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  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Missouri
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Posted by The Butler on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 2:25 PM

     After a high of 50 yesterday, I awoke to a dusting of snow and temperatures in the teens.  The see-saw temperatures we have been having around southeast Missouri are surprising, even to the long time residents.  The forecasters are calling for single digit lows for Wednesday and Thursday nights.  That means running the water all night.

    I agree with Carl, it is just Arctic cold.  These days, it seems everything has to have a dramatic name. Sigh

James


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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 2:47 PM

brrr cold today. saw an Ns unit helping an Amtrak train when I left work today. Guessers saying a significant amount of snow for Saturday. We have already broke the record for the Blizzard of 78. we don't need anymore. off to check Matt's homework.

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 Tuesday, January 21, 2014 3:30 PM

The Butler
I agree with Carl, it is just Arctic cold.  These days, it seems everything has to have a dramatic name. Sigh

The Weather Channel is in overdrive...

DC has just broken a two or three year snow drought - they got two inches.  I had that much in my driveway Sunday when I got home and dispatched it in about twenty minutes with the snowblower.  I would have shoveled it out, but it was drifty and that much heavier.  The roads were a little chancy, but that just meant the injudicious found the ditches.  

Schools around DC are closed, flights are being cancelled.  Life here goes on.  

I do kinda like the name thing - helps separate the various systems.  Used to be the were all called "the next."

While I saw -20F on my thermometers this AM, and others around the area saw -30F, it's a far cry from the -40F to -50F we've had around here in the past.  In fact, at least one -40F stretch was virtually guaranteed every year.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 4:13 PM

The only thing that has really changed about the cold is me!  I feel it a lot more. 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 5:17 PM

One good thing for us in the south.  The see saw temps will cause the insects to emerge but not have enough time  to breed.   Last year's mild winter and  no freezing after February 1st really made insects a problem last summer esp in Aug & Sep/.

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 6:27 PM

blue streak 1

One good thing for us in the south.  The see saw temps will cause the insects to emerge but not have enough time  to breed.   Last year's mild winter and  no freezing after February 1st really made insects a problem last summer esp in Aug & Sep/.

exactly!  We are in the cold belt.  We need the cold to keep down the insects that eat the crops and annoy the residents.  But we also need the snow to help with crops.  So far, we have the cold!

Normal weather - isn't there an app for that?  Shy

 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 12:21 PM

Mookie

The only thing that has really changed about the cold is me!  I feel it a lot more. 

   Same here.   When I was in my 20's and 30's it didn't bother me much, but now....!   And I know our cold isn't nearly as cold as yours.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 12:41 PM

tree68:

   "While I saw -20F on my thermometers this AM, and others around the area saw -30F, it's a far cry from the -40F to -50F we've had around here in the past.  In fact, at least one -40F stretch was virtually guaranteed every year."

    Tree, your posts bring back memories.  (I gather that you are in the Utica area.)   I had just got out of the army where I was stationed on a 4000 foot mountain in Alaska, when my new employer sent me in Feb '65 to Ilion, NY for training.   I never felt so cold in my life as I did in Ilion.   There was only a couple of inches of snow on the ground at the time, but what struck me was that tied to every fire hydrant was a pole about five feet long with the top foot or so painted red.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:43 PM

Paul of Covington
 (I gather that you are in the Utica area.)

Actually, I live not far from (and north of) Watertown - but yes, those poles on the hydrants are very real and very necessary.

It's a regular plea from the fire service to our residents to keep the hydrants in front of their houses clear of snow.  Most fire trucks in hydranted areas have a suitable shovel at the ready on their rigs.

On the interstate (I-81) through Oswego County, the roadside markers are about twice as tall as usual, too...


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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 3:36 PM

Larry the call goes out to out area residents too. Plow drivers do a good job around the fire hydrants. More snow and cold coming. Work is less busy now. Matt is working on his homework. Time for supper.

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 JoeKoh on Thursday, January 23, 2014 3:33 PM

evening

saw the capitol limited this morning and the local this afternoon on Ns. They had a rebuilt gp 38-3 for power. Tomorrow is Friday.

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 Mookie on Thursday, January 23, 2014 4:54 PM

If it ever warms up enough that we don't need to run the heater in Millie while parked, the Driver owes me several hour trackside.  So far, I only hear them pulling the south grade out of town - during the nite. 

Joe - it is indeed Friday tomorrow!  Aren't you glad to be in sync with some of the rest of us! 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, January 23, 2014 4:57 PM

(he doesn't get cheaper like some of us)

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 Thursday, January 23, 2014 5:01 PM

Mr. Cryptic:  Huh?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, January 23, 2014 5:51 PM

Just watched it drop two degrees outside while I was programming a couple of numbers into my cell phone...  Down to -5F.

Gonna be cold loading the truck up in the morning for the trip to MA.

Gotta stop in Utica tomorrow and get the "show kit," too.

It was nice and sunny most of the day - but that didn't seem to help the temperatures much.

They're forecasting snow here over the next couple of days.  I'll have to check on what's up in MA for the weekend.

On to packing...

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 Anonymous on Friday, January 24, 2014 9:40 AM

Good Morning everyone from the skating rink known as San Antonio...where its currently 28 degrees.

We had freezing rain here all night long...the roads are really treacherous...and a good part of the city is without power.

 

The good news is....it is expected to warm up tomorrow...so all this stuff can melt off.......

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, January 24, 2014 10:19 AM

Murray

Good Morning everyone from the skating rink known as San Antonio...where its currently 28 degrees.

We had freezing rain here all night long...the roads are really treacherous...and a good part of the city is without power.

 No matter where you live anytime there is an extreme weather event the people cannot be prepared whether it is a once in 20 year freezing rain or continuous cold below  0F.

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Posted by Norm48327 on Friday, January 24, 2014 10:25 AM

Murray,

Back in the early eighties I was in Midland when an ice storm hit. Sure was fun watching the natives trying to drive on that. Wink

Norm


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Posted by Mookie on Friday, January 24, 2014 4:27 PM

Murray:  Have you had any thrills from the earthquakes in Fort Worth?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, January 24, 2014 5:31 PM

BNSF stock should have gone up today.  We were trackside about 1.5 hours and saw 8 trains.  5 freight and 3 coal (1mt and 2 loaded)

Joe I am sending you a DE and St Joe will get KCPL.

Saw a rare CP,  not-quite-as rare KCS x 2, 2 SD60's (whiteface) and a common Driver taking a nap.  When it gets warmer, I am going to lay him out on Millie's hood so he can get some vitamin D!  Cool

Back to cold tomorrow!

 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 24, 2014 8:18 PM

cold and wind, snow is coming. saw  Ns working in Bryan tonight. Have plenty of inside projects to do 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 Anonymous on Friday, January 24, 2014 8:47 PM
Mookie

Murray:  Have you had any thrills from the earthquakes in Fort Worth?

No...Its been pretty quiet down here Mookie.....
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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 25, 2014 12:48 PM

snow is now blowing around.did get into town.Csx had to bring an x 509 so the gm plant could keep running.Trainmaster was at the shak to help shuffle around crews too. Time to help mamma with some chores.

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 Mookie on Saturday, January 25, 2014 9:11 PM

Another round coming late Sunday and Monday!  I ordered 3 new knit hats to wear around the house.  Still looking for something for mah nose!  (besides one of the hats!)

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, January 26, 2014 10:11 AM

another round of snow. Church and Sunday school cancelled. Can hear CSX running but the roads are not the greatest. Our friend is busy pulling people out of ditches this morning. Back to chores.

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 Sunday, January 26, 2014 6:36 PM

Well, there, the "Springfield" show is in the books for another year.  Decent crowd.  We talked to a lot of people.

There's almost too much to see unless you can spend most of your time looking around.  And too much to buy (I spent more than I probably should have).  But with that many dealers, it's easy to find things you've been looking for (or didn't know you were, but it sure looks good!).

Managed to meet another denizen of the Forums - TrainmanTy, who stopped at our boot and introduced himself.  We had a nice chat.

Two days on my feet, on the other hand, takes it's toll.  I'm not driving back until tomorrow, so it's feet up and relax...

Looks like I'll find some snow when I get home.  It snowed here a bit last night, but was clear all day, and it looks like the drive back will be pretty good, too.

More mail to check.  Every onward!

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 blue streak 1 on Sunday, January 26, 2014 6:51 PM

Panic here in SE land.  Predicting a low of 14 Monday night and freezing rain & snow in a band about 150 miles wide centered on I-85 Tuesday Morning.  All depends on location, location, location. These storms are notorious for varying 50 - 75 miles either way of the predicted center line.  Getting the camera charged up and ready to go.  Expect many switches to be frozen.

Friend of mine in charge of maintenance of heavy trucks and says our cold weather is breaking down many of his stable.  Is working 12 hours 7 days a week.  Lives only 2 minutes from shop.  So it is not just Amtrak !     

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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:23 PM

Local schools are closed here tomorrow, due to anticipated cold; Metra's been warning about the possibility of problems since Friday.  We got out while it was warm and cleared all of our concrete and asphalt surfaces.   But guess what...first the plows came by, then we got another inch or so of snow.  Once it drops below zero sometime tonight, it could be 60 hours before we get back up to it.  We have every hope to not have to go out in it!

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 JoeKoh on Monday, January 27, 2014 6:02 AM

morning

work closed before Matt closed. Officials declared a level 3 for our county. Going to get colder yet. Good thing we have inside projects to do.

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 Murphy Siding on Monday, January 27, 2014 8:02 AM

     Should be a good day on the northern plains.  By early after noon, we may be above zero.  Weather guesser is crowing that by 5:00 the wind may die down a bit, and the wind chill could rise above -20 below.  Yep-  I find my AC working less and less these last couple of months.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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