I'm thinking bolt machine - seems like I've seen one someplace before.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Hoping Mudchicken has seen something like these, James, because I can't figure them out. They obviously perform a repetitive chore of some sort, probably below the tops of the ties, but I can't imagine what that would be, particularly on a bridge.
We traveled north for about two and a half hours this afternoon, and when we got out of the car it was about 25 degrees cooler than when we got in! We had dinner at an Italian restaurant near Plymouth, Wisconsin, tonight, sort of an early celebration of our wedding anniversary. Tomorrow (the actual anniversary) we'll visit quilt shops and museums in Plymouth and Cedarburg, then maybe some trains (Duplainville?) before heading home. The original premise for heading up this way (a predawn viewing of the planetary alignment over Lake Michigan) probably isn't going to happen, due to the weather, but It's been a great trip so far, if for no other reason than that we're escaping early midsummer at home.
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)
I was looking at pictures taken of the MacArthur (Free) Bridge in St. Louis. It is a vehicle and railroad bridge over the Mississippi River. The vehicle part is not used anymore. Anyway, what are the items shown in the photo titled "Yellow Things on RR side?" I thought it was an interesting group of photos.
James
I can second what AgentKid describes how to determine what time to use for the OS. I've seen it done and, under the agent/operator's supervision, did it way back (dating myself again) at Durant, Iowa on the RI.
The RI and the MILW (and I suspect most railroads, but can't say for our Canadian cousins) had a form for recording the arrival and/or the departure time of trains. On the RI it was called a "Station Record of Train Movement" and had two columns, one for Westward or Southward trains and one for Eastward or Northward trains. Both columns had sub-columns for Train, Arrival and Departure. For trains that didn't stop, the operators I saw put in the word "by" in the Arrival column.
When OSing trains, the operators would state, "OS Durant." When recognized by the dispatcher with the reply "OS," the operator would say (for example) "Extra 245 West by at 203PM, OK on the south side." The RI required operators to report their train inspection. (If someone was watching the other side from the Opr, the report would be "OK both sides.") As AgentKid said, the dispr would repeat the info.
In addition to the train reports, the form had places to record the weather conditions, operator's names on duty, and a space to record train orders in effect but not delivered and other info required for a transfer from the on duty operator to the relieving operator.
The one OS I can clearly remember making is the one where I just said "Extra 245." The dispr never said anything, but the operator (whom I'd known for a few years) brought it to my attention that I'd left off the direction. I never did that the few more times I was able to do it and still remember it 30 plus years later.
Jeff
Yea, and I've got some swamp land for sale in the Sahara!!! Best offer takes it!! Hurry, it's going fast!!
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
Culture shock.
Yeah, I'll buy that.
Sure.
Yep.
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
Chicago broke a record today, when the thermometer hit 90. And we were out in it...handling historical society errands (Pat had to guide a park tour), tending the other museum in town for the afternoon (more scoots than freights went by there today, darn!), then taking daughter and grandchildren for a walk in the park to see the flowers (lilacs will be at their peak in a couple of days, tulips are at their peak now, and there are still daffodils around). Our transportation was either on foot or on bicycle--our car hasn't been out since Saturday!
Grandson Nico has it right, he was hot, but "trains are cool!" That, and "I want to see a train now!" (I told him to wait five minutes...it worked.)
By the way, Lombard may be the only town where the local Dairy Queen serves Lilac dipped cones and Dilly Bars (everybody had to have one...the shell is actually grape flavored)! This week only, I suspect.
Also today, UP and Metra were holding an open house in the local station to show the plans for the new pedestrian tunnel that will be built at the station. The tunnel will be about twelve feet in diameter, lighted, and have a walkway about twenty feet below track level. This is about twelve feet below street level from the point where ramps currently go up to the tracks.
I attempted to engage a UP official in conversation about the amount of noise at crossings, and asked why our crossings couldn't be made more like those on the BN line, where the bell cuts off when the train is in the island circuit. I think he was trying to baffle me with$1***$2 telling me that the Illinois Commerce Commission sets the sound levels for warnings (so many decibels a certain distance away), and that they "thought about" the BNSF-style warnings, but decided that it would be too much of a culture shock for people commuting on the UP.
Paul_D_North_Jr One more question: What's the "K" mean or stand for, after the "12:47" ?
One more question: What's the "K" mean or stand for, after the "12:47" ?
Simply put, the K stood for "o'clock". It was a 24 hour clock, no AM or PM. But when the system changed to "hours" it was a lot more complicated than that. A number of years ago "Kootenay Central" gave a great explanation of the whole process, but he doesn't seem to be around anymore.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
AgentKid[snipped; emphasis added - PDN] Dad would say "OS Irricana, #712 north, Engine 8502 at 12:47K". This was the time he saw on the clock as he entered the office.
Thanks, Bruce, for that detailed answer/ explanation. Wait'll you see the "Form 19" order that's also there and of which I also got a photo . . .
So it was the time when the caboose went by, plus a few seconds. We can presume that was how the CPR trained him and wanted it done for consistency across its far-flung empire.
- Paul North.
zardoz jeffhergert: .....(The only Whipple I'm familiar with was always telling people to stop squeezing the Charmin.).... Wow, you certainly dated yourself.
jeffhergert: .....(The only Whipple I'm familiar with was always telling people to stop squeezing the Charmin.)....
.....(The only Whipple I'm familiar with was always telling people to stop squeezing the Charmin.)....
Johnny
I was hoping this aspect of the question would come up. Here is the procedure as I remember seeing it done.
My Dad would give the train a rolling inspection, and wave to one of the tail end crew as it passes. He would then walk into the station, through the waiting room and into the office. He would sit down at the desk, put on the headset of the dispatchers phone, kick the speaker pedal (the original version of keying a radio, you talked with your foot down on the pedal instead of your thumb on the microphone button), and said "Irricana".
When you had a Dispatcher with a loud phone voice answer, you would hear in reply "Irricana".
Dad would say "OS Irricana, #712 north, Engine 8502 at 12:47K". This was the time he saw on the clock as he entered the office.
The Dispatcher would reply "OS Irricana, #712 north Engine 8502 12:47K".
Dad would conclude by saying "Irricana".
And that would be that.
Military time using such and such "hours" didn't come to the CPR until the end of the sixties, and the word "over" was not used. The station location name of the participant was used at the end of the conversation.
WMNB4THRTL I'm still studying in JH Armstrong's, "The Railroad..." and I have some questions 1. What's a "trainsheet" record? [snipped]
I'm still studying in JH Armstrong's, "The Railroad..." and I have some questions
1. What's a "trainsheet" record? [snipped]
Now here's another one, which is also more historical in nature, going back to when almost every freight train had a caboose, and passenger trains were long:
Back on Page 10 of 13 (currently) of this thread - http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/189960.aspx?PageIndex=10 - it was mentioned several times that "OS" stands for "On Sheet" and/ or "Out of Station", etc. - i.e., the time that a train passed a certain station - all well and good. But for most freight trains of any length - and some slow-moving long passenger trains - that's going to be several minutes elapsed while the train passes.
So which time should have been used to report the passage of the train and entered on the trainsheet - the time when the locomotive went by? Or instead the time when the caboose or last car of the passenger train went past the agent/ operator ?
The only discussion of the point that I can recall - it may have been/ likely was in this article:
- which as I recall, opined that the better practice was to use the time when the caboose passed, because that was the operator/ agent's absolute last opportunity to flag down the rear-end crew and have them stop the train with the connductor's brake valve if necessary. Any supporting or contrary thoughts or opinions ?
jeffhergert .....(The only Whipple I'm familiar with was always telling people to stop squeezing the Charmin.)....
Yes, Jeff, I believe that one is, though the angle is so shallow it's hard to see or tell. But the preceding picture in that set definitely is a C&NW Whipple truss (at Algona, Iowa), and is almost a 'broadside' view so those characteristics can be seen pretty easily - here's the link to that photo:
http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=2
I've never really paid attention to the bridges. I had to look at Paul's link to bridge basics to see what a Whipple was. (The only Whipple I'm familiar with was always telling people to stop squeezing the Charmin.)
After looking at the link, I think there might be a few of these on the main line. Here's a link to one at Denison that looks like it has the characteristics.
http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=3 (The caption is slightly wrong. The single track on the right wasn't the IC but a siding. The siding was lifted a couple of years ago.) There are a few other pictures of possible bridges on the CNWHS website that look like the Whipples, too.
As for others on the east/west main line, I'll have to pay attention next time. I'm working west, so it may be awhile until I see the ones on the east side.
The wife would like to see me back on the extra board, but I don't know. I guess it depends on how badly I want that block signal.
I've been admiring the shopping list of track and other improvements Amtrak will be receiving, courtesy of the state of Florida, which turned the money down. I just hope that there is nothing that will interfere with this money being spent in the way it's now directed. (Please, keep the politics away!)
NORTHEAST CORRIDOR (NEC)
Amtrak – NEC Power, Signal, Track, Catenary Improvements
$450 million to boost capacity, reliability, and speed in one of the most heavily-traveled sections of the Northeast Corridor, creating a 24-mile segment of track capable of supporting train speeds up to 160 mph. New York – NEC Harold Interlocking Amtrak Bypass Routes
$295 million to alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. NORTHEASTERN REGION
Connecticut – New Haven to Springfield Track Construction
$30 million to complete double-track segments on the corridor, bringing added intercity rail service to a route that plays an important role in the region, connecting communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts to the NEC, as well as Vermont. Massachusetts/Maine – Downeaster Track Improvements
$20.8 million to construct a 10.4-mile section of double track between Wilmington and Andover, MA. Track upgrades will increase schedule performance and dependability for passengers traveling on the Northern New England Downeaster corridor. New York – Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements
$58 million to construct upgrades to tracks, stations and signals, improving rail operations along the Empire Corridor. This includes replacement of the Schenectady Station and construction of a fourth station track at the Albany - Rensselaer Station, one of the corridor’s most significant bottlenecks. Pennsylvania – Keystone Corridor Interlocking Improvements
$40 million to rebuild an interlocking near Harrisburg on the Keystone Corridor, saving travelers time and improving passenger train schedule reliability.
REGIONAL EQUIPMENT POOLS
Next Generation Passenger Rail Equipment Purchase – This state-of-the-art rail equipment will provide safe and reliable American-built vehicles for passenger travel, while boosting the U.S. manufacturing industry. • Midwest Corridors – $268.2 million to purchase 48 high-performance passenger rail cars and 7 quick-acceleration locomotives for 8 corridors in the Midwestern States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri. • California Corridors – $68 million to acquire 15 high-performance passenger rail cars and 4 quick-acceleration locomotives for the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin, and Capitol Corridors in California.
MIDWESTERN REGION
Illinois – Chicago - St. Louis Corridor
$186.3 million to construct upgrades on the Chicago - St. Louis Corridor between Dwight and Joliet, IL with trains operating at 110 mph for more than 220 miles of track. This investment will reduce trip times, enhance safety and add more seats on the corridor, increasing the number of people who can conveniently travel by train. –Michigan – Kalamazoo-Dearborn Service Development
$196.5 million to rehabilitate track and signal systems, bringing trains up to speeds of 110 mph on a 235-mile section of the Chicago to Detroit corridor, reducing trip times by 30 minutes. CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWEST REGION
California – Central Valley Construction Project Extension
$300 million for a 20-mile extension along the Central Valley Corridor. This will continue to advance one of the highest priority projects in the nation that will ultimately provide 220 mph high-speed rail service from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The work funded in this round will extend the track and civil work from Fresno to the “Wye” junction, which will provide a connection to San Jose to the West and Merced to the North. Washington – Port of Vancouver Grade Separation
$15 million to eliminate a congested intersection and bottleneck between freight and passenger tracks. By elevating one set of tracks over the other, travel along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor will experience reduced delays and passenger trains will not have to wait for crossing freight traffic.
There are also a number of studies for other improvements being funded.
I'm sorry about my own short-sighted feelings, but, as a railfan, I see these projects as genuine improvements to the status quo, so--regardless of the behind-the-scenes work--I just want to see them done, and see people benefiting from them.
Not really sure, Paul...but just about every time I see one of those, I think, "There's a C&NW bridge!" And I'm usually right.
These might be possibilities:
Probably the most visible to people riding trains: the bridge over Metra's MILW-North line (also used by Amtrak) at Shermer, Illinois. Two tracks.
The UP main line over the Rock River, between Nelson and Sterling, Illinois. Two tracks, multiple spans.
I'm pretty sure that there's a bridge (single-track, multi-span) remaining in the Peoria area, closer to Pekin. Perhaps part of the drawbridge over the Illinois River?
Crazy thing--you don't notice details like this when you're on these bridges, and during my career I would have been on all of them at least twice.
WMNB4THRTL I think there is a thread on it. too
Carl or Jeff - Do you know where any others like that one would be ? Thanks.
Thanks, Jim! Pat got her book out, so we'll be hitting that place as well. Sounds like a good one for her. And good for Kathy!
Still no updates here on the S.I. derailment. I remember how fast they were at getting a new bridge in at Galt, Illinois (on the main line), when a wreck took that one out, but this line probably doesn't have quite the urgency--there are ways to get around it that weren't available back in CNW days.
I think there is a thread on it. too
CShaveRR [snipped] . . . it took out one of the distinctive CNW-style Whipple (?) truss bridges.
"The Whipple truss gained immediate popularity with the railroads as it was stronger and more rigid than the Pratt. . . . They were usually built where the span required was longer than was practical with a Pratt truss.
Further developments of the subdivided variations of the Pratt, including the Pennsylvania and Baltimore trusses, led to the decline of the Whipple truss."
The Pennsylvania and Baltimore trusses were developed and used by those railroads of the same name.
Notably, this one doesn't appear on any of the several indexes of historic or significant bridges that I checked quickly tonight - more's the shame. Glad at least some photos of it exist.
CShaveRR Jim, I don't think so...we are going to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg. Anything we should know about the schoolhouse?
Jim, I don't think so...we are going to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg. Anything we should know about the schoolhouse?
Nance, I only know what I've seen in the pictures. It was on our Peoria Sub (some distance north of Peoria), and it took out one of the distinctive CNW-style Whipple (?) truss bridges. Haven't heard whether the line has been opened again, but it's a fairly important route to the UP for intermodal from southern California to Chicago (at least it was before Global 4), and for trains from Iowa to St.Louis. (I remember the bridge--we went past it in January.)
CShaveRR CNW 6000: How far north? Depends, Dan! Any excitement that you can stir up around Oshkosh or FDL Thursday morning? We have a pre-dawn date with Lake Michigan somewhere, and an afternoon date in Cedarburg (and have to be home in the evening).
CNW 6000: How far north?
How far north?
Depends, Dan! Any excitement that you can stir up around Oshkosh or FDL Thursday morning? We have a pre-dawn date with Lake Michigan somewhere, and an afternoon date in Cedarburg (and have to be home in the evening).
I echo all the good wishes, Carl. Hope you guys enjoy a wonderful day!
PS Carl, do you know anything about the derail in Peoria?
Happy Mother's Day to all to whom that applies (and, by extension, to anyone who's ever had a mother!). Couldn't be a nicer day here...sunny, seasonable, and lots of flowers out there (not too many lilacs yet, but they're coming!). One of the mothers in my life (the one I'm married to) is giving a guided tour of Lilacia Park this afternoon. I'll go along to help out at the beginning, but may sit the tour out on a bench by the tracks.
CNW 6000 How far north?
Oh no Carl, did you swallow Mexican jumping beans?
I hope you feel better soon!
CShaveRR Came to one decision today...we may be (temporarily) lifting our boycott on trips to Wisconsin next week. (Political protest--I won't go there in here.)
Came to one decision today...we may be (temporarily) lifting our boycott on trips to Wisconsin next week. (Political protest--I won't go there in here.)
Dan
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