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Chatterbox Summer 2017

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, August 3, 2017 2:34 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Looks like Mother Nature is ready to give us another shower.Chores to do.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 2:35 PM

afternoon

Muggy here in Nw Ohio.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").

 

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Posted by erikem on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 PM

jeffhergert

My wife just pointed out a train derailment up in Calmar, IA.  Appears to be no big deal, a rail turned over.  Happened on the Central Pacific Railroad, so KCRG-TV says.

 

I'l have to give my brother grief on that as he lives a few miiles away in Decorah - hopefully the derailment had nothing to do with the Nordic Fest held last weekend, never know what the lutefisk fumes can do...

Update: My brother e-mailed pix released by the sheriff's department, showing the rails flopped over, what appears to be a break near a weld and a spike pulled most of the way out next to the rail. Does make me wonder about track maintennance.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 10:57 PM

I won four tickets to "Ride The Train" on the Coopersville & Marne Railroad.  Currently entertaining possibilities for three (or four) guests to ride the railroad in western Michigan.

This railroad is still connected with the national railroad network in Grand Rapids, probably via the Mid-Michigan Railroad.  The City of Coopersville definitely likes and supports this line, on which an ex-GTW SW1200 pulls three even more ancient passenger cars to Marne and pushes them back (or the other way around) at about 10 m.p.h.

I actually don't know how I'll feel about taking this trip.  In my pre-railroad career I rode this line often, when it was part of the Grand Trunk Western.  We trundled along between Grand Haven and Grand Rapids at about 35 m.p.h.  I'd ride in either the locomotive cab or the caboose.  In fact, the engine the C&M now uses is one that I'd ridden on back then.

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 tree68 on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 8:54 PM

Well, the beginning activities for the SPAAMFAA convention went smoothly.  The attendees are arriving - more will be here in the morning, for sure, and the fire trucks are arriving as well.

Looks like some damp weather coming our way.  Don't mind a widely scattered shower, but we don't need constant rain, especially on Saturday for the muster.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 4:35 PM

jeffhergert

My wife just pointed out a train derailment up in Calmar, IA.  Appears to be no big deal, a rail turned over.  Happened on the Central Pacific Railroad, so KCRG-TV says.

 http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Train-derails-near-Calmar-437896433.html

Maybe if they had read the name on the side of the engine instead of just the C P on the nose...

Jeff

 

Maybe the newsworker remembered his lesson on the Transcontinental RR a little too well. I'm sure the local CN public affairs rep is in no hurry to correct the numbskull. (as in   http://www.hark.com/clips/vhpmqvmcrb-quiet-numbskulls    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNYu1Y8pGh4  )

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 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 4:35 PM

jeffhergert

My wife just pointed out a train derailment up in Calmar, IA.  Appears to be no big deal, a rail turned over.  Happened on the Central Pacific Railroad, so KCRG-TV says.

 http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Train-derails-near-Calmar-437896433.html

Maybe if they had read the name on the side of the engine instead of just the C P on the nose...

Jeff

 

Well, well. After reading the news story, I wondered why it is that so many people refer to a single track road as having "tracks." (The story read that the "tracks" should be repaired tonight.)

Also, the video continually stopped playing, do I gave up listening to it. I do want to go to supper tonight.

Johnny

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 3:46 PM

My wife just pointed out a train derailment up in Calmar, IA.  Appears to be no big deal, a rail turned over.  Happened on the Central Pacific Railroad, so KCRG-TV says.

 http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Train-derails-near-Calmar-437896433.html

Maybe if they had read the name on the side of the engine instead of just the C P on the nose...

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 2:50 PM

afternoon

Mother Nature just sent us a passing shower.Ns replaced one train with another at work in the siding.Need to get some 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 JoeKoh on Monday, July 31, 2017 6:13 PM

Good evening

Computer decided to do an update.Ns had a big frieght in the siding when I left work.The local was uptown as well ready to spot some cars.Got the yardwork done.If Mother nature doesn't drown us again we should be on a regular schedule.Need to get stuff for work 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 tree68 on Monday, July 31, 2017 9:14 AM

BaltACD

 

 
tree68
My wi-fi router has apparently decided to die.  The wi-fi works, but not the port to connect to the 'Net.  Time for a trip to the office supply store. 

 

 

Verizon replaced my modem/router last week - it works more consistantly than the old one, but it isn't perfect.

The cable modem is still working fine - and is the one I got from the cable company (also has my phone).  It appears the "input" ethernet port that connected to the cable router was giving up the ghost.  There's a new wifi router sitting there now, and working fine...

Now, back to work getting ready for this weeks SPAAMFAA national convention.  Made an appearance on local TV this morning to push 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 blhanel on Monday, July 31, 2017 12:12 AM

Had a nice ride on the Mount Hood RR excursion to Parkdale, OR today- got to experience negotiating a switch-back, one of only four on standard gauge in the US.

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, July 30, 2017 3:52 PM

tree68
My wi-fi router has apparently decided to die.  The wi-fi works, but not the port to connect to the 'Net.  Time for a trip to the office supply store. 

Verizon replaced my modem/router last week - it works more consistantly than the old one, but it isn't perfect.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, July 30, 2017 2:34 PM

My wi-fi router has apparently decided to die.  The wi-fi works, but not the port to connect to the 'Net.  Time for a trip to the office supply store.

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 Sunday, July 30, 2017 10:23 AM

Good morning

Went for a walk this morning.no One caught the big fish yet.Looked at Csx.They were re-crewing a MOW train at the Defiance yard.An eastbound gas train aslo passed.Going to do chores 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, July 28, 2017 3:05 PM

afternoon

Very nice outside now.Ns still had an eastbound coal train waiting in the siding.Giving the A/C a break now.Going to go see what is playing tonight uptown.They are having a B movie special.Might be wolfman vs. dracula or the spider that ate Cleveland.(fictional titles but you get the idea).Should be a good time.

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 tree68 on Friday, July 28, 2017 7:55 AM

erikem
Hope you have good luck in getting a "new" part.

I've had suggestions to simply clean up the existing parts and really wad the grease to it.  It might work, but is certainly not a long-term solution.  

Probably the best solution, and one that would continue the illusion that the truck is all "stock" would be to find a machine shop that can put adapt the mount with roller bearings.  I'm no machinist, but I'm sure it would be possible, and would be a long term fix.

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 erikem on Thursday, July 27, 2017 10:41 PM

tree68

 

 
erikem
Is this the same Continental 6 cyl as was used in the Checker Cabs?

 

Can't answer that - but the motor is a Continental "Red Seal" Model 8R, per our paperwork on the truck.

 

Did a quick search on the 8R engine and it looks like it dates tho the 1920's. The Checker's were using running with an inline flathead Continental 6 from the mid-50'2 to the late 60's. Pretty rugged engines but a bit short on power when coupled with an automatic tranny - remember hearing about my dad doing 15MPH on highway 395 just north of Bishop in a '63 Checker Marathon.

Hope you have god luck in getting a "new" part.

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, July 27, 2017 8:51 PM

erikem
Is this the same Continental 6 cyl as was used in the Checker Cabs?

Can't answer that - but the motor is a Continental "Red Seal" Model 8R, per our paperwork on the truck.

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 erikem on Thursday, July 27, 2017 5:32 PM

tree68

 One hope is that someone may have put together an assembly that uses roller or ball bearings, vs what's there now.  The motor is a fairly common (if old) Continental 6 cylinder, so the part may not be as rare as one might think.  One of those will probably outlast all of us, as much as the truck gets used. 

Is this the same Continental 6 cyl as was used in the Checker Cabs?

 

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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, July 27, 2017 4:29 PM

CShaveRR

Thanks for looking, Norm!  I dug a little deeper...Continental's own history mentions this opening of the Mobile plant, but never the closure of the Muskegon facility.  That, I found out, took place in 1994.

Carl,

Glad I could help a bit.  I haven't seen a Continental engine in anything but aircraft for eons. They still manufacture aircraft engines but thanks to the FAA not being willing to accept advances in technology they are stuck, with the exception of new metalurugy and manufacturing techniques and tolerances, with 1940's practices. The engines they build are "continuous duty" mills that work hard to keep airplanes aloft, and for the most part they are "bulletproof"  but there are things they could, FAA regulations not withstanding, be learned from today's technology.

As an A&P I've worked on many of them. Simplicity is the FAA's mantra.

Norm


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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, July 27, 2017 3:03 PM

Cannibalize, under the cover of darkness, some other non-operable Continental (stay out of the police blotter and film at 11Whistling)

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 JoeKoh on Thursday, July 27, 2017 2:51 PM

afternoon

No rain here in our area but very muggy.Ns still has an eastbound coal train in the siding.I could not see if it was the same train from yesterday or not.As for CSX Carl they have  the local viaduct and too many more things worry about.Need 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").

 

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, July 27, 2017 1:46 PM

Thanks for looking, Norm!  I dug a little deeper...Continental's own history mentions this opening of the Mobile plant, but never the closure of the Muskegon facility.  That, I found out, took place in 1994.

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 Norm48327 on Thursday, July 27, 2017 4:49 AM

No Carl, they don't. They moved to Mobile, AL in 1966.

http://www.continentalmotors.aero/Company_Information/History/

Norm


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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 8:56 PM

Larry, my mother worked at Continental Motors during World War II (presumably during the summers, as she also went to college).  Did they have plants other than at Muskegon?  (My dad was overseas with the Army; he saw action in both Europe and the Pacific...They knew each other, but may not have been an "item" at that time.)

Joe, you just need a wreck or something to take down that viaduct.  I forgot who it was thought that it didn't need replacing.  We had a similar situation on UP, where a freight derailed on the bridge and collapsed it (unfortunately killing a couple by burying their car in coal).  Turned out that the bridge itself caused the disaster... sunkink where the solid track changed into a deck girder.

I finally was able to mow the lawn today (full treament on the front, first pass on the back).  This was after completing a sightings report (14 pages' worth this time) and repairing the email on my computer, with the help of the Comcast "Advanced repair team".  I still have a letter to write tonight, if I can stay awake. Tomorrow, if it stays dry, I finish the back yard, get Pat to spot me while I go up the ladder to lop branches off the tree that's dangling them onto the roof (with my new toy, a 12-foot pole pruner).  We also have to prepare for a weekend in Michigan, and my services have been requested for information on an article for the C&O Historical Society.  

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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 3:59 PM

afternoon

Ns still has the coal train in the siding.Went into town.Matt took care of the yardwork.Former neighbor's house is looking much better as she is getting new siding.Csx didn't send any trains.Law director is talking to CSX about conditions of the Clinton st viaduct and the sidewalks as well.Time to get cleaned up.

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 tree68 on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 6:51 AM

BaltACD
If you find the bearing assembly, get 2!

One hope is that someone may have put together an assembly that uses roller or ball bearings, vs what's there now.  The motor is a fairly common (if old) Continental 6 cylinder, so the part may not be as rare as one might think.  One of those will probably outlast all of us, as much as the truck gets used. 

The assembly can be fixed (bored, material added, turned, etc) but that might take a while unless someone is willing to rush it.  We'd like to have it running next weekend for the big muster.

The fellow who went through the truck for us last year has sources - I'm optomistic.

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 blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 11:02 PM

Woke up to another downpour. No mowing today maybe in the morning ?  We were lucky only 3/4" rain.  Columbus got swamped 2 - 3".  Only way to describe it around here is just imagine Seattle during the rainy season or better still a Georgia rain forest.  Some seed shoot up to  2'6" tall.  rest of grass 8 - 14". 

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 9:22 PM

tree68
We got our 1932 pumper out tonight to practice with her before the big antique fire truck muster ten days from now.  Worked like a champ right up until the fan bearing seized up.

Now we're trying to figure out how to fix it, or find a new fan bearing assembly. 

If you find the bearing assembly, get 2!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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