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Chatterbox winter 2015-2016

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 3:14 PM

Lake effect to the south this morning - a few schools closed.  We got maybe a quarter of an inch - and that's gone from my driveway.  It's back down near +32F again, but that's not an issue - better than -32F....

Thought I had a night off, but I've got two places I could be.  So I'll go to the demo of digital radio, rather than bailing out of a window...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 1:57 PM

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, January 28, 2016 3:00 PM

guy wasn't too "swift"

Ns eastbound when I left work.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 Norm48327 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 4:02 PM

Larry,

A couple of my friends on an aviation forum are drivers who haul very heavy loads. I had to post that link for them to see.

What is the difference between a Swift driver and a toilet?

A toilet can back up.

Norm


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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, January 28, 2016 4:39 PM

tree68

Bigger question - what kind of fire hydrant can you knock over and then set back up by hand - without water spraying all over the place?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Thursday, January 28, 2016 5:17 PM

BaltACD
 
tree68

 

Bigger question - what kind of fire hydrant can you knock over and then set back up by hand - without water spraying all over the place?

 

  Looked good as new to me.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 5:37 PM

BaltACD
 Bigger question - what kind of fire hydrant can you knock over and then set back up by hand - without water spraying all over the place?
 

 
It all depends on the design of the fire hydrant.  The one shown being hit by the swift truck most likely had the valve and the valve control rod thread at the bottom of the hydrant.  Screwing out the valve rod lifts the valve at the bottom up allowing the water to flow up the hydrant casing.  Once valve shut off there are weep holes on the bottom that allows water to drain out into rock base preventing any freezing.  These are known as dry hydrants.
 
As an aside turning the valve past closed will allow the top of hydrant  to rise if top unbolted so water dept can replace the broken part or if a main is very deep then add sections to the hydrant and control rod.  So all the truck did was probably broke the control rod and top of hydrant since control rod not turned.
For those of you in south locations especially in southern California will notice that the 5" and 2-1/2" plugs are controlled on the side of the hydrant allowing each to provide water.  That is it is a wet hydrant.  
 
Tree you probably have dry hydrants ?  KP you probably have wet hydrants ?  Almost all wets have a shut off valve ( almost always a gate ) from the tee off the water main and the Hydrant.  Drys do have shut off valves if water sytem is rich but ours for instance does not.
 
Flint MI  any bets ?
 
 
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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 5:38 PM

BaltACD
Bigger question - what kind of fire hydrant can you knock over and then set back up by hand - without water spraying all over the place?

Up here in 'cold country' the mains are below the frost line and so are the shutoff valves. Hydrants can be broken off without water flowing.

Norm


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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 6:12 PM

blue streak 1
Tree you probably have dry hydrants ? 

Pretty much anything north of the Mason-Dixon line will be hydrants with the valve at the base.  An extended cold spell can drive the frost deep enough to reach some water mains.

Another important feature of "northern" fire hydrants is that once the valve is closed, a drain at the base (as in way underground, too) opens to drain the barrel of the hydrant.  One of the things we do when shutting down a hydrant is ensure that it is, indeed draining.

I just Googled "street scene" for several southern tier cities - Atlanta, Miami, Houston, even Phoenix.  All had "northern" style hydrants, at least in the images I found.  Wet barrel hydrants seem to be chiefly a southern California thing - but that's why you always see that geyser in movies when a hydrant is hit by a car or truck...

Of course, the advantage of the "northern" style is that if a hydrant is knocked over, you don't get that geyser.  About the only disadvantage is that one valve charges all of the butts, but we have ways of dealing with that, too.

LarryWhistling
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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 rvos1979 on Thursday, January 28, 2016 8:00 PM
Larry, Swift is always good for a laugh........

Randy Vos

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

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, January 28, 2016 8:03 PM

Randy - does Swift ever make any $$$ as much damage as they do/have?  

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, January 29, 2016 12:01 AM

tree68
Wet barrel hydrants seem to be chiefly a southern California thing - but that's why you always see that geyser in movies when a hydrant is hit by a car or truck...

I've seen that happen one time and it's just like in the movies.  That's a lot of water and it comes down with enough force to do significant mischief to an automobile roof.  (Not mine, though, a new car on a dealer lot.  Ooops.)

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 29, 2016 4:59 PM

evening

Ns was busy when I left work. They were all westbounds.Had a  c40-8(now in cn colors) on the point of a stack train.Taxes are done.Matt has a project for school with the wizard of Oz.Mookie you better talk to young willy and his weather machine.Our local guessers have your area in purple for next week.Work tomorrow morning.

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 Friday, January 29, 2016 9:00 PM

Mookie

Randy - does Swift ever make any $$$ as much damage as they do/have?

Mookie, they rely on volume.........

A couple quarters back, Swift lowered their profit forecast for the year, largely due to accident damage amounts. There was also one memorable screenshot of a message sent by Swift management, something like 10,000 accidents/incidents reported in a week or two........

When you have 20,000 or so power units, you're bound to see more stupid stuff like this.  Doesn't help that they are one of the worst paying companies out there.........

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in Swift's Safety Dept., those have got to be some interesting calls that they field..........

Randy Vos

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

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, January 29, 2016 9:50 PM

As to hydrants and 18-wheelers, there was, in the yard in front of  one of our docks, a hydrant (not the ordinary street variety) that had four or five concrete-filled pipes around it. What I really disliked about it was that, unless you were a really good driver, if you came around it in the wrong direction, it was difficult to back up to the dock. Most of the incoming drivers came around it properly, and had no trouble getting to the dock, but one afternoon (just as I was about to leave) a new driver came in and I stayed to direct him so I could unload him. Complicating matters was a very close clearance between a dumpster and the dock plate. Altogether, I was a little over an hour more before leaving work.

It was a joy when I would come in in the morning to find a truck waiting for me and after I had told the driver where to go once the gate was opened (I would tell Security to let him in) and by the time I had been to my desk and then to the dock the van was up against the dock and ready for me to unload it. 

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 30, 2016 2:49 PM

53 degrees here in Nw Ohio. Ns had some stack trains.Csx had a little bit of everything.Helping Matt with his book report.

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 Sunday, January 31, 2016 8:49 AM

We may get close to 50 today, but with rain in the afternoon.

Congratulations to Don Oltmann ("Oltmannd" on the Forum), who retired from NS at the end of this past week.  We may have forgotten to congratulate Brian Hanel on his retirement (and that of his wife) earlier this month.  You guys have no idea how busy you'll get doing "nothing"!

Carl

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Posted by samfp1943 on Sunday, January 31, 2016 9:15 AM

rvos1979

 

 
Mookie

Randy - does Swift ever make any $$$ as much damage as they do/have?

 

Mookie, they rely on volume.........

A couple quarters back, Swift lowered their profit forecast for the year, largely due to accident damage amounts. There was also one memorable screenshot of a message sent by Swift management, something like 10,000 accidents/incidents reported in a week or two........

When you have 20,000 or so power units, you're bound to see more stupid stuff like this.  Doesn't help that they are one of the worst paying companies out there.........

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in Swift's Safety Dept., those have got to be some interesting calls that they field..........

 

To Randy and Mookie....Before I retired (now about 16 years ago)  worked in Safety Dept.... You can only imagine the calls we fielded; The whole sacale of events from sad to just plain stupid...We were considered to be a large carrier, in the area of $1B in gross revenue [about 6500 power units, and about 32,000 trailers our equip operated from Northern Quebec to Panama].   

Note to Deggesty:  Those obstacles that are around locations with truck loading and unloading: They will be hit at some time. It is good practice to put those barriers around them. As much for the protection of the protected service, as to claim the odd truck part, which will allow the facility owner to claim and collect damages from the ofending company's vehicle. 

Even in this 21st Century, Truckers are still delivering to, and picking up from somefacilities that were laid out to facilitate deliveries, and pick-up by horse drawn wagons, and 40' foot boxcars. SoapBox

 

 


 

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, January 31, 2016 6:01 PM

Sam: You need to add architects, engineers and planners to that rant of yours. I can add those from experience, most are guessing at what looks good or what fits their view of reality. PDN and I have cranked out a lot of red ink during design reviews over the years, marking up drawings.

(The bubba from [not-so] Swift apparently has practice at tampingConfused. Placement of the FH wasn't too terribly bright either, but that may have multiple causes.)

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 blhanel on Sunday, January 31, 2016 6:53 PM

CShaveRR


We may have forgotten to congratulate Brian Hanel on his retirement (and that of his wife) earlier this month.  You guys have no idea how busy you'll get doing "nothing"!

 

 

No kidding- I can't seem to even find time to go trainwatching yet!

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, January 31, 2016 6:57 PM

   Remember the saying that work expands to fill the time allotted to it?   Simple little tasks take me all day now that I'm retired.

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, January 31, 2016 9:17 PM

Brian: Congrats! Sending you white confetti for the occasion. Just got started here.

Johnny: Is this stuff as advertised? Mookie may have to duck the Tin-Shoes express.

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 Sunday, January 31, 2016 9:22 PM

mudchicken

Brian: Congrats! Sending you white confetti for the occasion. Just got started here.

Johnny: Is this stuff as advertised? Mookie may have to duck the Tin-Shoes express.

 

MC, we did have snow all yesterday morning; I do not know how much fell in the city or in the upper avenues (I did not think to ask Katie when she stopped just before supper by). There  was a promise of more today, but I do not think it materialized. 

Our lows are currently in the twenties, which does not make for safe driving when there is snow on the streets.

Johnny

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Posted by blhanel on Monday, February 1, 2016 11:27 AM

Looks like we might escape the brunt of this one, only predicting 2"-4" here.  Too bad, I just bought a new Husqvarna snowblower. Wink

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, February 1, 2016 11:45 AM

Going back to the not-so-switf Swift driver, has anyone  of you heard the trckers' song "Give Me Forty Acres (and I'll turn this rig aroung)? The poor, not very experienced, driver had to make a delivery in Boston and after he left he found himself going the wrong way on the Interstate--"Give me forty sticks of dynamite and I'll blow thing thing to give me forty acres..."

Some of the drivers who delivered chemicals spoke of being in spots that definitely were not designed for today's transport.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, February 1, 2016 11:47 AM

Going back to the not-so-swift Swift driver, has anyone  of you heard the truckers' song "Give Me Forty Acres (and I'll turn this rig around)"? The poor, not very experienced, driver had to make a delivery in Boston and after he left he found himself going the wrong way on the Interstate--"Give me forty sticks of dynamite and I'll blow thing to--give me forty acres..." 

Some of the drivers who delivered chemicals spoke of being in spots that definitely were not designed for today's transport.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, February 1, 2016 2:19 PM

Back home after a long (but enjoyable) weekend in Massachussets.  The show (hosted by the Amherst Model Railroad Club) was reasonably well attended - especially compared to last year when a winter storm warning dampened spirits.

Missed the Kalmbach crew.  By the time I got to their booth on Sunday, all but one staffer had headed home.

CSX provided some excitement, putting several LPG cars on the ground in the yard.  No leaks, and the were back on the rails as soon as the heavy lift equipment arrived.  I figure they missed an opportunity - they could have charged admission to watch the operation.  I'm sure some of the 18,000 or so who attended the show would have been willing to pony up, even at 2 AM...

Talked to the contractor at breakfast this AM.  They were headed home.  Did hear radio traffic indicating that CSX was still dealing with the track, though.

Now I can spend the rest of the week resting up for working the local Amateur Radio booth at a local science fest on Saturday, and granddaughters 1st birthday part on Sunday.

On the placement of the hydrant.  I'm only guessing, but it's possible that the hydrant was "planted" well before traffic like that semi was an issue.  Or, the driver wasn't where he was supposed to be.  As noted, if it was a known problem there probably would have been bollards around it.

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 Monday, February 1, 2016 5:12 PM

work busy.Ns westbound autorack when I left work.MC and Mookieland have wonderful pink colors on the radar.Calling for thunderstorms here tomorrow in NW Ohio.Off to Matt's orientation for HS.Where does the time 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 mudchicken on Monday, February 1, 2016 5:22 PM

Pink huh?  Looking at ice under about 2" of snow with 6"-12" of ground blizzard on the way tonight. More like dark blue. Bring the critters in.

We're getting off light compared to western CO. When the ski-bunnies don't venture outside, it's gettin' rough.

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 Monday, February 1, 2016 5:29 PM

mudchicken
We're getting off light compared to western CO.

But you'll be drinking that snow next summer. Couldn't help but notice all the reservoirs on our trip to RCMNP.

Norm


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