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Chatterbox Summer 2017

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 2:27 PM

afternoon

Muggy here in Nw Ohio.Ns has an eastbound coal train in the siding.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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 2:49 PM

They let me back out....

Then I went down the hill (the prison is on an old USAF radar site) to the local farm dealer and bought a new lawn mower.

After a trip home to get my trailer, I got it home and provided the afternoon's comedic entertainment - me trying to tame a zero-turn mower. It's a hoot.  At least I didn't break anything, and I even mowed my neighbor's lot.

With a 42" deck, this mower is really overkill for my yard, but pushing a 22" mower around the yard gets a little less fun every year... 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 3:52 PM

[quote user="tree68"]

They let me back out....

Then I went down the hill (the prison is on an old USAF radar site) to the local farm dealer and bought a new lawn mower.

After a trip home to get my trailer, I got it home and provided the afternoon's comedic entertainment - me trying to tame a zero-turn mower. It's a hoot.  At least I didn't break anything, and I even mowed my neighbor's lot.

With a 42" deck, this mower is really overkill for my yard, but pushing a 22" mower around the yard gets a little less fun every year... 

 

Larry,  once you get the hang of it they are SO much better for mowing.  It is funny to watch the first few trips around.  Couldn't get much help before, now I don't get to use it.

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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 4:25 PM

tree68
At least I didn't break anything, and I even mowed my neighbor's lot.

It's not that he wanted to - it's that he hadn't figured out how to stop it at the time.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by rvos1979 on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 6:45 PM

tree68

They let me back out....

Then I went down the hill (the prison is on an old USAF radar site) to the local farm dealer and bought a new lawn mower.

After a trip home to get my trailer, I got it home and provided the afternoon's comedic entertainment - me trying to tame a zero-turn mower. It's a hoot.  At least I didn't break anything, and I even mowed my neighbor's lot.

With a 42" deck, this mower is really overkill for my yard, but pushing a 22" mower around the yard gets a little less fun every year... 

 

Larry, my neighbor across the street from me has a zero turn, I was slightly puzzled as to why he upgraded to that from a lawn tractor. It still takes him two hours to mow, and his lawn isn't much bigger than mine, which takes me about 45 minutes...........

Mookie, please quit sending us rain, I'm getting tired of baling my lawn.........

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

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 7:58 PM

rvos1979
Mookie, please quit sending us rain, I'm getting tired of baling my lawn.........

I'm sorry, Randy - but that is a different department.  You need to contact Murphy - he is in charge of the northern tier.  You might have to be a little firm with him....please?  Mischief

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 9:06 PM

zugmann
It's not that he wanted to - it's that he hadn't figured out how to stop it at the time.

Not entirely the case - but...

I skipped the lawn tractor - went straight from the push mower to the zero turn.  What I do know is that certain areas of my yard need to be reconfigured - they aren't friendly to the zero turn.  I kinda expected that, though.

I have a "patio" that is grass - just a raised level area.  Right now I can't get the zero turn onto it, so I'll be taking out the steps I never used and filling that area in so the ramp onto the patio from the yard is wide enough for the zero turn.

Wheeeee!

Tonight was the county fair parade.  As president of the county firefighters association, it was my job to stand on the stage and take the salutes of the marching units as they passed.

Our county fair is billed as the longest continuously running county fair in the country.  This year is number 200.

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 Murphy Siding on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:04 PM

Mookie

 

 
rvos1979
Mookie, please quit sending us rain, I'm getting tired of baling my lawn.........

 

I'm sorry, Randy - but that is a different department.  You need to contact Murphy - he is in charge of the northern tier.  You might have to be a little firm with him....please?  Mischief

 

 

I must not have much pull in the matter. 2 weekends ago, a hail storm tried to eat our lake cabin 65 miles north of here. We were lucky and it looks like only the roof and half the siding will need to be replaced. Another hail storm with tornadoes is try to finish off the place right now. I expect our local TV weather dork to fill his pants any minute now.


     I mowed our lawn Sunday after putting it off a bit waiting for cooler weather. I came across bison grazing in the tall grass.

     Anybody need some dill? When that stuff goes to seed in a flower garden you get a dill hedge the following year. My wife alerted her friends. She said some had come over and gotten some dill but I'm a little concerned. Some of the tracks are from small hooves. Devil

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:06 PM

tree68

I have a "patio" that is grass - just a raised level area.  Right now I can't get the zero turn onto it, so I'll be taking out the steps I never used and filling that area in so the ramp onto the patio from the yard is wide enough for the zero turn.

Wheeeee!

 

 

I see a Dukes of Hazzard ramp in your future. Wheeeee! 

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Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:31 PM

Wow, Murphy - I hate to hear about your department and summer home falling apart.  I am terrified of lightning, but hail is always a problem.  I keep feeling like the minute Millie comes out of the garage, some silly storm will suddenly appear. And at least here, you can always tell hail clouds - they look like bare baby bottoms hanging out of the sky.  That should give everyone pause to consider....

I love dill.  Don't do pickles, but e-mail me some and I will just make a boquet out of it.  I can also cut it up and put it in my Cheerios - I like the taste and it definitely brightens up my O's....

Moo....

 

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 11:32 PM

I was soooo hoping that Murphy would divulge who's stealing all our water and shipping it his way.(ol' Willie has gone into hiding and graduated to Blizzards and Hurricanes?) ... Four days in a row with high 90's and virga, it all is gone before it hits the ground.

Hey Mooks, Ghurkensalat? (BH hears it's really good with asparagus too!Mischief)

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 Paul of Covington on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 12:54 AM

rvos1979
Larry, my neighbor across the street from me has a zero turn, I was slightly puzzled as to why he upgraded to that from a lawn tractor. It still takes him two hours to mow, and his lawn isn't much bigger than mine, which takes me about 45 minutes...........

   Maybe it's because he's having fun.   I tried my younger sister's zero-turn and got a kick out of it.

   By the way, my older sister (78) mows  her yard with an old fashioned push reel type mower -- strictly people-powered.   My younger sister and I can't keep up with her energy.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 6:11 AM

[quote user="Murphy Siding"]

 

 
tree68

I have a "patio" that is grass - just a raised level area.  Right now I can't get the zero turn onto it, so I'll be taking out the steps I never used and filling that area in so the ramp onto the patio from the yard is wide enough for the zero turn.

Wheeeee!

 

 

 

 

I see a Dukes of Hazzard ramp in your future. Wheeeee! 

 

 

Murphy,  not far off at times. Got a 61" Simplicity w/ a suspensionthat will do 10+ mph. There are places that will really get your attention if you forget to slow down!!  Also still use the 22" push and 54" riding tractor in places you don't want to take the '0'. 

The zero is a riot to use. Spin to fast and you just dug a trench!!

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:08 AM

mudchicken
Hey Mooks, Ghurkensalat? (BH hears it's really good with asparagus too!)

Had this as a kid - got better with age (mine) - but then you and tin shoes went and insulted a good dish.  Aargh....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 8:11 AM

Mookie

Wow, Murphy - I hate to hear about your department and summer home falling apart.  I am terrified of lightning, but hail is always a problem.  I keep feeling like the minute Millie comes out of the garage, some silly storm will suddenly appear. And at least here, you can always tell hail clouds - they look like bare baby bottoms hanging out of the sky.  That should give everyone pause to consider....

I love dill.  Don't do pickles, but e-mail me some and I will just make a boquet out of it.  I can also cut it up and put it in my Cheerios - I like the taste and it definitely brightens up my O's....

Moo....

 

 

     Our youngest son Luke was terrified of lightning as well, but I got him over it. Have Driver help you with this: We had a stair landing with a big window. During thunderstorms, Luke and I would lay on the stairs with a view of the sky. Every time that lightning would flash or thunder would crack, I'd have him  yell at the offending natural phenomena. You may want to alert the neighbors ahead of time.

 

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Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 8:17 AM

Mookie

 

 
mudchicken
Hey Mooks, Ghurkensalat? (BH hears it's really good with asparagus too!)

 

Had this as a kid - got better with age (mine) - but then you and tin shoes went and insulted a good dish.  Aargh....

 

 

I think he was referring to Boss Hen, not me... ;-)

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 8:25 AM

blhanel
 
Mookie

 

 
mudchicken
Hey Mooks, Ghurkensalat? (BH hears it's really good with asparagus too!)

 

Had this as a kid - got better with age (mine) - but then you and tin shoes went and insulted a good dish.  Aargh....

 

 

 

 

I think he was referring to Boss Hen, not me... ;-)

 

It was Boss Hen, no tarnish on those tin shoes.

(don't have to plant dill here - it self generates in places you would not expect, but no hedges here)

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 Murphy Siding on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 9:24 AM

mudchicken

 

(don't have to plant dill here - it self generates in places you would not expect, but no hedges here)

 

Trust me- if it rains enough, you have hedges. I'm hoping to at least get one stalk hefty enough to put up a tire swing.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 6:23 PM

evening

still muggy here in Nw Ohio.Work still busy.Ns had an autorack train in the siding when I left work.Went into town to take care of some yardwork there.Saw a CSX inspection truck on track 2.Will get a good view of the river when he crosses the bridge.More rain tomorrow.Will order the bale wagon for Saturday.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 6:30 PM

Was just looking at the Amtrak "Track a Train" status map and saw a WB SW Chief nearing Needles almost 16 hours late.  Is Carl sneaking back to California without telling us?

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Posted by rvos1979 on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:42 PM

Got 8 inches of rain so far today at the house, river is supposed to crest tonight nearly a foot above the previous record. Flood blew up the substation in town, so I'm sleeping in the semi tonight, hopefully we will have power by tomorrow...........

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

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Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 7:57 PM

More on the way, Randy- we just had 0.95" in 45 minutes here.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 10:36 PM

We're bracing ourselves for the rain that Brian just reported.  It's supposed to track south of the northern tier of Illinois counties this time--hitting us instead.  Last night we had about two inches total, nothing like our friends north of the border.

The rain in this area can't be blamed or the delay of the Southwest Chief... nor can I.  I'm wondering if the BNSF freight derailment near Aurora had anything to do with it.  Probably not...it happened too early in the day.

I'm afraid I'm sticking around Illinois for the rest of the year, unless Linda takes a dramatic turn for the worse.  Right now, all that can be said for her is that she's coping with things as they come.  We get a bit of gallows humor now and 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 rvos1979 on Thursday, July 13, 2017 5:33 AM

River crested at 16.1 feet overnight, the old record was 13.5, I believe.  Hopefully will drop enough today that the power company can get to and dry out the substation in town that blew up so power can be restored. This may put a crimp in my weekend..........

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

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, July 13, 2017 6:57 AM

Weatherliar said heavy thunderstorms. We got 20 minutes of drizzle and no electricity. Somebody working for Ma Nature is about to get fired. Grass starting to go dormant. No Rocky Mountain Monsoon Season so far.

Have a pair of Air Force Academy underclassmen job shadowing our office this week (Engineers/Surveyors/Architects/Technicians)...Interesting fellas.

Randy: Got oar davits on that thing? (sounds like that may be standard equipment in some places you operate./ store the oars behind the cab cowling...)

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 BOB WITHORN on Thursday, July 13, 2017 7:21 AM
Had a desent, (for Michigan), evening at the station in Durand, Mi. Huron & Eastern (G&W) backed out of the yard on the 'Y' at about 7pm then headed north to Saginaw. Tookoff to Subway to get food got back about 7:40? to the depot and a east bound showed up with 2 cowl units pulling a general merch. freight of maybe 150 cars, half were auto racks of lumber flats. 5 minutes behind , west bound was a single GE pulling an auto rack unit train of 150 car, maybe 40 loaded. Ten minutes later east bound a pair of BNSF GE locos showed up headed to Flint to take a knap till needed to pull the empty unit coal train out of Durand back west. Last Amtrack showed up ON TIME!!! at 9:30. All-in-all, not a bad way to kill some time. Weather dummies said "flood warnings up to 2" of rain per hour". It did rain, this morning the truck looked like it did anyway. Oh ya, I remembered my rain coat this time, guess what I didn't need!!
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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, July 13, 2017 7:31 AM

Bob - nice visit to Durand.  Didn't see much last time I was there, but didn't stay long, either, as I had to hit the road.

Not quite a half inch of rain from a couple of little storms last night.  No thunderbumpers, though.  Looks like the next system will miss us, but there's still some rain in the forecast for the day.  I can probably guarantee it by hanging out some laundry.

Cooler today, which is good as I have work to do in the print shop (a spare bedroom) and it can get plenty toasty there...

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 CShaveRR on Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:56 AM

Durand makes me sad when I visit these days.  Last time I was there something was bouncing over the OWLS diamonds they've installed there.  I'm still remembering the 2x2 diamond there (and the AA diamonds, too!), protected by gates, and the waiting-room with the curving window panes, from which it could all be seen.

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 Thursday, July 13, 2017 2:43 PM

afternoon

Swamp drying out.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").

 

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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, July 13, 2017 3:29 PM

So I got to play the part of Uncle again. 

My niece had to go to her freshman high school orientation thing, and since her parents had to work and I worked last night, I could go in place.  You have to understand - my niece is a lot like me, and we share a lot of the same interests (and humor).  Poor girl.

Anyhow,  I almost got sent to the principal's office.

 

Myself? I went to a small-town school (two hallways, 50 kids sort of thing).  This school my niece is going to is the size of some third-world nations.  And the parents that attended had no sense of humor at all.  When I was in school, there was a parents' night.  The one long-time science teacher would pass around a sign-in sheet.  Every year he'd get "I.P. Freely" and "Seymour Butts" attending.  "And these are the parents!" he'd say. 

 

By the end of the little tour, I'd make a comment to my niece - she'd laugh, and all the parents would give me dirty looks.  If anyone is missing several 10-foot long sticks, I know where they are.  Even the 9th grade principal (like I said - big school) wasn't even making any of the super-corny but almost traditional jokes teachers used to make at these things.   Still, the size of the school and the stuff they have access to.  I had none of that.  Maybe that's why I ended up driving trains?  Sometimes I think I missed my calling.  Ok, a lot of the time lately.

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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