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Semi-official Rochelle webcam discussion thread

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Posted by blhanel on Thursday, June 4, 2015 8:42 PM

CatFoodFlambe

What's BNSF hauling in the unit train of low-sided gondolas?   Some form of taconite coming down from northern Minnesota?    Loads east, empties west, dark colored bulk commodity of some sort, not tarped - I don't think it's frac sand or dirty dirt.    If someone knows, would you also know the origin and destination(s)?

 

Another eastbound of all gons going through just now- hard to tell at this hour if they're loads or empties.

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Posted by Lake on Thursday, June 4, 2015 11:16 PM

So far after about 2 weeks of every so often looking at the webcam during the day, I have seen around 15 people staring at the tracks and trees, a few birds, signals with red lights and some tank cars that went by.

It is just mostly the side of a tilt up warehouse across the diamond. My timing must be off.

Though at night there are some white lights that go by. UTO's?

Ken G Price   My N-Scale Layout

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, June 4, 2015 11:24 PM

Really no different than any other railroad crossing in that there are busy times and lulls.  Just the luck of the draw.  There may be some consistantly timed trains, but so far no one has mentioned them here.

I know, most freight trains don't run on a schedule, but oftimes a given train will pass through a given area at around the same time each day.

If you want to see a lot of action, check out the Netherlands Rail Cam.  

LarryWhistling
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Posted by cefinkjr on Thursday, June 4, 2015 11:45 PM

Lake

It is just mostly the side of a tilt up warehouse across the diamond. My timing must be off.

Though at night there are some white lights that go by. UTO's?

IF you're running MS Windows, try letting the web cam run in a minimized window while you do other, less important things.  Very little traffic will sneak through without you hearing it and opening the "Rochelle" window.  UP trains will usually be heard blowing for the crossings east of the diamonds and might not appear in your window for a couple of minutes.  For some reason, BNSF traffic doesn't make as much noise before appearing; I seldom catch the head end of BNSF trains.

The web cam will time out (anybody know how long it takes?) and you'll have to click on the Play button in the middle of the screen occasionally.

IF you are not using MS Windows, I have no idea how you can catch traffic without watching all the time.

Now, about those moving white lights at night.  How many drinks have you had before you see them?  Unless you would not recognize a locomotive headlight, maybe they are UTOs. Wink

Chuck
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Posted by Lake on Friday, June 5, 2015 12:12 AM

cefinkjr
Now, about those moving white lights at night. How many drinks have you had before you see them? Unless you would not recognize a locomotive headlight, maybe they are UTOs. Wink

Yeah, those unidentified train objects, are at least something moving.

Thanks to every one. It does seem to be the luck of timing. But as one who has more time then money I will keep at it.

 

Ken G Price   My N-Scale Layout

Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, June 5, 2015 6:54 AM

cefinkjr
The web cam will time out (anybody know how long it takes?) and you'll have to click on the Play button in the middle of the screen occasionally.

I haven't timed it - several minutes, though.  

I was watching on my tablet one day - it didn't seem to time out at all.

LarryWhistling
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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 MrLynn on Friday, June 5, 2015 9:01 AM

Mine times out every 10-15 minutes. But checking in from time to time, I've seen a LOT of trains.  I have the webcam open on a MacBook Pro next to the iMac I'm using.  You can certainly keep it open on a Mac browser (e.g. Safari, Firefox, etc.) on one tab will using the browser and computer for other tasks until you hear the air horns.  But no matter what computer you're using, you will need to hit the refresh button after the cam times out.

The one down in Roanoke doesn't time out, but it has no sound, and that is half the fun.

/Mr Lynn

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Posted by cefinkjr on Friday, June 5, 2015 10:45 AM

MrLynn
The one down in Roanoke doesn't time out, but it has no sound

The distance from the camera to the track and the lower traffic level don't add much either.  I like lots of trains, up close and personal. Smile

Chuck
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Posted by traisessive1 on Saturday, June 6, 2015 2:19 PM

You guys can simply download a program that will automatically refresh your browser for you. I have it and it works wonderfully. I mainly use Railstream now but the refresh program works awesome when I come on here. 

10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ... 

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Posted by cefinkjr on Saturday, June 6, 2015 3:04 PM

traisessive1
You guys can simply download a program that will automatically refresh your browser for you.

Sounds like a possibility.  Can you post a link or at least the name of the program?

 

PS: Just discovered a shortcut to quoting only part of a previous post: Highlight the part you want to quote before clicking on the "Add Quote to your Post" button. (Please don't anybody say they've known that for a long time.)

Chuck
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Posted by traisessive1 on Saturday, June 6, 2015 3:07 PM

10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ... 

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Posted by cefinkjr on Saturday, June 6, 2015 3:28 PM
Thanks. For probably no good technical reason, I avoid Google as much as I can and that, of course, includes Chrome. But several keywords in the description at that link will probably lead me to an IE version.

Chuck
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Posted by Norm48327 on Saturday, June 6, 2015 3:47 PM

cefinkjr
Highlight the part you want to quote before clicking on the "Add Quote to your Post" button.

Dang! Learned something new today. Thanks. Bow

Norm


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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, June 6, 2015 4:22 PM

cefinkjr
(Please don't anybody say they've known that for a long time.)

 

Ok, we won't.

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 MikeF90 on Saturday, June 6, 2015 6:29 PM

cefinkjr
(Please don't anybody say they've known that for a long time.)

................................................. Whistling .................................................

 

For Firefox users, the ReloadEvery extension seems to work OK. Search for it in the Add-ons Manager. It doesn't seem to be setable on a per-tab basis, so it may be disruptive - more testing required.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 8:35 PM

Looks like a new signal bridge has been constructed just West of the existing signals on the UP line.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 9:04 AM

Red Work area board displayed on UP this morning.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by MKT Dave on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 2:36 PM

2.33 UP lone engine side by side with a hi railer/track inspector and were staying together as they crossed the diamonds.

...
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Posted by MKT Dave on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 2:45 PM

traisessive1

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/easy-auto-refresh/aabcgdmkeabbnleenpncegpcngjpnjkc?hl=en

That's what I have. It's for Chrome. 

 I found that most google web products up date every ten to fifteen minutes, regardless, is why i avoid google anything.
I live in the country with restrictive bandwidth. When i had google chrome, my bandwidth limit was exceeded two weeks before the deadline, leaving us with dial up.
without google, i'm able to enjoy fast streams like this one. If i limit to a few hours a day.
My samsung Galaxy S-5 Active, will let me watch the stream without the break. "the death arrow"

...
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Posted by rdettmer on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 3:30 PM

just saw a bnsf rail train with a full load of rail going towards the twin cities.

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Posted by MrLynn on Thursday, June 11, 2015 6:32 PM

Just logged in (7:30 EDT) and MOW crew is still there, and actually looks like they're welding while a BNSF westbound intermodal rushes by on the outer track.  Those diamonds look like they need constant repair.

/Mr Lynn

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 11, 2015 8:07 PM

We paid a brief visit to Rochelle today to check on that new structure beyond the signal bridge.

This signal bridge is indeed being replaced, by a new cantilever signal.  The support is up, as can be seen; the horizontal member, with signals already mounted, is lying on the ground nearby.

Both BNSF home signal bridges are also being replaced.  The eastward one will still be out of range of the webcam; it is a cantilever as well.  The westward one will possibly be close enough to the diamond, but will not show up because it's also a cantilever, and the support is on the far side of the tracks.

What's interesting is that I couldn't find evidence of any footings, superstructure, or signals on the westward side of the control point to replace UP's westward signal.

In other Rochelle news, the house has been remodeled on the interior since we were there last, enlarging and opening up the space (they need stuff to sell, like books, IMHO...lots of potential.  Both the north and south walls of the house now have large picture windows, looking out over the respective tracks.  That will be nice for the winter, perhaps.

Also...New Culver's in DeKalb. It's right by the tracks, and has a couple of booths with a good view...provided there's not a monster pickup truck or van in the way.   There was a big-ass black pickup truck in one of the parking spots; that blocked the center of the view. He was later joined by a couple of vans, one on each side, so that the view was totally blocked by the time we were ready to go. I think the only solution is to grab one of those spots so I have some view retention. Trouble is, those spots are close to the door, so I'd feel like a hog. Yet to be investigated: the outdoor seating, with more-or-less permanent coverings over the tables.

Offhand, I'd say the stack trains still hit 70 through DeKalb.



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Posted by cefinkjr on Friday, June 12, 2015 3:49 PM

BACK TO WORK, GUYS!

An EB UP train (very short, probably a local) just cleared the diamonds and the first thing I noticed was more noise (sounded like a wide gap) as each wheel hit the crossing nearest the web cam.  Then I noticed that every car did a dip-and-bow as it crossed that diamond.

Chuck
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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Monday, June 15, 2015 11:49 AM

Interesting personal mystery solved this morning as I popped the webcam just as a heavy MOW truck was arriving at the diamonds.  Usually it is impossible to see what markings are on the doors, but today it was clearly the UP shield on the truck.  (Familiar with UP markings because the last few stays in Tehachapi have featured many UP vehicles at the motel I use there.)

As the truck parked, a ATSF painted (blue-yellow) unit was coming out of the industrial lead and bringing a longer-than-usual string of cars out of varying type.

Interesting stuff.

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Posted by CatFoodFlambe on Monday, June 15, 2015 2:09 PM

cefinkjr

An EB UP train (very short, probably a local) just cleared the diamonds and the first thing I noticed was more noise (sounded like a wide gap) as each wheel hit the crossing nearest the web cam.  Then I noticed that every car did a dip-and-bow as it crossed that diamond.



Wow - it's MUCH worse today.   I just watched an EB UP coal train crossing on the south track - the rocking was violent.   I'd hate to see a TOFC with a 28' "pup" trailer  (high relative center of gravity - the truckers don't call them "wiggle wagons" for nothing) come over that at 35 mph right now.     Wonder if the rain has softened up the sub-ballast?.

Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a problem on the UP north track or either of the BNSF tracks.

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 15, 2015 3:39 PM

1539 CT - T'storm with rain hitting the lens directly.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by cefinkjr on Monday, June 15, 2015 6:43 PM

About that web page reloading business: I downloaded RefresherBand Class (YRefresher) and it seems to work very nicely with a manually set 480 second refresh rate ... until I pin the web site to my task bar.  When I then return to the webcam site, the tool bar button is gone and I'm not able to get to the Add On Manager.  Any suggestions?

Chuck
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Posted by tree68 on Monday, June 15, 2015 9:33 PM

A poster over on the Trackside Guides forum wondered about a strobe apparently mounted on a line pole near the diamond.

Being the curious fellow I am, I started digging, finally finding a reference in the FCC database for a tower at  41-54-11.0N  089-06-05.6W.  

It's a new permit, so may have recently been constructed and lit (with a strobe).  It's new enough that it doesn't show up in current satellite imagery yet.  

There's another tower at 41-57-36.1N 089-09-14.3W that is 600+ feet tall - tall enough that it might still be visible from Rochelle.  

I'd opine that the strobe isn't on the line pole, but rather on a distant radio tower that just happens to line up with the webcam and the pole.

Interesting tidbit.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, June 18, 2015 9:18 PM

tree68
Being the curious fellow I am, I started digging, finally finding a reference in the FCC database for a tower at  41-54-11.0N  089-06-05.6W.  

On the SW side of the main building at Global III.

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Posted by cefinkjr on Saturday, June 20, 2015 11:35 AM

Oil train EB on UP OS at 11:32.

Don't think I've seen crude moving through here on UP before.  Is this new business or have I just been missing it? 

Chuck
Allen, TX

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