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Chatterbox spring

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, May 22, 2015 5:39 PM

My latest dog story - even though I don't have one.

First a bit of background. At Irricana we had a black lab that howled along with the train horns.

Flash forward to about two months ago. I had the Rochelle web cam on. Unbeknownst to me, one of my neighbours was walking his very small dog down the hallway to take him outside. A train on the web cam sounded its' horn and the little dog in the hallway proceeded to start howling in its' very small voice. The other neighbours must have wondered what the h*** was going on! The little dog was clearly letting his inner coyote out!

A LMAO moment to be sure.

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 Deggesty on Friday, May 22, 2015 2:58 PM

mudchicken

Lesson for the day: Roombas and mousetraps don't mix. (Scotties didn't think much of Roombas or Dustbusters either. Both have teefmarks to prove it.)

 

Looking forward to a mental health day from work on Monday.

 

 

Some dogs are immune to vacuum cleaners; others are not. Daughter Ginny had a dog, Jarvis, of indeterminate breed (small, very short legs, somewhat curly hair), who had an absolute horror of a running vacuum cleaner. I clearly heard him say that vacuum cleaners are infernal machines and are to be avoided. The two dogs that Ricki and I had could not have cared less about the machines.

He did love tennis balls, and would hold two of them in his mouth at one time. Once when he was out at our house, he looked at a vase that was on top of a piece of furniture with longing eyes. I told him, "Jarvis, there is no tennis ball in that vase," and he responded, "Yes, there IS one there." To show him that he was mistaken, I picked the vase up, turned it upside down--and a tennis ball fell out.

He also had a predilection for getting out and running down the street if he had the opportunity. One Sunday morning, just as Ricki and I were leaving for church, he got out, ran around the corner into the neighbor's side yard-where I caught him. I picked him up by his choke collar, and led him back to the house. Thereafter, he shrank back away from the door when we opened it if he were in our house--but Ginny still had to watch him.

Johnny

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, May 22, 2015 10:07 AM

According to my brother's wife, pugs and Perrier don't mix too well, either.  I've received tentative clearance (depends on the weather) to exercise the camera on Monday.  I have about 2/3 of a roll of film waiting to be exposed.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 22, 2015 8:02 AM

mudchicken
Lesson for the day: Roombas and mousetraps don't mix.

Cats on the other hand, don't always seem to mind...

We had a cat that wanted nothing to do with the vacuum, however...

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 edblysard on Friday, May 22, 2015 7:23 AM

Looking forward to a wallet health day (and barbque behind the locker room) monday!

23 17 46 11

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, May 21, 2015 11:36 PM

Lesson for the day: Roombas and mousetraps don't mix. (Scotties didn't think much of Roombas or Dustbusters either. Both have teefmarks to prove it.)

Looking forward to a mental health day from work on Monday.

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 JoeKoh on Thursday, May 21, 2015 4:54 PM

afternoon

ns had a westbound go by when I left work.Went to town and CSX had 3 westbounds and 1 eastbound.Time for chores.Tomorrow is Friday.

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 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 10:22 PM

It's been surprisingly cool out here in California, but the lows have consistently been in the upper 40s and low 50s (55 right now at 8:12 p.m.).  Lombard, at 10:12, has 44.  We're looking at a forecast of much more seasonable temperatures by the end of the weekend, when we return.

The end is near...

Guess I'd better not end it there--Linda did have a rough day today, now that the nausea meds from the last chemo treatment have worn off, but there's no way she's giving up the struggle!  It's just the end of our stay that's coming up--we have mailed three packages of stuff home so we don't have to tote it on the train.  Perhaps another package is in the works.

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 CShaveRR on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 10:14 PM

It's been surprisingly cool out here in California, but the lows have consistently been in the upper 40s and low 50s (55 right now at 8:12 p.m.).  Lombard, at 10:12, has 44.  We're looking at a forecast of much more seasonable temperatures by the end of the weekend, when we return.

The end is near...

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 tree68 on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 7:50 PM

Frost warning here tonight....

Busy Monday and Tuesday - Monday it was a meeting about the Thomas event, then ferry some equipment to Thendara (loco, two cars).  Tuesday it was a trip to the top of the ski area in Old Forge to look at radio equipment.  Nice view from up there, too...

Was working on a print job, and discovered that one letter wasn't printing.  Unfortunately it was in the date and changed it from the 11th to the 1st.  They're going in the trash...

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 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 6:40 PM

Had to go out today - 55 and windy/cloudy.  More like November than May 20.  Did see some brave souls out fishing - but even the ducks and geese disappeared.  Probably went south for the spring.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 3:55 PM

afternoon

Ns local was uptown when I left work.Matt and I went into Defiance on errands.The ND&W had the csx siding full.Read in the paper the clinton st viaduct got a snack on Monday night.Seems those new signs are doing great.Chores to do here at home.

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 JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 3:47 PM

afternoon

Ns had an oil train of new tank cars waiting to go west.As for storage the ND&W stores cars east of Napoleon.(between us 24 and liberty center).Cooler today.More 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 tree68 on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 3:16 PM

Several years ago Carl and Pat took a ride on our line.  Coincidentally, there was a quilt show going on at the local arts center!  Double the pleasure!

We're working on our radio system, so today I took a trip to the top of the mountain where our repeater is located.  What a ride!  There were points were we weren't sure the HD 4WD pickup was going to make it.  The Jeep didn't...  It didn't wreck, but one particularly steep portion of the trail was paved with larger rocks, and getting traction was near impossible.

On the other hand, the "view from the top" was spectacular!

Home now, making out reports and watching mandatory management videos...

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 ChuckCobleigh on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 1:01 PM

CShaveRR
I should point out, Chuck, that Pat doesn't buy quilts; she makes her own.

I suspected that, as normally quilt-only shops aren't on the radar of quilters.  I don't recall whether that shop in Solvang had fabrics and related, but it could have, as it was pretty good sized.  When they were younger, my sisters had a pretty good "directory" of quilt shops in the west, one of them probably still does.

Having a shirtmaker handy is a real plus.

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 6:20 AM

Sir C:  I figured out that the reason we hadn't seen any of those shield tank cars was because we hadn't seen the particular AAR marking on these cars.  Now we have seen a few more.  

Re: the Mexican tank cars or for that matter any of the new/old tank cars...if they can't be used any more - but haven't been used for anything else - can they be used to haul something food quality - like soybean oil?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, May 18, 2015 10:02 PM

CShaveRR

SJ, shields outboard of the end of the tank have been around for decades, usually a retrofit on older cars.  Newer cars that comply with "CPC 1232" may or may not have them...a lot of these cars have extra shell thickness on the ends.

With the latest tank car specs, these half-shields will be a thing of the past, as full-height shields will be required.  Whether they'll be inside or outside (or both) is not yet known to me.

Good day today on the family front:    (1) although no progress has been made on reducing the tumors, the chemo has at least arrested the spread of Linda's cancer. Beginning next week she'll get a more potent brew.  (2) Linus had his first day at a daycare center; it went more smoothly than we expected, and he came home in a very good mood, which lasted well into the evening (poor kid has understandably been stressed out by his mother's condition).  (3) Pat and I have gotten our return tickets...we leave a week from today (earlier Sunsets were sold out).  We return home on Memorial Day.

Pat and I took a drive to Solvang, which is a blocks-long traffic jam disguised as a quaint Scandanavian city.  Solvang, by the way, is Danish for "no trains."  We didn't even stay for lunch.

 

Mooks: Along with the cars with shields, don't be surprised if you start seeing hundreds of brand shiny new, mostly Mexican, DOT-111 tank cars hiding on little used backtracks, never to haul their intended cargo. Understand there are at least 2700 cars like this that went into storage immediately without ever carrying a revenue load. Shortlines are being queried on who has room to store these rascals.

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 Deggesty on Monday, May 18, 2015 9:50 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

With all due respects to your spouse, you make it sound like you don't need to be wearing a safety vest to be spotted on the job.

 

When Carl and I went to Antioch and back last September, I noticed that he had a good-looking shirt on; it was not loud or one that stood out in any ostentatious way. Had I known that it was Pat's handiwork, I would have complimented her on it. Actually, the times that he and Pat ate with Ricki and me, I did not especially notice his shirt--I simply enjoyed their company.

We are still getting rain--and northern Utah has already had its average share for May. What we have not had are May temperatures--does anyone have some spare global warming that can be sent our way?

Johnny

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, May 18, 2015 8:02 PM

Paul, my shirts are often colorful...perhaps plaided, lined, or other geometrics, but never spotted!  

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 Monday, May 18, 2015 4:33 PM

evening

Ns had an autorack train in the siding when I left work.Mowed the swamp.Mother nature is going to cool us down tonight.Getting ready for Matts choir performance as well.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, May 18, 2015 7:12 AM

With all due respects to your spouse, you make it sound like you don't need to be wearing a safety vest to be spotted on the job.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, May 17, 2015 10:52 AM

I should point out, Chuck, that Pat doesn't buy quilts; she makes her own.   So what she's looking for are fabric dealers that specialize in the exotic colors and prints that can be used in wall-hangings and other works of art, some of which can lie on beds.
Most of these fabrics wouldn't normally be seen in people's clothes, unless they happen to be chosen by a lucky spouse for whom she makes almost all of the shirts he wears.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Sunday, May 17, 2015 12:02 AM

CShaveRR
Also, Pat's "Official Guide" (my flippant term for her directory) did not reveal any quilt shops in Solvang, so we revisited the one we knew about in Buellton.

You would have needed a time machine to visit the neat quilt shop that was on Copenhagen Drive just south of the Greenhouse Cafe.  I think we last saw it maybe ten or fifteen years ago.  We still have and use at least one quilt we got there.

Looking forward to hearing of your departure from the Golden State; it's good to hear that things are coming along in a good way.  I bet Linus will be looking forward to your next visit before you clear the Colorado River bridge at Yuma.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, May 16, 2015 11:36 PM

No, we didn't stop, as we'd been there before.  Linda's oncologist is in Solvang (off the main drag somewhere), but she wanted to get lunch at Ellen's Pancake House in Buellton after her appointment, so we joined them there.  Also, Pat's "Official Guide" (my flippant term for her directory) did not reveal any quilt shops in Solvang, so we revisited the one we knew about in Buellton.

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
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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, May 15, 2015 11:30 PM

CShaveRR
Pat and I took a drive to Solvang, which is a blocks-long traffic jam disguised as a quaint Scandanavian city.  Solvang, by the way, is Danish for "no trains."  We didn't even stay for lunch.

Not even a bakery purchase?  I don't recall driving "in town" as we usually lodge at the Holiday Inn (Express?) on the west side of town and walk anywhere we want to go, since it's pretty compact.  Unfortunately, the bakeries and candy shops are off limits now, so there went half the fun.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, May 15, 2015 10:44 PM

SJ, shields outboard of the end of the tank have been around for decades, usually a retrofit on older cars.  Newer cars that comply with "CPC 1232" may or may not have them...a lot of these cars have extra shell thickness on the ends.

With the latest tank car specs, these half-shields will be a thing of the past, as full-height shields will be required.  Whether they'll be inside or outside (or both) is not yet known to me.

Good day today on the family front:    (1) although no progress has been made on reducing the tumors, the chemo has at least arrested the spread of Linda's cancer. Beginning next week she'll get a more potent brew.  (2) Linus had his first day at a daycare center; it went more smoothly than we expected, and he came home in a very good mood, which lasted well into the evening (poor kid has understandably been stressed out by his mother's condition).  (3) Pat and I have gotten our return tickets...we leave a week from today (earlier Sunsets were sold out).  We return home on Memorial Day.

Pat and I took a drive to Solvang, which is a blocks-long traffic jam disguised as a quaint Scandanavian city.  Solvang, by the way, is Danish for "no trains."  We didn't even stay for lunch.

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
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  • From: Northern New York
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Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 15, 2015 8:53 PM

Quiet day today - tomorrow I could be in three or four places at once.  Two of them are fairly close, so I might be able to hit both.  Then our FD banquet in the evening.

For now, I've got 75 programs for the banquet to fold...

A little rain here tonight - about a quarter inch.  Four times that much wouldn't be a bad thing.  We're pretty dry.  The governor just extended the statewide burn ban by a week.

Moving on...

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
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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, May 15, 2015 8:23 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Took brother out for supper and to get a haircut.NS was playing in a hole in the yard in Bryan.They are installing new signals everywhere.Got to see an NS train go west coming home.It had a scale test car near the back.Tomorrow it's a wedding day.Hope to stay dry.

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 Friday, May 15, 2015 6:58 PM

Suprise late lunch trackside.  The Driver - who enjoys being outside but is usually a tad indifferent to train watching (altho he always studies them as they go by) saw what looked to be the "new" tank cars.  Do these have a plate over the ends just above the coupler?  

If this is so, these are the first we have seen.  And Eagle Eyes had to point them out to me.  (But I can hear them coming!)  Plus he always reads the Trains magazine well before I get to read it.  So much for indifference.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, May 14, 2015 4:57 PM

afternoon

Ns had some empties in the siding when I left work.Csx had an empty coke train when we wenty into Defiance.In the lucky to be here dept. is a truck driver.Het met a csx train on tittle road just west of Defiance.He was hauling stone.Took of the first steps of the locomotives.The train took of the front end of his truck.Tomorrow is friday.

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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