Trains.com

Chatterbox Fall-2016

21796 views
382 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 9:50 AM

We're hoping for decent roads when we head over the river and by the tracks tomorrow.  The forecast is for rain and sleet tonight, followed by light rain tomorrow and a fine day Thursday.  Friday, when we return, there is rain in western Michigan, but no mention of it on this side/end of the pond.

Last I checked, the light rain here was going to be a little heavier along the Michigan shore--and Grand Rapids was supposed to be getting snow.  We're staying by the lake, thanks!

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 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 2:09 PM

Well your Blackfoot medicine man / raindancer has not arrived yet.  Did you send him by Amtrak ? 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:47 PM

blue streak 1

Well your Blackfoot medicine man / raindancer has not arrived yet.  Did you send him by Amtrak ? 

 

Nope!  Told you I only know medical drs.  They don't make rain.  However, someone read your post and imagine my delight - we got rain.  

I only said I could try twitching my nose - or ears - take your pick.  It is the only thing I can do that is a little different from most people.  Since you decided to drag an innocent 3rd party into the conversation, you get no sympathy from me.  

Hope you get rain someday.  All I can do for you.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:51 PM

rain on the border of Indiana/Illinois now.Going to move our way.Ns was clear 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 4:55 PM

If you want some snow, I'm sure Redfield, NY can spare some.  They got something like 53" in this weekend's storm...

I got 6-8" here at the house...

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 Tuesday, November 22, 2016 5:34 PM

It's rained all day and it's 34 degrees.  I can't wait to see what happens now that the sun is down.Grumpy

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 7:09 PM

tree68

If you want some snow, I'm sure Redfield, NY can spare some.  They got something like 53" in this weekend's storm...

Maybe a bunch of idle unit train hopper cars can bring it down here and dump in Lake Lanier.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 8:40 PM

blue streak 1
Maybe a bunch of idle unit train hopper cars can bring it down here and dump in Lake Lanier.

Supposedly they tried something like that back in 1977, after the big blizzard.  They loaded up empty coal hoppers in Buffalo with snow and sent them back south, figuring the snow would melt out.  The cold weather followed the cars back to coal country and a lot of folks were very unhappy...

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, November 22, 2016 8:57 PM

tree68

 

 
blue streak 1
Maybe a bunch of idle unit train hopper cars can bring it down here and dump in Lake Lanier.

 

Supposedly they tried something like that back in 1977, after the big blizzard.  They loaded up empty coal hoppers in Buffalo with snow and sent them back south, figuring the snow would melt out.  The cold weather followed the cars back to coal country and a lot of folks were very unhappy...

 

As I recall, this did work in the late sixties when Chicago had more snow than they easily get rid of--the IC took it south and, so far as I know, it did work. I wonder what tariff the IC used.

Johnny

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • 4,190 posts
Posted by wanswheel on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 9:59 AM
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 12:46 PM

Guess that the carload of rain dancer equipment got lost in the black hole of Chicago's Amtrak yard  ?

10% chance of rain showers here tonight ? ? ?

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 12:50 PM

Deggesty

 

 
tree68

 

 
blue streak 1
Maybe a bunch of idle unit train hopper cars can bring it down here and dump in Lake Lanier.

 

Supposedly they tried something like that back in 1977, after the big blizzard.  They loaded up empty coal hoppers in Buffalo with snow and sent them back south, figuring the snow would melt out.  The cold weather followed the cars back to coal country and a lot of folks were very unhappy...

 

 

 

As I recall, this did work in the late sixties when Chicago had more snow than they easily get rid of--the IC took it south and, so far as I know, it did work. I wonder what tariff the IC used.

 

 

C&NW did that as well to try and clear out Proviso yard, where the snow was so deep you could sometimes not be able to walk between the cars in the yard. 

The other great idea inProviso that year was to blow the switches clear using some kind of jet mounted to some ROW equipment. Worked great........until the jet-blown snow refroze to something much more difficult than mere snowdrifts. 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 1:52 PM

zardoz
...until the jet-blown snow refroze to something much more difficult than mere snowdrifts. 

Yeah - you have to get all of the snow (and water) 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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 6:16 PM

evening

Rain here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear when I left work.CSX sounded busy when I got home.Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

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 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, November 24, 2016 2:44 PM

blue streak 1

Guess that the carload of rain dancer equipment got lost in the black hole of Chicago's Amtrak yard  ?

10% chance of rain showers here tonight ? ? ?

 

Yeah 10% allright a negative 10%.  Now maybe next  Tuesday ? ? ?

Just so you know have 3/10 inch in my  rain guage.  OH! its just dust.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, November 24, 2016 2:51 PM

A dusting of snow this AM, some light sprinkles through the day.  Temperature got up to +38F today, now down to +34F.

The warmer temperatures (above freezing) were good news for the fire departments dispatched to a working fire at a lumber mill.  The news for the lumber mill wasn't as good - it was fully involved on the arrival of the first units.  Units are starting to clear, but I'd guess it's mostly on the ground by now.  Rural lumber mills aren't usually the most substantially built structures...

Finished Thanksgiving dinner - ate too much, but I'll survive, as usual.  Right now there are some dog treats in the oven, and later I've got a couple of apple pies to turn out.  One is going with me to the railroad tomorrow.  The other is for me...

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
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Thursday, November 24, 2016 2:54 PM

zardoz
The other great idea inProviso that year was to blow the switches clear using some kind of jet mounted to some ROW equipment. Worked great........until the jet-blown snow refroze to something much more difficult than mere snowdrifts.

We still have jet snowblowers around, but hey haven't brought it down to our yard in years.  A few years ago when we had a blizzard, they hired contractors with big wheel loaders to plow out the yard.  Besides taking out all the switch targets, it turned the remaining snow into well-packed ice.  Yard was a skating rink for a while. 

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
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Thursday, November 24, 2016 2:55 PM

tree68
Right now there are some dog treats in the oven, and later I've got a couple of apple pies to turn out

Don't mix the two up.

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
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, November 24, 2016 3:26 PM

zugmann
Don't mix the two up.

Actually, the dog treats are made with ingredients from the grocery store - I even used some real maple syrup (didn't have any of the "cheap" stuff on hand).  

Oat flour, corn meal, peanut butter, syrup (the original recipe called for molasses), a couple of eggs, and some milk.  They'd be a little dry for our tastes, but dogs like 'em.

OTOH, I like apple pie too much to reach for the wrong "treat..."

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
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Thursday, November 24, 2016 6:54 PM

Tree:  you sound like my late father - he said he always attracted old ladies, kids and dogs!  

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, November 24, 2016 8:54 PM

Mookie

Tree:  you sound like my late father - he said he always attracted old ladies, kids and dogs!  

 

Kids are attracted to me. Dogs, unfortunately are too (I'm not a dog person.) Now old ladies....I always seem to get the cashier that's flirting with me, and she's my mom's age.Sigh

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, November 25, 2016 3:59 PM

evening

Ns ran a westbound oil train when I got off work.Had to go into town.Was settled down compared to the stories we heard about this morning.Home for the weekend.Going to relax.

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 Friday, November 25, 2016 7:51 PM

One of our volunteers brought his granddaughter into the cab for a ride today.  I won't say she wasn't impressed, but if she was, she certainly didn't express it...  Grandpa said she's pretty quiet.

Two sold out "Santa" trains today (and the Utica train was full, too), plus tonight's Polar Expresses, probably also sold out.  Lots of happy train riders!

Saturday is our fire department Craft Fair and Sale - I'll probably end up in the kitchen, cooking "refreshments."

Daughter's family's dog goes home on Sunday.  But she's been a welcome visitor.

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 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, November 25, 2016 8:22 PM

tree68

One of our volunteers brought his granddaughter into the cab for a ride today.  I won't say she wasn't impressed, but if she was, she certainly didn't express it...  Grandpa said she's pretty quiet.

Two sold out "Santa" trains today (and the Utica train was full, too), plus tonight's Polar Expresses, probably also sold out.  Lots of happy train riders!

Saturday is our fire department Craft Fair and Sale - I'll probably end up in the kitchen, cooking "refreshments."

Daughter's family's dog goes home on Sunday.  But she's been a welcome visitor. 

Sound of air brakes being applied can be terrifying to children.  From outside the cab the engineers job seems so relatively peaceful - with the noises inside the cab it is a whole different animal.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, November 25, 2016 8:35 PM

BaltACD
Sound of air brakes being applied can be terrifying to children.  From outside the cab the engineers job seems so relatively peaceful - with the noises inside the cab it is a whole different animal.

The RS18u's are relatively quiet in the cab, air-wise.

The RS3's, on the other hand...

Shutting off the bell scares me.

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, November 27, 2016 5:54 AM

morning

Matt will be serving lunch today after church.Going to go help with a tree at G+G's house afterwards.Back to work and Cyber Monday 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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, November 27, 2016 7:14 AM

On another note

Great nieces will be busy in Columbus as they cheer for their team in the state football playoffs.Southern Mercer and Auglaize counties will be heading to Columbus next weekend.Hopefully the city has recovered after yesterdays Buckeye victory.

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 Sunday, November 27, 2016 10:19 AM

Got back into Denver last night. Snow flurries this morning. (good timing)

Duncan the Scottie is now a certified road warrior.

Congrats to La Junta HS - First state football championship since 1958 for the Tigers.

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 Monday, November 28, 2016 2:30 PM

Congratulations to Duncan!

Yesterday I spent much of the afternoon raking leaves (the day before I had cleaned the gutters).  We had the yard nice and spiffy.  But then the wind blew and the rain rained overnight.  Today our front yard looks like it hadn't been worked on at all.  And this morning was the last yard-waste pickup for the year, so we have to dispose of them some orher way.  Too wet to do anything today...

...and it will be too nice to do anything tomorrow--sunny and breezy, high near 60.  Guess who's going to be train-watching for as much of the day as he can stand!

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, November 28, 2016 3:27 PM

It's snowing here. We had some snow Wednesday night, and none fell in the valley until yesterday morning and again last night. It stopped before lunch, started during lunch, stopped again after a while, and is coming down again. Some of the ski resorts opened for weekend skiers, and all around here should be open now.  May there be heavy snowfall in the mountains.

I am content with not driving any more--especially early in the mornings when people are going to work. I still remember watching a car in front me start moving to the right after topping a rise; I thought it was a bit soon for the driver to be pulling behind a semi that was to the right--and it was; the rear wheels of the semi caught the front of that car and spun it around. I was able to move over before reaching that car. I do not know if the driver of the semi rig was aware of what had taken place. 

Johnny

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