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Chatterbox 4th Quarter

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, December 1, 2013 4:48 PM

we just missed a csx k40 oil train with a "mookie" on the point. We had lunch before we left to go look.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Norm48327 on Sunday, December 1, 2013 5:48 PM

The forum has been deathly quiet all day. Everybody still digesting their Thanksgiving turkey? Sleep

Norm


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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, December 1, 2013 9:30 PM

Flew carefully through flying monkey country. Now back in Denver getting ready for freezer burn. Hope Johnny D. doesn't leave the freezer door open too terribly long.

The boyz' are busy checking out the luggage and all the other stuff coming back into the house.

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 Mookie on Sunday, December 1, 2013 9:38 PM

MC - glad you are home safe.  Gave you some good weather thru here!  Your turn to send all that nasty stuff either north or south of us!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, December 1, 2013 10:26 PM

I vote for south.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, December 1, 2013 11:42 PM

Norm48327

The forum has been deathly quiet all day. Everybody still digesting their Thanksgiving turkey? Sleep

Busy hauling upwards of 2700 happy Polar Express riders to the North Pole.  Home now, headed for bed.  Busy week, and then back to PE next weekend.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 zugmann on Sunday, December 1, 2013 11:59 PM

tree68

Busy hauling upwards of 2700 happy Polar Express riders to the North Pole.  Home now, headed for bed.  Busy week, and then back to PE next weekend.

Now were you Mr. Engineer or the singing conductor?  I guess you could be the singing engineer - but if you're up there by yourself, it probably isn't as fun.

  

I couldn't carry a tune in a 4 pocket hopper, so I'll just refrain. Heh.  Music humor. And no 2700 people on my train (unless they were well hidden).  Just moving around hoppers, tanks, boxes, and even a few cabin cars (yes, Virginia, they do exist!)  to make some semblance of a train or six.

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 tree68 on Monday, December 2, 2013 12:07 AM

zugmann
Now were you Mr. Engineer or the singing conductor?  I guess you could be the singing engineer - but if you're up there by yourself, it probably isn't as fun.

Engineer all weekend - in fact, I'm only working one night "on" the train - the rest of the time I'll be in the cab.

As an aside, I got a call on the radio before we left asking if I'd mind a rider in the cab.  That's not usually a problem for me.   An older gentleman, apparently quite ill and perhaps on limited time, had a cab ride on his "bucket list," and I got to fullfill his wish.  He had a tough time getting up to and down from the cab, but I'm pretty sure it all made his day.

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...

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, December 2, 2013 8:26 AM

That's a good feeling, Larry!  One never knows when one's going to get the chance to really, really make someone's day...or life.  And a lot of the time you're just one of the guys who help.  This time you got to do it yourself!

As for singing, I attempted a little ditty in the direction of my new grandson, and he's hardly been civil to me since.

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 tree68 on Monday, December 2, 2013 9:29 AM

CShaveRR
This time you got to do it yourself!

A certain "right jolly old elf" was in the cab with us as well (he rides up in the loco and back on the train, after doing the skit at the North Pole), and the old elf was quite helpful, as I had to concentrate on running and our guest was having trouble with speaking (probably a symptom of his issues).

There were others involved as well, including those who set the whole thing in motion, so it really was a team effort, in the end.

An unfortunate event on our second trip was the possum who decided to waddle down the rail right in front of us.  You could say he now has a split personality....  Indifferent

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...

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, December 2, 2013 10:40 AM

MC, I'd like to find out who is promising to leave the freezer door open by about Thursday night (well below freezing is predicted for Friday morning). I hope that whoever it is between you and me does not run his freezing unit Friday night.

Larry--poor possum; did it know it was in danger? I don't think I will ever forget the sight of a dog running down the track in front of the City of New Orleans, 48 years ago; the engineer certainly could not swerve to avoid the dog. If only the dog had leaped off the track--.

I had a little session with a hospital visit last week. I had to have two abscesses drained, so Katie took me down Sunday afternoon, and brought me back home late Wednesday afternoon. Next Monday, I go back, and hope the drain will be taken out then. I'm in much better shape than I was last Sunday morning.

As to engine rides in general, A SAL trainman once told me that he wondered why preachers wanted to ride engines, since it can be quite dangerous to do so. Perhaps I came out well in mine--the one on the City (officially sanctioned), two on the spur of the moment on the AGS (I asked trainmen who knew me, and they asked the engineers), and the one on the Southern's 722 (I knew the engineer, and he must have asked Bill Purdie if I could)--Mr. Purdie was on the engine, and he stood on the gangway from Anniston to Birmingham (Mrs. Purdie, the engineer, two firemen, and I were in the cab).

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, December 2, 2013 3:58 PM

Update: Katie and I started our snowthrowers up this afternoon, and we should be able to go right after the snow when we need to. Mine has an electric starter; hers has an Armstrong starter (she is quite capable to operate it).

Johnny

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, December 2, 2013 4:18 PM

Johnny, we just gave my daughter and her husband our snow blower, since the landlord does our walks and we don't have to be up early for work. 

Driver always said that snow blower would not only clear all the snow, but also take you to work if you let it.  It was big and powerful and worth its weight in gold! 

Deep freezer cold arriving Wed nite and for rest of week.  Ack....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, December 2, 2013 5:00 PM

evening

ns had an eastbound after work. he was hauling 2 cats and their tires, red and blue tractors and some loads of telephone poles..Cyber Monday buried us at work. Will go work on the pile again tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, December 2, 2013 5:14 PM

Used my snowblower last week - that 6" of "heart attack" snow, well, the snowblower handled it just fine.

Mine has electric start, but it almost always starts on the first or second pull, so I don't have to drag a cord out to the little shed where I store it.

Up to about 40 here today - can't say as I'm too worried about what's up until the end of the week, when I'm back on the rails.

Have got to remember to get into town and pick up some candy for the two parades our folks are attending this coming weekend...

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...

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, December 2, 2013 5:50 PM

Leave a small sack of mmm, something chocolate, on the table, please.  Dinner

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 4:49 PM

had company Christmas lunch today. Truckers want their loads now. Ns local was busy uptown. Back for more tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 6:08 PM

FROZEDStorm

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 Mookie on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 6:32 PM

mudchicken

FROZEDStorm

I have been frozen, defrosted, broiled, baked and packaged in snow over the years.  This is one of the tougher ones!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Norm48327 on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 7:21 PM

Better pile on some extra blankets. It's supposed to hit Michigan in a day or so.

Norm


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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 9:37 PM

Sure am glad the cab heaters work really well in our RS18u's...

Makes for a cold locomotive inspection, though.  At least I don't have to do the ground work for the Class 1...

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...

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, December 5, 2013 12:00 PM

We are right now about 30 degrees cooler than we were at this time yesterday.  It looks great out there (clear skies) until you notice that the wind is blowing, too.  No precipitation to speak of in the forecast, but I understand that south of us (Ozarks, Ohio valley, Memphis) ice storms are expected, along with the power outages that they will bring. 

After the mid-50s yesterday, we have nothing above freezing forecast through the weekend.  Snow is probably the only kind of precipitation that will fall, and probably not too much of that.  I'm very glad to be able to stay inside.

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 The Butler on Thursday, December 5, 2013 2:22 PM

Here in Southeast Missouri, this morning started out as freezing rain which turned in to sleet.  This afternoon it is still sleeting with a little snow mixed in.  They say it should be all snow tonight.  The temperature went for the 60s yesterday to 25 degrees currently. 

James


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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, December 5, 2013 3:33 PM

I just checked the national radar.  Oklahoma is a scary blue/pink combo and it seems to be streaming right over you, James. 

I hate weather like this.  After this mess will come the frigid temps!  Was 9 this morning and 16 right now.  Back to summer, please! 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, December 5, 2013 3:47 PM

Hey Mookie,

Think of them poor Texans who don't know how to drive on ice. Big Smile

Norm


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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, December 5, 2013 4:36 PM

ma nature is sending us a mess. Matt might bring his boots on Saturday at my sisters.work is still busy busy busy. One more day tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by rvos1979 on Thursday, December 5, 2013 5:17 PM
Ran up I-81 today, nothing but power company bucket trucks going towards the ice storm. Headed toward Montgomery, NY, doing a round trip back to Eden, hopefully making it back before the ice gets to Virginia.......

Randy Vos

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, December 5, 2013 7:30 PM

rvos1979
Ran up I-81 today, nothing but power company bucket trucks going towards the ice storm. Headed toward Montgomery, NY, doing a round trip back to Eden, hopefully making it back before the ice gets to Virginia.......

Power trucks already moving does not sound good.   Wonder  where or if there will be major RR problems ?  Power failures of a long term may cause batteries to fail in signal systems and maintainers may run out of standby generators ?

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, December 5, 2013 8:32 PM

Norm - OK has annual snow of 3".  I think they passed that in early fall. 

Give me back the old Texas and OK - it was warm, then moderate then spring again. 

Just checked the animated radar - what a mess.  Everything east & south of here has a bulls-eye on it.  And I just know that next storm coming soon will hit us directly! 

Blah!Grumpy

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, December 5, 2013 9:38 PM

Forty-four degrees (above zero) here in the wilds of northern New York.  We'll stay below freezing all weekend, but just barely.  Overnight teens are forecast for mid-week.

Most of the snow we got a week or so ago is gone as the result of temps in the 40's and rain.

The cold front is almost directly over us right now.  As long as I don't have nasty driving on the commute to work the Polar Express trips Friday...

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...

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