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Chatterbox Fall 2015

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 3:34 PM

evening

work not so busy.Ns was clear when I left.Stuff is in the mail.Chores and church service tonight.Turkey day tomorrow.Going to go get cleaned up.

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, November 24, 2015 9:11 PM

Three or four inches of snow overnight - started about midnight, right before we got called out for a structure fire in a neighboring district.  If you think I was tippy-toeing with that half million dollar fire truck, you'd be right...

It was some pretty heavy stuff, too.  Heavy enough that I shovelled just  enough of the driveway to get the truck out of the way so I could get the snowblower out (and put the lawn mower away).

Still, by mid-day, any surface that had been cleared of snow was completely melted off.

Put some new slippers on the back end of the truck today - the old ones were very tired, the result of a pothole at 70 MPH on I-75 two years ago in Detroit.  They were on the front then, and I drove home with a front end somewhat out of line.  I'm just happy I milked them for this long...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 4:36 PM

evening

NS had a westbound stack train when I left work. Worked on outside lights on the porch.Time to do other chores too.

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 Monday, November 23, 2015 4:41 PM

Angryevening

Ns had a wepx coal train in the siding when I left work.Need to get post offices attention.Why did it take 2 weeks for a bill to get to it's destination.I am not cut off or anything just a little Angry.Tomorrow is matts last day before turkey day.Mamma wants to do laundry.Better get these work clothes off.

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 Monday, November 23, 2015 8:46 AM

zugmann
We're not getting snow here.  I bought a snowblower.  So it won't snow for many years now.

Famous last words...

Of course, if you ever move south, just load it up in the back of your pickup, and when someone asks you what it is, you know you're far enough south...

Nice and sunny here today, unfortunately, the temperatures are seasonal (ie, cold).  One of the projects this week is to get the outside Christmas decorations up.  Busy weekend coming up - at daughter's for turkey day, then three days of Polar Express again.  

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 Murphy Siding on Monday, November 23, 2015 7:13 AM

     If you buy a snowblower and it never snows again, that's a good investment.

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, November 22, 2015 11:38 PM

So I got my hogger's license recently (what an adventure that was). Worked as an engineer on the road for a week (ugh), then with some fancy bumpwork, I was able to go back to my little piece of the railroad world (with no hotels!).  I'm back demoted and running the RCO box for now (but I'm next in line to get promoted again, most likely). So I got to find all those muscles I forgot I had. Fun stuff.

 

We're not getting snow here.  I bought a snowblower.  So it won't snow for many years now.

 

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


  

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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, November 22, 2015 10:43 PM

We wound up with about six inches of the stuff.  Shoveled our driveway clear Saturday before darkness set in...didn't get to the sidewalks.  Then the plow came and deposited a gift in our driveway apron.  Then the temperature dropped into the lower teens.  It was a little harder to do the apron again today, and clear the sidewalks and patio.  But I did that...and Pat fixed dinner.

As I said, we got about six inches...the O'Hare total was somewhere above 11, and some suburbs to the north reported 16!  We are on our way to the snowiest November on record.

By this time tomorrow, we should have our California guests, provided the airlines are caught up on repositioning planes after all of the cancellations I heard about.  I will take them to Portillo's when we get them out of the airport.  I'm pretty sure Linus will get to see snow this time.  We talked to Linda today...she sounds great, and everyone is looking forward to their being here.

Carl

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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 Sunday, November 22, 2015 10:21 PM

Gee - saw a little of the white stuff on the way home from Polar Express, but nothing significant - and that's in the wake of a lake effect snow warning.

Speaking of Polar - three sold-out trains this weekend, out of six.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely.  Saw a family at the hotel breakfast Sunday morning and spoke to the briefly, including mention that I was one of the engineers on their trip to the North Pole.  Ran into the father in the parking lot a short time later - he said his wife was upset that he didn't get a picture, so he took one then.  I'm in a lot of holiday albums...

Saw my first Amtrak "freight style" loco today on the Late Shore Limited.  It was third in the consist, and I don't know if it was even on line, but it was there...

Time to unpack and head for bed.

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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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, November 22, 2015 6:31 PM

zugmann

 

 
Murphy Siding
Some odd white flakes are falling out of the sky this morning up here on the bank of deNile. It can't be snow, it's only late November. 'Probably soap flakes? Potato flakes? Corn flakes?

 

 

If your corn flakes are white, you probably should toss them out.  Just sayin'.

 

 I'd like to toss it out- all 12" deep of it.Grumpy

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, November 22, 2015 5:09 PM

Murphy Siding
Some odd white flakes are falling out of the sky this morning up here on the bank of deNile. It can't be snow, it's only late November. 'Probably soap flakes? Potato flakes? Corn flakes?

 

If your corn flakes are white, you probably should toss them out.  Just sayin'.

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 Sunday, November 22, 2015 5:04 PM

icy this morning going to church.Sun and salt worked together to clear the roads.Csx q 389 decided to break a knuckle west of Defiance.Tied things up for a bit.Back to work 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 CShaveRR on Saturday, November 21, 2015 11:28 AM

Chicagoland is getting a good supply of snow.  It's really quite sloppy out there--"heart-attack snow", one meteorologist called it.  I probably should be shoveling, but I was already out walking in it this morning, and I'd rather be sipping warm soup for lunch.

Trains are running...I missed a good one while doing the shopping this morning, and it met a stack train, which I also saw later.  Before I got home I heard another freight whistling past track workers.

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 Saturday, November 21, 2015 11:26 AM

home from work.

It is snizziling outside.Ns had an eastbound stacker when I left work.Working on stuff here inside.Mamma says chilli will be ready for our football game.Smells good.

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 blue streak 1 on Saturday, November 21, 2015 4:16 AM

CSX is having crewing problems again.  Thursday about 1600 our short siding had another 3 train meet with one longer than the siding.  Finally after all said and done second northbound BNSF Intermodal went on the law and barely fit on the siding and was unable to split for crossings due to its length. 

Result ?  Two blocked town crossings until 0630 Friday morning. One the only state highway thru town.  Then another BNSF down on the law Friday afternoon but only for several hours again blocking crossings.  City Pols upset but suggested calling CSX not going to be helpful but maybe FRA and STB.  Waiting to hear. 

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, November 20, 2015 10:14 PM

Johnny:  So glad you are getting healthier!  I so enjoy your missives and hope you will continue them.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, November 20, 2015 9:40 PM

Time moves on. Yesterday, I was moved from the Skilled Nuring Section to the Assisted Living Section, which means that I will still get physical torture therapy (which is helping me, yet) three, instead of five, days a week--and will have a little more freedom (I may now stay out all night--if I sign out to be gone) and responsibility for my care. The therapists have really done wonders for me, especially when I have spoken of this or that problem which they can work to alleviate.

I have a two room apartment which we had to furnish (Katie did the work). There is not room for my desk from home, but Katie found a usable one in the University surplus. For some reason, even though I am on the facility's internet, I could not get on yesterday, but I am back in contact with the world today. Now, if I can my desktop computer connected (it does not have wireless capability), I will really be in business.

We had a little light snow this morning; it did not stick. I do not doubt that the ski resorts received much more. I do not know what influence MC has that he gets so much more snow on his side of the mountain.

 

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, November 20, 2015 5:21 PM

evening

Ns had an eastbound coming when I left work.Weather guessers are calling for mixed crap tomorrow.Mamma is at the store now.I am working in the am and don't plan to be anywhere else but home.Going to do chores before we unload the groceries.

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 Friday, November 20, 2015 8:51 AM

mudchicken
 
 

 

The large glowing orb will eventually return, hopefully by tomorrow.

 

  I wonder if there will still be any room in the lots at the auto body shops by tomorrow. When I ponder the herd mentality of our society, I wonder sometimes if cows would make better drivers. Hmm

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Posted by mudchicken on Friday, November 20, 2015 7:33 AM

Murphy Siding

Whistling    Some odd white flakes are falling out of the sky this morning up here on the bank of deNile.  It can't be snow, it's only late November. 'Probably soap flakes?  Potato flakes?  Corn flakes?

 

Natural confetti.....Won da moisture lottery, did'ja?

The large glowing orb will eventually return, hopefully by tomorrow.

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 Murphy Siding on Friday, November 20, 2015 7:23 AM

Whistling    Some odd white flakes are falling out of the sky this morning up here on the bank of deNile.  It can't be snow, it's only late November. 'Probably soap flakes?  Potato flakes?  Corn flakes?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:34 PM

Haven't owned a wheelbarrow (borrowed one once).  If we bought one we'd have to get a shed to put it in...garage is pretty full now.

(At least we can fit our car in our garage--there are some people who use it as a storage area...isn't that what dungeons are for?)

Raking will have to wait until sometime next week.  Today I cleaned out the gutters, drained and stored the rain barrels, and got the twigs and small branches ready for pickup.  Pat cleaned the patio, but that seems to be the fallen leaves' favorite hangout.  We have to go into the city tomorrow (by train, of course!), and Saturday it's supposed to rain or snow here, and they're talking up to seven inches of accumulation.  Rude awakening, but that figure is down from the nine they were saying last night.

Monday night we pick up our California family from the airport, and they visit with us for a couple of weeks.  Daughter's doing fine in the healing process, though her markers suffered a slight setback, attributable to the short amount of time that she was off chemodue to anemia.  She had a solo trip to Louisville this past weekend, where she presented a paper at the meeting of the American Musicological Society. She was tired after the trip, but was very happy to get back in the swing of things, and said her presentation went very well.

We had wanted to go there, but we had paid for the Trains Gala tickets before we even knew she had cancer...so we went to Milwaukee instead.  It was a good time for us.  And did you hear about Jay Eaton?  He was the lucky winner of an hour's worth of throttle time on C&O 2-6-6-2 1309, when the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad finishes restoring it.  That will be next summer, they promise, barring unforeseen circumstances (of which they've already had some).

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, November 19, 2015 9:03 PM

Ran out of time, ran out of weather, and I don't have enough bagged topsoil to do an entire bed, so I guess I'm done converting my bulb garden for this year...  I got a lot of it done - we'll see how it looks in the spring.

Of course, I had to buy a new wheelbarrow - one of the handles broke and fixing it would have taken all day.

Off to the railroad tomorrow.  Looks like we'll have some pretty full trains.

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, November 19, 2015 5:01 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.MC that has been an ongoing soap opera.The Nimby's complained when NS stored coal cars in their back yards.Even the village of Waterville was upset.Maumee only has so much room in their yard by the anderson's.Supper and 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").

 

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, November 19, 2015 11:54 AM

Joseph: Hope you are watching the saga that started w/ TLEW in your backyard over becoming a common carrier vs. a plaything. (STB Docket FD-35970)

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 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 7:45 PM

Mookie
Tree -since you are into bulbs...

They add some color early in the season.  Memorial Day brings the petunias (a paean to my Dad), which ought to grow better in the new soil, too.

I've got tulips, daffodils, tiger lilies, and iris in.

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, November 18, 2015 5:47 PM

Tree -since you are into bulbs - gladiolas - my favorite - just in case you were wondering.  All colors welcome!  And....Honey Suckle - ah.....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 5:17 PM

Nice day today.  Got one section of the bulb garden cleared and refilled with topsoil.  considering it was all clay...  This should also help get rid of some of the weeds I've been dealing with.

I'd do more, but I think the weather is going to turn, and the home store doesn't have any more of the "generic" soil out this year.

Got the frame done for a new enclosure for the back porch, too.  It was even warm enough to get some stain on it!  The corrugated clear stuff might go on tomorrow.  It's more to block the prevailing wind than anything else, but it helps!

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 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 4:29 PM

work busy.Ns sent an eastbound out of the siding when I left work.Making plans for Thanksmas the Saturday after Turkey day.Have to pick up brother on our way down I-75.Need to get cleaned up and get Matt to confirmation class.

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 Tuesday, November 17, 2015 3:34 PM

Joe: Should have just gone to bed instead of staying awake to watch the Bungles. Hope they don't catch the disease doing a number on the Donkeys. 

Ground blizzard is over. Largely was a non-event except for the ditch denizens who didn't get the message from the previous week's storm.

It's gonna be a struggle to get to Friday. (burnout is already here - I'm off next week)

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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