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Chatterbox Winter

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 10, 2015 8:14 PM

evening

did go out today.took older brother out to watch trains.Ns was trying to clear up the wabash line.The Indiana Northeastern was waiting to get into Montpelier as well.Mamma had a big pot of chilli waiting for us when we got home.Tomorrow night it's more snow.

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 tree68 on Saturday, January 10, 2015 8:44 PM

Murphy Siding

     Here's a claim not just anyone can make-  We took down our Christmas tree today, raked the living room carpet, and used the vacuum to make the whole house smell like a pine tree.

Many years ago my uncle was a Marine.  He wasn't able to get home for Christmas, but would be home a week or two later.  To say that our Christmas tree was "tired" by the time he made it would be an understatement.

The lake effect bands have been wandering around.  We had sunshine most of the day, then some snow, then peace and quiet again.  Now the band is over us again.  It's all supposed to quit overnight.  

I would suspect that "town" will be very busy tomorrow if things do clear up.  A lot of folks have been snowbound for several days now, and if they aren't low on supplies they're simply going to want to get out of the house...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, January 11, 2015 10:24 PM

Not much train-watching at all lately...life isn't getting dull, though, with my becoming a data moderator on a freight-car-photography site (can't take pictures worth anything, but what the heck...)

I've been purging a lot of things for the new year (annoying Facebook "friends", etc.).  One of the things I completely cleaned out was the "messages" file on this Forum.  Its inbox had been sitting at 99 messages for ages, and I found a lot of people I haven't heard from from ages.  Another things I found were a lot of conversations with myself...these folks apparently have removed themselves from the Forum completely.  I figure that "99" number was the default for a flooded inbox.  Anyway, now it's empty, and I can see when (or if) new messages arrive.

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 JoeKoh on Monday, January 12, 2015 3:49 PM

afternoon

Matt was closed today.Ns had some cars to get.Trains were using the siding from time to time today.Finished cleaning up what mother nature and the snowplows left.Getting ready to see how our boys do in Jerry's stadium tonight.Hope our 12 guage is on target for the duck hunt.

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 Mookie on Monday, January 12, 2015 5:31 PM

NO Joe - you will leave some poor ducks w/o a parent.....  Broken Heart

I know you are Ohio - but I still have to go with Oregon!  I do like them!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, January 12, 2015 7:58 PM
Nothing like an ice storm to get the blood pumping........
Had an ice storm near Indianapolis Sunday afternoon, luckily, the roads were not too bad. This morning, everything was just wet, so we had a decent ride to Breezewood.
Good night........

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 mudchicken on Monday, January 12, 2015 11:16 PM

Methinks Joe is dancing in the street about now. The nuts beat the quacks in the Cheerio's/Oreo's Bowl. (sorry Mooks)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 7:18 AM

It's ok - they were up against a tough team.  But they will be back as will Baylor, my other favorite team.  Two very up and coming teams that are really fun to watch.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 10:01 AM

The initial arrangement for the Division 1A championship is too narrow and takes all the fun out.  They should expand it to eight slots filled by the various conference champs only plus wild cards as appropriate.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 12:07 PM

There are 128 NCCA Division 1 football teams - 7 rounds of playoffs get you down to one remaining.  Start playing off seeded teams at Thanksvgiving and you will have your winner at this time of year and no complaining about anyone being left out.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 2:51 PM

MC no dancing in the street for me.Some students in Columbus decided to set some furniture on fire.Coaches have 3 quality quaterbacks to choose from next year.(what a problem to have) Ns was working uptown when I left.Need to get Matt on his homework.I need to do some chores as well.Going to be a balmy -6 overnight.

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 tree68 on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 7:48 PM

JoeKoh
Going to be a balmy -6 overnight.

Piker.  Just got back from town.  Thermometer in truck shows -13F, home weather station shows -6F, and the sensor on the anemometer shows -18F.  

On the plus side, there's not a star in the sky, so I may see if I can spot comet Lovejoy.  

One reason for the trip to town was sunflower seed - now that the weather is calm but cold, the birds are really packing it in.

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 Murphy Siding on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 8:01 PM

Tree-  Maybe it's time to use the hair dryer on the anemometer again.  We're just palin smoking here.  It's 30+ degrees warmer than it was at daybreak.  Heck- we're clear up to 17 above.

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 10:19 PM

Chatterbox WInter--when it is so cold that your teeth chatter.

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 2:29 PM

afternoon

Ns has a westbound in the siding and cars are ready for the local to pick up.Going to take Matt uptown to get our ears lowered.A good hat makes up for a bad barber so they say.Chores and confirmation class as well tonight.

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 Mookie on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 3:29 PM

Hang on!  Warm up on the way - or so they keep telling us!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:19 PM

Mookie

Hang on!  Warm up on the way - or so they keep telling us!

Yeah - up to +19F this afternoon - some 40 degrees warmer than when I went to bed.

Looked for the comet last night.  Never did spot it.

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 narig01 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:50 PM
rvos1979
Deggesty A. Randy, what is this regeneration with a diesel? At the moment, the only regeneration I can think of is regenerating ion exchange resins so they can continue to remove unwanted ions from your water (one of my classmates and I played with some ion exchange resins back when we were college freshmen--sixty years ago, and the semiconductor industry uses the resins to obtain ultra-pure water). John: under all new diesel vehicles is what is called a Diesel Particulate Filter, this traps all the soot created in the combustion process. When back pressure sensors indicate that this filter has caught enough soot, it signals the engine to begin the process of regeneration, by increasing the exhaust temperature to around 1500 degrees or so. The intense heat, plus special materials in the filter, changes the soot into ash, which takes up less space in the filter. After a period of time (Cummins specified a quarter million miles), the filter has to be removed and cleaned at a repair shop. The regeneration process usually involves dumping raw fuel into the exhaust system after the turbocharger, either while running down the road or by speeding up the engine when parked. Hope this makes it a little clearer for you, and everyone else..........
One of the techniques Detroit uses that is very effective for OTR trucks is to do the reburn while the truck is traveling down the road. Spent some time with a Detroit rep at a dealer shop after having continuing problem with the system clogging. Detroit installed a software upgrade in the engine computer. It was a major improvement. After the upgrade practically all the reburns were done while traveling down the road. Sorry I should have gotten back here earlier sooner. Thx IGN
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Posted by narig01 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:52 PM
Sam. If the system has problems it gets bypassed and the engine computer cuts the available power 30% I think. Rgds IGN
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Posted by narig01 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:58 PM
PS Think warm everybody. It 37 degrees down my way. Supposed to be warm next week though. I've been inside though. Except for Friday. Have to go deal with Social Security tomorrow though. Should be fun.
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, January 15, 2015 2:19 PM

Lunch trackside sitting in the sun - it was wonderful. 

Joe - Saw a WB CSX grain train!  3 CSX units with mostly all CSX cars.  Are you missing one or are they sightseeing? 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, January 15, 2015 2:29 PM

mookie

could be repaying bnsf hours.unless some place down south needs some special feed from out west.Capitol limited tooted as I walked in to work this morning.Still waiting on a thaw.Matt will be home soon.Need to get chores done.

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 CShaveRR on Thursday, January 15, 2015 8:14 PM

Purloined from my Facebook page:

 

My first train-hunting outing for 2015 is in the books. Gas used in the car: zero. Walking: about three miles total, in two counties. Trains ridden: three. Fare paid: zero (a retirement perk!).

I boarded an eastbound scoot in Elmhurst and rode in to Oak Park (my original thought was to grab lunch at Five Guys, but it was a bit early). Standing on the center track at the station was a westbound freight from CSX for Proviso. I was able to get very close to some of the cars while it was sitting there, getting a few former numbers, and coming closer to solving a nearly-20-year-old mystery about a series of cars and where they came from. This research took me most of the time I was there, until the westbound scoot came; I took that to Elmhurst. Lunch was courtesy of the 7-Eleven by the tracks. I took it back to the station, where I ate, solved a couple of Sudoku puzzles, wrote the letter--three pages' worth--and waited for trains to go by. I was a little disappointed in the volume, but the three hours I spent there had a few good moments.

My log for today at Elmhurst:

1110, Track 3: Eastbound scoot (the one I came in on).
1115, Track 1: Westbound scoot.
1133, Track 2: Eastbound WEPX coal train, DPU on hind end.
1210, Track 3: Westbound scoot.
1222, Track 3: Westbound auto racks (some loaded, some empty), DPU.
1225, Track 2: Westbound stack train.
1244, Track 1: Eastbound manifest.
1310, Track 3: Westbound scoot.
1316, Track 1: Eastbound scoot.
1402, Track 2: Westbound intermodal, from yard.
1413, Track 3: Westbound scoot, which I boarded.

And now, Chapter 2, before I could get away from the tracks at Lombard:   

At about 1418, we met the eastbound scoot as he was departing Villa Park. The notice on the PA said that he was delayed six to 12 minutes due to “heavy passenger loading”.

As we were leaving Villa Park, we passed up an intermodal train sitting on Track 2—the same one I reported in Elmhurst at 1402. I figured he’d follow us out of Lombard, probably on Track 3. And sure enough, before I got to the corner, he came by, having crossed over to Track 3. I went to the drug store (milk is a good drug, right?), and came out to a westbound frac-sand train on Track 2 (he’d had to wait for the other train to get off Track 2). While he was still going by, another train blew past on track 3, westbound—empty ComEd coal cars, mostly. This all took place within 20 minutes of my getting off the train in Lombard.

I was mighty tired when I hot home, so I didn't do much about the cars I'd seen--I have a couple of hours to work on it before Pat gets home from choir practice...we'll see what I can get done. Meanwhile, the letter has been printed out and assembled with other vital things, and perhaps I can do another three-mile walk tomorrow!

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 Murphy Siding on Thursday, January 15, 2015 9:31 PM

narig01
PS Think warm everybody. It 37 degrees down my way. Supposed to be warm next week though. I've been inside though. Except for Friday. Have to go deal with Social Security tomorrow though. Should be fun.
 

 37 degrees this time of year would be warm for us.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:19 PM

Mookie

Lunch trackside sitting in the sun - it was wonderful. 

Joe - Saw a WB CSX grain train!  3 CSX units with mostly all CSX cars.  Are you missing one or are they sightseeing? 

 

Sounds more like a unit potash train instead of grain.  We see a few trains with that kind of description, although they get a UP leader for the ATC in my area.  Ag suppliers might be building up inventory early.

On the UP, they would have a symbol beginning with "O" for ore.

Jeff

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, January 16, 2015 7:18 AM

jeffhergert
 
Mookie

Lunch trackside sitting in the sun - it was wonderful. 

Joe - Saw a WB CSX grain train!  3 CSX units with mostly all CSX cars.  Are you missing one or are they sightseeing? 

 

 

 

Sounds more like a unit potash train instead of grain.  We see a few trains with that kind of description, although they get a UP leader for the ATC in my area.  Ag suppliers might be building up inventory early.

On the UP, they would have a symbol beginning with "O" for ore.

Jeff

 

Thanx for info, Jeff.  It was solid CSX except for just a couple of lease cars.  I didn't know they hauled potash in a grain-type car.  Interesting and good to know.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, January 16, 2015 10:26 AM

Why do my cornflakes have a lingering potash aftertaste?

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, January 16, 2015 11:45 AM

jeffhergert

Mookie

Lunch trackside sitting in the sun - it was wonderful. 

Joe - Saw a WB CSX grain train!  3 CSX units with mostly all CSX cars.  Are you missing one or are they sightseeing?

Sounds more like a unit potash train instead of grain.  We see a few trains with that kind of description, although they get a UP leader for the ATC in my area.  Ag suppliers might be building up inventory early.

On the UP, they would have a symbol beginning with "O" for ore.

Jeff

 

Planting season is not that far off - farmers need fertilizer!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, January 16, 2015 1:31 PM

And today's date was placed into fame by an Ayn Rand play "Night of January 16th."  

I could swear I worked on a play entitled "Where were you on the night of January 16th," but maybe it was the Ayn Rand piece.

A little snow overnight, and the high (+31.9F) came around 4AM.  It's been getting colder since.  

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 CShaveRR on Friday, January 16, 2015 3:29 PM

In my experience, the potash came from Canada...the stuff that CSX shipped from Florida was "phosphate".  Both are needed for fertilizer.

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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