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Semi-official Rochelle webcam discussion thread

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Posted by cefinkjr on Monday, October 27, 2014 1:13 PM

vsmith
I think the cold snap finally did in the spider

I don't know about the spider but it looks like her lunch is still swinging in the breeze (in the upper left part of the screen).  Yuck!

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by vsmith on Monday, October 27, 2014 11:38 AM
I think the cold snap finally did in the spider

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Monday, October 27, 2014 11:36 AM
Thanks for that link, xjqcf. I'll have to try listening in the future.

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Posted by xjqcf on Sunday, October 26, 2014 1:33 PM

Paul of Covington

 Not sure if this is (or is just) an interchange, although the trackage does have a connection to UP's track two immediately east of the switch into UP's Global III yard. There a a number of industries served by this track; the switch off BNSF's main track 2  (in the automatic interlocking but hand thrown) is referenced alternately as "199" or "Del Monte" The engine you see/hear putting around is the Rochelle local which seems to work the trackage from south Rochelle to the wye connection with the shortline Illinois Railroad at Flagg Center.

 

As a side note the scanner feed at http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/11742/?rl=rr is a good companion to monitor while looking at this web cam.

Deggesty

I think I saw an interchange movement from the BNFS to the UP a few minutes ago. A train came in from the west with a few cars; those that were open to view were empty; it stopped and backed onto the UP. I had other matters of interest, so I did not see the engine return from the UP.

Just now, I saw a two car train coming east on the BNSF--what looked like a baggage car and a UP business car. 

 

 

   I think it's the same one I saw about that time.   It did come back out a few minutes later with fewer cars.   I've seen it before on previous days.   Its single locomotive sounds to me kinda like a steam locomotive with a loud "chug, chug, chug."

 

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 2:48 PM

Deggesty

I think I saw an interchange movement from the BNFS to the UP a few minutes ago. A train came in from the west with a few cars; those that were open to view were empty; it stopped and backed onto the UP. I had other matters of interest, so I did not see the engine return from the UP.

Just now, I saw a two car train coming east on the BNSF--what looked like a baggage car and a UP business car. 

   I think it's the same one I saw about that time.   It did come back out a few minutes later with fewer cars.   I've seen it before on previous days.   Its single locomotive sounds to me kinda like a steam locomotive with a loud "chug, chug, chug."

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 11:49 AM

I think I saw an interchange movement from the BNFS to the UP a few minutes ago. A train came in from the west with a few cars; those that were open to view were empty; it stopped and backed onto the UP. I had other matters of interest, so I did not see the engine return from the UP.

Just now, I saw a two car train coming east on the BNSF--what looked like a baggage car and a UP business car. 

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, October 17, 2014 5:13 PM

Maybe the sun is not just right now, but it appears that someone or something made a clean sweep of the lens--perhaps a witch out two weeks early?Smile

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, October 17, 2014 11:19 AM

I haven't seen the spider yet, but I did notice the sunlight shining on the web yesterday--and late in the day the web provided a small prism.

Johnny

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Posted by Buxtehude on Friday, October 17, 2014 7:56 AM

I saw a beetle the other day.  

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Posted by Semper Vaporo on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 6:20 PM

I saw the spider briefly yesterday when a BNSF Westbound coal train had just entered the scene.  The spider ran down from the top and then reversed and went back up and off the scene.  The scary part was that it was nearly in direct line with the girders of the signal bridge support on the right side and that made it look like it was about 2 to 3 feet long and a foot around... HUGE SCARY SPIDER.  I set up my PC to record the scene if it came back, but it never did.  Sure wish I had captured that video!

 

 

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 5:40 PM

Brian Schmidt
We are aware of the spider web and are looking at ways to deal with it. Remember, our office is 100 miles away. The webcam is on the roof of the Rochelle Railroad Park, which provides a great view, but not easy access.

I barely noticed it even when some post mentioned it. The light rain in the last few days has driven the pesky arachnid away temporarily.

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Posted by AgentKid on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 4:35 PM

Been a really interesting afternoon. UP has been repositioning units big time today. Every EB train I have seen since about 1:00 PM CDT has had at least five to eight units on the point. You can tell they are deadhead moves because the engine sound from the microphone drops off before the last unit disappears from the field of view. I won't speculate as to types, but I have seen both the modern flared radiator types as well as the old school vertical SD40-2 type.

Getting the right units where you need them has been a problem since the first RR bought its' second steam engine. Locomotives are like policemen, there is never one around when you need one.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

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Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Sunday, October 12, 2014 7:31 PM

Did anybody notice the action last night on the diamonds??? I was watching the webcam, and eventhough it was dark there was alot of action!!! did anyone notice the campfire by the tracks and two VERY SPICEY mouthed campers???? it made the wait in between trains very entertaining,( at least to me), comical at best, let me know your thoughts if you saw and heard the conversation, seems like in this day and times one would watch what they say and where they say it!!Dead 

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Posted by blhanel on Sunday, October 12, 2014 7:27 AM

Just caught the east-bound salad shooter going through with three engines elephant-style...

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Posted by MickEnright on Friday, October 10, 2014 3:55 PM

Thanks, Brian. Please understand, that was no criticism...the web cam is cool! (And appreciated!)

Mick

The Marquette Iron Range In HO. "I'm addicted to placebos. I'd give them up, but it wouldn't make any difference." ---Steven Wright
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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:23 AM

Can you equip a drone with a cloth and a spider trap and send it?

 

I do miss the spell check; sometimes my fingers move faster thanthe keys can.

Johnny

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Rochelle WEB Cam
Posted by MickEnright on Thursday, October 9, 2014 10:36 AM

The Rochelle web-cam is great! 

Not to pick nits, but...perhaps some fine railfan in Rochelle could clean the spider web off the lens...(That's taking "WEB" cam a bit too far!)

< rimshot, rimshot, cymbal >

 

 

Mick

The Marquette Iron Range In HO. "I'm addicted to placebos. I'd give them up, but it wouldn't make any difference." ---Steven Wright
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Posted by Brian Schmidt on Thursday, October 9, 2014 10:36 AM

We are aware of the spider web and are looking at ways to deal with it. Remember, our office is 100 miles away. The webcam is on the roof of the Rochelle Railroad Park, which provides a great view, but not easy access.

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

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"Web Cam in Rochelle"
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Thursday, October 9, 2014 9:47 AM
I was just wondering, is anybody enjoying the new Web Cam at the Rochelle Diamonds as much as I'am?? I'm finding myself watching it more and more each day!! One thing though, is there by any chance that more lights could be added so we can rail fan the diamonds at night?? Thanks for the great Webcam!!
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Posted by MP173 on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 10:15 PM

Bear....in Rochelle?

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Posted by Ulrich on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 5:53 PM

did anyone else see the bear on the tracks this morning? 

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Rochelle Train View
Posted by Jjohnieray on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:53 AM

What is that unit in the fenced area that is moved around alot.Looks like wheels sticking upwards.Cant be too heavy as it is moved often.Just curious.

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Posted by william6 on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:53 AM

antique 2-wheeled hand truck/cart for moving freight (boxes, bags, etc)? It's laying down on it's back, maybe.

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Friday, September 26, 2014 2:12 PM

   Thanks, AgentKid.    Makes sense.

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, September 26, 2014 12:51 PM

Paul of Covington
Does anyone else have the problem of the cam feed stopping every few minutes?

It has been ever thus.

The thought was that if people connected to the web cam, and there was no reload requirement, that the early users would choke off those who came later. You would think there could be a better way to deal with that, but I have been wracking my brain and can not come up with one.

Bruce

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Friday, September 26, 2014 12:13 PM

   Does anyone else have the problem of the cam feed stopping every few minutes?   When I poke the START button (the triangle in the circle), it's good for another few minutes.

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, September 26, 2014 10:08 AM

Just saw a WB mixed freight on the UP. The Rio Grande heritage unit was on the point, and there were two widely separated Southern Pacific boxcars in the consist. They are kicking it old school today.

I want to say that this Rochelle Webcam is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but that would be overstating the case, only slightly. Thank you Kalmbach.

Bruce

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by STEVEL on Saturday, September 20, 2014 10:01 PM

there are lights inside the viewing stand. For $500-600  you could run a couple of lines to outer walls on either side of the stairs.  Mount a double 40 w fluorescent water proof housings to the lines'  that should give enough light for the camera to adjust and allow us to see the types of cars and engines.  The 40 w lamps would not be blinding to train crews.  Too bad I live in NJ.  I would gladly do the work myself.  I've been there 3 times, piece if cake job. The only problem is getting the powers that be to approve it.

  

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Posted by cefinkjr on Saturday, September 20, 2014 12:50 PM
Proud Infidel

... maybe a can of Raid ... ?

Don't count on it. I once emptied a can of Raid on a Black Widow (spider, not an SP F-unit) and I swear I heard a contented burp.

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by Proud Infidel on Saturday, September 20, 2014 11:02 AM

It would be nice if someone would get rid of the spider that's been spinning webs across the camera lens all this week, I just watched it crawl in front of the lens once again, maybe a can of Raid and a duster would do it some good?

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