WMNB4THRTLI saw a car (possibly a hopper??) today that was marked "Green Only" along with an arrow pointing to the top of the car. It's no longer in service and looks fairly old. I only caught a fair glimpse of it but it is on display, so I can check on it again some time. Any idea(s) on what that means?! Thanks.
Nance, that's a strange one to me. Maybe the arrow was pointing to the fill line for paper currency! That's the railroad you should be working for! (Seriously, next time you see it, grab a reporting mark and number if they're still visible.)
There is something going on along the Amtrak-owned tracks in Porter, Indiana. We noticed it yesterday, on our way home: new rail alongside the track through downtown Porter, floodlights to illuminate the scene for night work, and lots of cleared land to the south of the Amtrak (ex-Michigan Central) track. None of the land-clearing looks like a realignment in the works yet, but it might be the prelude to eliminating that 10-m.p.h. curve at the very end of a track that's supposedly going to be able to handle 110-m.p.h. trains very shortly.
For the first time today, I was able to do some railfanning by signal indication in Lombard. I had errands to run downtown, and had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way (it had shown up on the Rochelle webcam, and had been reported on the webcam thread in this Forum). I was out there for most of an hour after my errands, but the train didn't show up. In the middle of the wait, I had to go home. I was able to wait until the westbound signal behind an eastbound train on Track 1 (at Finley Road) changed from red to green (indicating to me that nothing was following the train), and got home and back before anything changed. The blade train didn't make it through before the rainstorm did, but while I was there we had two scoots, one hopper train, two coal loads, a manifest, and a stack train.
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)
Hey, what about for glass recycling--they do separate the colors of glass?
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
Maybe the car is in dedicated paint service, green only.
I was going to post this earlier, like a day or so, but never got around to it. I met the eastbound salad shooter (ZDLSKP) out in western Iowa. It had a TBOX car about the middle of the train. First time I have seen a car other than a white ARMN reefer in the train.
Jeff
CShaveRR I . . . had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way . . .
Green woodchips, maybe ?
Paul_D_North_Jr CShaveRR: I . . . had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way . . . Freudian slip there, Carl ? Green woodchips, maybe ?
CShaveRR: I . . . had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way . . .
Dan
Pat agrees with you, Paul--it must have been Freudian! And to think I'm usually the one jumping on stuff like that!
Nance, I think you're definitely on the right track with glass recycling. Sounds like a good use for an old hopper. Maybe, to add to the irony, it used to carry coke. I think that's irony--you can cullet what you will.
Today, Pat and I just had our schedule altered in the nicest possible way...Willy and his parents are picking us up, and we're going to be doing some railfanning and shopping. They've been doing the tourist thing in Chicago for the past few days...I don't think Willy's gotten to Blue Island, Dolton, or Porter yet, and we know of a nice antique mall in Chesterton...
WMNB4THRTL Hey, what about for glass recycling--they do separate the colors of glass?
I'm still thinking that the "Green" designation was meant for an unprocessed raw material of some sort, rather than for the color of something (except maybe sod ??? )
- Paul North.
Oooo--I think you guys both/all got up before breakfast today! GEESCH!!
Yes, Paul that sounds very possible. NOW I can begin to see where Carl is coming from, in terms of cars; each one can hold its own little mystery! This one, although prob. can't be 'solved,' certainly is a bit interesting.
My point, Paul, is that that particular hopper (I saw it in a video that Nance linked me to) was probably too old to be going anywhere, and that it was probably sitting at a recycling or processing plant somewhere. Looking at its construction, it was probably a very early 70-ton ribbed-side hopper. C&O's similar cars were built in the early and mid-1920s.
I have seen actual hoppers used in cullet service, and the glass is usually pretty well mixed, color-wise. You're right, Paul, in saying that a car wouldn't be restricted to a specific color in revenue service (especially not a hopper, which would be capable of being completely emptied).
Ah, so the best guess is...? I'm still curious.
With that additional info from Carl, then I agree that the car being designated as the "green" bin makes sense.
I'll skip the "cullet" pun, but just note that anyone who knows the proper use of that word usch as this is pretty well-informed on glass recycling !
Have fun today, Carl, Willy, & families - and everyone else, too !
Yesterday I was able to pace 2 NS trains alongside for about 1/4 mile of Industrial Ave. As I turned in to head down to my usual lunch spot, an EB multi-level came over the crossing, running "wrong-main" on the normally WB track, right next to the street. I was able to drive right along about the middle of the lead locomotive at about 32 MPH until the hard curve at the northeastern end of the road. Since it's about 0.5% downgrade, the train was 'drifting" / coasting - no engine noise, mostly the whir/ hum of the wheels, with an occasional clatter or screech, was heard. Then about 1/2 hour later as I was leaving, a WB manifest came by on its proper track and started blowing the standard " _ _. _ " whistle signal for the 31st St. SW grade crossing at about MP 32. He was in 'Run 8' or pretty close to it, moving at about 25 MPH and really loud, so I hung back at about the tail end of the locomotive lash-up as I followed and just enjoyed the show from there - pretty impressive !
For me, Thursday looks like a couple of unusual 1-way train trips and some new mileage (for me), which was unexpected until a couple of weeks ago. It'll be bus to New York City, Amtrak electric to New Haven, change to Amtrak diesel shuttle to Hartford, then pick-up a 'new to us' car we purchased over the Internet. I'll have the camera, and see what photos I can take at New Haven and Hartford without getting into trouble. May stop at a rail museum or 2 on the way back, depending on timing and their schedules.
CNW 6000 Paul_D_North_Jr: CShaveRR: I . . . had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way . . . Freudian slip there, Carl ? Green woodchips, maybe ? What about green eggs & ham?
Paul_D_North_Jr: CShaveRR: I . . . had gust gotten word of a windmill blade train headed our way . . . Freudian slip there, Carl ? Green woodchips, maybe ?
Johnny
I have found that it's usually best if I don't always see who or what goes into some of the things I've eaten out of cafeterias/mess halls. Trust my gut, I always say.
CN had a suicide by train NW of Neenah today. A guy apparently walked out of the woods immediately ahead of train L576 and laid down. There was no chance to stop. From the scanner reports I heard it happened at 15:10 and the train just moved about 5 minutes ago to get the power to Neenah Yard where it can be cleaned off. Condolences to the crew and the family of the guy.
Dan, just curious...do you know where it happened? Near Dale, or Medina Junction?
I know that helpless feeling...but if I ever had it in connection with a human life, I think there would be a very sick feeling to go along with it.
Had a great day, sort of, with Willy and family. Elmhurst: one train. Blue Island: zero. Dolton: one. Porter: two, while the ladies shopped at the antique store. Miller: one. Along the limited-access highways where we couldn't stop or otherwise enhance our view: dozens! (Well, maybe six.)
We then went back to Elmhurst for supper (pizza) during the height of the rush hour--lots of scoots, no freights. An inbound train stayed stopped at the station for about 20 minutes, due to a medical emergency on board (ambulances left soon after the train did). That delay had some repercussions with the rest of the rush-hour schedule: the next outbound train was a turnaround (ran only as far as Elmhurst), but couldn't return right away until the medically-afflicted train cleared the block ahead of him. He, meanwhile, was sitting on Track 3, delaying two or three more outbound trains.
After supper, we stayed on the Lombard platform for a while...scored two more scoots, but still no freights. But within a few minutes of their having gotten back to their hotel, we had a storm go through that Willy says was "better than anything he's seen in Omaha". Just two blocks away from where we'd had supper, wind gusts of 75 m.p.h. toppled trees in the park. Willy said he'd seen transformer explosions from his hotel. We lost power momentarily, and spent a bit of time in the basement with the tornado warning.
Paul, congratulations on the new car...and on being able to add some mileage to your "to-done" map. Your trip today sounds interesting--may have been more-or-less normal for your neck of the woods, but I would have loved to share those experiences!
Oh Carl, you guys all made national news; any update? Thanks; hope all are safe!!!
I meant to say: My t&p to all involved in the incident. How terribly sad.
zardoz Dan, just curious...do you know where it happened? Near Dale, or Medina Junction?
Carl - I would feel helpless too. I hope the guy's family & the crew involved come through ok.
[quote user="jeffhergert"]
Jeff, I heard another report that mentioned those TBOX cars and smaller ARMN cars, too. I don't know what they're hauling in the TBOX cars yet, but it will be interesting to find out. I'd been wondering whether UP could spare enough of the big ARMNs for a third weekly trip.
No real updates here, Nance--everything's about the same as when I posted last night. It was Elmhurst where the trees got toppled. I'm under the weather today (either to much sun or too much sitting has made me dizzy), so I don't plan on checking it out for myself. It's a shame...there's still rain in the forecast, but it's sunny and clear out there at the moment.
The news mentioned something about the storm crippling a Metra train for five hours. I know they stopped service on the UP west line last night for over two hours, but don't have the details on what and where for the "crippled" train.
Happy birthday today to (besides my younger daughter) Joe Kohnen! He's probably asleep as this is written, but I hope that the weather and chores permit him to take his son and spend some time trackside a little later.
From Railway Age this morning:
The Federal Transit Administration Tuesday declared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONZI) for Cincinnati’s proposed 3.0-mile streetcar, clearing the way for the use of $29 million in federal funds already allocated to the project. "The federal government has examined the project and given it a full green light," said Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney in a statement.
"We can move forward, now that we have the FONZI," he should have continued. "Heyyyyy!!"
Sometimes, perhaps, we are allowed to get lost that we may find the right person to ask directions of. ~Robert Brault
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
Do any RR's still use torpedoes? I'm thinking no but...?
I had a guy ask me today --very seriously--why it was he saw a train (his first) recently with NO caboose?! He was really quite puzzled by this! That one, I could answer!! (Yes, I kept a straight face, though I did wonder which rock he lives under!! )
WMNB4THRTL Do any RR's still use torpedoes?
Do any RR's still use torpedoes?
Kind of sad to think that the guy hadn't seen (or more likely just hadn't looked at) a train for 25 years or more!
Torpedoes haven't been mentioned in rulebooks for quite a while, now.
Are engineers more alert than they used to be, and do not need to be waked up?
Or was it danger to anyone/thing lineside that brought about the disuse?
Look at the circumstances when a torpedo would have been used: typically (by my understanding) in 'dark' (unsignalled) territory when a following train needed to be warned about the presence of a stopped or slow-moving train ahead which might have experienced unexpected mechanical difficulties, for a period of time longer than a fusee could be depended to burn, or might not be seen (such as in deep snow), etc. For example, once a train got moving again the flagman couldn't stay back the required flagging distance - he had to be back on board the caboose, and the best he could do then is drop a lit fusee every couple of minutes, even if the train was limping along at only 10 or 15 MPH or so. Better communications such as radio, maybe fewer trains - and more reliable ones ?, more signals, etc. reduced the need for and usefulness of torpedoes, and the safety issues likely contributed to discontinuance of their use.
Those were basically my thoughts too, Paul. Just checking, as I need to have my info right. Thx.
Interesting trip on Amtrak yesterday from NYC to New Haven to Hartford. A very few "highlights" from the NYC - NH portion:
- Got caught up in the 2nd of 3 power outages/ low voltage events in the last 3 days, from about 7:15 AM to 8:00 AM Thurs. Reports are that ther 2 on Thurs. were the result of a computer/ software glitch at the Richmond (Phila.) substation. So almost everything out of NY Penn was running about 45 mins. late, including my regional No. 170. Most folks took it in stride, and when the train finally arrived, everyone hustled to get down on the platform, loaded, and underway ASAP. We didn't gain anything or lose much more than that initial 45 mins. The connecting train at New Haven #470 - P42 and 2 coaches - was held for us on the other side of the same platform, both of which were good and smart things to do.
- Saw the Amtrak video on safety and its bomb-sniffing K-9 dogs several times, as well as 1 passing through the Penn Station concourse. Video is very well-done IMHO and informative. Amtrak has over 50 K-9 teams, at least 10 of which can also trace and follow the "scent path" in the air of where an explosive has gone by.
- Good load factors, about 2/3 full, though the rear car (where I was) was less than half. At the forward end in the handicapped space was a bass violin in a thickly padded case - try putting that on an airplane ! Passengers were a real mix from the young with a mom to vacationers traveling to Nantucket to businessmen to college students to retirees. The couple across the aisle from me were astounded at how roomy the train's seats were compared to an airplane !
- Lots of M-O-W and other RR work underway. Saw a track replacement machine working on the NW track - #1 ? - and several miles of track machinery and track prepped for it. A little further on was a surfacing and tamping crew on the southeast track, and there were numerous inspections, small crews working on wires, utilities, drainage, bridge timbers, and at least 2 new stations under construction. Altogether several hundred people at work, doing a lot - a lot has been done in past years, a lot more yet to go. Notably, other lineside off-railroad construction work was nil - just 2 buildings that I saw, one with not much going on and the other with maybe 10 people there. So the railroad appeared to be the major economic engine for construction work in that segment.
- Coffee was $1.75 for a smallish cup, and a fruit cup snack was $4.00 - probably typical for New York and the cities, but about twice was it would cost elsewhere in the region.
- Ride quality was pretty good - ony 1 or 2 significant lurches. Amfleet coaches and restroom were pretty clean and well-stocked. I'd give them an A- on that.
I'd do it again anytime, no question. The drive back in heavy rain and traffic was miserable - much rather have taken the train again !
I saw this outside the local feed store:
I have seen BNSF cargo containers. Do any railroads still own semi-trailers?
James
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