Trains.com

Chatterbox Fall-2016

21787 views
382 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Monday, December 19, 2016 8:41 PM

Carl, dothe poor people in southern California cower inside their houses when the outdoor temperature is such that shorts and short sleeves are not enough?

The coldest areas around here are north and a little bit east of here, in Randolph county, where there are several "sinks" (not the kitchen variety but sunken areas of land) which regularly report morning temperatures below zero in the winter. I'm glad that I live neither in the Unitahs nor in Randolph county. It also gets cold in the mountains south of here--but not as cold, usually, as it does in the sinks.

Does anyone have a clue as to the whereabouts of our old Spel Czech?

Johnny

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, December 19, 2016 8:15 PM

I'll reply in this thread, since the comments were posted and it's still technically fall.

MRMX cars used to belong to MRMX Leasing, and were later acquired by the Midwest Railcar Leasing Corporation.  In a strange twist, MRMX Leasing seems to have had a connection with Wisconsin & Southern, whose Model Railroader car was pictured here.  I think Wisconsin Central had one for a different anniversary.

Our cold:  I woke up to 12 below; we allowed it to get back above zero before going out and running errands, such as mailing the cards, and shopping for necessities for our arriving guests (imagine that...our little Californian doesn't have winter clothing!  It might be hard to find out there, in spite of the fact that temperatures go down a bit).

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Monday, December 19, 2016 7:49 PM

Joe was it the work of a ditchfinder that caused one of your signs in town to be whacked?

There have been a few difficulties around here that working ditch finders caused.

We have had some fierce winds around various peaks in the area.

Stay warm.

Johnny

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, December 19, 2016 3:05 PM

 

edblysard

 

 
samfp1943

Trying to ignore the "COLD"  Still have snow on the ground from friday and saturday...Got the driveway, and car cleaned off...Wife is in her usual "Holiday Baking Frenzy!" ... Sure smells good and looks even better...Tough to diet under those extreme conditions.  Was looking out at a westbound 'sand' train(?) Whole string of m/t double drop hoppers Two engines on head end and one in DPU. Did notice an unusual reporting mark "MRMX" 113104 was the only one I wrote down, but there were several MRMX cars in that consist.  

[P.S. Woke up this AM to a negative 3 degrees around here!] Smile, Wink & Grin

The thought crossed my mind; has Model Railroader Magazine gone into the car leasing business? 

Remember, the series of 'commerative boxcars' they had some time back?  My mind must be reacting to' cabin fever'  and the aroma of Christmas short bread cookies. Whistling

So ? It's now six days til Christmas !  MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ALL 

 

 

 

maybe

 

 

Thanks, Ed!  For the photo of 1' to 1' scale version Bow Laugh 

I do recall seeing pictures of the WSOR's cars (?).  I think that there were, at least at one time, a couple of different ones, that honored Kalmbach pubs, and their accomplishments ? 

[ I want to believe that one of the Model Manufacturer's put out several commerative cars in HO(?) But that has been some time ago.  IIRC, there was one boxcar that had a die-cut body. An oldie. Whistling

 

 


 

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Monday, December 19, 2016 12:38 PM

samfp1943

Trying to ignore the "COLD"  Still have snow on the ground from friday and saturday...Got the driveway, and car cleaned off...Wife is in her usual "Holiday Baking Frenzy!" ... Sure smells good and looks even better...Tough to diet under those extreme conditions.  Was looking out at a westbound 'sand' train(?) Whole string of m/t double drop hoppers Two engines on head end and one in DPU. Did notice an unusual reporting mark "MRMX" 113104 was the only one I wrote down, but there were several MRMX cars in that consist.  

The thought crossed my mind; has Model Railroader Magazine gone into the car leasing business? 

Remember, the series of 'commerative boxcars' they had some time back?  My mind must be reacting to' cabin fever'  and the aroma of Christmas short bread cookies. Whistling

So ? It's now six days til Christmas !  MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ALL 

 

maybe

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, December 19, 2016 10:04 AM

tree68

And we can't forget the problem with strained carrots and a little one who likes them a lot - orange babies!

 

  SHUDDER!  Larry, That is a picture any parent has locked in their minds !  Remember, when you fed the kids, those brightly, colored veggies, just to see how they came out! Mischief The results of which, cried for immediate disposal of those results! Alien

 

 

 

 


 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, December 19, 2016 10:02 AM

MRMX is Midwest Railcar, a leasing firm.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, December 19, 2016 9:58 AM

Trying to ignore the "COLD"  Still have snow on the ground from friday and saturday...Got the driveway, and car cleaned off...Wife is in her usual "Holiday Baking Frenzy!" ... Sure smells good and looks even better...Tough to diet under those extreme conditions.  Was looking out at a westbound 'sand' train(?) Whole string of m/t double drop hoppers Two engines on head end and one in DPU. Did notice an unusual reporting mark "MRMX" 113104 was the only one I wrote down, but there were several MRMX cars in that consist.  

The thought crossed my mind; has Model Railroader Magazine gone into the car leasing business? 

Remember, the series of 'commerative boxcars' they had some time back?  My mind must be reacting to' cabin fever'  and the aroma of Christmas short bread cookies. Whistling

So ? It's now six days til Christmas !  MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ALL 

 

 


 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, December 19, 2016 8:30 AM

We just went through a cold snap this weekend.  It was 7 below this morning when I drove to the Oak Lawn train station.  Fortunately, the wind was a lot lower in our area than predicted so the wind chills weren't that bad.  Expecting a warm-up during the week with highs in the mid-30's.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, December 19, 2016 7:57 AM

Woo Hoo!  Above zero this morning, just in time for....winter.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, December 18, 2016 1:51 PM

Midnight it was 35, 11 AM it was 61, 2:45 it is now 43 and headed to the teens.

Yesterday was a couple of inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain that caused a 67 vehicle incident on I95 that killed 3 people, including 2 when a gas tanker slid on a frozen bridge and rolled over the Jersey wall barrier and exploded down on the trackage of CSX's Mt. Clare Yard.  No railroad employees were in the area at the time.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, December 18, 2016 11:39 AM

You have 10 below?  Send us some of that heat!

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Sunday, December 18, 2016 7:36 AM

The good news - no wind.  1 mph.  Almost unheard of in these here parts.

The bad news - minus 10 below actual temp.  Well, that ought to put a damper on a lot of moving items.  

Better news - in the 40's next week.  The rate they are trying to burn down houses in the city, the fire departments will enjoy the warmer temps!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Friday, December 16, 2016 6:05 PM

tree68
Ran into him there (I was looking for toys for the grandkids - no socks from Papa) and there he was, game in hand, beaming widely. We wished each other a Merry Christmas and went on our ways.

 

You didn't yell YATZEE! ?

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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, December 16, 2016 6:01 PM

Had -14F here at the house this morning, and heard other reports of lower than -20F.  But the skies were more or less clear.

Had to meet someone in town today, so opted to do a little Christmas shopping afterward.  Found out later the local military base had closed for the day, which partially explained the insane traffic around the main shopping areas.  

It didn't help that mother nature decided to bring some snow into the mix about then, either...

Best story of the day - ran into a fellow in one store who was searching everywhere for Yatzee - and unable to find it.  I suggested one other store, which he said he was headed to next.  Ran into him there (I was looking for toys for the grandkids - no socks from Papa) and there he was, game in hand, beaming widely.  We wished each other a Merry Christmas and went on our ways.

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Friday, December 16, 2016 5:44 PM

Wow! I'm glad I live in the warm west. It's 33 here now--we did have some snow this afternoon--and the morning temperature tomorrow and Sunday is expected to be 18.

If I could, I would send some MC's way.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Friday, December 16, 2016 5:19 PM

Got the truck back from the shop today, they dropped the transmission and changed all the seals and gaskets in the front box.  No more leaks and it shifts better.  While they had it, had them do the 40,000 mile preventative maintenance, seeing as it was due.........

Got home before the snow started, don't plan on going anywhere until Sunday.........

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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Friday, December 16, 2016 5:09 PM
Watching the thermometer take a nosedive as Colorado catches up with the rest of the country doing the polar plunge. (60 yesterday to subzero today - plus we have a forest fire NW of here in the middle of a snowstorm. Gray snow?)
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
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Sunny (mostly) San Diego
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, December 15, 2016 11:30 PM

edblysard

Always wondered why they were in Pensacola half the year, California the other half....why not one place year round?

 
Well, they're only in El Centro until the second week in March, leaving the day after their kickoff air show for "the road" with layovers in Pensacola.  The weather is almost always good for air ops, plus I think the pilots and crew like the food at Camacho's place nearby.  I'm hoping to get down for the show this year, as it has been an impossibility the past four or five years.  And yes, I will probably stop at the aforementioned eating place for lunch if I make the trip.
 
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Thursday, December 15, 2016 8:55 PM

Always wondered why they were in Pensacola half the year, California the other half....why not one place year round?

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Sunny (mostly) San Diego
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, December 15, 2016 6:03 PM

edblysard

Got a friend who lives in Penscola, next to NAS Penscol, he was out fishing on his boat in the bay this morning watching the Blue Angles practice.

They'll be on the way to NAF El Centro pretty quick, I'd guess.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, December 15, 2016 5:37 PM

One of the ham radio operators that routinely joins our morning net (via the 'Net) usually has reports of pleasant weather.  Every now and then, though, it gets nippy there.  For a while, his overnight temps and ours were nearly the same (40's), but he got much warmer during the day than we did...

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
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Thursday, December 15, 2016 4:54 PM

Got a friend who lives in Penscola, next to NAS Penscol, he was out fishing on his boat in the bay this morning watching the Blue Angles practice.

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, December 15, 2016 2:49 PM

afternoon

Ed your snow will be gone quickly.Ours will be here for awhile.My brother always yells at us to close the door if Florida gets too cold.He lives in the pan handle region now.Ns was clear when I left work.Time to do some 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").

 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, December 15, 2016 6:56 AM

Ed, you should talk to my brother in Houston.  He routinely needles us about winter weather almost every time we get a cold snap (below 10 degrees).  On the other hand, Mom and Dad took a picture of him some years ago standing in front of the Alamo in the middle of a real snowstorm.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 10:42 PM

blhanel

 

 
Murphy Siding

 

 
blhanel

 

 
Murphy Siding

Interesting side note: I was born in Alaska. We moved to South Dakota when I was 11. We had lived near the ocean in AK. It was quite a shock to find out that the winters on the SD plains are a lot colder than those in coastal AK. 

 

 

Where at in AK, Murphy?  My wife and I did the Holland America Land and Sea tour down the inside passage back in late May, got to visit Haines/Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

 

 

 

We lived outside of Chugiak, which is basically 23 miles north of Anchorage.

 

 

 

 

Ah, OK.  We did spend a couple of nights in Anchorage before heading up to Denali via the Alaska RR.  After two nights there, we came back to Seward on a tour bus to catch the MS Noordam.

I used to have an aunt who lived in Anchorage- she was a teacher in one of the grade schools.  She passed away in 1985 due to breast cancer.  I visited the area back during my single days three times in four years- 75, 76, and 78 (drove up the Alcan Highway in a Jeep that year).

 

As you went along the area where the tracks were hugging the shore of Knik Arm, you were a couple miles from my childhood home. My folks drove up the Alcan in the early 50's before it was paved- 4 adults and 2 toddlers.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 10:14 PM

 

 Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away…ok, in Houston, it snowed…

 

See, I can have fun in snow.

 

In fact, here is a photo of me having lots of fun in the snow…

 

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 10:12 PM

Murphy Siding

 

 
blhanel

 

 
Murphy Siding

Interesting side note: I was born in Alaska. We moved to South Dakota when I was 11. We had lived near the ocean in AK. It was quite a shock to find out that the winters on the SD plains are a lot colder than those in coastal AK. 

 

 

Where at in AK, Murphy?  My wife and I did the Holland America Land and Sea tour down the inside passage back in late May, got to visit Haines/Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

 

 

 

We lived outside of Chugiak, which is basically 23 miles north of Anchorage.

 

 

Ah, OK.  We did spend a couple of nights in Anchorage before heading up to Denali via the Alaska RR.  After two nights there, we came back to Seward on a tour bus to catch the MS Noordam.

I used to have an aunt who lived in Anchorage- she was a teacher in one of the grade schools.  She passed away in 1985 due to breast cancer.  I visited the area back during my single days three times in four years- 75, 76, and 78 (drove up the Alcan Highway in a Jeep that year).

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 10:03 PM

BaltACD

 

 
Murphy Siding
 
blhanel
 
Murphy Siding

Interesting side note: I was born in Alaska. We moved to South Dakota when I was 11. We had lived near the ocean in AK. It was quite a shock to find out that the winters on the SD plains are a lot colder than those in coastal AK.  

Where at in AK, Murphy?  My wife and I did the Holland America Land and Sea tour down the inside passage back in late May, got to visit Haines/Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. 

We lived outside of Chugiak, which is basically 23 miles north of Anchorage.

 

Can't we get the Inuite to make their place names pronounceable in American English?  Big Smile  Nome is gone and won't see the Sunrise in 2017.

 

 Chew- gyee- ack Wink.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy