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Chatterbox Fall 2017

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, October 16, 2017 10:45 AM

AREMA Manual Ch. 1 Part 5 for openers, the ASCE Pipeline Section manual,  NUCA and multiple other places.

-There is a persistant claim/ story out there which says that an outdated and very dangerous wet-bore was done. A couple of industry folks I know say that appears not to be the case based on the aerials of the sending and receiving pit. The other persistent story out there is construction happened  before method was approved or construction was permitted on CN property ("build it first, ask for forgiveness later' routine that drives railroaders nuts) All the more reason to put out the CN/FRA reports as soon as confirmed.

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 Norm48327 on Monday, October 16, 2017 10:23 AM

MC,

Where can one find information regarding proper boring techniques? A few years ago one was bored under CN's Holly Sub without incident.

Norm


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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, October 16, 2017 10:15 AM

Still watching the pig feathers fly over the gas company major oops at Plainfield IL - I sincerely hope CN-IC makes an example out of these reckless clowns:

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/09/29/8265550caefc4d529fe0fad1c4764c25/index.xml

CN shut them down for good reason, and apparently all they are concerned about is a timeline to put a new pipeline in service, the heck with everybody else they stepped-on.

Hope FRA or NTSB releases the findings supplied by CN-IC plus their own.  

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 Monday, October 16, 2017 7:21 AM

zugmann

 

 
tree68
Would have been nice if we didn't have to deal with some track maintenance which called for seven miles of 10 MPH running. You think road construction is bad... Watching paint dry would be a fitting analogy.

 

We have an industrial track that is about 15 miles long.  15 miles of 10mph.  On 90# jointed rail.  I only got to run it a few times, but it can be mind numbing. 

Almost ocmpares to the 15 mile reverse move one of our other jobs make.  If you think going slow forward is bad...

 

Only 15 miles? I'll go you 5 miles more of 10 mph track--Reform, Alabama, to Aliceville, Alabama, was 20 miles, and for several years the crews made a round trip six days a week. They were able to turn the engine at each end. I made one round trip with them, at night, and it was rather dull.

That track, with almost the rest of the AT&N, is long gone.

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, October 15, 2017 9:34 PM

zugmann
 
tree68
Would have been nice if we didn't have to deal with some track maintenance which called for seven miles of 10 MPH running. You think road construction is bad... Watching paint dry would be a fitting analogy. 

We have an industrial track that is about 15 miles long.  15 miles of 10mph.  On 90# jointed rail.  I only got to run it a few times, but it can be mind numbing. 

Almost ocmpares to the 15 mile reverse move one of our other jobs make.  If you think going slow forward is bad...

The Sealston-Jessup trash train making a round trip between Sealston, VA and Jessup, MD daily except Sunday has 10 miles of 10 MPH track to negotiate both ways between Sealston and Dahlgren Jct (Fredericksburg) on each round trip.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, October 15, 2017 9:27 PM

tree68
Would have been nice if we didn't have to deal with some track maintenance which called for seven miles of 10 MPH running. You think road construction is bad... Watching paint dry would be a fitting analogy.

We have an industrial track that is about 15 miles long.  15 miles of 10mph.  On 90# jointed rail.  I only got to run it a few times, but it can be mind numbing. 

Almost ocmpares to the 15 mile reverse move one of our other jobs make.  If you think going slow forward is bad...

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 tree68 on Sunday, October 15, 2017 8:58 PM

Well, there - two days on the railroad, running our longest trips on Saturday and Sunday.  Would have been nice if we didn't have to deal with some track maintenance which called for seven miles of 10 MPH running.  You think road construction is bad...

Watching paint dry would be a fitting analogy.

Had a little trouble with leaves on the rails Saturday, but Sunday was a good run.

Glad I'm not running tomorrow - on my way home I drove through a squall with heavy rain and high winds - both guaranteed to remove what fall foiliage may have remained from the trees.  And carefully deposit it directly on the tracks...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, October 14, 2017 7:22 PM

mudchicken
 
BaltACD

For anyone that is interested in the kind of racing I participate in the link is to our class's Championship race at Indianpolis Motor Speedway on October 1.

https://www.scca.com/videos/2033633 

Practicing for dealing with I-465 afterwards?

Stayed in Fishers for the event, had to deal with I465 and I69 both ways.  Once one figures out which lanes move and which lanes don't it's not that bad...doesn't compare to either the Baltimore or Washington Beltways at rush hour.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, October 14, 2017 6:17 PM

BaltACD

For anyone that is interested in the kind of racing I participate in the link is to our class's Championship race at Indianpolis Motor Speedway on October 1.

https://www.scca.com/videos/2033633

 

Practicing for dealing with I-465 afterwards?

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 Saturday, October 14, 2017 1:09 PM

afternoon

Errands ran.Watched Csx for a bit.Saw a ballast train at work.Dispatcher was talking if they should dump from the front or back cars first.The train had 5 units on it.Also helped a grandpa explain a train to grandaughter.They were out for a bike ride on their road.She liked it when a track inspector passed the train too.Matt is going to get cleaned up for a party tonight.

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 BaltACD on Friday, October 13, 2017 5:18 PM

For anyone that is interested in the kind of racing I participate in the link is to our class's Championship race at Indianpolis Motor Speedway on October 1.

https://www.scca.com/videos/2033633

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, October 13, 2017 5:01 PM

evening

Ns had 2 westbounds and 1 eastbound as I left work.

Errands and chores done for tonight.More tomorrow.Might see if anything is running on Csx.Going to be giving hugs this weekend too.Matt has a party to go to tomorrow night.

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 BOB WITHORN on Friday, October 13, 2017 6:40 AM

Not only remember the BLUE LIGHT, but was a dept. asst. mgr. and setup BLUE LIGHT specials.  Man, what a junk job that was.  Probably why I got fired for telling the store mgr. what I thought of him. Of course I used only proper language when,  well never mind, I lasted 3 months.

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, October 13, 2017 6:06 AM

tree68
Anyone recall what the K in K-Mart stands for?

Kresge's. I remember, because there was one Kresge's left at the Chinook Mall in Calgary long after there were K-Marts, for corporate reasons I heard.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, October 13, 2017 5:56 AM

Mookie
interesting who actually knows which one has a blue light special.

Heck, I can even remember when they announced one and had a flashing light set up to help you find it!

Anyone recall what the K in K-Mart stands for?

(Ours just closed, by the way.)

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 Mookie on Friday, October 13, 2017 5:32 AM

Murphy Siding
Are you sure you don't have your *marts* crossed up? 

two things - I hate shopping. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have been in either "mart".  And we have had both - even a super whatever.  #2, interesting who actually knows which one has a blue light special.  Mischief

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mudchicken on Friday, October 13, 2017 12:39 AM

blue streak 1

Unknown here is whether any agency in the State of Georgia has to approve crossing improvements ?

 

Crossing Safety/Regulation with Georgia DOT's Office of Utilities

Georgia Public Service Commission (started as the Georgia RR Commission in 1879) turned it over to GaDOT circa 2002. If they are smart, they will put the clearance regulations they dropped back (Iowa learned the hard way)....Rubber-tired bubba statement applies in this state

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 Thursday, October 12, 2017 11:02 PM

Mookie

 

 
JoeKoh
Very impatient driver behind me really needed to get to WalMart

 

Blue Light Special, maybe?

 

 

Are you sure you don't have your *marts* crossed up? Mischief

(Clean-up in aisle 4.... Whistling)

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, October 12, 2017 11:00 PM

Mookie
 
JoeKoh
Very impatient driver behind me really needed to get to WalMart 

Blue Light Special, maybe?

Then they needed to go to K-Mart.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, October 12, 2017 10:54 PM

Unknown here is whether any agency in the State of Georgia has to approve crossing improvements ?

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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, October 12, 2017 5:21 PM

JoeKoh
Very impatient driver behind me really needed to get to WalMart

Blue Light Special, maybe?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, October 12, 2017 3:47 PM

afternoon

Just wondering when NS will get the "GO" to do the crossing at work on Barre road.Ns had some cars uptown.Ran errands.Very impatient driver behind me really needed to get to WalMart.The phone is starting to ring at work.Going to be busy.Need to check Matt's homework.

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 mudchicken on Thursday, October 12, 2017 7:54 AM

CSSH pretty much got it and it is the fact that it is a public road seals the deal. PUCO puts out a decision which sets out who owns, operates and maintains exactly what at any public grade crossing. PUCO or whatever the agency is in the state you are in (like ICC in Illinois) has ombudsman/ public law judge authority in that particular state. Once the crossing is built, it stays that way  in terms of width, angle of crossing, number of tracks, circuitry, etc.; move anything and it's a "mother may I?" petition to the PUCO or whoever. Keeps the local rubber tired bubbas in check, keeps the local political agencies in check (they can't create a public road from a private one - especially for development) and keeps the railroads in check. PUCO is on its own side in a dispute as an ombudsman.

I do get concerned when an agency like PUCO or ICC gets rolled into a state DOT by legislature in a consolidation move. (Rubber tired bubba inbreeding becomes a much more serious issue on the objectivity of the agency ... most DOTs can't railroad, period.)

 

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, October 12, 2017 7:04 AM

The last paragraph in the article should answer your question.  Since these are grade crossings over public highways, public safety issues are involved.

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 blue streak 1 on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 7:03 PM

We know the RRs complain about over regulation and unnecessary regulations .  Why in the word does a state have to approve improvements to crossings that wil be paid just with NS funds ?  This will probably get MC's road bubbas jobs ?

 

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/norfolk_southern/news/Ohio-panel-OKs-Norfolk-Southern-grade-crossing-projects--53018

 

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Posted by AgentKid on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 6:02 PM

I want to thank everyone for their condolences.

Mom had been in poor health for a few years now and a series of mini-strokes starting on Thursday morning led to her passing Saturday afternoon. She was 87.

Just to correct what Miningmaan mentioned, she was born south of Sheerness in the Duchess area. The farmhouse still stands, in a different location. She lived without power or running water until she had to leave to continue on to High School in Brooks, due to a lack of students in her area. That served her well to be a Station Agent's wife; as Hatton, SK had coal heat, no electric service, and no running water. Irricana, AB, did have electric service. The only house my parents ever owned was in Calgary, after Dad became a Dispatcher. She lived there until 2013.

The arrangments for a service and whatnot are proceeding, so I wanted to take this moment once again to thank everyone.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 2:57 PM

afternoon

Rain here in Nw Ohio.Ns was clear.Sister and niece went through family tree.What really helped was Aunt and Great Aunt had worked on it before.Going to see if the teams can play ball or Mother Nature wins again today.

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 samfp1943 on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 7:59 AM

tree68

I'm fortunate that there are a number of pictures, some with those appearing in them written on the back, so while it will take some cross referencing, I can figure out many of the major players.

It'll be interesting.

There is a lesson there, though - you may think you'll remember everyone in the picture, but odds are your grandchildren won't have a clue.

 

          Amazing some of the subjects that can show up when going through old phots...some in albums, but mostly in boxes...found a photo of my dad's old ship on a official web site [www.navesource,org] tied up at Corsica, after landing in Sicily (Jul43)...and another of him standing in front of the statue of Tecumseh at Annapolis in Spring of 1942. Dad was in the ist Class of '90 Day Wonders'.  I cannot imagine how many times those photos have been moved in the interveaning years...Too many!  Not to mention the old photos that have been'lost'.

Larry, your statement is so true! 

 

 


 

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 7:11 AM

I'm fortunate that there are a number of pictures, some with those appearing in them written on the back, so while it will take some cross referencing, I can figure out many of the major players.

It'll be interesting.

There is a lesson there, though - you may think you'll remember everyone in the picture, but odds are your grandchildren won't have a clue.

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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  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 7:02 AM

The problem with old family photographs is that faces can be familiar but you're not quite sure and nobody else is, either.  I remember when I was about 11 or 12 seeing Dad's photo album from prior to WW2.  The names are often familiar but the faces other than Dad and his sisters are not.

The up side of all this is that some historic gems can turn up.  Dad's album also included some pictures (taken on the sly) of the first tank (an M-4, I believe) built at Pressed Steel Car Co. in Hegewisch in 1941 in the months prior to Pearl Harbor.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul

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