I wish I were retired- I'd make the three-hour jaunt to say hi!
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Brian, it might have been nice for Larry to have someone who could see eye-to-eye with him!It was great to see Larry again, though I couldn't share nearly enough trains with him. I don't think UP demonstrated the need for two tracks, let alone three in our area.I drove out to Rochelle with Pat--she went home via the grocery store. Meanwhile, Larry took me along the old UP (mostly) from Rochelle back to Lombard (where Pat joined us for lunch) and then on to Elmhurst before he headed east. Deshler, watch out!Very few trains were seen. An eastbound manifest was all that UP ran while we were at Rochelle, and BN ran only a couple of stack trains and a local shoving its cars across the diamond.Hint for people arriving at Rochelle from DeKalb and points east. Just for a change of pace, take Interstate 88 west to Illinois 251 to go into Rochelle. You will pass the business side of the new Nippon Sharyo plant, currently producing passenger cars for Metra Electric. A couple of complete-looking cars were observed under wire at the plant, as were about a half-dozen tarp-wrapped carbodies.Our thanks to Al's Hobby Shop in Elmhurst...I would gladly have spent a little more time with Larry in there, but thankfully, we first went to look at the ATCS board there, and it showed a westbound moving through the Park control point. We barely made it back to the platform before the stacker came through.
Another note: finally some progress to report at the new control point in Wheaton: the third and fourth crossovers have finally been placed (this takes care of routings in either direction between Tracks 2 and 3), and the footing for the westward signal bridge has been set, some distance west of President Street.
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)
Re: Hobby Shop - I usually try to pick up a car from where I visit, so a CNW car would have been on the list. Next time!
Had a good time - next time we'll have to order up more traffic!
CSX is providing some entertainment here. I beat a hopper train (E-something or other) to Deshler from Defiance, and there have been plenty of others since I arrived. I could have done without that train that turned south, though, the squealing was nasty.
ATCS shows one headed through eastbound pretty soon. But it's time for bed...
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...
How Chicago moves...
The Metra collector who lifted my ticket this afternoon had a name-tag that read "C. Essex". Boy, was he working for the wrong railroad!
Wow...a whole week has gone by. Dan had a drawbridge replaced in his neck of the woods, but that has a thread of its own. I've had some research projects and other issues that have kept me close to home (the new office space is very pleasant, thanks!). I found a couple of relettered tank cars on Friday that pointed me toward a group of nearly 2000 cars to document! Now I'm working on a batch of nearly 700 covered hoppers from two sources to one company.One other thing I've been doing is proofreading/editing a couple of rail-related books. Earlier this week I returned the manuscript for Volume 1 of an encyclopedia of B&O cabooses to its author. This one will cover the modern time frame...cabooses delivered during the C&O/B&O and Chessie eras.Now, I'm told, some of the manuscript for a book on C&O freight cars is headed my way. I have to check the text, and approve photo selection and layout. The text is...mine! This is the book I first did in 1979, laying it out with typewriter and dry-transfer lettering, as well as pages from a 1937 C&O freight car guide. It will be expanded to include cars covered in another freight car guide (1946 is the best date we can come up with). Some of the cars included in the coverage are side-dump hoppers, hopper-bottom gons, and C&O's own six-axle "Battleship" gondolas. Box cars include some single-sheathed cars, double-sheathed wooden cars, ventilator cars, and automobile cars. The era covered is before the C&O took over the Pere Marquette, but a few ex-PM cars made it into the book. And the Hocking Valley Railway, which C&O took over in 1930, is very well represented in box, gondola, flat, and hopper cars.
Traffic seems to be up on the CN in my neck of the woods, at least lately. IM trains seem to be averaging 6/day (total) with a recent peak of 9. Manifest traffic is averaging 12/day with a peak of 15. Unit traffic is appearing again. In addition to the unit coal (three to Green Bay and one to Manitowoc plus their empties), we're seeing potash and grain loads southbound, sulphur loads (sb) and empties (nb), loaded autorack trains (extra trains nb) and ballast loads/empties. That new bridge is sure getting thoroughly tested, and at a higher speed. Timetable had the limit on the bridge at 25 prior to the replacement. Trains today were ordered thru at 40! I hope the motoring public keeps their eyes open.
Dan
Dan, wasn't some of the trackage leading up to the bridge pretty much akin to street running (or at least very close to a parallel street)? That increase in speed would seem to warrant a little public education. When UP increases speed limits through towns, it does it in 5- or 10-mph increments, over a period of weeks.________________
Update on the line to our west. Crossovers at Wheaton are all in, and the components of the two signal bridges for the control point there have arrived. Signals are already on the cross-members.The bridge that will take Illinois Highway 38 over the UP at the Kane/DuPage County Line is still having fill embankments created. Abutments by the tracks are in place (with room for a future third track to the south). It appears that Kautz Road (the county line, basically) will intersect with the highway directly above the tracks (it currently intersects the highway a short distance west of the crossing). They won't be able to complete this connection until the highway is completed, though, as it will require a fill blocking the current highway route.For lunch today, Pat and I ate at Cabooses Bar and Grill. The sandwiches we ordered were fine; we paid only a little more than we would have at our favorite sandwich place in Lombard. But forget the food--this place is in the east end of the depot building in Geneva! It has windows looking eastward, so the grade crossing (Third Street) can be easily seen. While we were there, two scoots stopped and moved on, and we had two eastbound freights, a manifest and a Northern Indiana Public Service Company coal train. One has to be on his toes to obtain data from freight cars at that speed, which is similar to the rate that they travel through Lombard (basically 50; some equipment restrictions apply). As we were leaving (after about 45 minutes there) a long westbound auto-rack train came through. There are outdoor tables available, but not today--the one guy that was out there was refilling the ice bucket more quickly than he was draining the bottle! At this spot the tracks are fairly straight, but views to the west are obscured by grades (the block signals visible to the west are advance-approach signals for the control point at Peck; if nothing's lined up they'll be flashing-yellow). There are still only two tracks through here; at Peck the third track resumes for westbound trains. To the east you can see trains coming before they hit the bridge over the Fox River, but the next block signals are not visible. The third track resumes at Kress, the control point at the west end of the yard at West Chicago. Lots of work will be needed before the gap between Kress and Peck can be three-tracked.
CNW 6000 Traffic seems to be up on the CN in my neck of the woods, at least lately. IM trains seem to be averaging 6/day (total) with a recent peak of 9. Manifest traffic is averaging 12/day with a peak of 15. Unit traffic is appearing again. In addition to the unit coal (three to Green Bay and one to Manitowoc plus their empties), we're seeing potash and grain loads southbound, sulphur loads (sb) and empties (nb), loaded autorack trains (extra trains nb) and ballast loads/empties.
Traffic seems to be up on the CN in my neck of the woods, at least lately. IM trains seem to be averaging 6/day (total) with a recent peak of 9. Manifest traffic is averaging 12/day with a peak of 15. Unit traffic is appearing again. In addition to the unit coal (three to Green Bay and one to Manitowoc plus their empties), we're seeing potash and grain loads southbound, sulphur loads (sb) and empties (nb), loaded autorack trains (extra trains nb) and ballast loads/empties.
CNW 6000 That new bridge is sure getting thoroughly tested, and at a higher speed. Timetable had the limit on the bridge at 25 prior to the replacement. Trains today were ordered thru at 40! I hope the motoring public keeps their eyes open.
That new bridge is sure getting thoroughly tested, and at a higher speed. Timetable had the limit on the bridge at 25 prior to the replacement. Trains today were ordered thru at 40! I hope the motoring public keeps their eyes open.
Plus I'd sure like to see the trains going through the area Carl talked about. IIRC, those crossings have fairly decent protection, but still.....
Carl & Jim,
I would think that CN would spend a little $$ and take out ads for TV and newspaper telling folks that trains are going faster...but that's me. One conversation I heard yesterday was a train crew confirming the GBO that was quoted to them from the Foreman and Trainmaster ordering the speed change. Everything was spelled out from who said what to exactly which line and number the GBO covered. I could tell when the hogger throttled up...you could hear the increased thunder coming from his 7FDL-16s.
The tracks in question are just north of the Oshkosh Bridge. They bisect Broad Street and have lots of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Jim - many trains have crossed the bridge and it's been (and still is) thoroughly inspected by contractors and B&B staff.
Carl, I know Norfolk and Western and Virginian had "Battleships", but never knew C&O had some as well.....
Coming through Chicago this morning, heard on AM 780 that there was a train vs. person accident in Wheaton (I think). Any other particulars about that one?
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
Steamtown in Scranton, PA is getting equipment positioned for their Railfest* this weekend. Pretty interesting watching the webcam (has sound, too).
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/pennsylvania/scranton/
Looks like they just moved North Shore's endcab and cabin car into position.
*- if all works out, I'll be going.
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
"Agent Kid" / Bruce and some others here may be interested in a few websites I just stumbled across, which either feature or mention Canadian railroads, and/ or are linked to other websites or blogs that do:
http://caboosecoffee.blogspot.com/ - "Caboose Coffee - A purely social and personal perspective of railroad life in Canada."
http://www.oil-electric.com/2008/05/twilight-of-gods-1.html (mainly railroad-oriented posts & old photos)
- Paul North.
Randy, in a way that surprises me (but in another way that doesn't): my Metra updates were showing it as "police activity" instead of as a "pedestrian incident".
So that disrupted the morning rush a bit. And this evening was hit hard by the weather. We had a strong front with high winds, so naturally UP said to stop running. And, as of an hour or so ago, we were still suffering repercussions:
Trains traveling to Elburn and Chicago are delayed up to 150-160 minutes behind schedule due to weather related delays. The following trains are on the move or have not yet departed: #62 to arrive Chicago at 7:46pm (on the move); #64 departs Elburn 7:25pm arrives Chicago at 8:46pm (on the move); #65 departs Chicago 7:40pm arrives Elburn at 9:06pm NOT YET DEPARTED; #67 departs Chicago at 8:40pm arrives Elburn at 10:06pm NOT YET DEPARTED. #69 departs Chicago at 9:40 arrives Elburn 11:06pm NOT YET DEPARTED #66 departs Elburn 8:25pm arrives Chicago 9:46pm NOT YET DEPARTED #68 departs Elburn 9:25pm arrives Chicago 10:46pm NOT YET DEPARTED
Oh, I almost forgot: Yes, C&O had 1000 six-axle "battleship gons" that predated VGN's, anyway. They were built in 1921 and all gone by 1946.
CShaveRR And this evening was hit hard by the weather. We had a strong front with high winds, so naturally UP said to stop running.
Of course back then there were lots maintenance personnel that would do most of the work keeping those trains running.
As a friend of mine pointed out, the Metra dinkies on BNSF (not really that far from us) kept running, and remained on schedule. This was definitely a railroad-centric, more than a weather-centric, problem. It probably took until the end of the scoot-day for it to work itself out.
Paul_D_North_Jra few websites I just stumbled across, which either feature or mention Canadian railroads, and/ or are linked to other websites or blogs that do:
Paul, thanks for the links. I have been briefly looking at the Caboose Coffee site and it seems like there is a lot for me to go back to there. It should keep me off the streets for a few days!
I've known about the oil-electric site for a few years. It surprised me how many years. This internet thing has been a part of our lives for quite a while now. It sticks in my mind that it might have been Kootenay Central who put me on to that site.
Now I'm off to get a few real world tasks done before I sit in front of my computer for the rest of the day. Thanks again.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
Feeling a little somber tonight.First of all, you can probably imagine that I'm known as a train guy wherever I go...including church. At the annual fund-raising auction I will sometimes offer train-hunting expeditions which have been taken and enjoyed by members.Two days ago, I noticed some "police activity" causing delays to our Metra line in the vicinity of Wheaton for about an hour during the morning rush. Yesterday we got the news from our church about the "sudden accidental" death of a son of one of our church families, a guy who was about two years older than our older daughter. His parents still attend our church, and his dad is one person who's been on one of my train-hunting trips, to Rochelle and Proviso.Today I found out that the "police activity" was because this son was hit by a freight in Wheaton. I'm still not sure of the full story (and I certainly don't want to ask his folks!): it appears that he walked into the path of the eastbound freight after waiting for another train at a grade crossing downtown. The crew of the freight apparently didn't notice him; his body was found about two blocks away.So, even though Id like to think that "none of my friends would be dumb enough" to ignore crossing signals, I have to face the fact...not that he was dumb--he wasn't--but that it only takes a moment of distraction or inattention. I'm expecting that these folks will be in church tomorrow, and I still have no clue what I'll be saying to them.
How about "We are so sorry for your loss."
Simple is best.
SJ
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
zardoz the trains used to always get through, whether from snow, ice, sleet, wind, etc......those darn trains just kept on going.
Our local paper has a little feature which contains snippets of news from certain years past (10 years ago, 25, etc, up to 125, I think). All too often during the winter there will be an item about how the "express" (or some train) was significantly delayed at such and such a location due to drifting.
tree68 zardoz the trains used to always get through, whether from snow, ice, sleet, wind, etc......those darn trains just kept on going. Our local paper has a little feature which contains snippets of news from certain years past (10 years ago, 25, etc, up to 125, I think). All too often during the winter there will be an item about how the "express" (or some train) was significantly delayed at such and such a location due to drifting.
Zardoz: kafluey ? Old Norwegian?
It's a little different nowadays from when a train was going into the dark and was delayed by drifts or something. Now you have radio communication, and (especially in our area) pretty good access to the railroad frequently enough that a train delayed by an obstruction could get to (in one direction or the other); the train could also be instructed to stop at a station short of a problem.One further thought...there was a time when BN's gallery cars were made heavier than everyone else's (their own stipulation, reportedly due to a collision between a mainline passenger train and a commuter train). But I have the suspicion that Metra's two most recent orders for commuter cars have also been made to these heavier standards (and the UP lines have been nearly completely covered by these new cars), so that distinction should no longer be there.
Another friend of mine suggested that the Rachel Barton incident (the violinist was dragged by a Metra train when her violin was caught in the door) and the resulting lawsuits might be making the UP a little more timid along these lines.
Mookie Zardoz: kafluey ? Old Norwegian?
zardoz Mookie Zardoz: kafluey ? Old Norwegian? It's a derivative of kablam (which is itself a derivative of kapow (such as seen on Batman (the old tv series))) (pardon the parenthetical rant). I believe the word's origin lies somewhere near Oz.
...so speaks the 'Wizard of Id'!
For those who are interested, today the center section of the old bridge should be cut up and hauled away. The new bridge is working and open to rail and marine traffic.
Took the final online module in my training to become an Operation Lifesaver "Authorized Volunteer". I hope to finish the "in person" part of the training soon...and then off I go. We'll see how that goes. I'm excited to help spread the rail-safety message.
CNW 6000 For those who are interested, today the center section of the old bridge should be cut up and hauled away. The new bridge is working and open to rail and marine traffic. Took the final online module in my training to become an Operation Lifesaver "Authorized Volunteer". I hope to finish the "in person" part of the training soon...and then off I go. We'll see how that goes. I'm excited to help spread the rail-safety message.
That online thing go smooth? I've been considering doing it too,but will probably wait until I get off this night shift.
But cool nonetheless, Dan. OL is one cause I do believe in strongly.
Dan & Zug for your OLI efforts.
(When we teach, we give OLI a five minute plug in the middle of our railroad presentation during the day)
zugmann That online thing go smooth? I've been considering doing it too,but will probably wait until I get off this night shift. But cool nonetheless, Dan. OL is one cause I do believe in strongly.
Thanks Zug and MC. Zug the online thing was pretty straightforward. If you recall what signs & signals are from Driver's Ed and have some common sense it shouldn't be tough. I have actually wanted to do this for a while as there aren't many (any?) folks in my part of the state. So...I figured that someone's gotta do it and why not me? Especially with all the crazy stuff I have seen around my area in the last couple of years...someone needs to bring the message to the folks around the rails.
Preparations are now afoot for a work weekend at the woodlot in Door County. We discovered some storm damage to the birch and cedar groves last weekend and now have secured a hydraulic splitter and chipper to help make the work a bit easier. Just hope that Ma Nature will cooperate and give us cool but dry weather.
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