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Chatterbox spring

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 16, 2015 10:10 AM

JoeKoh
...we have new people go through video training,forklift training then when it comes to work,they decide to go somewhere else.

The training requirements for volunteer firefighters are taking a toll now, too.  In today's two-job, kids-in-a-dozen-activities households, people can't find the time for the 120 hours required for the initial training - and we have one of the shortest requirements in the country.   Years ago, volunteer fire departments were social centers in their communities - and the membership roster reflected that.  A lot of fires were "surround and drown" operations, and the materials involved were a lot different, besides.  Today, firefighters need to be skilled technicians, including hazmat, and a lot of people aren't up to the job.

That's not to say that fire departments of old didn't have those skilled technicians, but the number of such members amongst an 80 member roster might have been 10-15 - about the number of total members the same fire department might have today.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, April 16, 2015 6:58 AM

BaltACD

 
Murphy Siding

 

 
Mookie

Ah, Johnny - my favorite traveler!  You are probably one of only 2 people on the forum that come thru my home town on a regular basis.  The other is my favorite chicken.  

And if I had the chance to travel, I would make sure my sleeping area was right next to the dinning car!  Any refrigerators to raid?  

I read all your travels and have decided you have more miles on you than my old Plymouth Valiant of many years ago!  We went everywhere together and yet never really went anywhere!  

But for now, I travel in your stories and always have a great time, no matter where "we" go.  

 

 

 

 Define regular basis.  I was in Lincoln once, about 27 years ago.   I didn't have a Valient, but I had the macho version- a '67 Dodge Dart!  It was a chick magnet.  Chickens stuck to it like crazy.

 

 

 

 

Ah, Balt! LaughLaugh

Mookie, remind me next week to look up the record of my travels in civilized comfort (though two nights especially were not comfortable, such as spending the night in an unheated washroom from Jesup to Atlanta in January--people who had boarded in Jacksonville after the Gator Bowl game had taken the available seats--and spending the night in an Amtrak I daycoach--the seat back did not recline very far--from Providence to Wilmington). About the most comfortable night in a coach was spent in one of Southern's coaches with walkover seats--I took the seat next to the washroom and could fully stretch out on it.

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, April 16, 2015 6:26 AM

Murphy Siding

 

 
Mookie

Ah, Johnny - my favorite traveler!  You are probably one of only 2 people on the forum that come thru my home town on a regular basis.  The other is my favorite chicken.  

And if I had the chance to travel, I would make sure my sleeping area was right next to the dinning car!  Any refrigerators to raid?  

I read all your travels and have decided you have more miles on you than my old Plymouth Valiant of many years ago!  We went everywhere together and yet never really went anywhere!  

But for now, I travel in your stories and always have a great time, no matter where "we" go.  

 

 

 

 Define regular basis.  I was in Lincoln once, about 27 years ago.   I didn't have a Valient, but I had the macho version- a '67 Dodge Dart!  It was a chick magnet.  Chickens stuck to it like crazy.

 

 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, April 16, 2015 6:04 AM

Ah, Murphy - MoPar to you in the chick dept.  

(that hurt my brain!)  

A Dodge Dart - wow - be still my heart!  Kisses

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 11:06 PM

Mookie

Ah, Johnny - my favorite traveler!  You are probably one of only 2 people on the forum that come thru my home town on a regular basis.  The other is my favorite chicken.  

And if I had the chance to travel, I would make sure my sleeping area was right next to the dinning car!  Any refrigerators to raid?  

I read all your travels and have decided you have more miles on you than my old Plymouth Valiant of many years ago!  We went everywhere together and yet never really went anywhere!  

But for now, I travel in your stories and always have a great time, no matter where "we" go.  

 

 Define regular basis.  I was in Lincoln once, about 27 years ago.   I didn't have a Valient, but I had the macho version- a '67 Dodge Dart!  It was a chick magnet.  Chickens stuck to it like crazy.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 10:44 PM

JoeKoh
I spied on the NS local after I took Matt to his class.They are waiting for a crew.Zugman we have new people go through video training,forklift training then when it comes to work,they decide to go somewhere else.Time for bed. stay safe Joe

We're losing a lot of them, too.  I'd probably leave, too if I were them.  Too damned dangerous out here to be set free like that.  Not like there's brakemen lists anymore. 

 

Absolutely disgusting.  

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 Wednesday, April 15, 2015 10:19 PM

Ah, Johnny - my favorite traveler!  You are probably one of only 2 people on the forum that come thru my home town on a regular basis.  The other is my favorite chicken.  

And if I had the chance to travel, I would make sure my sleeping area was right next to the dinning car!  Any refrigerators to raid?  

I read all your travels and have decided you have more miles on you than my old Plymouth Valiant of many years ago!  We went everywhere together and yet never really went anywhere!  

But for now, I travel in your stories and always have a great time, no matter where "we" go.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 9:45 PM

Well, I have gotten as far away as I could, and I start back from Boston tomorrow, heading home. So, I will be going through Lincoln early Saturday morning, in Bedroom D in car 0531 (the first one behind the diner).

We made some good time above Philadelphia this morning--covering several miles in less than 30 seconds to the mile. Above New York City, we did not move anywhere nearly that fast, and I could not see the mileposts very well in Rhode Island, but we did move fast. Leaving Providence, we were behind an MBTA train, which slowed us some; we even stopped at a signal and then crept up behind  him in one place (I talked with the engineer briefly after we arrived).

The arrangement to keep a constant tension on the catenary is interesting--a series of blocks and weights from time to time along the way. There is quite a difference between the catenary supports above New Haven and those below New Haven--I-beams standing up, and, where there is a support across the tracks, it looks like a U-beam (I could not get a good look at them). The station in Providence is changed considerably from what I saw in 1982, and the Boston station is also changed quite a bit from what I remembered it has having been in 1997; the station in Wilmington is much improved over what it was in 1984. Providence and Wilmington both have elevators to the track level (down and up, respectively).

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 9:29 PM

JoeKoh

I spied on the NS local after I took Matt to his class.They are waiting for a crew.Zugman we have new people go through video training,forklift training then when it comes to work,they decide to go somewhere else.Time for bed.

stay safe

Joe

 

Joe, I was exposed to several different ways of forklift training. The first was simply getting on a lift and practicing. Later came some actual instruction, then came watching a film, which emphasized, among other matters the proper way to drive down a ramp with no load (forwards--keep your heavy end up on a ramp). after that, I was requalified by a man inplant who had the authority--he criticised me for driving down a ramp properly with no load--and accepted my rebuke. The last practice that my company exercised was to hire another company to send us teachers on various matters of safety, and this worked well. One year, when I was being requalified along with others (and one or two new drivers) I had the others do some of my work of stacking pallets of empty barrels--I combined their education with my business.

One matter that was emphasized in these classes was the dangers presented by driving unsafely--including death. Perhaps the trainees who quit do not trust themselves to drive safely?

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7:56 PM

Got several pictures via text message of a fire in La Jara, CO.  Apparently, fire hoses were laid across the tracks (former DRG&W - now a short line), but they got the train stopped in time.  At one point the train crew thought they'd have to back up...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
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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 Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7:41 PM

I spied on the NS local after I took Matt to his class.They are waiting for a crew.Zugman we have new people go through video training,forklift training then when it comes to work,they decide to go somewhere else.Time for bed.

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 zugmann on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7:11 PM

edblysard
And they all stare at you with that "Do what?"look on their face

The comapny is rushing their training.  It's a shame.  There's some real good guys and gals, and they are getting the extremely short end of the stick.  Now others - well... I'll leave it at that.

 

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 3:05 PM

BaltACD sorry for the confusion.Ns local had a load to go to Delta and was spotting cars for us when I left work in Archbold.Matt has confirmation class tonight.Projects and chores to do.

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 Deggesty on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 8:21 PM

BaltACD
 
CShaveRR

Defian' analysis, Balt!

(Joe works in Archbold, where the Capitols and Lowercases (Lakeshores) fly.

 

 

 

Defiance was on the route of the REAL Capitol Limited run by the B&O.  Amtrak is just a facsimilie.

 

Jealous? Devil

Even though I rode the real Capitol Limited only once, I agree, and what goes by that name is not even a reasonable facsimile.

I had a good trip back to Charlotte yesterday (not even a close call on the highway), even though I was confused in Asheville for a little while.

I left Charlotte at seven this morning, and arrived in WIlmington on time. On the way up, I noticed, while we were on the North Carolina Railroad, there is a mixture of both old Southern whistleposts and mileposts and new whistleposts and mileposts. I even saw some ancient ACL whistleposts (two broad stripes, a narrow stripe, and a broad stripe painted on the posts) after we left Selma. I did not notice any whistleposts above Richmond. As I commented on another thread this evening, the catenary supports are still by the tracks south of the Virginia Avenue/Union Station tunnels in Washington.

The last time I rode between Greensboro and Fetner (Carey) was in 1969 (detour because of a hurricane takeout of a bridge), and the line was dark. Now CTC rules, rather than train order and TT.

Both NS and CSX are doing quite a bit of track work. We had one of the new baggage cars, and engine #613 was put on the point in Washington. We flew, once we left Washington, crept through the B&P tunnels, and flew again on up to Wilmington. On to Bean Town tomorrow.

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:46 PM

CShaveRR

Defian' analysis, Balt!

(Joe works in Archbold, where the Capitols and Lowercases (Lakeshores) fly.

 

Defiance was on the route of the REAL Capitol Limited run by the B&O.  Amtrak is just a facsimilie.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:23 PM

CShaveRR
Lowercases (Lakeshores)

We tend to call them the Lateshores...  Especially the eastbound.

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 Tuesday, April 14, 2015 4:51 PM

Defian' analysis, Balt!

(Joe works in Archbold, where the Capitols and Lowercases (Lakeshores) fly.

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 BaltACD on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 3:33 PM

JoeKoh

afternoon

saw the westbound capitol limited when I got to work.Ns ran a westbound frieght and the local was uptown when I left work.Chores to get at.

stay safe

Joe

 

What was the Capitol doing in Defiance?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 2:45 PM

afternoon

saw the westbound capitol limited when I got to work.Ns ran a westbound frieght and the local was uptown when I left work.Chores to get at.

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 Tuesday, April 14, 2015 11:48 AM

CShaveRR

Daughter is home from the hospital.  Boy, was her son glad to see her home (so was her dad, but I don't think he flipped out quite as badly)!  Long weeks and months of treatment and recovery ahead.  We're here to help.

 
Very glad to hear this news and I'm sorry I didn't get in here sooner to offer my support.
 
I have been following the local news as it relates to oil prices and Crude-by Rail, as well as some of the threads on this forum. I have only made a few posts to the forum in recent times.
 
We have had a really mild winter. But on a daily basis our temps have been on a roller coaster. The weather lady was commenting on Sunday night that our forecast highs for this week are going to be both 10-15º above and below our seasonal norms. The only thing you can say about our weather this winter is that the only thing for sure is that nothing is for sure.
 
Hoping for all the best for your family Carl.
 
Bruce
 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

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"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 10:36 AM

Carl - Great news!  Best of luck with all that goes with this.

Spent a fair part of yesterday on the road, on railroad business.  Between our upcoming Thomas event and radios, they're keeping me busy.  

On my way home I took the "road less travelled."  In the process, I followed much of the old Black River Canal.  With no leaves, and some snow on the ground to provide some contrast, the canal was easy to follow, and the locks (there were a lot of them) were more visible.  The most impressive installation on the canal is/was the "flight of five," five locks in a row.  There are several flights of four locks on the canal, but only one flight of five.

 

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 Monday, April 13, 2015 10:27 PM

Daughter is home from the hospital.  Boy, was her son glad to see her home (so was her dad, but I don't think he flipped out quite as badly)!  Long weeks and months of treatment and recovery ahead.  We're here to help.

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 edblysard on Monday, April 13, 2015 4:15 PM

zugmann
 
CShaveRR
Getting him into or out of his car seat is still a struggle at times, but it usually turns out to be a gigglefest. And we're seeing a lot more of that open-mouthed, scrunched-up-nose grin. 

 

 

I swear that is what it like everytime we have a conductor trainee. 

 

They are all 12 years old.    Has to be.. I can't be getting that old. 

 

 

And they all stare at you with that "Do what?"look on their face

23 17 46 11

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, April 13, 2015 2:54 PM

afternoon

This morning saw the PRR heritage unit helping on a westbound  NS stack train. Everything was clear when I left work.Need to go to town after Matt gets his homework 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 zugmann on Saturday, April 11, 2015 7:25 PM

CShaveRR
Getting him into or out of his car seat is still a struggle at times, but it usually turns out to be a gigglefest. And we're seeing a lot more of that open-mouthed, scrunched-up-nose grin. 

 

I swear that is what it like everytime we have a conductor trainee. 

 

They are all 12 years old.    Has to be.. I can't be getting that old. 

 

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 JoeKoh on Saturday, April 11, 2015 4:52 PM

evening

Went and saw brother today after chores.NS was kind of quiet.Went to Delta Ohio and saw the I&O shove a train above the former NYC line(now NS).An eastbound stacker told a westbound oil train to comb their hair.There were picture takers ahead.Leading the oil train was NS 8025(The Red M unit).Brother asked if they were talking about us and I said they were.As far as we could tell thier hair was perfect.Going to relax.Busy day 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 Deggesty on Saturday, April 11, 2015 4:20 PM

Thursday, I drove to Greensboro to see another nephew and his wife (and their nine cats), and we enjoyed the time together. On the way up, I noticed that two branches of the former Southern still have the whistle posts that tell the engineer what to blow--but I noticed Monday that those on the main line down to New Orleans have been replaced with posts much like the old N&W posts which had just a "W" on them, and a distinctive shape to the sign itself. Mileposts have also been replaced. Standardization for the main liines?

To here, Bristol (my hotel is in Virginia, but I spent this morning and early afternoon at my college in Tennessee), yesterday. I saw an NS train going west through the Narrows of the New River while on the way, and I saw another one going southwest on the Radford-Bristol line later. If you want to know where the Narrows are, look for the town of Narrows in Virginia.

Breakfast and lunch today, with classmates, were good. I also saw several who finished before I did, and one man, Bill, who graduated from college the year I finished the eleventh grade. He and his wife, Joy, had an interesting courtship--he fell in love with his freshman chemistry lab instructor and they married just before the start of his sophomore year, and they graduated together. I never asked, but I expect tht the parents of one or the other probably held their son during the exercises. I was told, more than fifty years ago, that the dean of women did her best to discourage them from marrying, and I asked Bill today if she ever apologized for her efforts when she saw that their marriage was lasting; he said that she did indeed apologize. They married in 1950, and Joy died in the last year or so. Bill's youngest son, John (also an alumnus), and his family were here also; I told him that the only time I had seen him, he was a babe in his mother's arms. How the years go by!

Church here tomorrow, and then to Charlotte on Monday.

Johnny

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Posted by switch7frg on Saturday, April 11, 2015 12:24 PM

Randy, do you run the central tier states? I have a friend who just signed on, and he starts on 4/21. Here in Az. I see 4or 5 trucks a week heading south from Flg. on I 17 at the Shell station / Cordes Jct.   Keep the painted side up.   

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, April 10, 2015 10:47 PM

Today we caught a southbound (or is it still eastbound?) freight on the Coast Line a few miles east of Gaviota.  It was nearly all auto racks.  Nothing else new to report, except that our grandson seems to be adjusting to us.  Getting him into or out of his car seat is still a struggle at times, but it usually turns out to be a gigglefest.  And we're seeing a lot more of that open-mouthed, scrunched-up-nose grin.

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 JoeKoh on Friday, April 10, 2015 2:31 PM

afternoon

work is done.Ns was all clear.swamp is draining.Nephew wants some pictures from the old neighborhood.Going to take Matt with me when he gets home.Chores to do.

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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