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Chatterbox Spring 2018

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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, April 27, 2018 10:14 PM

Good evening

Ns had a westbound frieght get moving and the local was uptown when we left work.The crossing was repaved but the crossing signal gantries were still on the ground.Matt and I ran errands then went train watching.Csx sent a bit of everything.Mother nature is sending rain for overnight.They are talking warmer 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 CShaveRR on Friday, April 27, 2018 4:44 PM

Thanks to the many successful errands Pat and I ran yesterday (and to lingering for some train-watching in Elmhurst), I had to go back to the bank there today with forms filled out and signed. We also got the car in for an oil change today...and, since it took only one of us to run—or walk—the errand, I gladly volunteered.

I walked to the station...before I even got there, I saw a stack train and an eastbound train comprised mostly of flat cars loaded with large red Case combines of varying models. It was moving slowly, possibly because of its wide loads. Even at that, many of the tires had been taken off and were on a flat car of their own. 

 

I made it to the platform just in time, amid a sea of blue with red highlights, and hearing snippets of conversation including “line drive” and “at the wall”. Glad to hear that the Cubs are providing more than sighs and subdued talk again this year.

I got off in Elmhurst against another blue wave, found a young train fan and his mother to talk with a while (she has a special-needs son about Linus’ age). Then I saw the two Yooper friends (father and son) that I’d met yesterday, and we talked about and around for many trains. It was a little cooler and windier than yesterday, but still it was the kind of day I usually only get to dream about. There was not a time, in nearly two hours, that there wasn’t a train either lined up, in sight, or going by! The first time that happened, I broke away, went to the bank, grabbed a double-decker at Hamburger Heaven, and headed back to the tracks. I saw two stack trains go by while walking up York Road, and had a couple more trains go through while I was eating, including an extremely productive frac-sand train. 

I caught the noon scoot out of there for Lombard, and waited on the Lombard platform for another freight. I then picked up my prescription, came back right after the inbound scoot went through, and saw the home signal at Grace turn to flashing red! That doesn’t happen unless something is expected to be following fairly close. It was a stack train.

I lingered on the platform, checking out my phone, until the service station called that the car was ready.  Since the railroad's signals were favorable for me to depart at that point, I did.

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, April 26, 2018 2:42 PM

afternoon

Ns sent an eastbound as I left work.Chores to do.Matt has to go 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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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 4:38 PM

afternoon

Ns was putting the tonka toys away uptown when I got off work.They are working on the crossing.Haven't moved the new crossbucks and gates yet on the east side of the crossing. need to get cleaned up.Projects 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 Paul of Covington on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 6:35 AM

   I get a kick out of some of the names the port-a-potty companies use.   One, with yellow ones, uses "Pot O' Gold", and one that I like is "Johnny On the Spot."

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 8:48 PM

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.

 

Most of the system maintenance gangs have in their equipment inventory, a four wheel flat bed cart pulled by a motor car.  Mounted on this is a port-a-potty (AKA Kybo by some) for the use of the MOW gang.  One night, one of these gangs had tied up on the west end of a siding.  The train ahead of me rang up the dispatcher and reported that one of the kybos had gotten loose and was rolling down the siding towards the other end and a grade crossing.  The dispatcher had a hard time understanding exactly what was going on.  Eventually enlightened, he said he would notify someone in MOW about the roaming outhouse.

Sorry, no video.

Jeff 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 7:38 PM

evening

Ns sent a westbound after work tonight.Had a meeting in Deshler.We are going to have a portable bathroom this summer.We are still working on paperwork,building,tap fees and red tape.Going to get cleaned up.Work comes early.

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 Monday, April 23, 2018 6:52 PM

evening

Ns had a westbound stack train and a westbound frieght in the siding when I left work.They are going to work on the crossing uptown starting tomorrow.Carl no railroad track near the restaurant.The swamp was dry enough when I got home so I mowed.Got a couple chores inside to do before bed.

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 Paul of Covington on Monday, April 23, 2018 2:33 AM

mudchicken
Sounds like a Wallace & Grommit (sp?) storyline....

   Ah, yes.   I'm remembering the one about the were-rabbit.  It was hilarious.

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, April 23, 2018 12:29 AM

ChuckCobleigh
 
Paul of Covington
    Looks like an idea for a movie:  THE REVENGE OF THE PORT-A-POTTIES.

 

Like in the movie, "Father's Day," for instance?  Unfortunately, no YouTube clip available.

 

Sounds like a Wallace & Grommit (sp?) storyline.... 

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 mudchicken on Monday, April 23, 2018 12:22 AM

Murphy Siding
 
mudchicken

OK, Idaho isn't in trouble .... yet.

 

 

 

Yeah for now, but just wait until your father gets home!

 

 

Too late. Already in cahoots - scratch that idea. Hope Idaho has a bumper crop of spuds and there's a surplus of FryMax on hand.

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 CShaveRR on Sunday, April 22, 2018 8:04 PM

Thanks, MC, for EMJX!  For the record, NGSX is National Gypsum Services Company.  They got 50 new PressureAide covered hoppers; I just happened to see one at Barr Yard yesterday.

Congrats again to Matt!  It isn't at that place by the tracks by chance, is it?

We found yet another new place to eat in Gary.  Maybe the place is not so new, but the name, "The Captain's House" is new.  It's in a cozy (meaning cramped!) house.  Their restroom is called the Poop Deck; and the food is mostly seafood. The menu suggests that the place specializes in lobster rolls.  A "regular" one is $14; and they have a couple of dozen special ones at $16.  Example:  their "Wrigley Field" lobster roll is basically done up like a Chicago-style hot dog, complete with sport peppers and celery salt!  One other variety has chili, and the list goes on.

I forgot what Pat had; something with Eggs Benedict that included lobster.  I had a fish sandwich with pan-fried perch (deep-fried perch was another option), and a good potato salad therewith.  The total bill was pricey, but we were stuffed (this was a late lunch, about 2:00, and it lasted us until bedtime).


A plus:  you can see CSX trains from the right place; they're about a block away.

A minus:  that's not close enough!

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 Murphy Siding on Sunday, April 22, 2018 6:53 PM

mudchicken

OK, Idaho isn't in trouble .... yet.

 

Yeah for now, but just wait until your father gets home!

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Sunday, April 22, 2018 6:50 PM

Paul of Covington
    Looks like an idea for a movie:  THE REVENGE OF THE PORT-A-POTTIES.

Like in the movie, "Father's Day," for instance?  Unfortunately, no YouTube clip available.

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, April 22, 2018 6:34 PM

OK, Idaho isn't in trouble .... yet.

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 Sunday, April 22, 2018 5:18 PM

If he orders a meal off the menu he gets a discount. He can only work so many hours.Haven't asked him to bring any goodies home yet.

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 Sunday, April 22, 2018 2:34 PM

EMJX emjay environmental recycling inc./ Brentwood NJ

...and it seems CSX has a million dollar beef with the junkmen. (CSX holding cars hostage?)

How much of that paycheck is in french fries? (if the job came with "all the fries he can eat" - Whistling)

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 Sunday, April 22, 2018 12:37 PM

afternoon

Csx sent some interesting trains this morning.The local J 715 brought some ballast hoppers to omni today.They are in the Itgx 9900 series.(probably for scrapping).The ND&W was also busy with a tractor and dump truck loading up ties near FC too.Matt is working at a restaurant washing dishes.They use a machine just like he used in 5th grade when he helped out at school.Now he gets paid.Going to enjoy the rest of the day.

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 Sunday, April 22, 2018 12:10 AM

NCSX might be Nova Chemicals.  RRPicturearchives doesn't want to load tonight.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, April 21, 2018 11:27 PM

Joe, did I miss something?  What's Matt's job?  Congratulations to him, by the way!

Thought of you guys when I was in the north country--a barge/tug combo named Ashtabula/Defiance left Grand Haven Harbor after a two-week visit for unloading stone and receiving unspecified repairs.  We saw the combination on the river--looked much more monstrous than the old freighters I remember.

I did see one short freight in the Land of No Trains this past few days.  I also saw a lot of main line trackage with mud splatters from pumping ties...and on a line that hosts passenger service, no less.  But the railroad involved reported record quarterly income without an increase in revenues, so I guess everything's hunky-dory...pathetic.

Also took a photograph of a lovely winter scene on January 109.  Most of the covering had melted off by that afternoon.  Then we went up north to where the cottage is, and there was still quite a bit of the stuff there.  Our month to stay there is July this year...hope the snow is gone by then.

I'll just throw this out for anyone who can answer, becase it frustrates me:  I found two reporting marks that I can't find owners for!  One is in the recent past but not current:  EMJX.  The other is brand new:  NCSX.

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 Friday, April 20, 2018 2:32 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a westbound tanker train when I left work.They also had a notice that Ns will be doing the crossing uptown next week.We have heard this song before.Paper carrier was told to stay off our driveway,day one so far so good.Matt is getting ready for work.I am going to work on cleaning out the shed.

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, April 19, 2018 4:11 PM

Joe: Time to find a really big rock or a concrete filled pipe bollard. Threaten the bumper or sheet metal and that nonsense stops pretty pronto.

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 Thursday, April 19, 2018 4:03 PM

afternoon

Ns had a westbound stack train pass the local when I left work.Matt was hired today.He starts tomorrow evening.He was asking about taxes and deductions.Mother natures slop from this morning is gone.Paper carrier keeps putting muddy tire tracks on my driveway.Any closer they are going to hit the house.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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 Paul of Covington on Thursday, April 19, 2018 2:09 AM

tree68
Video on FB of a port-a-potty scooting down a street.

Laugh

    Looks like an idea for a movie:  THE REVENGE OF THE PORT-A-POTTIES.

_____________ 

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

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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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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 1:09 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 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 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 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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