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Chatterbox.1

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Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, January 27, 2014 9:41 AM

Monday, Morning around here ( BNSF Southern T-con abt MP M225.5) 

Colder than a Tax Collector's Heart - 14 Deg F ( feels like about  08 Deg F)  with a Wind at 16 mph. .

Enough wood for the fireplace and a fresh pot of coffee. Mischief

Traffic was (very) heavy over on BNSF Sat and Sunday,  beautiful weather and temps in the 50's. Bow

Today, I guess they are trying to get some crews back into Wellington.

Watched the TRAINS 'Steamin' a lot, on Sunday.  Whistling

Looking forward to this coming Saturday ( New TRAINS Arrives!  

Hope  ALL HAVE A GOOD WEEK!Thumbs Up

 

 


 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, January 27, 2014 12:13 PM

For all those with autos outside  --

1. have your antifreeze checked

2.  Hook up your block heaters if installed on your car.

3..  If no block heater a 200 watt light bulb under the hood will help.

 

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, January 27, 2014 4:19 PM

Drove home from MA today - ran the full gamut of lousy weather in the process.

Freezing rain as I left the Springfield area.  The roads were still OK, though.

Wind and snow between Albany and Canojaharie.  And that's wind with a capital W.  The snow was apparently heavy enough at one point to put a semi off the road.  He must have had quite a ride.  The "ICC bumper" was the only thing supporting the rear of the trailer (which was next to the road), and the tractor was on the other side of the very large ditch.  One could have walked under the trailer.  It would be a challenge to get out of there, too...

Had sunshine in Utica, and part of the way north, at least until I ran into a lake effect band about ten miles wide.  It was definitely "I know there's a car in front of me, but I can't see it anymore - I hope we're both still on the road" weather.  Shortly thereafter I emerged into sunshine, and drifting snow (still pretty windy), but had a decent ride the rest of the way home.

The Springfield show was pretty good - attendance a little above last year and we talked to a lot of people.

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, January 27, 2014 6:05 PM

Having been on the forum for a day or two, I have a few friends that I follow in their travels - either close to home or far away.  Tree, you happen to be one of them.  It is so scary out there any more.  In normal weather and in abnormal weather, both. 

I am always relieved when you all make it home safe and sound!

Now I need to think about what I am going to do if one of you decide not to show up on the forum for awhile! 

Tongue Tied 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, January 27, 2014 6:49 PM

I was looking for something like this to put on here the other day - and today someone actually posted it on FB...

photo.php?fbid=600393366699090&set=a.525171004221327.1073741849.475962712475490&type=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...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
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Posted by Mookie on Monday, January 27, 2014 7:23 PM

I like that! 

They worry about the children outside, but if they put them in clothes similar to what you would wear skiing, they wouldn't mind the cold.  We wore snowpants, boots, mittens, scarves, etc.  Today they want to wait for the bus in a jacket that would barely keep you warm in 50 degree weather, no hat, no gloves and sometimes shorts with sweatshirts. 

And zip their phone in a pocket that they would have to literally undress to get to it!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Modelcar on Monday, January 27, 2014 8:10 PM

....This is the night we're to be the coldest.  And I suppose all day tomorrow.  One below right now.  Some wind.

Sky is clear allowing the cold to really drop in.....

Was finally out today for lunch, and visit an ATM, and right back home.  Wonderful sun heat coming in the window felt good.

So far, our snowfall has exceeded the avg. for the total season.

Quentin

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Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:34 AM

Minus nine here this morning. Two above is said to be the high for the day. Didn't check the wind chill.

Norm


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Posted by samfp1943 on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:28 AM

The TRAINSNewswire for 01/27/2014 carried a notice

:"...CHICAGO – BNSF Railway has suspended interchange operations through the Chicago gateway for 36-48 hours due to weather conditions. The news comes via a CSX shippers' conference call early on Monday advising its customers of the disruption..."

So how is that working out here?  Saw only a couple of Westbound 'stacks' yesterday afternoon(no where near 'normal' traffic).  Did not hear any air horns overnight. and the first Eastbound (solid- Autoracks) was thru here ( MP226 ) about 8 AM.  Once it breaks loose...Whistling

Temp here now is 8deg F and about an 8mph wind with clear sky. 

Everyone, Stay Safe.  and Warm! Smile, Wink & Grin

 

 


 

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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:19 AM

....Nice sunshine for this frigid morning.  Muncie airport:  -10 degrees.  Here at my home about 5 mi. west of central Muncie, at 8 am, -9.2 degrees.  Very little wind....Thankfully.

This should be our coldest morning of the current Arctic blasts.

Went around with a portable temp. reading instrument this morning and checked area temps just for comparison:  Older Anderson window wall thermopane windows with a storm window on the outside of them;  Indicated 56 degrees pointing the unit at the inside pane.   Have a 3 yr. old wood framed sliding glass door with some kind of gas material between the glass, and pointing the instrument at it's inside: 72 degrees...!!

Believe that unit is really doing a great job.  Home has cable ceiling heat....and yes, we stayed warm.

Checked under vanities facing an outside wall, and having doors on them open...Pointed unit to inside / under vanity:  Recorded temp of 67 degrees.....Blown in insulation in outside walls, and pipes come up in there to service that vanity...Has never frozen in 42 yrs.  1994, January...had -29 degrees and no frozen pipes.  Perhaps between blown in insulation in outside walls...and leaving vanity doors open has enough insulation / heat to keep me out of any freezing trouble.

Just trivia folks...Some, in these cold climates might relate to.

Quentin

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:46 AM

The two houses I lived in while growing up in Upcountry South Carolina were not well built to protect the plumbing. When we expected freezing weather overnight, we had to turn the water off and open a stopwaste valve to drain the pipes. Then, in the morning, it was outside again to close that valve and let water back into the pipes. We also relied on wood or coal burning stoves (kerosene heater in the bathroom, all night and day long). There was no insulation anywhere, except around the hot water pipes.

And, going to school was really tough--about a block and a half from one house, and about two and a half blocks from the other house--uphill and a head wind both ways, of course.

Johnny

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 11:56 AM

   State of emergency; panic in the streets;  schools and local government offices closed; people mobbing the stores stocking up.   Godzilla attacking?   No, we're expecting temps in the twenties with a mix of rain, sleet and up to 2 inches of snow.   You northerners can laugh, but our houses, clothes and selves are not designed for this in S. Louisiana.   Like Deggesty said, we have to protect exposed pipes, and part of the weather forecast is advising people when to wrap their pipes.   You guys can take this weather back whenever you're ready.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 12:44 PM

Paul, I don't remember just when it was--perhaps thirty years ago--when my brother in Baton Rouge wrote of having some insulation put in, and other measures taken to keep their house (built in 1950) warmer. I was amazed that he and his wife felt it necessary. They lived in the house until about 2005, and moved to an excellent retirement place.

Were you around when snow came up from the Gulf on the last day of 1963, and stopped just above Hazlehurst, Mississippi? I was living in Wesson then.

Johnny

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 1:53 PM

   Johnny, I was in Alaska (army) at that time.    I remember hearing on the news that the dog-sled races in Anchorage had to be postponed for lack of snow, and that the horse races at the New Orleans Fairgrounds were cancelled due to snow.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 2:08 PM

Same old, same old on weather.  20 above, but sun just beaming like it is doing a really good deed.  And sitting here in the south window - it is!

Went to eye doctor this morning.  He gave me some good news!!  I have an eye on either side of my nose - right where they should be. 

 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 2:56 PM

Just got back from a zero visibility experience.  Wouldn't have been out, except they had a report of injuries at an accident.  The injuries were minor.  On the other hand, the trooper almost got hit, and both fire trucks had problems with zero visibility and ending up in the wrong lane on the way to the scene.

This is true blizzard stuff - the sun is out, but the wind is definitely moving the snow around on the ground.

Sometimes you can't fault people for being out - they have to be where they have to be, and oftimes when they left where they left from the weather wasn't bad.  The spot where the accident was is known for blowing snow...

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 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 3:22 PM

afternoon

roads still  tricky this afternoon. watching the weather channel and how the south deals with snow and ice. Matt is working on his book report. More stuff to come our way on Thursday.

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 edblysard on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 3:42 PM

It snowed in Houston…on me, while I was switching.

Along with the sleet.

My rain gear top had ice on it from 9am on.

How do you guys live in this stuff?

My Jeep froze….

23 17 46 11

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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 3:48 PM

edblysard

It snowed in Houston…on me, while I was switching.

Along with the sleet.

My rain gear top had ice on it from 9am on.

How do you guys live in this stuff?

My Jeep froze….

That's REAL railroading weather!

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 Mookie on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:19 PM

Send Jeep!  I will defrost it! 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by floridad on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:28 PM

Cool the only blizzard in cocoa beach come from the taste freeze. u must live where the oxen died and could go no further south!!!Big Smile LOVE FROM A COCOANUT

Tags: FEC
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Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 5:41 PM

edblysard

It snowed in Houston…on me, while I was switching.

Along with the sleet.

My rain gear top had ice on it from 9am on.

How do you guys live in this stuff?

My Jeep froze….

   I've been told a lot of people up north actually LIKE this kind of weather.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:57 PM

Paul of Covington

edblysard

It snowed in Houston…on me, while I was switching.

Along with the sleet.

My rain gear top had ice on it from 9am on.

How do you guys live in this stuff?

My Jeep froze….

   I've been told a lot of people up north actually LIKE this kind of weather.

  Because it would have to warm up a bit to snow.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:26 PM

That'd be like the fellow who put his snowblower in the back of his pickup and drove south until somebody asked what that thing in his truck was.  He knew he was far enough south....

The nice part about snow is that it eventually melts.  

The thing about having such disparate seasons is that you look forward to each, then tire of it and look forward to the next.

Could have done without the wind today, after standing in the road dealing with an accident in 20-25 MPH winds, which were whipping up the snow and causing zero visibility (the reason for the accident).  Then I came home and settled in to my nice, cozy house...

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 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 10:23 PM

Wx here a mess. Had sleet that melted on roads, froze, then snow on top.

1/2 " Black ice is turning all roads in the Atlanta area into impossible conditions.   As of 1045 PM any road more than a 1% slope cannot be travelled.  Cars being pushed up hills.  Of course some non thinking persons running out of gas.  I had called the local auto parts store a couple days ago and they said they did not even carry tire chains.   Dumb school systems have stranded children in school buses and many students staying in schools tonight.  School systems that cancelled today are thanking their stars.

The bad decisions remind one of the bad decisions by NJ Transit before  "SANDY"   Those schools that said it will not be a problem will probably find them selves out of a job. To make matters worse temps will hover around 20 F tonight-.

Believe it or not it is worse south & east of Atlanta.  Governor is now addressing  state over TV.  Would hate to have to go to be called by someone to take them to a hospital tonight.  

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Posted by rvos1979 on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 5:20 AM
Dispatch, in their infinite wisdom, decided to send me towards Atlanta. Sitting in Tennessee, waiting for the sun and the interstate to reopen.......

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 blue streak 1 on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 8:59 AM

rvos1979
Dispatch, in their infinite wisdom, decided to send me towards Atlanta. Sitting in Tennessee, waiting for the sun and the interstate to reopen.......

 
 
Rvos:
If you can read this forget it.  Don't arrive before 1600 his afternoon. 
Roads here a sheet of ice even though treated where possible.  Abandoned vehicles for what ever reason  ----   out of gas, battery dead, etc.   Many impassable  roads and streets are parking lots for a mile ++ or so.
Fuel up where you are now.  Gas stations not getting deliveries due to tank farm  location having bad ice on streets.  
All interstates and roads going to airport blocked.  HOS is going to really hurt Delta as ATL is a major pilot base. 
National guard slowly mobilizing to help clear roads and streets. 
Some students still in school buses or at schools.
Although my driveway not steep no way to get out and street is still a sheet of ice.
 
Oltmann;  how have you done ?
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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 9:10 AM

Ed....I'd say you know better....Coolant mix should be 50 / 50  wherever you are.  Just not a priority down there.  The mix raises the boiling point for help in the hot weather times too.

Quentin

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 9:43 AM

Here is the ad that was at the bottom of my email presentation of the Chatterbox a few minutes ago:

"Greatest Snow On Earth" Keeping Customers Away? Call Us Today!

Johnny

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Posted by samfp1943 on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 10:08 AM

    Seems we are faring better than my friends over in the Southeast.  About 28 deg F, and a wind at about 6/7 mph. Clear, sunny and cold. 

     Not a heck of a lot doing over on the BNSF T-con.  About 8 AM (local) there were a pair of stacks passed (one East, and one Westbound); at about 09:20 AM there was an Eastbound Bare table move  and while out walking the dog there was a pair of GE's running light, at a pretty good clip, headed Eastbound.   Time like this I wish I had a Scanner at home. None of the Internet providers seem to monitor this area for radio traffic.   It would be interesting, as the UP's  OKT sub is West of here about 8 miles, as well as the BNSF. 

    The Transcon through here is double tracked from the Arkansas River at Mulvane, to just above the BNSF Yard at Wellington. The double tracking stops just above the Hwy 160 crossing and 'singles 'into the yard ( might be about 2.5 miles)  Not rsue how the BNSF calls the directions ( Is it Track North or Track West on Eldorado sub Track #1 and Track #2).  I have generally, referred to it as East or West bound as the more or less Compass points(?) when referring to Directions around here...Blindfold

   Have a good day everyone. Stay safe, and stay warm...( I know B.S. 1) is in for some 'ugly' weather stuff over his way today, for sure!)  Mischief 

 

 


 

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