Trains.com

Chatterbox Winter

21648 views
531 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Monday, January 26, 2015 12:24 PM

Norm48327

Hey Bruce,

I have a friend who lives in Airdrie.

Here's an interesting tidbit you might want to pass along.

It is claimed that Airdrie generated the thickest file of complaints ever generated about the service provided to any point on the CPR. From the 1890's to sometime in the 1960's, housing devlopers of varying levels of reputation wanted to build new developments, backstopped with promises by the CPR to provide heavy rail commuter services to Calgary. Once the handwriting was on the wall that this would never happen, the town fathers orchestrated the puchase of all of the land the law would allow next to the CPR ROW and proceeded to build on it to prenent the CPR from ever putting it to any other use.

Nobody knew it at the time but this has really hamstrung plans to ever build a Calgary/Edmonton HSR line, as almost all of the land immediately west of Airdrie is too soft to support another rail line. The local farmers always knew to double-check their land before taking their farm machinery out on it, but it seems they didn't bother to tell anyone else!

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,323 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, January 26, 2015 2:45 PM

afternoon

sun is out trying to melt the snow.Ns local was shuffling around at lunch time.They have empties to pick up in town.matt is working on homework.Time to do chores.

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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, January 26, 2015 2:50 PM

AgentKid
Best of luck to US forum members about to face this big blizzard.

I cleared Springfield, MA, this morning about 8 AM under mostly cloudy skies with a hint of sunshine.  Ran into some light flurries once back in NY, but now that I'm home, there's not a flake in the air.

On the way home, however, I did see a half dozen convoys of utility crews, as well as DOT road graders and even a couple of big snow blowers headed into the "field of battle."

I'll sit home and watch it on the news.  

It snowed Saturday morning in Springfield, which caused a huge drop in attendance at the big show.  The only had as many people for the whole show as they normally get for one day.

It amounted to about 5-6" of kinda wet snow.  Didn't slow us snowbirds down at all...

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...

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, January 26, 2015 3:08 PM

How many 'Storm of the Century' have we had in the 15 years of this century?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Monday, January 26, 2015 3:46 PM

The city slickers need a reminder every so often about the real world and life in fly-over country...(and hey, the pansies get a day off out of the dealMischief....We constantly get reminded here at work about how we are expected to deal with the snow and be here.)

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
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, January 26, 2015 4:20 PM

I took a couple of personal leave days and last Saturday morning Becky and I went out to Council Bluffs to the Great American Train Show.  Pretty nice show.  I got a couple of books, an N gauge auto rack, a couple of RI/Rock plastic time table covers and a Wisconsin Central  time table.

I also got a deer on the way to the show.  About 715am, the sun starting to come up, driving along about 20 miles from home and all of a sudden I see a deer's head and neck in the windshield.  She ran into the front driver's side panel.  Did some damage, but could've been worse.  After the county deputy made out an accident report, we turned around, took the car to our local Ford dealer, who did the last accident repairs we had a couple of years ago.  Got a loaner car for the time being, and went out to CB any way.

Our local paper had a story last week of how a couple went from town over to Boone on old highway 30 (now a county road) and hit a deer.  They came home on new US 30 and hit a second deer.  Some people have all the luck.

Hey Zug, I just saw Mookie's question about cab signals.  Do yours have color lights or position light cab signals?  I was on an ex-CR engine once that had the position light type cabs.

Jeff           

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, January 26, 2015 4:24 PM

jeffhergert
Hey Zug, I just saw Mookie's question about cab signals. Do yours have color lights or position light cab signals? I was on an ex-CR engine once that had the position light type cabs.

 

Position.

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

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, January 26, 2015 4:48 PM

I trust that you and Becky are all right, Jeff.  I got my deer this past June up in northern Michigan (I was unhurt; Pat was un-along).  I didn't fill out any reports, and was able to drive away (air bags didn't deploy).  Insurance covered damages, which were handled first by a local body shop.  The adjustors missed something that was discovered by our local mechanics (can't say enough good stuff about them!), and insurance covered that as well.  The inconvenience on both occasions wasn't much fun, but at least we didn't have to pay any money for the experience.

We had the east's major blizzard (or part of it) swoop through here yesterday when it was just a pup.  We're getting some more nasty stuff this evening, just in time for the road crews to share rush hour with everybody else--including us, as we have to go to a fundraiser for our grandson's school or Cub Scouts; not sure which.  It has been well over a week since I've had any sun to light my way anywhere.

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)

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, January 26, 2015 5:05 PM

Yes, we both came out OK.  The deer however...

Jeff

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Monday, January 26, 2015 6:09 PM

They seldom do, Jeff. We have more than our fair share in southeast Michigan. I've been lucky though; lots of close calls but no venison for the table. Wink

Norm


  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, January 26, 2015 7:31 PM

jeffhergert

Our local paper had a story last week of how a couple went from town over to Boone on old highway 30 (now a county road) and hit a deer.  They came home on new US 30 and hit a second deer.  Some people have all the luck.

 

Jeff           

 

 I know a guy who bagged two in one morning on I-29, about 50 miles apart.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, January 26, 2015 7:35 PM

BaltACD

How many 'Storm of the Century' have we had in the 15 years of this century?

 

 I suppose we're working our way up to the "Storm of the millenium". Dunce

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, January 26, 2015 8:50 PM

Murphy Siding
BaltACD

How many 'Storm of the Century' have we had in the 15 years of this century?

 

 

 

 I suppose we're working our way up to the "Storm of the millenium". Dunce

 

 

With only 985 years left in the millenium as well as 85 years left in the century.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: LaGrange GA
  • 55 posts
Posted by ramrod on Monday, January 26, 2015 9:32 PM

tree68
It amounted to about 5-6" of kinda wet snow.  Didn't slow us snowbirds down at all...

I can believe you had no trouble with that small amount. When I lived in the Syrcuse area about 50 years ago, the local newspaper always referred to 5" or less of snow fall as "flurries" or a "dusting." And they weren't joking!

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 4:41 AM

Nearly bagged a young deer with my lawn mower coming around the corner of my house once.  They really are too tame here.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 7:33 AM

BaltACD

 

 
Murphy Siding
BaltACD

How many 'Storm of the Century' have we had in the 15 years of this century?

 

 

 

 I suppose we're working our way up to the "Storm of the millenium". Dunce

 

 

 

 

With only 985 years left in the millenium as well as 85 years left in the century.

 

    You have to think like a TV weatherman.  It's not the biggest storm in the whole century, it's the biggest one so far, because every storm is worst than the last- hence the use of words like monster, mega, ultra and extreme, everytime a cloud pops up.

      Storm of the millemium!!  The worst storm ever!! World ends at 4 o'clock today!!  Film at 11:00.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 8:02 AM

Murphy:  Laugh

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 8:44 AM

....and what would our favorite alum of WeatherLiar U. be saying now?

Joe: preparing an estimate now for the black horse folks about 120 miles east of you in the Fire Lands of Erie County.

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
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 2:20 PM

They almost have to color each storm as an apocalypse, because if they don't, the less-wise will wander out into the world and end up stuck (or worse).  After all, "how bad can it be?"  Those of us who have lived in the environment for years know.

On the other hand, we haven't had a really bad winter for a few years (at least, around here).  I haven't asked the town to knock down the snowbanks in front of the house in several years as there was no need.  And since people forget, they venture out when they shouldn't.

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...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,323 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 3:22 PM

afternoon

clear here in Nw Ohio. NS was all clear in Archbold.Did some shopping after work.Matt working on his homework.Tomorrow his confirmation class project is to work at a local soup kitchen.MC could meet you at the Mad River museum after the work is done???Time 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 4:45 PM

Joe: have to find out still if they want us or somebody else at NS-NKP-Shinlock.

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
  • Member since
    February 2011
  • 96 posts
Posted by Uncle Jake on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 10:12 PM

My parents used to get the Reminisce magazine. Back when there were still people who could remember what the early 1900s were like, there were stories about the winters they used to have and how it was all different anymore; hardly any snow now, rivers no longer freezing over, etc. Now the old timers aren't around to give us perspective on things like that. Therefore we succumb to Little Chicken Syndrome.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 9:41 AM

mudchicken

The city slickers need a reminder every so often about the real world and life in fly-over country...(and hey, the pansies get a day off out of the dealMischief....We constantly get reminded here at work about how we are expected to deal with the snow and be here.)

 

I had the day off.....

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 10:34 AM

tree68

 

And since people forget, they venture out when they shouldn't.

 

Anymore, there are too many drivers who shouldn't venture out after a light dusting of snow.  

Jeff

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 11:53 AM

[

jeffhergert

 

 
tree68

 

And since people forget, they venture out when they shouldn't.

 

 

 

Anymore, there are too many drivers who shouldn't venture out after a light dusting of snow.  

Jeff

 

Or at all. Sigh  

I know, I know.  "You kids!  Get off my lawn!" Grumpy

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 12:12 PM

Wink

jeffhergert
 
tree68

 

And since people forget, they venture out when they shouldn't.

 

 

 

Anymore, there are too many drivers who shouldn't venture out after a light dusting of snow.  

Jeff

 

TRUTH

We could always break out the Black magic markers and circle templates and draw crosshairs on the driver's side windshield

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
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 12:25 PM

Well, Norris, if a light dusting of snow looks like an excuse to you to drive on their lawn, I don't blame 'em for yelling!

Not as funny as it should be--we went to the police about our neighbors, who believe that their parked-in cars should be driven out via the lawn, and their favorite route includes ours.

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)

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 3:26 PM

Jeff (and others) - 

Re: Deer

Mischief Just wondering . . . Do the deer have a fan magazine called "Vehicles" and associated computer forum for it called "Vehicles.com".  There, reports of deer vs. car or truck encounters are posted, with the usual results.  The members bemoan and post numerous snarky comments and responses about how their kind don't obey the posted "Deer Crossing" signs because the cars and  trucks can't swerve, brake, or otherwise maneuver as nimbly as the deer can, and how the deer should be willing to wait until the car or truck passes, then look both ways before crossing the road, etc.  Also, how the deer shouldn't walk along the road, because it doesn't belong to them either - they should only be on it within those Deer Crossing signs, etc. . . . just saying, that's all.

Then again, a true story: In late May 2009, when we were visting Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, one evening at about dusk we watched both a small herd of bison and a couple elk cross the North Entrance Road, headed southeasterly, at the crosswalk to the Grand Loop Road on the east side of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel - protected by a Park Ranger in a high-visibility vest who was flagging traffic for them !!!  I might have a fair picture of that someplace . . . Laugh

- Paul North.    

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 3:53 PM

Paul,

Bow Bow Bow Thumbs Up

Norm


  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 5:01 PM

As to "deer crossing" and other such signs, I understand that there are people who wonder how deer are induced to cross at those places.

Another true story, concerning a hen pheasant and her chicks. One of my wife's favorite rooms at the Iron Blosam (sic), which is a timeshare building at Snowbird, which is a Ski and Summer Resort up Little Cottonwood Canyon (SE of Salt Lake City), is on the eighth floor, on the backside of the building and is not far above the highway that goes up to Alta (there, the highway is about even with the seventh floor). One afternoon, I was looking out, and saw a man trying to help a hen pheasant and her chicks cross the highway--and she was having none of it. I marveled at his ignorance of wildlife, and did not doubt she would have managed well enough on her own.

Johnny

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy