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Chatterbox Fall 2015

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Posted by NorthWest on Sunday, December 13, 2015 8:38 PM

StormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStorm

StormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStorm

StormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStormStorm

and more Storm...

Mudslides coming, anyone?

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, December 13, 2015 8:22 PM

Lanterns smell? Absolutely--especially when you use kerosene, as we did when I was young and took the lantern out back at night. Also, when the power went out, we used kerosene lamps. We had to be careful when adjusting the wick so that as little carbon as possible would be deposited on the chimney (oh, the lamp chimneys are very fragile; the lantern glass is not so fragile).

In later years, here in Utah, we used "lamp oil" in our lamps when the power went out. It does not smell as much as kerosene does.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, December 13, 2015 8:11 PM

Deggesty
Larry, do those lanterns help keep your hands warm?

Absolutely!  Not that we've needed to keep warm much here lately (relatively speaking).  

In addition, we're often asked to pose with kids for pictures with the conductor, so I have to be mindful of not burning the kids, either.  Most are amazed that there's a real flame inside there.

If I have time, I'll explain how the lantern was (and still is) used to signal the engineer.

If there's one problem with the real lanterns, it's that even though we use the cleanest burning fuel we can, if we're in one spot too long, you can tell by the smell...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by Mookie on Sunday, December 13, 2015 6:56 PM

Happy Birthday Johnny!  And many, many more.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Norm48327 on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:59 PM

Deggesty
That reminds me: do you grind grain of wheat light bulbs up to make light bread? (That is what a lot of folks around where I grew up called store-bought bread.)

Johnny,

Back in '79 I bought my wife the biggest KitchenAid mixer. It's still going strong, and although I don't make bread as often as she did I do make it and dinner rolls for special occasions. It disappears faster than heck. YUM!

Norm


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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:53 PM

tree68

Nice weather here today, if cloudy.  Brought out far more folks for our Holiday Breakfast than we expected.  We had plenty of food - but that right jolly old elf ran out of gifts...

Looks like tomorrow will be the winner for the week, high in the 60's.  After that things start to drop off, but highs will still be above freezing.

Didn't get the mulch on the bulb gardens just yet, but unless it's really windy Monday, everything else is ready.

Last weekend of Polar Express next weekend.  All trains are sold out.  I'm one of the engineers on Friday, then Saturday and Sunday I'll be in uniform on the train.  The lanterns are all ready to go!  Yes, we generally carry real RR kero lanterns, which thoroughly captivates our passengers.

 

Larry, do those lanterns help keep your hands warm?

After worship this morning, the congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to me--they do it when a member reaches a certain age. I was also given one of the boxes the ladies prepare at this time of the year for the older members; I do not know why they give me one.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:48 PM

ChuckCobleigh

 

 
tree68
 I do have a little more work I could be doing on the bulb garden - maybe I'll get it done.

 

Would that be some "light" gardening?

 

That reminds me:  do you grind grain of wheat light bulbs up to make light bread? (That is what a lot of folks around where I grew up called store-bought bread.)

Johnny

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Posted by Norm48327 on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:47 PM

Big patch of rain over the Mississippi Valley this evening. I suspect the eastern half of the country will be seeing it over the next few days.

Norm


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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:44 PM

70+ in Central MD - but the clouds are coming and the forecast for tomorrow is rain.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, December 13, 2015 4:39 PM

Nice weather here today, if cloudy.  Brought out far more folks for our Holiday Breakfast than we expected.  We had plenty of food - but that right jolly old elf ran out of gifts...

Looks like tomorrow will be the winner for the week, high in the 60's.  After that things start to drop off, but highs will still be above freezing.

Didn't get the mulch on the bulb gardens just yet, but unless it's really windy Monday, everything else is ready.

Last weekend of Polar Express next weekend.  All trains are sold out.  I'm one of the engineers on Friday, then Saturday and Sunday I'll be in uniform on the train.  The lanterns are all ready to go!  Yes, we generally carry real RR kero lanterns, which thoroughly captivates our passengers.

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, December 12, 2015 9:43 PM

Bank said 65 degrees tonight at 10 PM.Ns was clear when I left work.We got brother and went to Deshler.Saw NS L 75 in Leipsic after it finished at pro-tec. Also saw a coal train going south on the Toledo sub.Deshler was busy in a hurry.Heard they(csx) found an extra rider on a train in Defiance.Csx also had a tanker train with the "lackawana" unit on the point.Went to Findlay to ride their polar express.Tired Dad needs to get to 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 mudchicken on Saturday, December 12, 2015 8:24 PM

Elf wrangler got kidnapped / lost in one of the dry runs already.

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 tree68 on Saturday, December 12, 2015 7:00 PM

mudchicken
Starting tonite's Polar experience, Elf wrangler is ready to go.

If your elves are like ours, I wish you luck!

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 mudchicken on Saturday, December 12, 2015 6:27 PM

Norm48327
 
mudchicken

Snow showed up in Denver about 12 hours late.

 

 

 

I know the west needs snow cover, but if you can spare a few flakes, the eastern half of the country is bone dry.

 

Boy, ain't dat a twist!  Just for you, we'll scale back our 4-6" down to 1-2" and let the rest go east. If the polar vortexing superstorm out in the Bering Sea happens next week, we won't notice any difference in snowmageddon's effect.

Starting tonite's Polar experience, Elf wrangler is ready to go.

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 Norm48327 on Saturday, December 12, 2015 12:44 PM

mudchicken

Snow showed up in Denver about 12 hours late.

 

I know the west needs snow cover, but if you can spare a few flakes, the eastern half of the country is bone dry.

Norm


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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, December 12, 2015 12:20 PM

Snow showed up in Denver about 12 hours late.

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 Friday, December 11, 2015 4:56 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Will work in the morning.Going to enjoy the warm weather this weekend.We will see what is running tomorrow afternoon.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Friday, December 11, 2015 11:35 AM

tree68
 I do have a little more work I could be doing on the bulb garden - maybe I'll get it done.

Would that be some "light" gardening?

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, December 11, 2015 11:17 AM

Fifties today here, sixties for the next two days (bottom drops out in the middle of next week).  The warm days, however, are definitely not going to be a dry heat--Pat's talking about breaking out the rain-gauge again, just for this event.

Linda and family had a great two weeks of meeting friends, family, old experiences and new (especially for Linus).  They went home at an ungodly hour Wednesday morning.  Unfortunately, this busy pair of weeks has been taxing on Linda, and her hemoglobin levels were down to about a third of where they should be.

The good news:  Linus at least tolerates trains.  He's going to be a locomotive fan...didn't flinch when they went by (was absolutely delighted when they sounded their horn, even at close range), but said "Bye-bye" after the locomotive, and got upset when the sound faded away.  He still watched the rest of the train.  

12313797_1108764822467800_3712874321659568943_n.jpg  Not sure this link will work.

Yesterday I was able to break away from catch-up work and go train-hunting.  My trip (by train) took me to Oak Park, where a freight was sitting on Track 1.  That meant that when I got to the end of the platform I could exit to the street (below track level) and still walk a few blocks and gather more info from stationary cars.  My half-hour at that station was completely occupied.  Then it was back to Elmhurst, where the trains were moving by slowly enough to reveal some interesting stuff to me.  Not quite the drama of new reporting marks or car types, but I got some series that hadn't previously been reported (one as old as 1991!), as well as more information on previously-reported series.  Maybe I should do this again.  Then again, I'm still catching up...

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 Friday, December 11, 2015 11:16 AM

Fifties today here, sixties for the next two days (bottom drops out in the middle of next week).  The warm days, however, are definitely not going to be a dry heat--Pat's talking about breaking out the rain-gauge again, just for this event.

Linda and family had a great two weeks of meeting friends, family, old experiences and new (especially for Linus).  They went home at an ungodly hour Wednesday morning.  Unfortunately, this busy pair of weeks has been taxing on Linda, and her hemoglobin levels were down to about a third of where they should be.

The good news:  Linus at least tolerates trains.  He's going to be a locomotive fan...didn't flinch when they went by (was absolutely delighted when they sounded their horn, even at close range), but said "Bye-bye" after the locomotive, and got upset when the sound faded away.  He still watched the rest of the train.  

12313797_1108764822467800_3712874321659568943_n.jpg

Yesterday I was able to break away from catch-up work and go train-hunting.  My trip (by train) took me to Oak Park, where a freight was sitting on Track 1.  That meant that when I got to the end of the platform I could exit to the street (below track level) and still walk a few blocks and gather more info from stationary cars.  My half-hour at that station was completely occupied.  Then it was back to Elmhurst, where the trains were moving by slowly enough to reveal some interesting stuff to me.  Not quite the drama of new reporting marks or car types, but I got some series that hadn't previously been reported (one as old as 1991!), as well as more information on previously-reported series.  Maybe I should do this again.  Then again, I'm still catching up...

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 Thursday, December 10, 2015 9:14 PM

We're looking at a pretty balmy weekend, as well.  I do have a little more work I could be doing on the bulb garden - maybe I'll get it done.

FD Holiday Breakfast on Sunday - that'll keep me busy for a little while.  At least I'm not in charge of acquiring the food any more.

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 Thursday, December 10, 2015 5:23 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Got word CSX decided to pick a switch in Fostoria today.It's Friday tomorrow.Guessers say highs in the 60's this weekend.

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 mudchicken on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 6:10 PM

Cat has quite a franchise going there in Nebrasky. The Oracle would certainly approve.

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 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 4:46 PM

Murphy Siding

     Well I'm no good at making choclate cake.  One of the few things I can make that's actually pretty darned good is lasagna.  Anybody know the current exchange rate from chocolate cake to lasagna?

 

Even!  And bakery will help you with the cake, so you can do both!Dinner

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 4:33 PM

short eastbound stacker on Ns when I left work.Time to go go go.

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 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 4:18 PM

     Well I'm no good at making choclate cake.  One of the few things I can make that's actually pretty darned good is lasagna.  Anybody know the current exchange rate from chocolate cake to lasagna?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 2:38 PM

Haha!  I'm sure you'd "have to" let us, wouldn't you?  Big Smile

Glad some things never change.

Dan

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 2:34 PM
Try?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 1:50 PM

mudchicken

(Murphy: We've been trying to pay off the Cat on an installment plan. At the rate I'm going, the cat is gonna have a lifetime supply of chocolate cake. Embarrassed ... )

I was never sure if you could pay off that much cake.

Dan

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Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 6:36 PM

ChuckCobleigh

 

 
mudchicken
(Radius?.... REAL railroaders don't need no stinkin' radius!Angry )

 

Yeah, but the ulna will be really lonesome without it.Big Smile

 

Thumbs Up Thumbs Up

Norm


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