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Chatterbox Winter

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 16, 2015 4:05 PM

evening

Ns had a frieght waiting to go east.going to cheer up brother with his therapy.we are going to go find some trains.Ma nature is giving us a melting session.need to get stuff for tomorrow.

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 NorthWest on Saturday, January 17, 2015 2:03 PM

Anyone else note a decline in participation? Posters have talked about a decline after every forum update (this being my first one, I have no past experience in this), and there definitely seems to be a decline in posts recently. I can't prove it, though.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 17, 2015 2:37 PM

It comes, it goes.  Some familiar names are gone, some new names have appeared.  Some of the "departed" we miss, some we don't (you don't want to know).

What it takes to liven the place up is a topic folks want to talk about.  Barring any major news in the rail industry, we're down to the mundane and rehashing old topics.

What amazes me sometimes is that I may see more activity on a little local forum I'm on than I do here - except that politics are allowed, there are some folks clearly on one side of the fence or the other, and in reality, there are probably a dozen active participants.

Given the national (and worldwide) audience of Trains, it would seem like more folks would participate here.  We really don't see how many lurkers there may be.  Even when there was a list of folks who were on-line, many were on other Kalmbach forums, not here, so that wasn't a good gauge.

The lurker aspect might give us an idea if we're scaring people off...

Too, with such a wide range of potential topics, it takes a wide-ranging audience.  Some topics may not interest some folks.  The Sunset Route Two-Tracking thread has over 6000 posts and over a million views.  I might account for a half dozen of the views.  It's not something I'm interested in.  And we have threads that plummet to the depths with a half dozen posts.

Kick back, enjoy what's here.  That's what I do.

 

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 JoeKoh on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:41 PM

Ma Nature is going to give us something overnight.We did enjoy the 40 degree plus temps today.We saw an NS train turn at Butler Indiana to go to FT.Wayne.It had an NS dash 9,csx sd 70 mac and a cp 90 mac for power.Lots of old and restenciled cars too.Time to relax.

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 NorthWest on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:44 PM

Thank you for your thoughts. I guess I hadn't noticed that the oil train threads, many of which had a lot of contention and participation, died about the same time as the update. I agree that news really energizes the forum (although it may be a good thing that no major news has happened recently). I'm not really worried; we have not drifted into the black hole of "nobody ever visits, so why should I". I was just curious to see if anyone else had noticed a decline in participants.

 

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Posted by Mookie on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:46 PM

Joe - a Dash 9, an SD70 and a 90 - thats quite a history. 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by narig01 on Monday, January 19, 2015 12:55 AM
tree68
It comes, it goes. Some familiar names are gone, some new names have appeared. Some of the "departed" we miss, some we don't (you don't want to know). What it takes to liven the place up is a topic folks want to talk about. Barring any major news in the rail industry, we're down to the mundane and rehashing old topics. What amazes me sometimes is that I may see more activity on a little local forum I'm on than I do here - except that politics are allowed, there are some folks clearly on one side of the fence or the other, and in reality, there are probably a dozen active participants. Given the national (and worldwide) audience of Trains, it would seem like more folks would participate here. We really don't see how many lurkers there may be. Even when there was a list of folks who were on-line, many were on other Kalmbach forums, not here, so that wasn't a good gauge. The lurker aspect might give us an idea if we're scaring people off... Too, with such a wide range of potential topics, it takes a wide-ranging audience. Some topics may not interest some folks. The Sunset Route Two-Tracking thread has over 6000 posts and over a million views. I might account for a half dozen of the views. It's not something I'm interested in. And we have threads that plummet to the depths with a half dozen posts. Kick back, enjoy what's here. That's what I do.
I usually catch the goings on thru following on email. Problem is I don't read my email every day. And sometimes its 2-3 days. Sometimes I thru my 2 cents worth out there. I haven't a lot to do these days except watch trains (from ky front porch I can see the UP ex MP main line) land otherwise try to stay occupied. At least when its not cold. Problem is I can not take as much cold as I used to. So I try to stay as cheerful as possible. So laugh a little and put a smile. Things could be worse. And for many things are looking better. Thx IGN
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Posted by zugmann on Monday, January 19, 2015 5:43 AM

I have nothing interesting to say anymore.  I'm slowly but surely losing all interest in this industry day by day, both from a railroader and a railfan's point of view.  I come here out of force of habit, but really am not interested in much of it at all. 

 

 

 

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 CShaveRR on Monday, January 19, 2015 8:24 AM

Times change, people change, we get older and grumpier, and things like Facebook happen to take the more social aspects out of Forums like this.  You have to go back to the old days to figure out what "BC" and "SJ" mean, or why one of our members has to wear tin shoes.

We've answered a lot of the questions once...the old-timers don't have the questions any more because we did our jobs so well, and the newbies don't get them answered because the old-timers are tired of answering the same old stuff.

The yellow flags in advance of slow-orders were recently dealt with here...not quite the same thing as "yellow thingies", and not handled the same way.

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 Monday, January 19, 2015 10:41 AM

zugmann

I have nothing interesting to say anymore.  I'm slowly but surely losing all interest in this industry day by day, both from a railroader and a railfan's point of view.  I come here out of force of habit, but really am not interested in much of it at all. 

 

 

 

 

  What's plan B?  Sounds like you're subconcious is telling you to look for a different vocation?  Steal your daddy's que and make a living out of playing pool?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, January 19, 2015 3:06 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a short train westbound when I left work.Work is getting back to a normal pace.Not sure what ma nature has for us tomorrow but it is NW Ohio(expect anything).Time to catch up on chores.Always glad to share information or ask questions.I know Mookie will always have questions.

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 AgentKid on Monday, January 19, 2015 3:20 PM

Murphy Siding

Steal your daddy's que and make a living out of playing pool?

And here Carl just got through saying the old-timers aren't around here anymore!Laugh

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 Murphy Siding on Monday, January 19, 2015 3:51 PM

AgentKid

 

 
Murphy Siding

Steal your daddy's que and make a living out of playing pool?

 

 

And here Carl just got through saying the old-timers aren't around here anymore!Laugh

Bruce

 

 

   Awe man!  I'm an oldtimer? Sigh

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, January 19, 2015 5:05 PM

Murphy Siding

 

 

 

 

  What's plan B?  Sounds like you're subconcious is telling you to look for a different vocation?  Steal your daddy's que and make a living out of playing pool?

 

 

 

No clue.

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 tree68 on Monday, January 19, 2015 5:32 PM

My sister has all of our old pool cues, so that's out....

Second structure fire in less than 36 hours.  Early Sunday morning we had a reported chimney fire that spread to the attic, and this morning we had a fire in a shop/garage.  Both structures are still standing, although the second had more structural damage.  Now waiting for number three (things do come in threes...)

In between I took in the toy train collectors show at Utica Union Station.  I'm not into toy trains, but did pick up a couple of calendars and a book about the NYO&W, in addition to some N Scale cars.

For now, I'm pooped.  And hungry.  No lunch as I was running the pumper...

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 Mookie on Monday, January 19, 2015 6:21 PM

Tree - hit 60 here today.  You are into weather a little.  What's going on?  No moisture - which really is hard on earth-things, but wonderful for people not having to drive on ice.

And a woman in Omaha ran into another woman parked and unloading her car. Severed both of her legs and within a few days the victim died. No ice involved here either. 

1st driver reached down to retrieve her cell phone while driving. Now she will not need a driver's license, car, cell phone or even a decent wardrobe where she is headed.  Probably no ice, either! 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, January 19, 2015 6:46 PM

Mookie
You are into weather a little.  What's going on?

You've actually just had a cold front come through, but the circulation around the high that's currently in your area is probably bringing some of Houston Ed's warmth up your way.

You're kind of in between snow and rain Tuesday - and will be between two snow areas tomorrow, which suggests you may be cooling off dramatically.  Still, the southerly flow into your area looks to be continuing for the next week.

That it's dry is probably mostly due to the cooler temperatures, as compared to summer.

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 Mookie on Monday, January 19, 2015 6:59 PM

Thanx Tree.  We are still heading toward spring instead of Xmas and that makes it feel a whole lot better.   

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, January 19, 2015 7:02 PM

zugmann

I have nothing interesting to say anymore.  I'm slowly but surely losing all interest in this industry day by day, both from a railroader and a railfan's point of view.  I come here out of force of habit, but really am not interested in much of it at all. 

 

 

 

 

Since you are an "eastern railroad":

1:  would you answer questions about eastern railroading

2:  would you answer them from any source

3:  does this even interest you at all

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, January 19, 2015 7:05 PM

Mookie
Since you are an "eastern railroad": 1: would you answer questions about eastern railroading 2: would you answer them from any source 3: does this even interest you at all Ad

 

I'm very hesitant to ever give any specifics. I stick to generalities, mostly. And the last couple zugtales I wrote got lackluster response, at best.  Nobody is much interested in what I say, apparently.  That's ok.

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 Murphy Siding on Monday, January 19, 2015 7:15 PM

zugmann

 

 
Mookie
Since you are an "eastern railroad": 1: would you answer questions about eastern railroading 2: would you answer them from any source 3: does this even interest you at all Ad

 

 

I'm very hesitant to ever give any specifics. I stick to generalities, mostly. And the last couple zugtales I wrote got lackluster response, at best.  Nobody is much interested in what I say, apparently.  That's ok.

 

   I think you may underestimate the amount of luster.  I enjoyed reading it, but simply have nothing to add.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, January 19, 2015 7:21 PM

Murphy Siding
I think you may underestimate the amount of luster. I enjoyed reading it, but simply have nothing to add.

 

If you're going to give me charity, I'd prefer cash.  Or cartoons.

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 Mookie on Monday, January 19, 2015 8:06 PM

Zug:  I never ask personal, unless it is an unusual screen name.  I ask general questions.  I am a blank piece of paper when it comes to eastern railroads. 

I am not sure whether you are engineer or conductor.  Engineer I know about a smidge more than conductor.  Do you have cab signals?  Any information about them would be appreciated.  Have you ever worked with cantenary?  Joe's area is mostly freight and a lot of it.  Here it is freight and unit trains and probably a lot of them, altho they move during the night, so I don't know how many for sure.  Are you mainly freight in your area? 

I always read and enjoy your posts, but don't comment since I learned long ago, there are a lot of people on this forum that don't like old ladies, kids and dogs....in just about that order. 

 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by blhanel on Monday, January 19, 2015 8:48 PM

CShaveRR

...or why one of our members has to wear tin shoes.

 

They're collecting dust lately...

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, January 19, 2015 10:43 PM

zugmann

 

 
Murphy Siding
I think you may underestimate the amount of luster. I enjoyed reading it, but simply have nothing to add.

 

 

If you're going to give me charity, I'd prefer cash.  Or cartoons.

 

 Oh charity.  I thought you said clarity, and that wasn't making a lot of sense. Turns out, a lot of time I don't pay enough attention when I read.

     I won't be able to do much in the cash department.  Do you take S&H Greenstamps?  Mookie could attest to the fact that my cartoons aren't much to right home about.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, January 19, 2015 10:44 PM

zugmann

 

 
Murphy Siding

 

 

 

 

  What's plan B?  Sounds like you're subconcious is telling you to look for a different vocation?  Steal your daddy's que and make a living out of playing pool?

 

 

 

 

 

No clue.

 

 There's nothing quite like that sinking feeling of drifting, but not knowing to where.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 5:35 AM

morning

Cincinnati is a mess due to a bridge collapse on I-75.Going to get Matt off to school.Have a couple family member check ups to check on today.

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 Murphy Siding on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 7:14 AM

blhanel

 

 
CShaveRR

...or why one of our members has to wear tin shoes.

 

 

They're collecting dust lately...

 

  Do these tin shoes make my tinfoil hat look big?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 8:14 AM

JoeKoh

morning

Cincinnati is a mess due to a bridge collapse on I-75.Going to get Matt off to school.Have a couple family member check ups to check on today.

stay safe

joe

I haven't seen or heard anything about any bridge collapse on I-75 in Cincinnati on the national media?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 8:26 AM

It's a bridge that's being demolished over I-75.  The report I saw says one construction worker killed, and 75 will be closed for a couple of days.

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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