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The Trackside Lounge, 3Q 2013

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, August 5, 2013 10:47 AM

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, August 5, 2013 9:09 AM

At least somebody knew how to place the wheel stops correctly. BUT, if the end of track is within a carlength of a building, why wasn't a track bumper (Hayes WD, et al) placed to protect the structure? (for that matter, the current rage is the end of track berm (dirt and ballast pile - accountants love 'em as do trainmasters trying not to exceed the unit of property test after an operating "oops")

Berm = cheap

wheel stops = $350 (didn't stop anything in Denver on BNSF)

Track Bumper = $1600

Keeping an errant car/ locomotive out of an occupied building = priceless

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
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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, August 4, 2013 9:05 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

Zug - very nice photo !  Bow  Calendar or book cover material ! 

Mischief But just make sure those units are tied down real well - wouldn't want anyone thinking they might drift off and roll over those brightly-painted wheel stops in the foreground (assuming the plow pilots don't knock them out of the way first) . . . Smile, Wink & Grin 

- Paul North. 

It's ok; if the wheel stops don't catch them, the locker room will! Whistling

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, August 4, 2013 8:53 PM

Zug - very nice photo !  Bow  Calendar or book cover material ! 

Mischief But just make sure those units are tied down real well - wouldn't want anyone thinking they might drift off and roll over those brightly-painted wheel stops in the foreground (assuming the plow pilots don't knock them out of the way first) . . . Smile, Wink & Grin 

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, August 4, 2013 8:50 PM

CShaveRR
Paul--did my response to the sprinkler thing go over your head? 

Carl - Yes, it did - I saw it quickly, but didn't make the connection.  Dunce  Now that I've gone back over that portion of the thread, I don't know whether that was due to sub-conscious self-preservation - [groan] - or not . . . Smile, Wink & Grin 

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, August 4, 2013 2:44 PM
That's a trestle for unloading hoppers into trucks.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Sunday, August 4, 2013 1:12 PM

Nice shot there Zug.  Is that a switching lead in the upper right?

Carl - congrats on the additions to the family.  Sounds like things are doing well. 

Worked "9 days" this week.  My normal 5 full ones plus a second full shift driving a shuttle bus for EAA.  Neat experience and I met tons of folks from all over.  Now it's time to start thinking about fall...and hunting season!

Dan

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, August 4, 2013 7:38 AM

Almost like this was staged (it wasn't, BTW).

And yeah, anchor management.  Took me a day or two to get that one.  I'm a little slow this week.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, August 3, 2013 11:08 PM

Paul--did my response to the sprinkler thing go over your head? 

We welcomed our new grandson, Linus, on August 2, at a healthy 7 pounds 13 ounces.  Mother and son are doing well; father is suffering from a bad case of euphoria.

This was the fourth (and final, for now) person born into our extended family since July 10 (two grand-nieces, one grand-nephew, and now one grandson).

Back home from the northern wilderness.

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)

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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, August 3, 2013 8:30 PM
Every direction out of Asheville is a pain in the rear, especially when I'm loaded to near 80,000lbs gross......

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

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, August 3, 2013 8:04 PM

No, the former Southern line goes from Asheville to New Line (just south of Morristown) to Knoxville. there is a little mountain range in the way of going directly to Knoxville.Smile

Johnny

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, August 3, 2013 6:46 PM

rvos1979
Mud: sounds like me the other day, decided to take the direct route across western North Carolina from Asheville to Chattanooga, not one of my better ideas (two river gorges, did not look that twisty on the map).......

You should have realized something was a foot when no rail line has ever been built between Murphy & Chatanooga.  & the ex SOU rail line from Ashville to  Murphy is no picnic.  That is the reason the SOU (NS ) goes Asheville -  Knoxville - Chatanooga. 
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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, August 3, 2013 5:07 PM
Mud: sounds like me the other day, decided to take the direct route across western North Carolina from Asheville to Chattanooga, not one of my better ideas (two river gorges, did not look that twisty on the map).......

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

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, August 3, 2013 2:34 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

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. 

PDN: One of the former, three of the latter. One has a town attorney who thinks they can bully the PUC over what happens inside a town's jurisdiction. (must'a skipped that class in law school along with the tenets of malpractice)...really gets frightening when a US Senator decides to jump into the Quiet Zone issue on the behalf of others like them)

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
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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, August 3, 2013 2:22 PM

Oh great.  Here comes FRA EO 29.

jeffhergert

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

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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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

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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)
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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
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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
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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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)
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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. 


  

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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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Posted by spokyone on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 11:23 PM

mudchicken

Spooky

I thought I heard my name called.

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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
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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)

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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)

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