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Semi-official Rochelle webcam discussion thread

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Posted by AgentKid on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:42 PM

MrLynn
Did BNSF put it there to isolate the switch control?

I hate to say it, but given the garishness of his other decorations, I think the landowner is trying to isolate himself from BNSF.

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 MrLynn on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:37 PM

rdamon

Looks like the used car lot has been replaced with a drive in movie screen :)

What is that thing?  When I first logged in, it looked like a bright billboard. Now, an hour later, it seems to be some kind of fencing.  Did BNSF put it there to isolate the switch control?

/Mr Lynn 

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Posted by MrLynn on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:33 PM

AgentKid

UP has broken up the band.

I saw one of the three members of the "Antique Trio" yesterday, and just now two of the three were on a short EB string of boxcars crossing at 1920 CDT.

Bruce

Just saw them; getting dark here, but still light out west.  Some of those boxcars were reefers, I think.

/Mr Lynn 

 

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Posted by AgentKid on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:25 PM

UP has broken up the band.

I saw one of the three members of the "Antique Trio" yesterday, and just now two of the three were on a short EB string of boxcars crossing at 1920 CDT.

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 USCGR Tom on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 1:36 PM

Trains, is there a way to check with "EarthCam" to find out the reason that we can not "zoom" or "pan, left & right" on the screen anymore. Thanks

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Posted by AgentKid on Monday, July 10, 2017 6:21 AM

jeffhergert
Besides, not supposed to use mirrors when inspecting your own train.

You would think ensuring the safe operation of your own train would be considered different from an inspection.

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 Deggesty on Sunday, July 9, 2017 7:11 PM

Back in the days of keypunch operators, we had to check all of the in-and-out transactions for movement of items in the stockroom--each morning, we compared the written tickets with the keypuch transactions, and made necessary corrections, using the code "KPE" (key punch error).

Johnny

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Posted by jeffhergert on Sunday, July 9, 2017 6:16 PM

cefinkjr

"You did a great job, BUT.... " usually ends in a FTX .  A ding on your record.  Besides, not supposed to use mirrors when inspecting your own train.

Jeff

 

 
xjqcf

While watching the cam and listening to the scanner feed today I heard a UP manager on the radio contact a train and praise them for operating correctly, something I've heard before from this particular manager. After stepping away from the computer for a while I returned to observe a dark pickup parked directly facing #1 track, just at the same time an eastbound train was entering the crossing on #2 track. Just as the the train came even to the pickup the voice of this manager came over the scanner feed I dentifying this train (by lead engine number) and again announced passing whatever test he was doing but qualified his passing score by noting the conductor could at least fake looking at his train by extending the side mirror. The conductor mumbled some sort of brief acknowlegement and the conversation concluded with the manager babeling some sort of safety message (like drink cool water or the like)

 

 

Excellent management technique.  You catch many more flies with honey than vinegar.

Back in the day when programs were coded on paper forms and key punch operators converted them to 80-column cards, I always counted errors in each program I wrote.  If the accuracy was very good, I made a point of writing a note to the key punch supervisor thanking the operator for the good service.  Guess whose key punch jobs got handled first.

 

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Posted by cefinkjr on Sunday, July 9, 2017 3:57 PM

xjqcf

While watching the cam and listening to the scanner feed today I heard a UP manager on the radio contact a train and praise them for operating correctly, something I've heard before from this particular manager. After stepping away from the computer for a while I returned to observe a dark pickup parked directly facing #1 track, just at the same time an eastbound train was entering the crossing on #2 track. Just as the the train came even to the pickup the voice of this manager came over the scanner feed I dentifying this train (by lead engine number) and again announced passing whatever test he was doing but qualified his passing score by noting the conductor could at least fake looking at his train by extending the side mirror. The conductor mumbled some sort of brief acknowlegement and the conversation concluded with the manager babeling some sort of safety message (like drink cool water or the like)

Excellent management technique.  You catch many more flies with honey than vinegar.

Back in the day when programs were coded on paper forms and key punch operators converted them to 80-column cards, I always counted errors in each program I wrote.  If the accuracy was very good, I made a point of writing a note to the key punch supervisor thanking the operator for the good service.  Guess whose key punch jobs got handled first.

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, July 9, 2017 1:47 PM

xjqcf
As a side note don't other trains hear the manager and know he's likely out on the prowl? As I finish this post he's still sitting at the diamonds.

Only those in the immediate area - 3 to 5 miles in any direction from the managers radio transmitting position and monitoring the channel the transmission takes place on.  Railroad radios are not 'high power'.  5 watts or less.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by xjqcf on Sunday, July 9, 2017 12:40 PM

While watching the cam and listening to the scanner feed today I heard a UP manager on the radio contact a train and praise them for operating correctly, something I've heard before from this particular manager. After stepping away from the computer for a while I returned to observe a dark pickup parked directly facing #1 track, just at the same time an eastbound train was entering the crossing on #2 track. Just as the the train came even to the pickup the voice of this manager came over the scanner feed I dentifying this train (by lead engine number) and again announced passing whatever test he was doing but qualified his passing score by noting the conductor could at least fake looking at his train by extending the side mirror. The conductor mumbled some sort of brief acknowlegement and the conversation concluded with the manager babeling some sort of safety message (like drink cool water or the like)

 

As a side note don't other trains hear the manager and know he's likely out on the prowl? As I finish this post he's still sitting at the diamonds.

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Posted by xjqcf on Sunday, July 9, 2017 9:13 AM

AgentKid

 

 
BaltACD
Sounds like there is a suspect rail joint East of the crossing. Could hear it clearly after the rear of the train cleared the crossing but had yet to clear the field of vision.

 

I've noticed that myself.

I think it started after a crew was working on that insulated joint just west of the old signal tower foundation.

Bruce

 

 

 

That bad joint has been there for quite a while; it's probably more noticeable since the new diamonds are much quieter than the old ones. I've long wondered why this hasn't been addressed.

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Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, July 8, 2017 4:06 PM

BaltACD
Sounds like there is a suspect rail joint East of the crossing. Could hear it clearly after the rear of the train cleared the crossing but had yet to clear the field of vision.

I've noticed that myself.

I think it started after a crew was working on that insulated joint just west of the old signal tower foundation.

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 BaltACD on Saturday, July 8, 2017 3:53 PM

Just saw a UP Eastbound on the near track.  Sounds like there is a suspect rail joint East of the crossing.  Could hear it clearly after the rear of the train cleared the crossing but had yet to clear the field of vision.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, July 8, 2017 3:43 PM

AgentKid
The UP Heritage unit "Southern Pacific"

Second of three WB by at 1540 CDT

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 Semper Vaporo on Saturday, July 8, 2017 1:23 PM

USCGR Tom
Did we loose the "zoom" function for the screen?

Sure seems like it... don't work for me at this time.

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by USCGR Tom on Saturday, July 8, 2017 12:50 PM

Did we loose the "zoom" function for the screen?

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Posted by rdamon on Friday, July 7, 2017 8:22 PM

Looks like the used car lot has been replaced with a drive in movie screen :)

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Posted by AgentKid on Thursday, July 6, 2017 3:47 PM

The UP Heritage unit "Southern Pacific" was the second of two on a EB intermodal train that just cleared the diamonds at 1541 CDT.

I've got to say I'm not sure I am a fan of that particular paint job. It seems like there is too much white striping for my taste. That is one unit I would like to see in person. Actually, I would like to see all of them.

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 AgentKid on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 9:22 PM

MrLynn
antique ('70s era?) locos

I like you words.

I use them myself when I see that trio. They come east most days with what looks like a local with cars picked up along the sub as opposed to the short intermodals you sometimes see coming out of the Global yard.

They come east about 4 local time but I never knew when they went back.

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 MrLynn on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 7:34 PM
Just logged in (after a long absence) and caught a trio of what looked like antique ('70s era?) locos pulling a short manifest freight westbound on the UP. Anybody else see that train? /Mr Lynn
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Posted by rdamon on Friday, June 30, 2017 8:28 AM

Looks like our sticky is dying 

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, June 29, 2017 4:42 PM

Sorry we missed seeing you. 

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 29, 2017 4:18 PM

Everyone should do that at one time or another...I've had my turn!

Jeff, are you and Becky headed further east?

Carl

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CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, June 29, 2017 2:44 PM

jeffhergert
Did anyone see the big goof waving at the webcam with his wife today about 1pm? 

Greetings from Rochelle. I'm on vacation. 

Jeff

Nope!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by jeffhergert on Thursday, June 29, 2017 2:12 PM

Did anyone see the big goof waving at the webcam with his wife today about 1pm? 

Greetings from Rochelle. I'm on vacation. 

Jeff

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 3:10 PM

I saw one Monday afternoon (a WEPX train) on the approach to Proviso.  There were a lot of units on the point (eight wouldn't be an unreasonable guess), but as far as I could tell, only the lead unit was powered.  There were two DPUs on the hind end, both on line.

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 jeffhergert on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 10:48 PM

Saturnalia

 

 
blhanel

Saturday morning, while visiting Fairfax, IA for a community festival, my wife, grandson and I watched an eastbound coal train roll through town with eight engines up front and one DPU on the rear.  Pretty unusual, or so I thought.  Just now on the webcam I watched the same configuration roll through on Track #2.  Could it be that it's the same train and have been parked somewhere between us for three days?

 

 

 

Nope, that train you saw did show up on Saturday in Rochelle. 

 

The repeat is proabably just an odd coincedence. UP is likely moving power around which is in storage, or at least, that is my conjecture. 

 

Yup.  Looks like there will be another one tomorrow.

Jeff

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Posted by Saturnalia on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 9:48 PM

blhanel

Saturday morning, while visiting Fairfax, IA for a community festival, my wife, grandson and I watched an eastbound coal train roll through town with eight engines up front and one DPU on the rear.  Pretty unusual, or so I thought.  Just now on the webcam I watched the same configuration roll through on Track #2.  Could it be that it's the same train and have been parked somewhere between us for three days?

 

Nope, that train you saw did show up on Saturday in Rochelle. 

 

The repeat is proabably just an odd coincedence. UP is likely moving power around which is in storage, or at least, that is my conjecture. 

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Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 9:01 PM

Saturday morning, while visiting Fairfax, IA for a community festival, my wife, grandson and I watched an eastbound coal train roll through town with eight engines up front and one DPU on the rear.  Pretty unusual, or so I thought.  Just now on the webcam I watched the same configuration roll through on Track #2.  Could it be that it's the same train and have been parked somewhere between us for three days?

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