Trains.com

The Trackside Lounge, 3Q 2013

29058 views
223 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, July 21, 2013 6:45 PM

tree68

Deggesty
Carl, it is truly convenient to have but one key for two or more locks;

Wholeheartedly agree, although that's still on my list of projects for the house....

If you're getting new locks, I'd really consider the ones that also have a keypad.  It's really nice to not have to dig your keys out of your pocket (esp. when carrying something) to unlock the door.  Plus if you are away and need someone to water the plants and walk the dog (or water the dog and walk the plants), you just can give them a code instead of getting a key to them.  Model I have even lets you assign 'temporary' codes for that situation.   Cool stuff.

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

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, July 21, 2013 9:44 PM

zugmann

tree68

Deggesty
Carl, it is truly convenient to have but one key for two or more locks;

Wholeheartedly agree, although that's still on my list of projects for the house....

If you're getting new locks, I'd really consider the ones that also have a keypad.  It's really nice to not have to dig your keys out of your pocket (esp. when carrying something) to unlock the door.  Plus if you are away and need someone to water the plants and walk the dog (or water the dog and walk the plants), you just can give them a code instead of getting a key to them.  Model I have even lets you assign 'temporary' codes for that situation.   Cool stuff.

I installed about 6 sets of outside locks.  All of them were 2 way so for all dead bolts the top always turned toward the door jam to lock the door & turned away from the jam, to unlock.  Same with those handle locks.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, July 21, 2013 10:14 PM

When we moved into our house, in 1974, both the front door and the kitchen door were hollow wood doors, with locks in the doorknobs. As soon as I could, I replaced them with solid doors and two-cylinder deadlocks. Since there was no window in the front door, we could leave the inside key in the lock, but we hung the back door key on the wall about eight feet from the door--a burglar would have had to have a long arm to reach the key.

The idea of the keypad locks is interesting, but we have not considered such at all. We could put one on the front door and one on the laundry room door, but, so far as I know, it would be difficult to put such on the three patio doors.

Johnny

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, July 22, 2013 12:27 AM

I've been noticing some C R England Tempstack containers and Central Refrigerated Services trailers being carried on our intermodal and Z trains.  Thinking about the discussions that have centered on reefer traffic, I thought I would see if I could find out what they are hauling.  Looking at a consist, mostly they just said "mixed freight,"  no specifics.  I did see a couple that said "cereal" and maintain 0 degree temp.

That kind of threw me.  Why would cereal have to be kept that cold?  Than it hit me. They are probably loaded with "Frosted Flakes."

Jeff

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Cape Coral, Florida
  • 412 posts
Posted by billio on Monday, July 22, 2013 7:38 AM

jeffhergert

...Why would cereal have to be kept that cold?  Than it hit me. They are probably loaded with "Frosted Flakes."

Hisssss...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, July 22, 2013 7:39 AM

billio

jeffhergert

...Then it hit me.  Why would cereal have to be kept that cold?  Than it hit me. They are probably loaded with "Frosted Flakes."

Hisssss...

Yeah, where's the "groan" smiley when you need it.....

LarryWhistling
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...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, July 22, 2013 4:28 PM

tree68

billio

jeffhergert

...Then it hit me.  Why would cereal have to be kept that cold?  Than it hit me. They are probably loaded with "Frosted Flakes."

Hisssss...

Yeah, where's the "groan" smiley when you need it.....

There will be a slight pause, while we bury the joke that just died......

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, July 22, 2013 7:43 PM

Pay no attention to those nay-sayers, Jeff...I thought that was grrr-r-r-r-eat!

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)

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Monday, July 22, 2013 8:57 PM

Gonna dish on how you came up with that one Jeff?

Dan

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Monday, July 22, 2013 10:26 PM

CShaveRR
I wish I'd had a little more experience with unlocking our new front door...it took a while to get in.

Everyone always talks about the small town where no one ever had to look their doors. It was never that way when you grew up living in a RR station, like I did in Irricana. When we left to go anywhere, there were 7 doors that had to be checked to ensure they were locked. This was because there would be cash in the safe and sometimes express that had yet to be picked up.

First, there were three sliding freight shed doors. On the end of the building was one door which trucks could back up to, which had a hasp on the inside which was locked with a large nail. There were two sliding doors trackside. One door, which was no longer used, was locked in place with a rail spike jammed into its' slide track. The other door was locked on the outside with a hasp and a standard CPR switch lock, so trains could put anything in if the train came after hours.

Trackside there were two identical doors. One led to the waiting room, the other to the heated freight room. These were locked with both a deadbolt and a door handle lock which used a skeleton key. Dad said those deadbolt locks would have been the best money could buy in 1910. One the back of the building were two more doors. One was built when the station was, and locked the same way as the trackside doors. The other door had been added later, and had a deadbolt that would likely have been paid for by the Agent at the time, as well as having a door handle lock that used another skeleton key.

There was a standard interior door between the office and the dwelling which could be locked with a skeleton key, but never was.

I always remember leaving our house was something of a production!

Bruce

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 11:10 AM

Bruce, that is something like the house where one of my sisters-in-law was born: there are five doors opening on to the front porch (the house, except for a room on the backside, is one room wide) which is eighty feet long, a door to the porch off the downstairs backside bedroom, the kitchen door and pantry room door opening on to the kitchen porch, and one door opening on to the upstairs porch. I don't know if they made sure that all doors were locked before leaving the house.

The house that Ricki and I lived in here had only two doors, and when we left by way of the front door, we looked in the kitchen to see if the back door key was hanging on its nail--the sign that the door was locked. Now, I trust that Katie and KJackie take care of the upper exterior doors, and I lock my door.

When I lived in Reform, Alabama, I did not bother to lock my doors unless I were going to be away for a day or more. My mother had told me that her uncle who lived in Petersburg, Virginia, never locked his house.

Johnny

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 2:15 PM

CNW 6000

Gonna dish on how you came up with that one Jeff?

I don't know how he did it, but he was grrrrreat!!!!!!!

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 5:22 PM

Spectacular Failure Time:

BNSF shoves 9 cars into a 5 car, stub-ended track here in Denver this morning. The last 2 car spots were in a building. There are three cars and a piece of track machinery in the back yard and the building has an extra door it it after this morning. Oops.SighSighSigh

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 6:25 PM

mudchicken

Spectacular Failure Time:

BNSF shoves 9 cars into a 5 car, stub-ended track here in Denver this morning. The last 2 car spots were in a building. There are three cars and a piece of track machinery in the back yard and the building has an extra door it it after this morning. Oops.SighSighSigh

New reality show - "Railroad Renovation"?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 8:59 PM

mudchicken

Spectacular Failure Time:

BNSF shoves 9 cars into a 5 car, stub-ended track here in Denver this morning. The last 2 car spots were in a building. There are three cars and a piece of track machinery in the back yard and the building has an extra door it it after this morning. Oops.SighSighSigh

who says BNSF can not do very fast construction ? New door in 10 seconds ?

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 9:14 PM

mudchicken
Spectacular Failure Time:

BNSF shoves 9 cars into a 5 car, stub-ended track here in Denver this morning. The last 2 car spots were in a building. There are three cars and a piece of track machinery in the back yard and the building has an extra door it it after this morning. Oops.SighSighSigh 

Links to some news reports, photos, and videos (including aerial) on this:

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130723/NEWS11/307230007/Train-derails-crashes-through-building-Denver 

http://www.9news.com/news/article/346518/71/Train-derails-crashes-through-building 

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, July 29, 2013 4:50 PM

There hasn't been much activity lately in our neck of the woods--we've spent the last couple of days re-living the Battle of Gettysburg at our park in Lombard.  Pat and I minded the store for a bit both days, and I got to handle the treasury and make the deposit today.  The local historical society did itself proud, in more ways than one, putting this event together.

Today we left for the Land of No Trains, where we'll spend some time away from the busy-ness.  Unfortunately, there is something scheduled every day we're up here from a fish-boil with our daughter's family, to a meeting with lawyers to plan for an orderly succession of the family cottage, to listening to our singer-songwriter nephew performing at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.

So today was my last crack at big-time railroading for a few days.  While biking my errands before we left, I was beaten to the crossing by an eastbound manifest.  Not too long after the power had passed, it was overhauled by a stack train on Track 1.  The stacker was probably longer, but it cleared the crossing ahead of the manifest.  It had also had a DP unit in the middle of the train. 

On our way out, while running the remaining errands in the car (kind of difficult to fill the car's tank without having the car!), we encountered a pair of trains in Lombard--an eastbound load and a westbound manifest.  A second westbound manifest was seen in Elmhurst, with an impressive multi-car load of crane components (a pair of depressed-center flats held the turntable base and the tone arm boom) close behind the power.

The timing was right for lunch in Gary, where the NS main line held one stationary grain train and an eastbound manifest when we arrived.  I was lamenting the fact that we had a perfect day for being outside watching trains--and had our lawn chairs in the trunk, even--but no time to spare.

Further up the coast, we were heartened to see a CSX surfacing gang working on the track near West Olive, with plenty of fresh, dark-gray ballast on the roadbed.  North of West Olive, though, it's the same-old same-old, on trackage leased to the Michigan Shore Railroad:  jointed rail, fouled ballast by many of the joints and grade crossings, and visible low joints and fishplate repairs to broken rails.  It's like the old Dog-'n'-Suds restaurants further to the north...Rock 'n' roll is still king!

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)

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 10:33 PM

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the bunker:

(1) Amtrak vs. Bulldozer (Cat D6) at private crossing in ND

(2) BNSF vs Pivot Irrigation System in NE (2nd time at same location near Exeter)

Spooky

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Aledo IL
  • 1,728 posts
Posted by spokyone on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 11:23 PM

mudchicken

Spooky

I thought I heard my name called.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 4:23 AM

mudchicken

(2) BNSF vs Pivot Irrigation System in NE (2nd time at same location near Exeter)

I think we need to know how many of the sprinkler heads were activated at the time of the collision, and how much water they were pumping.  What training do rail crews have in regards to pivot irrigation systems?  If this was just a linear irrigation system, would we have the same problems?  How many people operated the pivot irrigation system?  Why did they fail to secure the pivot irrigation system from movement on the tracks?  What kind if signage was there in place to warn the pivot irrigation system of the tracks?  Why was there a rail line built so close to a pivot irrigation system?  Was the pivot irrigation system being operated on a grade? Perhaps we need a PPIPTC (positive pivot irrigation positive train control) system ?

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

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:39 AM

zugmann

mudchicken

(2) BNSF vs Pivot Irrigation System in NE (2nd time at same location near Exeter)

I think we need to know how many of the sprinkler heads were activated at the time of the collision, and how much water they were pumping.  What training do rail crews have in regards to pivot irrigation systems?  If this was just a linear irrigation system, would we have the same problems?  How many people operated the pivot irrigation system?  Why did they fail to secure the pivot irrigation system from movement on the tracks?  What kind if signage was there in place to warn the pivot irrigation system of the tracks?  Why was there a rail line built so close to a pivot irrigation system?  Was the pivot irrigation system being operated on a grade? Perhaps we need a PPIPTC (positive pivot irrigation positive train control) system ?

You forgot the NTSB’s report on the last Irrigation system runaway and train collision, and the suitably highlighted portions, (carefully edited to show how the pivot system steering is impossible to test) which indicated this is an ongoing threat to national security, rail safety and corn production.

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:04 AM

Would a seminar on anchor management help?

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)

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 9:54 AM

zugmann

mudchicken

(2) BNSF vs Pivot Irrigation System in NE (2nd time at same location near Exeter)

I think we need to know how many of the sprinkler heads were activated at the time of the collision, and how much water they were pumping.  What training do rail crews have in regards to pivot irrigation systems?  If this was just a linear irrigation system, would we have the same problems?  How many people operated the pivot irrigation system?  Why did they fail to secure the pivot irrigation system from movement on the tracks?  What kind if signage was there in place to warn the pivot irrigation system of the tracks?  Why was there a rail line built so close to a pivot irrigation system?  Was the pivot irrigation system being operated on a grade? Perhaps we need a PPIPTC (positive pivot irrigation positive train control) system ?

Exeter NE - think there may have been an elevator involved - and it didn't go clear to the top.   

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 12:20 PM

Happy birthday today to RJ (known as "Miniwyo" on this forum)!

I haven't found so much as in interesting freight car so far on this trip.  The forays into wi-fi-equipped establishments are what's keeping me alive here...  Things will get a lot more exciting after tomorrow night, when daughter's family is due to arrive.  They will have their own agenda, but we'll get to spend a little time with them, I'm sure.  Pat and I will be going to a fish-boil with them while they're up.  We've never done that, but even our grandkids are old heads at this.

Perhaps we can make it up to Ludington, where Marquette Rail may have an interesting mix of cars in their yard.

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)

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 7:53 PM

edblysard

You forgot the NTSB’s report on the last Irrigation system runaway and train collision, and the suitably highlighted portions, (carefully edited to show how the pivot system steering is impossible to test) which indicated this is an ongoing threat to national security, rail safety and corn production.

When asked which fared better - the engine of the irrigation system, the BNSF replied: "it's a wash".

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

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Thursday, August 1, 2013 12:22 AM
"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, August 1, 2013 7:37 AM

Paul_D_North_Jr
Laugh x 3 to zugman's and Ed's posts

Ditto.

LarryWhistling
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...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Friday, August 2, 2013 9:23 AM

Think I'll start looking at installing a sub-basement in 'da bunker. Been dealin' with a couple of small town government agencies that think the railroad is their private plaything. (Seriously thinking on writing a complaint letter to PUC before somebody gets hurt or worse)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Saturday, August 3, 2013 3:37 AM

MC - Are those govt. agencies are running little railroads themselves - or trying to regulate the big ones, such as at grade crossings ?  The latter would indeed be within PUC jurisdiction, but the doctrine of FRA pre-emption of such local regulations also applies.  Wonder if the govt. agencies' legal counsel is fully informed of what they're up to, and (expert and competent enough in this to understand) the implications ?   

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, August 3, 2013 10:52 AM

Speaking of agricultural related incidents, a UP train struck a grain bin in Edgar, NE the other night.  I recently found out how to read train recrew reports (interesting and sometimes unintentionally humorous reading) and saw where a few trains had to be recrewed because one struck a grain bin.  I found an article, I think out of the Lincoln paper, about high winds in a thunderstorm blowing over a metal grain bin onto the tracks. 

Jeff

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy