it is a good thing.  Some of the new posters claim to be regular riders of Amtrak.  A few may stay and learn a little.  After looking at the comment/responses on Reddit, the moderators here might have been busy yesterday policing language.

 

As to a Thread here making another web site's agenda, to me, it reinforces the importance of trains in the U.S

My My 2 Cents

James


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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 9:56 AM

CShaveRR
  [snip]  Instead, we saw a few trains at LaGrange, and one on the CN at Addison.  I like the looks of the IC spartan-cab SD70s, but they look downright ominous when there are a pair of them mid-train serving as DPUs. 

  Link to a broadside photo of an IC SD70: 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=344858 

Carl, you're not alone in that sentiment - remember this essay ? 

mid-train helpers
from Trains April 1976  p. 30

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by samfp1943 on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 9:27 AM

Just Curious;

    I have been reading this Thread, and 'The Cafe'. From time to time, but have not commented in a long time on these threads. 

   Yesterday, I was surprised to find the Thread referencing the 'dust-up' between the AMTRAK Folks and the TSA VIPR Team, at Savanah, Ga.'s AMTRAK Station.    I was amazed the Drudge Report would not only pick up that Thread, but would prominently post in (roughly center page on DRUDGE'S Web page)/

   The only comments that I have picked up on on the Threads impact was that the response time was really slow ( Kalmbach's  Computer Capacity really needed a 'couple of pushers' Captain to get them through the heavy traffic).

Is this good or bad for the whole FORUM?    I am sure that some of the 'outside traffic'   may come back, but there will also be some problems with newby's who will need to be scolded if they become un-civil (?).   

AS LARRY (TREE68) noticed the view count close to 2200 Eastern was around 224,000!  Pretty phenominal numbers for a THREAD around here; particularly, in such a short time.   Be interesting to hear what the Web Folks at Kalmbach have to say about that (?)

Was just wondering  what other Posters  had to say about the fact that a Thread of interest here was timely enough to make another web sites agenda?

I know from surfing around there are a number of topics we have discussed here that seem to wind up in similar categories on web browsers, to be searched: like GooGLE, and YAHOO, and MSM (BING).   

Just thinking out loud and curious.Whistling

 

 


 

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