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Chatterbox Spring 2018

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Posted by rvos1979 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 9:31 AM

Got about two inches of sleet overnight, roads are not good. Local news reported a barn fire near Racine last night, they were calling in tankers from as far away as Elkhorn because of poor road conditions and no onsite water.

You know roads are bad when church is cancelled.........

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 tree68 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 10:55 AM

rvos1979
You know roads are bad when church is cancelled.........

Most churches around here cancelled today's services last night in light of the weather forecast.  We've been getting mostly sleet, with some freezing rain.  It's like walking on sugar...

Yet 200 or so miles south of here it was in the 80's yesterday...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, April 15, 2018 11:41 AM

tree68
Yet 200 or so miles south of here it was in the 80's yesterday...

It was.  40s today.

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 rvos1979 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 1:30 PM

Just heard that the roof over the pool of a hotel in Green Bay collapsed this morning, and is being evacuated. They have had between one and two feet of wet snow since Friday.........

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 JoeKoh on Sunday, April 15, 2018 2:51 PM

afternoon

No snow over here yet.The creeks and ditches are pretty full.Went by Csx and they have placed ties along track 2.Haven't heard when they are coming to do that job.Back to 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 Murphy Siding on Sunday, April 15, 2018 4:00 PM

     I'm looking on the internet for a good recipe to serve and eat crow. We got about 14" of snow on top of maybe an inch of rain and 300 mph winds, breaking some weather records. I guess even the squirrely weatherman gets one right now and then.

     If I hear that south central Nebraska only got a dusting of snow I'll be writing my congressman!

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, April 15, 2018 4:13 PM

Yes, MC, I was on my way home yesterday--and arrived in time for lunch this morning. When I woke yesterday, somewhere east of Parks, Nebraska, I saw that there had been quite a bit of snow in the night. We were stopped for a while (I know not where) because of high winds, and then moved on. After breakfast, we advanced to Parks, Nebraska, where we stayed until the DS let us go--after our crews were relieved by Denver-Grand Junction people (along with BNSF pilots--who arrived on a 4-engine light engine), 

When we arrived in Denver, #6 was also newly arrived. I went to sleep before we reached the Little Ten, and woke up about Green River. We did not make up any time to speak of (if at all) until we left Provo, and we came in at 11;10 this morning. The station, which closes at 5:30 in the morning, was till open so boarding passengers could check baggage, and detraining passengers could get their checked baggage.

Sad to say, my good friend who has gotten my tickets for me, taken me to trains and brought me to the station is retiring at the end of the month. Such is life.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 4:39 PM

Murphy Siding
...300 mph winds,...

Going in circles, I presume.

Still miserable here - rain, sleet, freezing rain, maybe some snow, high winds tonight and tomorrow.  

Headed for the TV station tonight, but not until second shift, when I'll be in front of the camera instead of behind it.  No big thing - been doing it for 40 years.  I suspect I may be busy doing several jobs if folks have backed out due to the weather.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, April 15, 2018 5:09 PM

tree68

 

 
Murphy Siding
...300 mph winds,...

 

Going in circles, I presume.

Still miserable here - rain, sleet, freezing rain, maybe some snow, high winds tonight and tomorrow.  

Headed for the TV station tonight, but not until second shift, when I'll be in front of the camera instead of behind it.  No big thing - been doing it for 40 years.  I suspect I may be busy doing several jobs if folks have backed out due to the weather.

 

   OK, so I exaggerated a little bit. It just seemed like 300 mph. It was probably closer to 250 tops!

     What do you do at the TV station?......... Are you the weatherman by chance?Hmm

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by rvos1979 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 7:08 PM

Got about three to four inches of concrete since last night, decided to stay home today so conditions would improve. Glad I did, because my sister can't shovel due to her recovering from carpal tunnel surgery. Parents went camping this weekend at a local campground and wound up staying an extra day because they can't get out of the camping spot, due to the snow and sleet. Going to complain to the city tomorrow, they never plowed our street until late afternoon, even though the other street was cleared by mid morning, and we are the ambulance and truck entrance to the hospital.........

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 tree68 on Sunday, April 15, 2018 11:31 PM

Murphy Siding
 What do you do at the TV station?......... Are you the weatherman by chance?

No, although I am the county Skywarn coordinator.  I'm also an amateur radio operator ("ham"), and worked at a weather equipment technician in my USAF days.  For a good part of that career I helped launch UFOs - errrr - weather balloons.

The TV station is our local PBS station.  One of their big fund-raisers each year is the annual merchandise auction.  Last night I worked in front of the camera as a representative of the scenic railroad, which donated a number of rides.

The rest of the nights I'll be volunteering as a studio camera operator.  I've been doing so for probably 30 years. 

It was a little spooky leaving the station last night.  As I walked out to the parking lot, the ~100' tower shed some of the ice that's been accumulating on pretty much everything here due to the freezing rain.  Nothing came down that would hurt anyone, but it got my attention.

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 Paul of Covington on Monday, April 16, 2018 1:39 AM

  No snow here.

  Sorry about that.

tree68

... the ~100' tower shed some of the ice that's been accumulating on pretty much everything here due to the freezing rain.  Nothing came down that would hurt anyone, but it got my attention.

 

    I remember in Feb 1965, I was walking on the sidewalk in downtown Utica and noticed the giant icicles high up on the buildings, but didn't think much about them one way or another.  Then a big chunk of them fell near by.   As you said, "it got my attention."   Those things could kill somebody.

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, April 16, 2018 3:10 AM

Paul of Covington
giant icicles

Paul of Covington
Those things could kill somebody.

Paul - stats say about 15 people per year.  But don't walk in the street, either - stats are worse on that!

Moo....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Monday, April 16, 2018 4:03 AM

Mookie
But don't walk in the street, either

   Yeah, I learned real quick to stay on the sidewalk away from the buildings.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, April 16, 2018 7:04 AM

My part of the Chicago area was just starting to get a little bit of accumulation when I left for work this morning.  I've heard that it's worse in the north suburbs.  Train was on time at Oak Lawn and a bit early into CUS.

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 Monday, April 16, 2018 7:59 AM

During the big Ice Storm of 1998 here a local TV station lost power at their transmitter (along with the rest of the area).

When power was restored to the tower the heaters on the antenna elements kicked in.  I almost think they closed a nearby road because of the ice falling from the 500 foot level...

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 Monday, April 16, 2018 6:18 PM

evening

Snow flurries here so far.People are cleaning up from Mother Natures rant on Lake Erie yesterday.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 Deggesty on Monday, April 16, 2018 7:41 PM

Our high today was about 70--our low in the morning is expected to be close to freezing. Some areas near here had winds up to about 80 mph (not so high in the big city).

About two inches of snow is expected in the city tomorrow.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 16, 2018 11:46 PM

Still precipitating here, but it can't make up its mind.  On my drive home from the TV station tonight it was mist with snowflakes mixed in.

The ice is gone off the trees, etc, but what's on driveways, etc, isn't coming off until it melts.

The wind event was not as bad as expected.  There were numerous power outages, however.

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 Tuesday, April 17, 2018 3:17 PM

afternoon

Ns had some cars uptown after work.Most of what fell this morning is gone.Might get better next week.

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, April 17, 2018 5:53 PM

Chinook winds kicked in this morning with 50-75+ MPH gusts, trucks blowing over on the freeway, range fires plus a house caught fire at Castle Rock and took four more with it before the fire department could control it. Need water (any flavor) before this gets anymore nuts than it already is.

Wind is playing havoc with the light rail and commuter rail catenary. Hanging light fixtures up here on the 11th floor are swaying about 2". Even dumpsters have set sail and are on the move.

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 Wednesday, April 18, 2018 2:39 PM

afternoon

Ns had a westbound and cars uptown when I left work.Paper had pictures of yesterdays fender benders because of the snow/ice we got.More for tomorrow.Chores to do here.Got an invatation for a meal at Matt's school for an honor's banquet.Tomorrow he fills out the paperwork for his job.

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, April 18, 2018 2:50 PM

mudchicken
Even dumpsters have set sail and are on the move.

Video on FB of a port-a-potty scooting down a street.  At least it was upright.

Mother Nature still schizophrenic here - snow still in the forecast, and temps are not rising to seasonal levels yet.

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 Wednesday, April 18, 2018 6:23 PM

And news you can't use, from home:  Stapleton NE (Closest to North Platte NE and named by UP - Pop about 305) - has had 6 earthquakes in the last week.  

I will let you make of that what you would.  Just remember, we ain't California....

No mountains; no seashores; no Disneyland/world; but now we have earthquakes!

Oh Boy!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 9:12 PM

Mookie

And news you can't use, from home:  Stapleton NE (Closest to North Platte NE and named by UP - Pop about 305) - has had 6 earthquakes in the last week.  

I will let you make of that what you would.  Just remember, we ain't California....

No mountains; no seashores; no Disneyland/world; but now we have earthquakes!

Oh Boy!

 

It's just the depleted Ogallala Aquifer collapsing in to a giant sink-hole.

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 9:17 PM

Mookie
No mountains; no seashores; no Disneyland/world; but now we have earthquakes!

We get the occasional quake up here in the north woods.  There's a fault that runs right along the St Lawrence River.

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 Wednesday, April 18, 2018 9:42 PM

tree68
 
Mookie
No mountains; no seashores; no Disneyland/world; but now we have earthquakes! 

We get the occasional quake up here in the north woods.  There's a fault that runs right along the St Lawrence River.

If the Earth stops shaking - we are doomed!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, April 19, 2018 1:09 AM

The cat's gotta lay off the chocolate. Getting a tad rambunctious?

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 ChuckCobleigh on Thursday, April 19, 2018 1:11 AM

mudchicken

The cat's gotta lay off the chocolate. Getting a tad rambunctious?

Catnip?ConfusedConfused

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, April 19, 2018 1:17 AM

tree68

 

 
mudchicken
Even dumpsters have set sail and are on the move.

 

Video on FB of a port-a-potty scooting down a street.  At least it was upright.

Mother Nature still schizophrenic here - snow still in the forecast, and temps are not rising to seasonal levels yet.

 

https://twitter.com/nexton9news/status/986360401532215296  ...now put some Dudley DooRight theme music in there as background...perfect!

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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