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Chatterbox Fall 2017

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, December 10, 2017 11:35 PM

Norm48327
We had just over an inch yesterday and the temperature never got above freezing but there was snow and ice on my car this morning. It's called the joys of Michigan winter.

   We beat that here in south Louisiana a couple of days ago.   We wound up with almost two inches, and a couple of towns within 30 miles of us got up to eight inches.   I talked to my sister in Indiana today and they haven't had any snow to speak of yet.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, December 11, 2017 4:51 PM

evening

work busy.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 JoeKoh on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 2:27 PM

afternoon

Ns has cars uptown.Chores to do.More snow on the way.

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 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 2:50 PM

Quit hogging the snow. Share!

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 tree68 on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 2:55 PM

mudchicken
Quit hogging the snow. Share!

Over 18" on Tug Hill, so far.  About 3" so far here at the house from this storm.  Got about 5" the other day.

The snowmobilers are lovin' it.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 3:14 PM

We've got squat here.  It tried yesterday, but didn't stick.

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Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:46 PM

About four inches in SEM but the road commision finally got their act together. Roads sucked during the morning drive but did get cleared by ten.

Norm


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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:59 PM

Norm48327
About four inches in SEM but the road commision finally got their act together. Roads sucked during the morning drive but did get cleared by ten.

While our county highway department does plow some roads, almost everything in the county is plowed by the towns, other than the state roads, which the state DOT does plow. 

Of course, the towns are responsible for the town roads, and the county contracts with the town highway departments for most of the county roads.

I know that in the county where Norm lives, the county covers pretty much everything but village/city streets and state highways.

I know most of the town highway folks here, including the superintendent.  Aside from denying that they operate any differently when the school district has a delay or a snow day, they're pretty good.  They probably have more snow fighting equipment than most southern cities...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 Deggesty on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 5:06 PM

tree68

 

 
Norm48327
About four inches in SEM but the road commision finally got their act together. Roads sucked during the morning drive but did get cleared by ten.

 

While our county highway department does plow some roads, almost everything in the county is plowed by the towns, other than the state roads, which the state DOT does plow. 

Of course, the towns are responsible for the town roads, and the county contracts with the town highway departments for most of the county roads.

I know that in the county where Norm lives, the county covers pretty much everything but village/city streets and state highways.

I know most of the town highway folks here, including the superintendent.  Aside from denying that they operate any differently when the school district has a delay or a snow day, they're pretty good.  They probably have more snow fighting equipment than most southern cities...

 

I never saw any snow fighting equipment until I was driving through Morristown, Tennessee, on New Year's Day, 1962, and saw a snowplow. I did use a snow shovel from time to time at the college in Bristol--but that hardly counts, does it?

Johnny

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 10:50 PM

Well the state of Georgia finally has most NW roads cleared.  The state DOT has absolute control on all interstate, US highways, and state routes.  They are the only ones who can even allow snowplows on their routes.  So some countys and cities got preferential treatment over others.  Don't let DOT catch you plowing one of their routes without permission.

 

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 11:09 PM

Deggesty
 

 

 

I never saw any snow fighting equipment until I was driving through Morristown, Tennessee, on New Year's Day, 1962, and saw a snowplow. I did use a snow shovel from time to time at the college in Bristol--but that hardly counts, does it?

 

 

Snow fighting equipment? They must experience some pretty aggressive snow storms.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 7:07 AM

I've lived through more than a few aggressive snowstorms over the years, even a few that caused problems on the L.  Even the CTA has its own snowfighting equipment, on both the Surface and Rapid Transit divisions.

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 tree68 on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 9:00 AM

Murphy Siding
Snow fighting equipment? They must experience some pretty aggressive snow storms.

Carl H. Frink Co. called their early plows "Snow Fighters."

An area that can see snowfall rates measured in inches per hour can probably be considered to have aggressive snow storms.  That would be the lake effect bands at the east end of Lakes Erie and Ontario.

I posted a video of old Frink plows on the snow thread.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
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Posted by Norm48327 on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 9:14 AM

Larry,

It appears from the forecasts that southeast Michigan is about to get dumped on by the first really significant snow storm of this winter. Expecting as much as eight inches by tomorrow morning.

Yesterday I grocery shopped and stocked up. Good timing on my part or just pure luck?

Norm


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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:17 PM

afternoon

No snow yet.Ns  had a frieght going west into the siding.Going to do 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 Norm48327 on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:38 PM

Currently quite flaky in my neighborhood and likely to stay that way over night.

Plenty of food in the house and no reason to go anywhere. I guess I'll just sit and look out the window to see motorists slipping and sliding there way home.

Dang; it is nice to be retired and not be obligated to drive to work in the mornings.

Take care Joe and be safewhile driving.

Norm


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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, December 14, 2017 6:57 AM

No snow this morning but my morning trip was delayed about 15 minutes by switching at the west end of Landers.  Weekend is supposed to be relatively mild.

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 tree68 on Thursday, December 14, 2017 7:13 AM

Well, the clipper isn't bringing us any snow here (can't say the same for points south!), but it did bring frigid temperatures - currently -5F on all my thermometers.  Just finished up a ham radio net and everyone else in the region is reporting a similar chill.

Good day to settle in and stay 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...

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, December 14, 2017 7:52 AM

Yesterdays barely to freezing temps and the overnight clipper have left a dusting of white all over.  High today is supposed to be 40 so the white covering won't last long.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, December 14, 2017 3:02 PM

Afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Matt was on delay today.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 JoeKoh on Friday, December 15, 2017 3:22 PM

afternoon

Saw a CSX lead stack train go east on Ns when I got to work.Also saw a coal train in the siding after work.Cleaned off some snow when I got home.Tomorrow it's Kp duty at G+G house.Chores to do here.

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, December 15, 2017 3:33 PM

Been snowing lightly since 10 AM - have to go 50 mile up the road this evening.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by samfp1943 on Friday, December 15, 2017 3:53 PM

BaltACD

Been snowing lightly since 10 AM - have to go 50 mile up the road this evening.

 

I gotta say I really feel for you folks over in the Eastern Seaboard.....Snow being disruptive to the daily routine[DRIVE SAFELY!]...Particularly, some of the first appearances of it[Snow]; in this time of year! Temps in this area, are hanging in the middle of the scales lately, 50's, or so. Dry as a powderhorn around here... Seems the Northern half is getting some snow(?).  

  The wife spoke to one of the BNSF guys at Casey's in Belle Plaine.  He mentioned to her, that their daily train count is now in the 50/60 a day count ( both directions ). Glad we live away from any crossings! Whistling

 I guess Their going to have a good year end!      Noticed a couple of the Herzog, self-unloading Ballast trains, and a couple of their ultra sound units on the road as well. 

 

 


 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, December 16, 2017 9:09 PM

Unusual sight on CSX this afternoon.  2 locos in run 8 leading a very long and slow intermodal that was under powered.  The catch  ?   Both locos leading long nose forward.  The forward facing horn certainly wasn't providing  much noise to front of train.

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, December 16, 2017 9:28 PM

blue streak 1
Unusual sight on CSX this afternoon.  2 locos in run 8 leading a very long and slow intermodal that was under powered.  The catch  ?   Both locos leading long nose forward.  The forward facing horn certainly wasn't providing  much noise to front of train.

Were there ditch lights on the leading long hood?  If not train is restricted, by rule, to 20 MPH over road crossings.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, December 16, 2017 10:46 PM

Highs in central Iowa were forecasted to be around 50 today.  I saw a golf course with some of their sprinklers on.  TV weather person said last night drought conditions are coming back.

Today for the first time in 19 years there were no temporary speed restrictions in our bulletins on the subdivisions I currently work.  Two subdivisions didn't even have any advisory bulletins (tracks out of service, bad footing conditions, etc.) meaning there was no page for them in the bulletins.  With nothing on those subdivisions it felt like we were overlooking something.  

Jeff

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, December 17, 2017 4:45 AM

BaltACD
 
blue streak 1
Unusual sight on CSX this afternoon.  2 locos in run 8 leading a very long and slow intermodal that was under powered.  The catch  ?   Both locos leading long nose forward.  The forward facing horn certainly wasn't providing  much noise to front of train.

 

Were there ditch lights on the leading long hood?  If not train is restricted, by rule, to 20 MPH over road crossings.

 

 
Yes had the ditch lights but did not get unit number.  Unknown what happened to leader(s) but must have happened somewhere south of Fairburn ?
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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, December 17, 2017 7:39 AM

jeffhergert
Highs in central Iowa were forecasted to be around 50 today.  I saw a golf course with some of their sprinklers on.  TV weather person said last night drought conditions are coming back.

Today for the first time in 19 years there were no temporary speed restrictions in our bulletins on the subdivisions I currently work.  Two subdivisions didn't even have any advisory bulletins (tracks out of service, bad footing conditions, etc.) meaning there was no page for them in the bulletins.  With nothing on those subdivisions it felt like we were overlooking something.  

Jeff

Do your bulletins identify the sub division and that there is nothing to report, or do they not mention the subdivision at all if there is nothing to report for the subdivision.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by jeffhergert on Sunday, December 17, 2017 2:39 PM

BaltACD

 

 
jeffhergert
Highs in central Iowa were forecasted to be around 50 today.  I saw a golf course with some of their sprinklers on.  TV weather person said last night drought conditions are coming back.

Today for the first time in 19 years there were no temporary speed restrictions in our bulletins on the subdivisions I currently work.  Two subdivisions didn't even have any advisory bulletins (tracks out of service, bad footing conditions, etc.) meaning there was no page for them in the bulletins.  With nothing on those subdivisions it felt like we were overlooking something.  

Jeff

 

Do your bulletins identify the sub division and that there is nothing to report, or do they not mention the subdivision at all if there is nothing to report for the subdivision.

 

Our track warrant, used only to deliver bulletins, lists the routing the track warrant covers and all subdivisions on (or portions thereof) contiguous to that route.  The bulletins are arranged by subdivision and identified on the page(s).  (The contiguous subdivisions only list about 40 miles from the connection point.  Just in case we should have to wye power for example.)  Should a subdivision not have any bulletins in effect, there would be no individual page for it.  When printed out, the bulletin pages have at the bottom, (for example) page 1 of 10.  So if a page didn't print out, you could see one was missing.  That, and checking bulletin numbers against those listed on the warrant provide against one missing because of technical error rather than nothing in effect.  Still, it seems weird not having something in effect.  I'm saving that warrant and bulletins.

Jeff 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, December 17, 2017 5:51 PM

evening

Snowmelt here in Nw Ohio today.Picked up more t-shirts for the historical society.Going to pick up Matt from his caroling.Tomorrow it's back to work.

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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