Trains.com

Chatterbox Fall-2016

21797 views
382 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, December 11, 2016 8:23 AM

Woke up to a dusting of white on hard surfaces in Central Maryland.  Not enough to show on the grass.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, December 11, 2016 5:48 AM

morning

So far about 2 inches of light snow and no wind.More on the way.Going to catch up on things here at home.

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, December 9, 2016 5:35 PM

[quote user="CShaveRR"]

Small accomplishment...

Today was my last day of physical therapy.  The condition that precipitated my sessions seems to have all but dried up.
[
/quote]

Congrats on the PT!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, December 9, 2016 5:05 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Had a dusting of snow when I got home.The "BIG" storm the guessers say will come Sunday.When it comes to the resident kitten be quiet,leave chocolate and no one gets hurt.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").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:15 PM

I had a frustrating afternoon trackside yesterday.   There were quite a few trains, and almost everyone (else) would have been happy with the variety. It wasn't too bad, but that isn't what was bugging me...

Soon after an eastbound scoot departed the station, a lady came in, apparently lost and a little concerned. I offered to help, but she didn't speak English. From her appearance, I'd guess she was more eastern European. She attempted on a couple of occasions to ask me something, but I couldn't help except to explain that the next train to Chicago would be here in about an hour, and it would likely board from Track 3, on the opposite side from the station. It looked like some of the other passengers took her under their wing; she boarded the next eastbound.

I had a better personal experience an hour later. I'd guess that the confusion about which track the trains board from exists as far away as Metra or the UP in Omaha. The eastbound train, which is shown in the timetables as boarding from Track 3 in Elmhurst, was coming in on Track 1. I knew that, because that's what the home signals at Park told me. Anyone looking at the lighted message board could see that, too, because it specified that the train would be boarding from Track 1, with "The station side" added for good measure. But the Voice of Metra, which is usually tied in with that sign, was silent.
So I walked over to the other platform and informed a couple dozen passengers of the track change. Some people were pretty incredulous, but I pointed out that I'd seen the message, and the signal backed it up. So I "rescued" all of the people (they probably would have caught the train anyway, but at least I saved them from having to make a mad dash through the tunnel to do it).

Here's the kicker, though: the lighted sign also showed the westbound scoot as departing from Track 1. Had they both been on time, this wouldn't be a problem. But the westbound came first--and it came into view on Track 3 and held to Track 3 for the stop. I didn't see anybody making the dash, so the sign must have been ignored (and a lot of folks still can't figure out how both trains can stop at the same platform).

So it's really time for somebody (or some entity) to get their act together. Had the Voice of Metra made the announcements, it would have saved all of those people a couple of crossings of (under) the tracks. But then, the part of the message about the outbound train might have caused more confusion than it actually did. And finally, why can't the railroad adhere to their change, which was done to help them smooth out operations (yeah, like that has worked!), instead of leaving passengers guessing which side their train is going to be on?

(Although, if I go there often enough, I might get to make signal readers out of a whole heap of midday commuters!)


Small accomplishment...

Today was my last day of physical therapy.  The condition that precipitated my sessions seems to have all but dried 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)

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:09 PM

Mookie

 

 
Murphy Siding

 

 
tree68

Natives here often drop some t's for some reason.  Watertown becomes Wa-ertown.  I still haven't figured that one out.

 

 

 

Why isn't it Wa-erown? Mischief

 

 

 

 

 Say good night, Murphy...

 

 

Goodnight Gracie.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:59 PM

Laugh

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:17 PM

Murphy Siding

 

 
tree68

Natives here often drop some t's for some reason.  Watertown becomes Wa-ertown.  I still haven't figured that one out.

 

 

 

Why isn't it Wa-erown? Mischief

 

 

 Say good night, Murphy...

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, December 8, 2016 8:20 PM

tree68

Natives here often drop some t's for some reason.  Watertown becomes Wa-ertown.  I still haven't figured that one out.

 

Why isn't it Wa-erown? Mischief

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, December 8, 2016 8:19 PM

Deggesty

 

 
tree68

 

 
Murphy Siding
Wasatch- Way-satch or Waz-atch?

 

I always thought it was wah-satch...

 

 

 

Sorry, Norris; go to the foot of the line--Larry got it right.

 

 

I never would have guessed that way.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Thursday, December 8, 2016 6:19 PM

Gosh, I'm not sure how long it will take to appear on any Forum; all I got were pictures of Airline Flight Attendents, a Lady in a parka, and some wayward pets......

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:24 PM

evening

If Mother nature drops the temps as far as the guessers say,MOW guys will be real busy.Also Csx will need to change crews in Defiance while it's monster frieght gets its air back after dropping off cars.Ns was clear when I left work.Chores to do here at home.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, December 8, 2016 4:46 PM

Test: How long until this appears over on the other side of the forum? http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/45-years-of-amtrak-locomotives/ss-AAkF984?li=BBnb7Kz#image=55 

Having a big giggle here on what happens when a toy railroad (RTD's A-Line) encounters a broken rail* and a good guffaw of the local newsworkers covering the issue.

(*) You mean we might have to have a track gang handy instead of calling a contractor? Our busses don't nead road crews?!

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, December 8, 2016 1:14 PM

tree68

 

 
Murphy Siding
Wasatch- Way-satch or Waz-atch?

 

I always thought it was wah-satch...

 

Sorry, Norris; go to the foot of the line--Larry got it right.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, December 8, 2016 12:10 PM

mudchicken
CopCar might cut in sometime about how Pueblo gets slaughtered by certain locals there. (or Huerfano just south of there)

Between the French and native place names here, folks are always making a mess of things.  

Pu-lask-EYE' (as opposed to the more common pu-lask-ee)

MA'-drid (I'm not even sure how to represent the first syllable - it's like in "mammy", not "Ma")

Shah-MO'  (Chaumont - after a region in France)

Ir-ah-QUAH' (although "Ir-ah-QUOY is usually also acceptable for Iroquois - you don't usually hear Ir-oh-quoy)

Natives here often drop some t's for some reason.  Watertown becomes Wa-ertown.  I still haven't figured that one out.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:58 AM

Murphy Siding
Wasatch- Way-satch or Waz-atch?

I always thought it was wah-satch...

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
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:32 AM

Deggesty

MC, I'm sorry, but according to the weather map I jsut saw, we along the Wasatch Front are not to be blamed for the cold weather you now have--it came across to the east of the Uintas (You-IN-intas for the benefit of the flatlanders) and not to the west of the Wasatch Front (the back range of the Rockies in these parts).

The first time I saw the Uintahs (from the City of Portland), I asked the conductor if they were the YOU-in-tahs, and he corrected my pronunciation.

 

 

Wasatch- Way-satch or Waz-atch?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:05 AM

Deggesty

MC, I'm sorry, but according to the weather map I jsut saw, we along the Wasatch Front are not to be blamed for the cold weather you now have--it came across to the east of the Uintas (You-IN-intas for the benefit of the flatlanders) and not to the west of the Wasatch Front (the back range of the Rockies in these parts).

The first time I saw the Uintahs (from the City of Portland), I asked the conductor if they were the YOU-in-tahs, and he corrected my pronunciation.

 

 

CopCar might cut in sometime about how Pueblo gets slaughtered by certain locals there. (or Huerfano just south of there)

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 8, 2016 12:15 AM

Any relation to Amtrak's new pet friendly policy on trains?

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 11:37 PM

Yup!!

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 9:04 PM

Self preservation.

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
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 8:28 PM

Pssst...

How'd we get so far through the day without anyone mentioning that it's the birthday of our favorite Forum Kitten?

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 Wednesday, December 7, 2016 7:38 PM

MC, I'm sorry, but according to the weather map I jsut saw, we along the Wasatch Front are not to be blamed for the cold weather you now have--it came across to the east of the Uintas (You-IN-intas for the benefit of the flatlanders) and not to the west of the Wasatch Front (the back range of the Rockies in these parts).

The first time I saw the Uintahs (from the City of Portland), I asked the conductor if they were the YOU-in-tahs, and he corrected my pronunciation.

 

Johnny

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 6:02 PM

evening

Saw Ns local when we went to company Christmas lunch today.Ran errands when I got home.Need to work on projects.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 10:34 PM

mudchicken
(Looks a lot different than Tree's vantage point from the "Polar" train cab, especially when key actors almost miss the train and the que to set events in motion. Cookies, PJ's and hot cocoa were in abundant supply at CRRM-Golden )

I spent last Friday on the train as the conductor of record, and Sunday as a trainman, so I do get to see the chaos first hand.  We've got most of the operation down to a science, even the cocoa and cookies for the coach passengers, a new feature this year.  In the past, only "Cocoa Class" got cocoa and cookies on the train.

But when you have over 550 people on each train, there can be those moments.  Don't recall if I mentioned that we had a proposal on the train Friday night (she accepted).  We get one of those almost every year.

Our biggest challenge operationally is getting the train back to the station just when all of the "big guys" have finished.  Some nights they are able to get through the cars quickly, some nights not...

We run with two engineers - one takes the train to the North Pole at track speed, the other takes instructions from the conductor based on progress on the train enroute back south.  Sometimes we're right down to a creep.

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 Tuesday, December 6, 2016 7:28 PM

mudchicken

Johnny apparently propped the freezer door open so us to the east could get a reminder of winter with a 35 degree drop in temperature and the coldest day in 2+ years. (negative numbers the next two days)

The scottie pup (fur factory)is absolutely frisky in the cold. He should be looking at his first significant snowstorm tonight (but the weatherliars can't agree on how much as they ogle the "european model" ....) . Hung the lights on the roof a week ago with the cat stalking that "really big" squirrel wandering around on the roof.

Survived my first night of 2016 "Polar Express" duty last night. Regular, to be expected, all non-sense view of backstage operations played out. Madhouse. (Looks a lot different than Tree's vantage point from the "Polar" train cab, especially when key actors almost miss the train and the que to set events in motion. Cookies, PJ's and hot cocoa were in abundant supply at CRRM-Golden )

 

I wanted to share the winter weather. It is cold here--32 or colder in the mornings; we are warned of a morning temperature about 10-12 degrees in a few days. MC, perhaps you should ask that Scottie to share some fur?

Johnny

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 7:11 PM

Just seeing those two adoable granddaughters of yours is proof positive that Winter hasn't arrived yet.  Wink

We got several inches of snow Sunday, and nothing since.  Warm temperatures have cleared off the roads, but we begin the inexorable plunge into the deep freeze tonight.  Next snow is scheduled for the weekend, and this one won't be as warm.  By this time next week the highs will be in the single digits.

Less than three weeks before the California contingent arrives, chemotherapy regimen permitting.  They've booked their flights, so I'm pretty sure we'll be okay.

Other than physical therapy, I'm not getting any fresh treatment for my own cancer at the moment.  In a couple of weeks, I go to the medical dungeon to be measured and tattooed for radiation treatments, which will begin in January (five days a week, 36 total treatments).

Nothing about trains to mention this time, except that I'm working on a couple sets of complicated freight car histories.  One series I saw has cars on their sixth operator now!

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
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 6:35 PM

Johnny apparently propped the freezer door open so us to the east could get a reminder of winter with a 35 degree drop in temperature and the coldest day in 2+ years. (negative numbers the next two days)

The scottie pup (fur factory)is absolutely frisky in the cold. He should be looking at his first significant snowstorm tonight (but the weatherliars can't agree on how much as they ogle the "european model" ....) . Hung the lights on the roof a week ago with the cat stalking that "really big" squirrel wandering around on the roof.

Survived my first night of 2016 "Polar Express" duty last night. Regular, to be expected, all non-sense view of backstage operations played out. Madhouse. (Looks a lot different than Tree's vantage point from the "Polar" train cab, especially when key actors almost miss the train and the que to set events in motion. Cookies, PJ's and hot cocoa were in abundant supply at CRRM-Golden )

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
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 6:20 PM

Got the Wranglerdeer out and handlers ready…

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 5:10 PM

Today, it got above freezing, snow melted on the bush, so got the lights up. Polar invasion forcast for tomorrow. So things do work out. 

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