Yikes Carl. Sounds like job security!
Dan
You got that right, Johnny! Except that the guest of honor hasn't been around here in a while (he was on Facebook, though). I celebrated a little late by devouring a couple of (pan)cakes for brunch at church yesterday...supports an upcoming mission of mercy to western Kentucky. The actual day was aided by a trip to an embroidery artist who will do the lettering on three of the four banners Pat's currently working on for our church. (I'm usually Pat's color consultant, so I often have a hand in this...such as coming up with a "pastel black" material for one of them [inside joke]).
I also finished with a pad of old freight-car sightings from August 2007 yesterday, and am now working on computerizing another pad, this one with sightings from March 2008. The very first sighting in that pad has so far caused the creation of two new files, and upgrades to at least twelve others...should keep me busy for the rest of the day.
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)
Don's birthday party must be quite a wingding; nobody has been able to post in the lounge for almost two days!
Johnny
Happy birthday today to Forum contributor and intrepid globetrotter Don Oltmann!
Link to CREATE Project B-2 "Fact Sheet" - includes an aerial-photo type map: http://www.createprogram.org/factsheets/B2.pdf
Glen Ellyn "e-newsletter" of Feb. 08, 2012: http://www.glenellyn.org/enewsletter/2012/02_08_12.pdf
- Paul North.
Agreed! If every picture K.P. took would save one of us a thousand words, it would be very worthwhile.KP has expressed interest in the CREATE program, and I'm sure I could keep him occupied for at least a month of good weather (how many calendars would that take?) just scouting out what's going on. Most of what I was describing around Proviso, from Elmhurst to 19th Avenue, are part of CREATE project B-2.
CShaveRR [snipped - PDN] The trips to Chicago, though, were fairly revealing of progress being made on the expansion projects in the area of Proviso.
We had an eventful hour train-watching in Elmhurst this noon (that was about all we could spare..honest!). As we arrived, the two hourly scoots were both departing the station. About ten minutes later, a westbound manifest went by (I think it may have been the West Chicago guy). He was followed surprisingly closely by another westbound manifest, with cars destined for North Platte. My view of this train was soon obscured by an eastbound stack train, which stopped for a time waiting for the manifest to clear. After all of this action in the first half-hour, there was a brief lull before an eastbound manifest (MCBPR? MDMPR? I can't tell any more) arrived. As it was clearing the control point, a westbound train of loaded auto racks came around the yard and blew by. We didn't wait for the westbound that was poking his nose out of the yard...ditch lights were lit, so we knew that he would be coming out sometime soon. As we left, though, a short work train powered by a GP15-1 headed east through town. He had some HLMX ballast cars that had been rebuilt and shortened from old quadruple hopper cars (now only two sets of hoppers). That was the last train we saw in Elmhurst--the eighth in under an hour. However, the next westbound scoot beat us into Lombard.
In the past few days, I had occasion to ride Metra into Chicago twice ("TrainGranny" was in town, and had never been to Chicago before--so I walked them around the Loop and environs on Sunday after she and her sister had arrived on the Capitol Limited, and yesterday Pat and I took them to Navy Pier...not much railfanning on those trips, but we had lots of fun, and talked train travel).
(TrainGranny has been blogging about her recent adventures: http://www.traingranny.com/)
The trips to Chicago, though, were fairly revealing of progress being made on the expansion projects in the area of Proviso. A crushed limestone base has been spread and compacted for the new third main track for about half of the distance between Berkeley and Bellwood, and grading has been completed elsewhere in that stretch. Large holes in the ground alongside the tracks on both sides reveal where the pedestrian tunnels at Bellwood and Berkeley will be; it appears that Bellwood will also be getting a new station platform just east of the existing one.
New signals are popping up like weeds...in fact there are now poles with two- and three-head signals (covered in plastic) in places where the tracks have yet to be laid--quite far from existing tracks. The limits for Park (the control point at the west end of Proviso) will be extended further east, based on signal footings observed. In fact, a new bridge will be built at the spot where, a long time ago, there was a distant signal for the original HM Interlocking. Not beyond the realm of possibility would be the separation of this plant into two adjoining control points, in much the same manner as has been done at Kedzie, close in to Chicago.East of Bellwood, in the Field of Trackless Signal Poles, large areas have been covered with compacted limestone. Main lines will be relocated here; I presume that it will be easy enough to actually slide some of the tracks into their new positions, where possible. The old tail track east of Proviso has been rebuilt and connected to the main line at roughly 19th Avenue (the control point currently at 25th Avenue will be moved east to 19th). Signal bridges at this point have been up for a while, but are still not in service. The new IHB connection via the flyover bridge appears to be connected and completed, though I haven't been lucky enough to see any trains on it yet.Work is also finally underway at the site of the new mainline crossovers in Wheaton--truck trailers for signal supplies have been moved in there, and earth-moving equipment is moving some earth. There is a grade-crossing closure (and replacement pedestrian underpass) that's supposed to be done in connection with this crossover; I haven't seen evidence of that yet.A replacement signal bridge for the westward home signal at West Chicago will soon be erected. This doesn't appear to be necessary for any track-work, so it must be a requirement in connection with new signals that are PTC-compatible. As of now, these are the easternmost searchlight signals of the original CTC system between West Chicago and Nelson; most of the other control-point signals have already been replaced with color-light heads.
The expansions on this part of the line haven't gotten as much coverage as other UP expansion projects, but I'm sure the results will be every bit as helpful to projected increases in traffic.
Oh my goodness-- Johnny, I am so very sorry for your loss. May it comfort you to know that others share in your loss.
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
We're back home again, with communications restored. Our condolences to Johnny Degges on the loss of his wife Ricki. Pat and I had the pleasure of meeting Ricki on a couple of occasions when she and Johnny were touring the country by rail. We hope that we were able to help make her visits more fun and more comfortable.
.....Thanks Carl / Pat. Appreciated.
Quentin
Johnny, owing to self-inflicted communications problems at home, we got your e-mail today, and can't make a reply yet. Just letting you know that you are in our thoughts.
Quentin, that goes for you and Jean as well.
"How seriously do you want to argue with crazy people ?"
(from an NPR report about a month ago on the assertion that the 'bail-out' of auto manufacturers wasn't really needed . . . )
CNW 6000 I got to listen to someone tell me at work today that "the train company only likes to run trains to keep people from getting done. Like anyone actually sends anything in those cars anymore anyway..." Ain't no helping someone like that.
I got to listen to someone tell me at work today that "the train company only likes to run trains to keep people from getting done. Like anyone actually sends anything in those cars anymore anyway..."
Ain't no helping someone like that.
CShaveRR I take it you're referring to the use of the belt to hold something up that isn't trousers...
I take it you're referring to the use of the belt to hold something up that isn't trousers...
Guess I should answer this. Use your belt to hold up the cut lever so you can put the knuckle in. Esp if the knuckle falls out, and you don't let the cut lever back down. That way you can replace the knuckle without having the coupler spew out its guts. An old RRer told me that trick a while back, and I have had the chance to use it more than once.
It's bad... there's a new manager we have 'round these parts. I'm not that old, but this guy makes me feel ancient. Fresh out of school, ready to grab the world by the, um, horns. I hope he turns out to be one of the good guys and has a good career if he wants it. We'll see.
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
Tex,
Check your email.
Jim
Tex, welcome!
If Jim doesn't respond directly to your request, just click on the "Zardoz" name on any of his posts here, and it will give you the opportunity to "start a conversation" with him.
I'm sure he'll be happy to give you his blessing.Meanwhile, tell us more about what you're writing!
I am trying to reach Zardoz who had a wonderful line on this Forum when he/she wrote: "The best safety device is a well rested engineer."
What a great line. I'm a writer and would like to quote you. Don Phillips and Jim Wrinn suggested I go on this forum to ask you.
Let me know and we can talk offline. Thanks.
Yep.
I think Jeff has it. I used my belt for this twice in the last year. Worked like a charm both times. I guess if you really got into a pinch, you could take the overalls off and use them, plus it will answer the question of what a conductor doesn't wear underneath...
I haven't worn overalls in awhile... they don't work too well with the RCO vest. Too many shoulder straps.
zugmann A little trivia: and I'll even give a hint. Why should you always wear a belt on the railroad? And not just to hold yer britches up, although that may be one way to stop traffic when flagging traffic! Hint: I thought of this when I read the knuckle thread.
A little trivia: and I'll even give a hint. Why should you always wear a belt on the railroad? And not just to hold yer britches up, although that may be one way to stop traffic when flagging traffic!
Hint: I thought of this when I read the knuckle thread.
But I've always worn overalls.
I did carry a bungee cord for doing what I think you're getting at when I was a conductor. The few times I had to do it, I usually couldn't get it to work. I usually ended up using other means to accomplish the task.
Jeff
zugmann A little trivia: and I'll even give a hint. Why should you always wear a belt on the railroad?
A little trivia: and I'll even give a hint. Why should you always wear a belt on the railroad?
Found both of these today--
"The probability that someone's watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action."
"To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential."
It kind of sounds like what happened in Des Moines a year or two back. A race is set up that crosses the tracks used by the UP/IAIS. Not a lot of traffic, but what there is moves at 10 mph. As the race is underway the IAIS runs one of their daily trains through town, tying up the crossing for a while.
Sounds more like NONEXISTANT race management...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
I elected not to attempt to correct this person...didn't need to hear the squishy sound of me banging my head on the wall.
Today's fun you ask? A446, X349, X116, L576, A491, Q199 & O490. I missed M342, A415, A416, L524, L596, L531 and L535. Not bad for three hours.
Best part? A marathon type race through Oshkosh failed to inform the CN that they'd be crossing the tracks. When I showed up with the camera, the race staff asked what I was going to photograph. When I told them about all the trains in the area the reaction was shock. "They still use these tracks?" Many runners were quite irritated that they had to wait for the trains. I called the CN Emergency Number to inform them...they had no idea about it. So the RTC gave all the trains a verbal warning about the crossings and the runners. Sad race management.
Uh, really??!! Hows about 70% of what's in every American household traveled via train at one or more points in its life?! Hows about that, Bubba???
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