Trains.com

Chatterbox Summer 2017

31276 views
493 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, September 2, 2017 2:22 PM

Murphy Siding

     Anybody out there squirrely?  

     We don't have a walnut tree in our yard, only an apple tree that feeds the wildlife for miles around. The closest walnut tree is over a block away. For some odd reason, Mr. Squirrel carries lots of walnuts a block down the street to my driveway. There, he peels off the green outer coating to get at the walnut meat and leaves the razor sharp shell pieces on the driveway.

   Other than the obvious reason- Mr. Squirrel hates me- why would he (or she) do this?

Squirrels in the area seem to us my race car trailer as their 'dinner table' as they leave shards from various things with shells that the chow down on all over the trailer.  I have to use my leaf blower on the trailer before I go to load up the race car.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, September 2, 2017 2:49 PM

afternoon

Had some turkeys take a walk in our yard before we left this morning.Buzzards had a nice breakfast near Bryan as well.They decided to perch on the old NYC signal masts.Ns ran some good trains.Saw a c-40-9 standard cab take a train eastbound.Not many of those left.Things 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: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, September 2, 2017 3:03 PM

Murphy:  Outdoor cats leave dead mice on your doorstep as a "gift" for their keepers.  Squirrels leave a few nutshells.  Take your pick....Mischief

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, September 2, 2017 3:39 PM

Squirrels ?  Got to hate them.  Went away for a few days and took dog.  Big mistake.  Returned to find not a single walnut anywhere either on trees (6) or on ground.  Dog is a good squirrel chaser.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, September 2, 2017 5:25 PM

Got Scottie outside = NO squirrels.

Scottie Inside = Vegetable garden salad bar for squirrels (BH has had squirrel eat tomato right in front of her, separated by glass)

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: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, September 2, 2017 6:52 PM

I've had squirrels get into the house - or at least in the attic and walls, never actually inside.  Skritch, skritch....

About four have found my bird feeders in the winter (the only time I feed the birds).  A couple of reds, a couple of grays.  I'll occasionally get out the airsoft pellet gun and take a couple of shots at them.  Usually the report is enough to scare them away.  I don't think I've hit one yet.

I've got to redo the "screen" I put on one feeder - the birds can eat, but the squirrels find it more difficult.  Every now and then, one will squeeze inside it and pig out as usual.

Most unusual "guest" I've had at the bird feeders, however, was a fox, who was busily eating the sunflower seeds the birds (and probably the squirrels) had knocked to the ground.  Too bad the fox didn't encounter one or more of the squirrels...

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 Saturday, September 2, 2017 7:09 PM

tree68
I've had squirrels get into the house - or at least in the attic and walls, never actually inside.  Skritch, skritch....

About four have found my bird feeders in the winter (the only time I feed the birds).  A couple of reds, a couple of grays.  I'll occasionally get out the airsoft pellet gun and take a couple of shots at them.  Usually the report is enough to scare them away.  I don't think I've hit one yet.

I've got to redo the "screen" I put on one feeder - the birds can eat, but the squirrels find it more difficult.  Every now and then, one will squeeze inside it and pig out as usual.

Most unusual "guest" I've had at the bird feeders, however, was a fox, who was busily eating the sunflower seeds the birds (and probably the squirrels) had knocked to the ground.  Too bad the fox didn't encounter one or more of the squirrels...

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, September 2, 2017 7:41 PM

LaughPoor squirrel! Did it give up?

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, September 2, 2017 10:26 PM

Well trains lost my Colonial pipeline shutdown thread.  But gasoline prices here up another 20 cents $2.69 - $2.75.  Diesel price now below gasoline at least temporary.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Saturday, September 2, 2017 10:35 PM

Balt - I like the solution.  Doesn't hurt the animal; had me in stitches; you can bet the squirrel has a pad and pen and working out the solution in another corner.  This is so funny!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, September 3, 2017 6:45 AM

My visitors often drop in from an adjacent tree - short of cutting the tree (a good 40' tall spruce), there's not much I can do along that realm.  

Considering that the birds alone can "drain" all of the feeders in a day, I may actually be saving seed by letting the squirrels in...

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: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, September 3, 2017 7:38 AM

I think we had a squirrel-fight overhead sometime overnight:  there are a lot of fresh green leaves on the grass this morning--no branches, just leaves.  And I just cleaned that yard...

Our backyard neighbors used to maintain several bird feeders in their yard.  Perhaps it's a summer thing that the feeder poles are empty now, but they might have gotteh tired of feedig the squirrels as well.

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
    July 2010
  • From: Louisiana
  • 2,310 posts
Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, September 3, 2017 8:34 AM

   I like squirrels.   I always tell people they are ideal pets.   They're entertaining to watch, you don't have to feed them or clean up after them, and you don't have to worry about providing for them if you go on a trip.

_____________ 

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

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, September 3, 2017 10:59 AM

afternoon

Well CSX is plugged up as usual.Q 161 was told to hold at Sherwood as the dispatcher had no crews for them.They also had trains stopped ahead.Ns has a new signal ready to turn at the St.Joe diamond.Went up to Butler.Saw a CP run through train turn the corner.Sperry has a doddlebug parked in Edgerton.Time for lunch.

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, September 3, 2017 11:30 AM

blue streak 1

Well trains lost my Colonial pipeline shutdown thread.  But gasoline prices here up another 20 cents $2.69 - $2.75.  Diesel price now below gasoline at least temporary.

 

FYI- Our people in our Oil & Gas/Pipeline section are now dealing with  bouyant empty pipes "floating" upwards in the super saturated soil in that area. I suspect the railroads are also very watchfull of earthwork/soils/subgrade failures as they slowly reopen lines to service. Impact loading and liquifaction of old subgrades has to be an issue.

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
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Sunday, September 3, 2017 4:22 PM

Do what my hubby's uncle does with his feeders to stop the squirriels or as he calls them Satans Fuzzy tailed rats.  He uses a slinky on a metal pole under the feeder connected to a cattle fence shocker.  When the squirrel pulls on the slinky it completes the circut and bang gets a shock.  

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Sunday, September 3, 2017 4:31 PM

i don't understand anyone deliberately hurting any animal - I don't care if it is a snake or a squirrel.  Humans are the brainy ones in the food chain - why can't they figure out a safe, humane way to solve the problem.  Feed the birds, but not the squirrels?  What's the point?  The squirrels, like most animals won't let the population get out of hand.  You can afford birdseed, why not add some peanuts or extra seeds on the ground under a tree at the edge of the property.  

If the squirrels are destructive, trap humanely and take out to the woods.  Much less effort than trying to either hurt them or kill them with your silly contraptions.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Sunday, September 3, 2017 4:44 PM

Mookie- Agree 100%. When I lived in Southern Ontario for many years there were many squirrels around my property. Once in a while the squirrel population seemed to soar...i would trap them in a carrier, drive them up to the other side of a major highway, up the escarpment into a very ritzy multi million $ enclave and let them go. Did that more than 50 times over time. Perhaps their descendants are chowing down on caviar and fine cheeses.

When I opened the door of the trap they shot out like a cannon and found a tree before I could even take my next breath. Amazing.

Here in Northern Saskatchewan there is maybe one squirrel per square mile and they are tiny ...1/4 the size of a "standard" squirrel, a wee bit bigger than a chipmunk. Have no idea how they get through the winters and there are no trees with nuts at all in a Boreal forest, only cones. 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Sunday, September 3, 2017 4:58 PM

Why he is so angry with them is simple. They destroyed a 20k dollar boat in less than 2 months over 1 winter plus burned down his garage by chewing the electric wiring in it and causing shorts in it. The boat they destroyed the wiring seats and some of the other systems on it. Then after he had taken the boat out of there the started on the wiring on the garage. That's his motivation for his hate of squirrels. 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, September 3, 2017 5:00 PM

Shadow the Cats owner

Why he is so angry with them is simple. They destroyed a 20k dollar boat in less than 2 months over 1 winter plus burned down his garage by chewing the electric wiring in it and causing shorts in it. The boat they destroyed the wiring seats and some of the other systems on it. Then after he had taken the boat out of there the started on the wiring on the garage. That's his motivation for his hate of squirrels. 

 

So he's angry at squirrels for doing squirrel things.

 

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
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, September 4, 2017 12:42 PM

Zug....mickey

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Monday, September 4, 2017 2:24 PM

More like Chip & Dale vs. farmer Donald Duck

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
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, September 4, 2017 2:29 PM

I'm so confused right now.

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
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, September 4, 2017 6:33 PM

Shadow the Cats owner

Why he is so angry with them is simple. They destroyed a 20k dollar boat in less than 2 months over 1 winter plus burned down his garage by chewing the electric wiring in it and causing shorts in it. The boat they destroyed the wiring seats and some of the other systems on it. Then after he had taken the boat out of there the started on the wiring on the garage. That's his motivation for his hate of squirrels. 

 

 How does he know he's punishing the right squirrels?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Sunny (mostly) San Diego
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Monday, September 4, 2017 7:02 PM

mudchicken
More like Chip & Dale vs. farmer Donald Duck

CorD: "Apple Core!"

DD:  "Baltimore!"

CorD:  "Who's your friend?"

DD:  "Me!"

Splat!  Old cartoon but funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds3juU94LsY

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, September 4, 2017 7:17 PM

evening

Mother Nature sent us a rain shower tonight.Was over at G+G house after some OT at work.Ns was fairly steady in the morning then all was quiet.Niece's were curious about what Stacey and I do at work.Everyone back on schedule for 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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, September 4, 2017 11:31 PM

Storms working their way through now - gonna be a bump and rumble night.

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: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 8:59 AM

Has not been a good weekend here........

Blew out the A/C condenser Thursday morning, so after I was done for the day I dropped off the semi tractor to have a new one installed, with specific instructions that I needed the truck done by Sunday morning. Got to the yard Sunday morning, only to find the truck inside the shop, and they would be closed until Tuesday for the holiday. Called the shop from the house this morning, found that they had just finished diagnosing the truck, and were waiting for a new condenser............

 

My dispatcher and I are not happy, especially because the load I was to take to Texas was supposed to be there today............

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 4:02 PM

evening

Everyone was back to work today.Ns local was uptown when I left.Tomorrow is Matt's picture day at school.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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 2:42 PM

afternoon

Westbound stack train.Westbound coal train in the siding.Ns also had the local uptown after work.Errands to run.

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").

 

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