Still...starting today and then looking back in Dec 2013...
What's the saying...A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step...right?
Dan
CShaveRR So the Pullman service would be via Utica, once the line is rehabbed?
So the Pullman service would be via Utica, once the line is rehabbed?
I believe that's the plan. Still a lot of details to work out, like interfacing with Amtrak at Utica. Currently the nearest place to do such interchanges is at Schenectady, I believe. HEP may be an issue, as we currently use gensets on select cars instead of the locomotive providing same.
Even if the funding was available today to do the trackwork, I'm guessing it would be at least a year before the first through train would be able to run.
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...
I read that, Larry--that's great news! So the Pullman service would be via Utica, once the line is rehabbed?
We're on the back side of the cold front that went through, with storms, wind, and so on--the temperature dropped about 25 degrees in two hours yesterday evening. I guess this weather system is possibly going to add a little nastiness to Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast, so people should probably hunker down.
Construction crews are supposed to be putting beams on two of the three bridges that will straighten out portions of the Great Western Trail in Lombard. This is the former Chicago Great Western right-of-way through town. After years of planning, I finally found a diagram that shows the projected route (I still haven't seen any models or drawings of the finished project!). It won't precisely follow the CGW right-of-way in this area--there will be a couple of zigs and zags to shorten the lengths of the two longer bridges. The bridge over Grace Street (three lanes) will be pretty much on its old alignment. The one over St. Charles Road (four lanes) will reduce the angle somewhat. Those two are the ones that will have their beams laid across today and Monday. The third bridge, of course, is the one I'm waiting for, to take the trail over the UP main line. Its angle will also be much closer to 90 degrees across than before. The CGW bridge at this point had a pier between a couple of the C&NW tracks, which would probably not be tolerated today. This bridge is quite some distance behind the others in its progress--some pilings have been driven, but no abutments have been formed yet.
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&q=1+n+grace+st.,+Lombard,+IL&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x880e4d59a024a11b:0x6fe02ed01d978adf,1+N+Grace+St,+Lombard,+IL+60148&gl=us&sa=X&ei=DKiKUOS8M-yhyAHpwoCAAQ&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA
I'm looking forward to this bridge over the tracks--hopefully any fencing on the bridge will be open enough to permit good observation (and photography?) of trains. If not, the embankments near the bridge might offer some possibilities, if they aren't blocked by guardrails. The bridge will go directly over one or two of the crossovers installed there last year.
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)
A bit of news (and not even on the Newswire yet!) on the NYC Adirondack Division.
Iowa Pacific Holdings and the Adirondack Scenic have announced a partnership with the goal of running Pullman service from NYC to Lake Placid.
The story is here.
This may help provide the impetus needed to get the line rehabbed.
Pat's post-retirement regimen has her getting out of bed at 6:30 sharp (it wouldn't matter if she were still snoring at 6:29...I don't know how she does it!).6:30 is when I used to have to be at work and in the chair. But I've returned to my slovenly ways, often sleeping through the 7:00 news and the 7:30 business report. I used to be in bed by 9:00 p.m., but that's moved back a bit, too.
Our temp is supposed to get up toward 80 today. I'd love to be trackside, but we have a couple of lawns (front and back) that need leaves removed (and one last mowing in front) before the weather turns. Warm but wet tomorrow, and we'll be lucky to hit 50 on Friday.(The most frustrating thing about yard work is that I can hear the trains calling to me out there...)
I was talking about this subject with a coworker the other day - when we were younger "sleeping in" meant past noon if possible. Now? I'm thrilled to sleep past 6 AM.
Of course - during the summer hours when daylight lasts for a longer portion of the day & there's large steel objects to photograph...
zugmann I do miss switching. Especially the planning part. Don't have to tell me about the world at sunrise - I spent the last 5 years working them. Nothing like the blue hour.
I do miss switching. Especially the planning part.
Don't have to tell me about the world at sunrise - I spent the last 5 years working them. Nothing like the blue hour.
Precisely..I still end up getting up around that time...
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Both ! (Usually related in a cause-and-effect manner, too . . . )
Paul_D_North_Jr Others should have the benefit of those experiences, too . . .
Others should have the benefit of those experiences, too . . .
Dawn, coffee, or both?
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
Oh, I did, I did...both at work and on the bike!
Actualy I don't either. Just an excuse to drop by.
Never touch the stuff myself, Chad, so I'm glad it was palatable.
Thanks for the coffee Carl.
zugmann So, a little bit of job news... if it goes well, I'll share in a few days.
zugmann also half tempted to start a HO switching layout. I know this is the wrong part of the forum, and I need another hobby to waste money on like I need another hole in my head.
zugmann Also half tempted to buy a bike, but it's getting to that cold and dark time of year.
- Paul North.
You might get a better deal on a bike at this time of year.Could have used one of those signs. If I go there tomorrow, I promise that I'll be a little more sure-footed.Any DuPage voters paying attention to this, the Village Hall in Downers Grove, one of the venues for early voting, is very close to the BNSF "Racetrack". We tried it out today. I'd do it again, if they'd let me.
In the same neck of the woods, the overpass carrying BNSF over Belmont Road is now completed. Things around the station there look pretty impressive, from what I can see while going under it. Might have to ride the train some weekend.
So, a little bit of job news... if it goes well, I'll share in a few days.
also half tempted to start a HO switching layout. I know this is the wrong part of the forum, and I need another hobby to waste money on like I need another hole in my head. Also half tempted to buy a bike, but it's getting to that cold and dark time of year.
I will mention that I fell to the proprietors of the place (one of the local Historical Society's museums). This entrance is very rarely put into use (the other entrances were out of commission due to the pouring of fresh concrete), but some sort of safety strips probably should be put on those stairs nonetheless.Pat and I had a nice Sunday lunch at the deli that recently opened in downtown Lombard. Food was good and ample (and inexpensive), and in the 35-40 minutes we were there we got three freights and a scoot--close enough to read numbers and other data off the cars.One eastbound stack train had bunch of refrigerated containers near the point. I can't remember how they were marked ("Horizon"?--large logos), but this is the first time I've seen something like this. I'm guessing that there were 25 or 30 tubs with these cars. A lot of them were not stacked, so maybe 50 boxes all told.
More on the Amtrak derailment in Michigan. The train, for some unknown reason, was lined into a yard track. So we have either a rules infraction or an ATCS malfunction.
I took a bit of a tumble this weekend, too, but I'm none the worse for wear (plenty of other reasons to be stiff, sore, and tired). Part of the barrier marking the edge of the "Punkin Patch" was a section of "silt fence." I was stepping over it and the trailing foot didn't quite clear - and down I went.
We had well over 300 pumpkins leave the patch in the hands of eager youngsters over the two weekends. And the varmints around the patch are grateful for some of the orbs that didn't pass muster (damage, soft spots, etc), since they just got pitched out in the woods.
Had to deal with some track construction, too. They stayed on their side of the barrel, and we stayed on ours, but the company doing our track work for the upgrade on the way to Big Moose spent all weekend hauling ballast, one 10-wheeler hi-rail dump truck load at a time, up the hill. The only access is at Carter and Big Moose, so it's all got to be hauled in from the end points. It's going to be a great five miles of track, though.
Belated birthday dinner tonight at my daughter's house, and I get to meet their new pup, "Rosie" as well.
Carl; do what an acquaintence of mine did when he fell on a slippery slope---- . went to the owner and told them to fix the problem or get sued. He did not want anyone else to to get hurt. Had a battle with their lawyers who wanted him to sign a release first before fixing but he hung in and problem fixed permanently.
Wow...looks like that could've been worse. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Carl, please remember: the season is fall...not the behavior. Glad to hear you're getting better.
Around my neck of the woods (close enough anyway) the SOO 1003 Mikado is supposed to be pulling Santa on Sat Nov 3. I have plans to get Aedan there...plus get a few (dozen) photos.
News this morning about the derailment of Amtrak Train 350 east of Niles, Michigan. From the location, the train would have been winding up on its way to 110 m.p.h. Details:
http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-breaking-news-train-derailment-in-niles-20121021,0,1369365.story
Quentin, I fell on a slippery stairway just before getting on my bike. I was still able to bike my errands before becoming too stiff to do much of anything. These were painted wooden stairs, and it had just quit raining, so they were very slick. When my feet went out from under me, I caught a stair tread in my back.I'm still sore, but definitely improving. We expect to walk to church tomorrow, and I survived a wedding and reception tonight with no problem, except for getting into and out of the car.
Carl....has your "fall" involved your activity with the bike....? However it was, we wish you a speedy return to your normal activity.
Guess I don't fit in with the last several birthday comments....not until February.
Quentin
Temporarily laid up after a fall...nothing permanently damaged, I don't think, but I'm not straying very far.
It would have been neat to be down along I-55 between Dwight and Pontiac this morning, when the special Amtrak train hit 110. (But I've never seen so much cynicism in the comments. I hate how politics has muddied the waters.)Also letting Chad (and Rick) know that we're still here. Somebody will be glad to make the coffee, Rick!
Deggesty Zardoz, what are the odds that two people not only share the same date, but are the same age?
Zardoz, what are the odds that two people not only share the same date, but are the same age?
CShaveRR CShaveRR With the possible exception of Johnny, I think everyone posting here so far has something in common. First hint will come tomorrow. "Tomorrow" was Dan's birthday. At that time, besides Johnny, we'd had posts from Dan, Jim, Larry, and me...all early-October birthday boys!
CShaveRR With the possible exception of Johnny, I think everyone posting here so far has something in common. First hint will come tomorrow.
With the possible exception of Johnny, I think everyone posting here so far has something in common. First hint will come tomorrow.
"Tomorrow" was Dan's birthday. At that time, besides Johnny, we'd had posts from Dan, Jim, Larry, and me...all early-October birthday boys!
I have seen CNW reporting marks (along with MP and WP) on Union Pacific heralded cars but with fresh paint...so maybe the powers that are in Omaha are using marks they own to free up space elsewhere.
Happy birthday to both of you, Carl and Larry. As my grandfather would say, "Many happy returns!" It took me many years to figure out what he meant by this.
Johnny
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