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Chatterbox winter 2015-2016

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, March 10, 2016 3:58 PM
evening rain here in Nw Ohio.Local has loads to take uptown.Mamma came to work in my building today.Encore performance tomorrow.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 Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 PM

Larry, I didn't see any of those ambiences...I was too busy looking out the window.  Wink

The rest of the afternoon went fairly well, with a better assortment of cars.  (I did get one stack car that inspired a bit of research, but that's unusual.)  I'm still not seeing the specific series that I want to get more detail off.  I did see one car from one of those series, but the train it was on had come from the main line and was moving at track speed (50 or so).  Since I got home, I've been at work on logging stuff and putting together another report, which I'll probably have ready Saturday. Tomorrow is a day with nothing on the schedule, so I might get to go out again.  I don't want to wear out my welcome with Metra, though.  

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 Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:10 PM

CShaveRR
Larry, I didn't see any of those ambiences...I was too busy looking out the window.

So you did see the ambience...  (As it rolled by...)

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Uncle Jake on Friday, March 11, 2016 5:20 PM

Mookie

Randy:  I hope you see this...

We were parked on a little used street watching trains today.  We sit just back from a curve - not really a corner.  A Swift 18 wheeler came around the corner toward us and like every one else, they manage to take their share and part of yours - even tho it is a wide curve and more than enough room.  Everyone cuts it short and you end up face-to-face with the driver.  

I saw the name and almost climbed out of Millie and ran for the sidewalk.  Driver commented that there might be one or two drivers that could actually drive.  

 

Every 40 seconds a Swift truck goes off the road.

Heard this one from my uncle, who drives cattle truck.

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Posted by mudchicken on Friday, March 11, 2016 6:34 PM

Are the bull-haulers and Swift in a competition to see who winds up in the ditch first?

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, March 11, 2016 7:43 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I got off work.Took brother over to Ottawa on the CSX Toledo Sub.Saw a couple "Carl special" trains.(they have everything).A trio of KRL cars 90004,90003 and 90002 hooked together.Some ex cnw coal hoppers and a 60 ft Chessie boxcar.Brother got his grocery shopping done too.Tomorrow is spring cleaning.

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 Saturday, March 12, 2016 4:14 PM

evening

got spring cleaning done.took care of recyclables.Csx trainmaster was at hire road.Went to Harris road and saw some stuff.Don't forget to spring ahead and change the batteries in the smoke detectors.

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 rvos1979 on Saturday, March 12, 2016 8:03 PM
Mud: I've seen very few bull haulers in the ditch.........

Mookie: There are a few good Swift drivers, just few and far between. Saw a Swift car hauler the other day, got a bit nervous about that one..........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, March 12, 2016 10:08 PM

If you see a logging truck - be afraid, very afraid.  Quality of driving and quality of maintenance given to the vehicle - Accidents waiting to happen at the first opportunity.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, March 13, 2016 9:56 AM
Well hope everyone sprang ahead today.Mother nature is wet and chilly here in NW Ohio.The local paper had an article about the ND&W.Said they want to close all the crossings east to Liberty Center.Guess a ND&W,I&O hook up is not an option.They are still working hard in the swamp for Defiance to Napoleon and Defiance to Wooburn Indiana.Csx has got some trackwork lined up as well.Going to stay inside today. 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 Sunday, March 13, 2016 10:59 AM

I assume (ND&W) they are doing crossing maintenance and will be closing them one or two at a time on a temporary basis. Trying to rehab a crossing under vehicle traffic, like many locals insist on, is stupid dangerous and the finished product is less than optimal.(Your usually back there in 6 mos to a year to fix uneven compaction in the ballast section resulting in a dip in the track.

Closing all the crossings permanently - Where's the $$$$$$ to do that coming from? 

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 Sunday, March 13, 2016 12:35 PM
MC not sure.Other friends are checking it out.Stay tuned. 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 Sunday, March 13, 2016 2:46 PM

mudchicken
Closing all the crossings permanently - Where's the $$$$$$ to do that coming from? 

The crossing closing fairy...

Not quite +50F.  Only a few vestiges of snow left here and there, except up at our banquet hall, where there's still quite a pile left from clearing the parking lot over the winter.

Rain in the forecast for the next few days.  We really will need it, as snow was way down this year, and that may come back to haunt us later in the season.

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 Mookie on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:13 PM

Joe - I think this might be for you, except you don't have much coal thru there, right?  

NS might have lost a full unit coal train - loaded with 2 engines.  It was last seen backing....not leaving, just backing into our yard.  Maybe the migration route has somethng to do with it, but whatever reason - I was thrilled to my tippy toes.  Also saw 3 more NS engines - but probably part of shared power.  

And - I know at 250k population, we are still considered a hick town by outsiders, but ... we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning when we were coming home from advising BNSF how to run their railroad.  Many years ago, I saw a tumbleweed heading down our main drag, a fox, a turkey near the tracks, several deer, but never a chicken.  She looked very vulnerable....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:40 PM

Mookie
.  

And - I know at 250k population, we are still considered a hick town by outsiders, but ... we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning when we were coming home from advising BNSF how to run their railroad.  Many years ago, I saw a tumbleweed heading down our main drag, a fox, a turkey near the tracks, several deer, but never a chicken.  She looked very vulnerable....

 

 Our city pales in comparison to yours.  We're only 185,000 and we don't have any red football teams.  But, we do have this stigma where we want to be like all the big, progressive cool cities!  Like the cool cities, we now have an ordinance that alllows you to raise up to 7 chickens at a single family dwelling.  So now we have fights about chickens between neighbors- just like in the big, progressive, cool cities.  Maybe you've got a stray from up north?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Sunday, March 13, 2016 3:50 PM

Mookie
we saw a black chicken crossing a neighborhood street this morning

Did you learn the answer to the old qiestion, "WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?"

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Posted by Mookie on Sunday, March 13, 2016 5:31 PM

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

Electroliner - she crossed to get to the other side and she made us wait while she took her time!  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, March 13, 2016 5:39 PM

Mookie

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

 

 

 No collar huh?  I suppose you couldn't see brand either?  Having chickens around here is some sort of status symbol to show how much you love the environment- or something?  I don't know whay happens when the animal police catch you with more than 7 chickens.  Maybe they rearrange your weekly menu?

     I do believe it's a really stupid idea to have chickens in the city.  Don't like something about your neighbor?  Call the chicken police.  Before you know it, the city has an officer out there taking inventory.Dunce

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 13, 2016 6:02 PM

Murphy Siding
 I do believe it's a really stupid idea to have chickens in the city.

The village I lived in in Michigan recently banned livestock, including chickens.  I'm more or less in the country, and there are a few folks I know of (besides the Amish) that have chickens.

On the other hand, we're barbequing some 450 halves next weekend...

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 Monday, March 14, 2016 4:06 AM

Amtrak #4 (EB Southwest Chief) is on the ground at Cimarron, KS (20 Miles west of Dodge City, Ingalls is the next town west)...looks to have happened at speed (79MPH, used to be 90mph  w/ ATS), 5 cars, from baggage transition back to lounge car on their side (almost all chair cars)....not good

Somewhere about MP 373 La Junta Sub, 3 miles out of Cimarron. (ABS territory on relatively new 136 CWR if the location is where the news has it)

BNSF roadmaster and trainmaster at Dodge City don't have a life anymore. So much for being in the boondocks.

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 mudchicken on Monday, March 14, 2016 4:55 AM

Mookie

Murphy - this is a pretty densely populated area - and she didn't have a collar.  I felt bad for her but...I am well past wrangling chickens at 8am.  

Electroliner - she crossed to get to the other side and she made us wait while she took her time!  

 

Whew! - not another out of body experience.

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 Monday, March 14, 2016 6:00 PM

evening

wet here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear when I left work.Maybe tomorrow the computers will be in a better mood.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 jeffhergert on Monday, March 14, 2016 9:43 PM

Is it bad luck to have a black chicken cross your path?

The other day I called the licensing department about the multiple licenses I received.  The guy I talked to said I shouldn't have received one yet, that I should receive my new one in early April.  He didn't know why they were sent out.  I suspect that maybe the computer automatically generates an order for one when it receives notice that certain requirements have been reported as met. 

I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it.

Jeff

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, March 14, 2016 10:03 PM

jeffhergert
I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it

 Really!

I remember when the extra board was a dirty word and a pool turn was gold.  Obviously times have changed.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, March 14, 2016 10:15 PM

Mookie
 
jeffhergert
I think tomorrow I'm going to throw up my pool turn and go to the extra board.  I went to the yard office and rearranged my road grip.  Added a few more pounds of timetables and general orders to it

 

 Really!

 

I remember when the extra board was a dirty word and a pool turn was gold.  Obviously times have changed.  

 

Extra board, guaranteed, is cut way back (so they don't receive the guarantee) and turning fast.  Pool boards, not guaranteed, are turning slow.  I've been getting about 50 hours off between runs.  An East Pool engineer I talked to tonight said he had 60 hours off between runs. 

Jeff

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, March 14, 2016 10:19 PM

At the risk of alienating yet another Forum denizen with a post of a personal nature, "CopCarSS" (AKA Chris) is engaged to an old high-school friend of his.  Pat and I know how the currents of time and the river can separate a couple and then bring them back together.  Congratulations, Chris and Amanda!

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 mudchicken on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 6:12 AM

Thumbs UpThumbs UpThumbs UpWell how about that!

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 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5:09 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Voted in Primary.They scan your drivers license now.ND&W was back in the paper about the closure of crossings.Don't think they have anything stored east of US 24.Still their best track is at the FC diamond.

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, March 15, 2016 5:18 PM

Congrats to Chris & his betrothed!

Damp here today, but no downpours. 

Gonna be a busy, busy weekend.  The FD chicken BBQ is this weekend, I've got a meeting Thursday night, food prep Friday morning, followed by setting up and manning a booth for the railroad at a local outdoor show.  Saturday, more food prep, then another meeting (antique fire trucks), then back to the booth.  Sunday it's the BBQ itself, then I've got to go to the outdoor show and tear the booth down (got someone else to man it for the day).

Who said being retired is easy?

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, March 15, 2016 11:05 PM

We're being impacted by a line of thunderstorms, with a strong possibility of hail and tornadoes, both at home (where we aren't) and in western Michigan (where we are).

The Illinois primary was today, and we weren't home.  Fear not, though...our favorite candidate received our votes several weeks ago, soon after early voting opened.

I was in a helpful mood today.  We saw a young lady pulled off the road in an industrial section of Grand Rapids, attempting to change her tire without much success.  We got her donut on for her.  Even it appeared slightly soft, so I hope she got to somewhere useful (it didn't help that she was transporting her preschool-age son).  Pat twisted off a couple of lugnuts while I chased a train (it turned out to be a short switching move, so I was back in less than a minute).  Then at supper tonight, when my mother-in-law (91) didn't hear the "wait a minute" message from the hostess at our dinner venue, I quickly pitched in to help her (the hostess) arrange the necessary tables and chairs for our party of five.

It's nice to be retired.  We have to decide, now that our assignments up here are completed, whether to go home tomorrow (in what's left of the rain), or to spend an extra day up here where there is little left to do, especially not in rainy weather!  Fortunately, we're packed for either option.

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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