Maybe the first time I've seen a coal train on the BNSF side. Maybe re-routed? There are plenty on the UP.
/Mr Lynn
Just saw my first Coal Train BNSF 10:16am EB
Maybe time to get a used "darth vader" hood from the RR scrap yard ?
What we need at Rochelle is a transparent Teflon coating for the webcam lens. Come on, chemists; get busy.
Don't ask me; I'm just an idea guy. Beside, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
ChuckAllen, TX
The current smudge is not in the same place as the one a week or so ago. This one is higher up, to the left, and is more opaque. My guess is a gift from a passing bird.
More interesting: Yesterday logged just in time to see a short eastbound UP freight led by two GPs running long-hoods forward. Shades of 1970!
We've had rain on that "snot" before, and it hasn't helped much. You're going to need elbow grease, ammonia compound, and perhaps a little rainwater (in that order!), or, I'm afraid, a chisel.
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)
And the giant wiper blade from the sky will work much better if the lens gets a little rain on it today.
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Saw a squeege (looked like a windshield wiper blade!) pass over and back across the camera twice this morning... unfortunately, it did nothing to clear the blurry spot on the tree above and to the left of the signal box in center frame. Looks like it might take some elbow-grease and soapy cleanser to remove that smudge. I hope that it is not something that etched the weatherproof glass/plastic cover over the camera.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo Respectively dissagree. I still see a smudge above and to the left of the center scene signal hut... the utility pole has a gray spot and the spot extends over the BNSF tracks.
Respectively dissagree. I still see a smudge above and to the left of the center scene signal hut... the utility pole has a gray spot and the spot extends over the BNSF tracks.
yep looks good how long till the spider comes back??? lol
Hey! I just logged in, and it looks like someone DID clean the lens! No more smudge!
Many thanks to that someone.
The roof itself isn't all that steeply pitched...someone with experience (a roofer, for example), could handle it without too much difficulty--in ideal weather. Still, I think the city would want to be assured that it was being done competently and safely.I think the pavilion is probably too wide to get a truck with a cherry-picker unit in position to do it.
Semper Vaporowho probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
In this day and age, this is a major consideration. I believe the city owns the site, and I'm sure they'd prefer not to have a visit from OSHA, fine book in hand.
True story - a building inspector in CA was photographed on the roof of a building he was inspecting. The photo appeared in the media as part of a story about the building, or something along that line.
His employer (the city) was fined because he wasn't using appropriate safety gear, as evidenced by the photographic evidence...
The camera is on the peak of the roof - you can usually spot it in pictures of the park. A fall would not have a good outcome.
Larry 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...
Semper Vaporo I am sure someone could, but it involves getting a ladder to the site, then climbing up the ladder and then up a relatively steep roof, while taking the cleaning supplies along. Not the most convenient thing to accomplish and if you have been listening to the sound from the website, it has been very windy and that would not be the safest working environment (not to mention the cold weather making it a miserable task). I also believe that whoever does it, is not being paid to do so, but rather is a volunteer, who probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
I am sure someone could, but it involves getting a ladder to the site, then climbing up the ladder and then up a relatively steep roof, while taking the cleaning supplies along. Not the most convenient thing to accomplish and if you have been listening to the sound from the website, it has been very windy and that would not be the safest working environment (not to mention the cold weather making it a miserable task). I also believe that whoever does it, is not being paid to do so, but rather is a volunteer, who probably must gain permission to climb on the roof of the pavillion, from whoever is in charge of the site grounds.
Surely when the camera was installed some arrangements were made for maintenance. . .
rdettmer either the rain washed it off or someone cleaned the lens. looks much clearer this am
either the rain washed it off or someone cleaned the lens. looks much clearer this am
Brian Schmidt Link: Rochelle Web Cam Trains Magazine has upgraded the Rochelle, Ill., webcam with a bigger picture and sound. The webcam is free for registered users. See something cool on the video feed? Post about it here! And don't forget our Rochelle railfan guide for when you visit the Hub City!
Link: Rochelle Web Cam
Trains Magazine has upgraded the Rochelle, Ill., webcam with a bigger picture and sound. The webcam is free for registered users. See something cool on the video feed? Post about it here!
And don't forget our Rochelle railfan guide for when you visit the Hub City!
Some serious attention being paid to one of the diamonds.
MOW track geometry car. Testing the track for problems with gauge, rail defects, etc. Flat car is probably just an insulator/isolator between the heavy engine rattling things as well as producing electrical and RF (EMI) noise that might interfere with the instrumentation.
Cananyone identify this vehicle (loco + one flatcar + this)?
https://goo.gl/mAvehF
Some sort of track inspection, I guess ...
[edit] ... thanks Google, it's EC-5:
https://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/capital_investment/2005/1216_ec5.shtml
Opened up the microphone too....a lot of wind noise with no trains in the area.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I have seen several of the residents in the south quadrant adjacent to the tracks burning trash and leaves.
On a good note: It looks like someone has cleaned up the fenced-in area of the park... a hearty thank-you to whoever did it.
Either there is a new Pope in Rochelle or the house across the tracks is burning more leaves.
dknelsonJust because it is a railroad park doesn't make it a jerk-free zone I guess.
I'd opine that the local ne'er-do-wells know it well. Of course, that may also mean the local gendarmerie probably keeps a bit of an eye on it.
MKT Dave Correction: about 21:00 last night, there were people at the pit, they stacked what looked like a lot of paper, then threw gasoline on it, it flamed up pretty good, those sitting on the benches had to scramble away. Flaming bits of paper was flying all around and they were laughing about it. About 8:00 am, a pair of men toured around the pit, then a little later a women in a dress business suit came out and talked on a cell phone for a while. uh, she was pissed.
Correction: about 21:00 last night, there were people at the pit, they stacked what looked like a lot of paper, then threw gasoline on it, it flamed up pretty good, those sitting on the benches had to scramble away. Flaming bits of paper was flying all around and they were laughing about it. About 8:00 am, a pair of men toured around the pit, then a little later a women in a dress business suit came out and talked on a cell phone for a while.
uh, she was pissed.
MKT Daveabout midnight last night, there were people at the pit,
I wonder if they were non-railfans. Wouldn't surprise me. Just makes it tough on the honest fan...
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