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Chatterbox Spring 2017

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:13 AM

Mookie
 
Murphy Siding
Are you collecting Boeing parts?

 

They won't miss them.  They all look alike, so whose to know?  

 

Which parts are you missing? I can check my stash. Mischief

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, May 29, 2017 9:27 PM

Murphy Siding
Are you collecting Boeing parts?

They won't miss them.  They all look alike, so whose to know?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, May 29, 2017 8:49 PM

Mookie

Been out train watching.  Memorial Day.  Holiday.  Can't tell you how many trains, but 28 locomotives.  Max 4 on one train.  Rest one or two.  Coal, lots of freight, grain.  Was wanting the Hunt train to come by so I could stop it and get a couple of cans of tomato sauce.  (our delivery grocery store doesn't carry it)  That and the Boeing were the 2 we didn't see today.  

Life is good!  Somedays, excellent....

Thanx BNSF

 

Are you collecting Boeing parts?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, May 29, 2017 11:17 AM

afternoon

Well the water is still high here in Nw Ohio.Checked the Bend.The bridge was still open.The water is under the 20 ft mark.Saw a couple trains.People enjoying the extra day.Back to work and back to school 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").

 

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, May 29, 2017 10:58 AM

Been out train watching.  Memorial Day.  Holiday.  Can't tell you how many trains, but 28 locomotives.  Max 4 on one train.  Rest one or two.  Coal, lots of freight, grain.  Was wanting the Hunt train to come by so I could stop it and get a couple of cans of tomato sauce.  (our delivery grocery store doesn't carry it)  That and the Boeing were the 2 we didn't see today.  

Life is good!  Somedays, excellent....

Thanx BNSF

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, May 28, 2017 7:31 PM

Something I'd love to have available for the various train shows I work would be a trailer with a control stand, several large monitors, two computers (so one can be set up while the other is working), and several short scenarios, possibly of our line.

The idea would be to "sell" seat time in 15 minute blocks to interested fans...  Stick another monitor or two on the outside of the trailer (an inward facing camera!) so others could watch the person inside sweating it out...

I know someone who could build the control stand - he's already built at least one - just have to come up with software more robust that MSTS or Trainz that could run three screens (front, side, rear) at once, and the scenarios to run on them.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, May 27, 2017 10:47 AM

I'd love to be looking over someone's shulder as he works with a simulator.  The last time I was in the seat on a simulator (it was new; they were showing it off in Proviso), I was piloting the Falcon across Illinois with three brand-new (yet-to-be-delivered, I think) GP50s.

I also took a bunch of gifted students to see the same simulator (in West Chicago at the time), and watched a few of them (including my daughter) bust a knuckle handling ore in the Upper Peninsula.

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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Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, May 26, 2017 11:42 PM

On a different note, today I became PTC Qualified.  So when they turn it on I'll be ready. 

Qualifying was done on the simulator running over a portion of the west Iowa and going through different scenarios to show how things work and what to do.  Then taking a test. Going through one town, they had a pick-up truck run the gates at a crossing.  I've been in the simulator a few times, but that's the first time I've seen that.

Jeff

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Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, May 26, 2017 11:29 PM

tree68

Jeff - and to think we occasionally have a disconnect between theory and reality here.  Kind of silly to have such large minimums on the items cited.  I realize that they don't want to ship one battery, or a dozen Squinchers, but pallet loads is another story...

 

I think the vendor's minimum, for a certain number of items and minimum cost order, was due to originally they were only supplying terminals in bulk.  A designated person did the ordering for the machines in the terminal.  It makes sense in that light to have a those high minimums per order.

Jeff 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, May 26, 2017 11:26 PM

We have a machine at work for supplies too.Pens,tape etc are hoarded like gold.We have shadow boards that hold brooms and shovels for cleaning too.Problem is you mostly see the shadows and not the brooms.

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 Paul of Covington on Friday, May 26, 2017 6:29 PM

jeffhergert
guys on the CP use it and like it.

   This puzzles me.

 

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 26, 2017 6:13 PM

Jeff - and to think we occasionally have a disconnect between theory and reality here.  Kind of silly to have such large minimums on the items cited.  I realize that they don't want to ship one battery, or a dozen Squinchers, but pallet loads is another story...

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 jeffhergert on Friday, May 26, 2017 5:06 PM

I don't post a lot on this particular thread, but we started a new way to get our PPE (personal protective equipment) items.  Our service unit is the pilot project for this.  We used to get our items (gloves, batteries, reflective vests, etc) through a vending machine.  You put in your user ID and password and get the item you needed.  Each individual item meant putting in the ID/password each time.

To save money, they decided to have us order direct from the vendor who supplies the machine every three months.  You figure what you need and send in your request via computer and it's sent to your house.  We were told guys on the CP use it and like it.  Lately, I only used the machine for the occasional ear plug (I used the reusable type), clorox wipe packet (to wipe down the control stand) and the required safety vest.  I stopped using their gloves and started providing my own.  Using the new system, I placed my first order.  My first order was $45.00.  The only problem is the new direct system requires a minimum order of $200.00.  So I doubled up on a few items and ordered things I wouldn't have other wise but could use, like 12 pair of gloves. (each employee is allowed 12 pair for 3 months)  So I'm back to using their gloves again and 12 pair should last me for quite a while.  Others, when being talked through the process were told to max out their first order.  Some guys had orders of $700 to $800 dollars.

Some items are allowed every three months, some every 6 months, some like flashlights or lanterns once a year.  Trainmen who use the lanterns that take a 6 volt battery have to order by the box or case, I forget what it's called, and each box/case holds 4 batteries.  Minimum order for these are 15 boxes/cases, allowable every three months.  That is to order 6 volt batteries, you have to order a total of 60 batteries at a time.  A few who work night tricks almost exclusively might go through that many, but most trainmen won't.

Also available is packets of Squenchers, a powder mix added to water that is an electrolyte replacement.  Instead of a small box of 5 or 10 packets, you have to order by a large box that I think has 500 packets.  All the same flavor.  (Some have gotten together and each will order a different flavor and then trade so each has a variety.)  I think a box can be ordered every 6 months.  The box costs a little over a $100.  Someone figured out that if everyone in our terminal alone (I didn't order any) ordered their allotment, it would cost the company $30000.00 in Squenchers alone.  Maybe it will eventually save money, but I'm having a hard time seeing the "big picture" right now.

Jeff

PS.  Almost two weeks into this program, and guys ordering are now being told their items will be delayed, they are out of stock on some common items.Whistling 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, May 26, 2017 3:18 PM

afternoon

Checked out CSX.The J 715 has replaced the "y101". They come in on track 2.Work places there first.Then go out to the yard and work GM.If they don't have to go further east then they do the ND&W on track 1 on the way back to Garrett.The crew was ready to just drop a car in the siding because the other cars didn't have paperwork.At the last second the ND&W truck shows up with the paperwork.So they had to shuffle a little more.Mother nature is sending us some more rain overnight.Need to get chores done.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, May 26, 2017 7:36 AM

BrassBootleg

Aha but it does keep nosey people from stalking me via sattelite ;) 

 
Unless you run into somebody like Howard Wollowitz from "The Big Bang Theory."Whistling
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by BrassBootleg on Thursday, May 25, 2017 10:16 PM

Aha but it does keep nosey people from stalking me via sattelite ;) 

An artist sees the world in colors and patterns.  An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations.  Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.

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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, May 25, 2017 9:27 PM

Mookie

OK - TMI - I am gone for the night....

 

 Yeah, I don't blame you. 

 

Some things don't need to be said.

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

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, May 25, 2017 9:03 PM

OK - TMI - I am gone for the night....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by BrassBootleg on Thursday, May 25, 2017 8:46 PM

tree68

 

 
Mookie

It's not cheating if I get you to volunteer the info....

 

 

Had a forum member PM me with a satellite picture of my truck.  Up to that point I hadn't met him in person (I have since).

He'd been able to glean enough info from my postings, etc, to figure it out...

 

I do nude meditation in the mornings on the back deck so if anyone is looking...well...enjoy the show?

An artist sees the world in colors and patterns.  An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations.  Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, May 25, 2017 8:26 PM

That had to be a bit unnerving.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, May 25, 2017 8:15 PM

Mookie

It's not cheating if I get you to volunteer the info....

Had a forum member PM me with a satellite picture of my truck.  Up to that point I hadn't met him in person (I have since).

He'd been able to glean enough info from my postings, etc, to figure it 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...

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Posted by BrassBootleg on Thursday, May 25, 2017 4:43 PM

Mookie

It's not cheating if I get you to volunteer the info....

 

Aha well I'm real friendly, just don't show up at the front door unexpected!  I probably wouldn't be properally dressed, nor would I be equipped for visitors!  Just wait 'til I get wicked excited and a bit a that Boston accent comes out and I drop a few "r"s.  

An artist sees the world in colors and patterns.  An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations.  Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, May 25, 2017 4:36 PM

Deggesty
We all hope there will not be an early snowmelt such as there was in the spring of 1983, and people caught fish in at least one street downtown.

Ah, yes, a remarkable year that saw the Hoover Dam spillways used for the first time since their initial test in 1941, which precipitated flooding along the lower Colorado river and significant whining from people building and farming in the flood plain.  Saw a lot of waterfalls driving from Durango to the recently-flooded town of Ouray in July of 1983.  (I won't even try to spell the name of the river that did that little carving job, much like I won't try to pronounce its name.)

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, May 25, 2017 4:25 PM

CShaveRR

 I'll have better AV equipment (V equipment in my case) at the LHS, so it ought to go smoothly.  I'm supposed to get it done in an hour; it took more like an hour and a half at church.  Covering a lot of ground!

 

The more you do it, the faster it goes.

-pre-junior senior

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 Mookie on Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:56 PM

It's not cheating if I get you to volunteer the info....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by BrassBootleg on Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:45 PM

Mookie

 

 
BrassBootleg
Well me and my better half have a house in NC

 

Just trying to decide which part of the south the accent came from...

 

Aha that's cheating!  Well to be fair I'm originally from NC, but I've lived in SC, GA, TX, MA, Washington DC, and Seattle. 

An artist sees the world in colors and patterns.  An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations.  Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:41 PM

BrassBootleg
Well me and my better half have a house in NC

Just trying to decide which part of the south the accent came from...

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:30 PM

We've had cool, gray weather, with a good soaking of rain.  I mowed our lawn Sunday and Monday, and I believe it's ready to get the treatment again.  Maybe Saturday, if the weather holds.

Today we ordered a lawn sweeper, which will be great for the fall leaf season around here...a lot easier and more thorough than raking, if I remember from my time pushing one for my grandmother as a kid (you know, we're about as old as she was then, so I guess this makes sense).  This time of year, of course, our objective is some grass clippings and the maple whirlybirds from our three large trees plus those of both neighbors.  

Tomorrow I have to give a talk for our historical society on railroads in Lombard over the past 40 years or so (the changes I've seen since I've been around).  I gave it a trial run for the seniors' group at our church (I'm a junior senior), and the reception was all right.  I'll have better AV equipment (V equipment in my case) at the LHS, so it ought to go smoothly.  I'm supposed to get it done in an hour; it took more like an hour and a half at church.  Covering a lot of ground!

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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Posted by BrassBootleg on Thursday, May 25, 2017 2:59 PM

Mookie

 

 
BrassBootleg

We had like two-ish days of rain.  While the grass enjoyed it, now I have to play wack-a-weed and get rid of it

 

can you narrow down the part of the US you are in?

Well me and my better half have a house in NC - which is where I'm at currently.  But technically speaking, my office for work is in Washington DC at Amtrak HQ.  Hell of a commute, huh?  Well not really since I'm never actually in my office.  I believe they have stuffed some boxes of files inside.  Well, they probably have anyways.  But more specifically than "NC", I'm East of Raleigh, but west of Rocky Mount.  A good 20-30 minutes from civilization (including the nearest Walmart!) but we love it out here.

An artist sees the world in colors and patterns.  An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations.  Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, May 25, 2017 2:51 PM

JoeKoh

afternoon

Ns local was working when I left work.Mother Nature has stopped the rain for now.Going to take Matt uptown to mow.Will work on our swamp tomorrow.Family is ok after the storms around Dayton last night.Niece did a good job picking out an apartment that was in a basement.

stay safe

Joe

 

I hope your niece's apartment is waterproof.

We still have occasional showers here, but we are in a much better situation than the folks in the northern part of the state--the rivers there are up, and it seems that it keeps on precipitating (snow last week, with about two inches here in the city and the suburbs--which melted before I saw it). We all hope there will not be an early snowmelt such as there was in the spring of 1983, and people caught fish in at least one street downtown.

Daughter Katie has moved to about four miles south of me, instead of being about two miles north and 1000 feet higher away. She can still ride her bicycle to her work at the University's College of Nursing--and she will not have to huff and puff her way up the hill to get home. She did have a scooter--but it was not able make it up the last half mile or so, so she got rid of it. 

Johnny

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