Good Morning
Summerrail at Marion was great.I have some pictures I'll post on the "Hotspots" section. Matt even won a door prize.We are meeting our California pen pal today.He wants to go over some pictures and go to those spots.Need to get cleaned up.
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").
tree68 Dealing with a front end issue right now. It was just aligned, but I suspect an error there, as it hunts if disturbed at speeds over 60.
I assume you checked the rear end, too. I don't want to sound condescending, but I've been fooled by something as simple as low rear tire pressure which can cause fish-tailing. And bad rear shocks can make the car wander on a rough patch.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
zugmann I still live in the town I went to school in. We never had a reunion (some tried to plan a 10 year one -but it never happened). That's ok. Never really cared for just about all of the people I went to school with, and really have no need to see them now.
I still live in the town I went to school in. We never had a reunion (some tried to plan a 10 year one -but it never happened). That's ok. Never really cared for just about all of the people I went to school with, and really have no need to see them now.
Sounds kinda like my attitude. Our 60th just went by, and my record is still good--haven't been to any of them.
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
BaltACD Most of the overheard conversations at the 50th were about how many had been close friends from elementary school to the then present.
That was mentioned at our gathering as well. So, too, was the number of our classmates who had married and were still together. One couple, who could not attend, became a couple in seventh grade...
I stood at the door as many of the new arrivals arrived, before they got their name tags. It was interesting, to say the least. I was tallest in my class, so many can figure out who I am (plus I had my nametag on already), but it took a little memory jogging a to recognize a few, although once the memory was jogged, it was "but of course!"
And there were a few who had changed so much that no one recognized them.
Our high school class was a combination of two communities, thus three elementary schools and two junior high schools. Sometimes conversations included "he was a Highland kid" or "she was a Milford kid."
In the end, though we were all the Class of '68, although our mascot at the time has fallen out of favor.
Larry 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...
tree68With any luck my truck (186K+) will last a good bit longer. At least to get me home. Dealing with a front end issue right now. It was just aligned, but I suspect an error there, as it hunts if disturbed at speeds over 60. Want to get that fixed before I venture up to Big Mac (and maybe the Soo), and then home through Ontario. Several of my former classmates made it to the "beer tent" at Milford Memories tonight. I'm sure there were other alumni, but it's hard to pick them out of the crowd, especially after 40-50 years. Gonna work on that. Tomorrow is Cold Butt Euchre (no, I'm not playing - the final player still sitting on his/her block of ice is the winner... Then there will be the blind canoe race. The paddlers wear blindfolds, while the non-paddling navigator tries to get them around the course... And probably another seven mile ride on a local trail. Vacations are fun, even if you're retired.
Several of my former classmates made it to the "beer tent" at Milford Memories tonight. I'm sure there were other alumni, but it's hard to pick them out of the crowd, especially after 40-50 years. Gonna work on that.
Tomorrow is Cold Butt Euchre (no, I'm not playing - the final player still sitting on his/her block of ice is the winner...
Then there will be the blind canoe race. The paddlers wear blindfolds, while the non-paddling navigator tries to get them around the course...
And probably another seven mile ride on a local trail.
Vacations are fun, even if you're retired.
I have attended my High School Class's 25th and 50th Reunions. At the 25th most of the people were recognizable from what I remembered in HS. At the 50th it was 'who are all these old farts?' Ageing isn't for the young. I moved away from the area I shortly after I graduated from HS and except for 2 or 3 people from the class (who no longer live in the area of the HS) I don't keep in contact with anyone. Most of the overheard conversations at the 50th were about how many had been close friends from elementary school to the then present. I attended 7 different schools from 1st grade to graduating HS and attended three colleges until I graduated - have never had any 'life long' friends.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
With any luck my truck (186K+) will last a good bit longer. At least to get me home. Dealing with a front end issue right now. It was just aligned, but I suspect an error there, as it hunts if disturbed at speeds over 60. Want to get that fixed before I venture up to Big Mac (and maybe the Soo), and then home through Ontario.
Congratulations, Balt, both on the new truck and keeping the old one running for so long!I had an interesting experience coming home from Michigan today. We took the side trip up to Pine Junction, Indiana. CSXT and NS had nothing showing, and CN had something leaving the yard on the bridge overhead. Naturally, it took us a while to dodge all of the craters in the road, so when we got to the bridge site, the train had passed.For me, that called for a quick turnaround and a trip to chase the CN train. We did all right, again avoiding the craters before taking the road past the airport to Cline Avenue, then heading south to the next exit. We got to the CN crossing, which was still clear (we knew the train was not there yet bacuse we'd just seen its hind end). I looked north when we crossed the track, and it was sitting there, lights dimmed. Not knowing how long we'd have to wait for it, I decided to turn around and head home.We made a U-turn on the road (it was U.S. 20, but so what), and when I crossed again, lights were up and it was headed our way! So another U-turn and we were first in line when the gates came down. This train, on the CN, had BNSF power, so I presume it would hang a right at Griffith and head for home rails. I got a quick three pages' worth of notes, and was pretty satisfied when the gates went up. But as we crossed the track, there was another set of headlights from the south! So another U-turn in the exact same spot as the first one. This time I had to take to the shoulder as I approached the crossing, but managed to be first out for this freight, headed by four CN units, including a Conrail-blue GE lettered for the Illinois Central. More good stuff on this one, and we left there satisfied.What I figure happened was that the northbound train got in the way of the southbound (I'm talking geographic directions--south was probably timetable west on this part of the old EJ&E)--it had come from the east on the former GTW, and was on the westernmost of the two main tracks at this point. This train had cleared a crossover in the time it took me to turn around for the southbound train, whose route then cleared so it could continue west at Griffith. The northbound train, destined for Kirk Yard in Gary, had a nice block of GRW (Gary Railway) gondolas and coil cars at the end. Many of the other cars in this train would be sorted out at Kirk Yard's hump, and head out on a CN train that would travel over the old EJ&E and Wisconsin Central lines to get to potash country in Saskatchewan.
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)
In February my 2003 Durango decided it didn't want to belt me in the driver seat any longer. Dealers estimate to repair $400. Trade in offered was $500 they said something about high mileage with 359444 on the clock. Traded it on a 2017 Ram 1500 with the Hemi - sucker is BIG in comparison with other vehicles I have driven. Pulls the trailer like it isn't even there - up hill and down (I-68 Hancock, MD to Morgantown, WV). Getting 20 MPG in my normal uses.
Paul (on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain), I can commiserate with you somewhat. My wife had wanted a new car from time to time, so we would get one (the last one we bought was a 2007 model, which was not too difficult to learn). After she died, I decided to get a smaller car, so I bought one five years ago--and had to learn all sorts of things all over--such as how to open the littte door over the gas cap (push on it) and how to open the trunk (if the doors are unlocked, push on the thing on the trunk lid). A little over three years ago, I realized that it would be too dangerous for me to continue driving, so I sold it to my oldest granddaughter, .who has been happy with it.
Johnny
It's been an interesting week. I've been driving the same car for 26 years, and it's been showing its age more and more lately, but I've been too stubborn (and cheap) to replace it. I needed to go to the grocery about two miles away Monday morning, but the car wouldn't start. (It had been acting up for months.) I decided to walk to another grocery just under a mile away then come back and call a wrecker. Three blocks from the house, the sole of my right shoe came unglued, so I flapped back home, changed shoes and went to a closer drug store for a couple of essentials. The wrecker came and scooped up the car, but when I found out that my regular auto shop had moved to parts unknown, we headed to another shop. But at the first stop sign the car broke loose and hit the front bulkhead on the wrecker, shattering the bumper and grill (the plastic was brittle with age). The wrecker agreed to take care of the damage, so we proceeded to the shop. He didn't want to work on it, because the car was too old and he couldn't read the computer codes. (Few people seem willing to think these days rather than just doing what the computer says to do.) So we took it to another shop. They were willing to work on it, but couldn't get to it till Thursday. Once I got back home, I called and arranged for a rental car who would pick me up. After waiting a couple of hours, I called them back to see what happened and they said that whoever took the call did not indicate on the paperwork that I needed a ride, but they sent someone out and I finally got my rental.
Randy Vos's signature came to mind:
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
Anyway, I decided to scrap the car and get a new one. Now I have to learn to drive all over again, with all the remote control functions and the instrument panel that looks like a video arcade which I find rather distracting. And now I worry about things like how do I open the trunk if the battery in the remote or the car goes dead.
afternoon
Feels good to get off on time.Ns had a train each way when I got off of work.Had a little rain shower go by.Have chores and errands to do for tomorrow.Matt has the video camera charging.
Looking at the radar for Deshler tonight, I'm glad I'm not in the tent there tonight...
evening
Ns was clear when I left work.Mowed the swamp when I got home.Glad tomorrow is Friday.
BaltACDThe typical 'dining canopy' is a wind blown accident waiting to happen. E-Z Up canopies are more expensive and more sturdy. When properly anchored they will withstand quite a bit of wind.
The legs were staked with tent stakes, but that was no match for the well more than 30 MPH winds. The intent of the canopy (with wind sides) was to protect the tent (thus me) from rain (which it would have done nicely).
The tent was actually in with bigger stakes, but they didn't hold, either.
If it weren't for the wind, the several inches per hour rain rate would have nothing. Even the forecast penny sized hail would have been a non-event.
Both tent and canopy are now in the dumpster at the hotel I'm staying at in MI (with permission). I'll pick up a new canopy for next weekend, where I"ll need it for the antique fire apparatus muster.
tree68I was here several years ago and the same thing happened - high winds, heavy rain...
The typical 'dining canopy' is a wind blown accident waiting to happen.
E-Z Up canopies are more expensive and more sturdy. When properly anchored they will withstand quite a bit of wind.
tree68I was here several years ago and the same thing happened - high winds, heavy rain... I think the CSX dispatchers are going nuts - the whole area is clogged.
Soon time to get a camper for the truck.
Larry that is what happens when you run larger trains but the siding sizes stay the same.Have a safe trip.Time to get ready for work.
joe
The North Baltimore Dodge dealer suggested Findlay. I'll be in MI tomorrow.
The storm blew through Deshler with a vengence. My canopy is headed for the dumpster, and the tent would be if I didn't have to sleep in it tonight. The sleeping bag is soaked, but the air mattress has dried out and I have other blankets. Camping at its best!
I did manage to get a good scrape on my cheek from a tent post - should make for interesting discussion at the class reunion on Friday...
I was here several years ago and the same thing happened - high winds, heavy rain...
I think the CSX dispatchers are going nuts - the whole area is clogged.
Evening
Saw a few more Ns stack trains going westbound today.Saw one just as I got off of work.Mother nature sent a downpour our way.Everyone is Ok as far as I know.Larry wasn't sure if you wanted to drive all the way to Defiance.Should be places in BG or Toledo to get your truck checked out.Chores to do.
Mid-day lull at the diamond. Had a train stop and drop off a crewmember at the park. The cab driver was confused, but she was in the right place...
No place local to get front end of truck checked - will pursue in MI.
I spoke too soon - here comes an eastbound. NS power - and the second unit was about as "ratty" as any I've seen.
Packing up in the AM and heading to Fostoria for a quick visit before I turn north.
Morning
Some of those trains like to stick out of the siding and onto the main.Off to get ready for work.
Hit some really heavy rain in several places (including the OH turnpike) - made holding "track speed" a challenge from time to time. Plus, the front end isn't right, despite new shocks and an alignment (but in reverse order). If something throws the truck (bridges, etc), the front end will hunt. Will see if I can find someone who can check it out in the next couple of days.
I'd rather put up with the rain than Cleveland at rush hour, though. Sheesh. Now I know why I don't live in the city...
A few sprinkles fell after I got the tent set up - but I set up a 10x10 canopy over it, too, as extra protection.
Sitting here in Deshler, watching the trains go by in person, as well as on the live Deshler cam (YouTube). Yep - that's my truck. Got an eastbound headed this way shortly. It'll turn south - more squealing wheels!
We had well over an inch of rain in a relatively short time this afternoon. I expect that the brown spots in my lawn will slowly disappear and that I'll have to get out and mow sometime this week (unless you can spare Matt, Joe...).Pat and I were minding the museum today, as we usually do on Tuesday. I was going to keep track of the trains, but we had a group from a nearby retirement community come in, so I was kept too busy. What I could look at was interesting, though! After that group left, we had the big rain, and more guests. I opened up one file to work on, and it had been compromised by metadata. I eliminated some of it, but still have a serious problem with it.Now comes the unpleasant task of having to subtract some cars from the semi-offical new-builds table. I made the discovery this afternoon...
JoeKohevening Ns had a westbound autorack train in the siding.Storms moving around us.Hopefully Larry your tent is waterproof. stay safe Joe
Ns had a westbound autorack train in the siding.Storms moving around us.Hopefully Larry your tent is waterproof.
At the rate the rain was coming down on the toll road this afternoon, Larry might want to pitch the tent in the back of his truck........
On my way back to Green Bay from Pittsburgh, which is a great place to torture test these automated transmissions, by the way. Then have a Lansing-Grand Rapids loop before getting home Friday.........
Randy Vos
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
Hitting the road west in the morning. Should be in Deshler before dark (got a tent to pitch!).
Rain went north of us so far.Ns sent a westbound coal train as I left work.Work is busy.Going to call California pen pal to see how much longer he will be in Ohio.He needs help to indentify some locations from a DVD that we sent him.Chores to do.
Today we had rain, a dental appointment, and a dear friend from Michigan visiting us around lunchtime. Lunch was at our favorite spot in Elmhurst (that's where the dentist is, also), and there were plenty of trains, most of the intermodal variety. Overall, it wasn't too bad an outing--the lack of any good equipment sightings means I can get other work done here.My vicarious experience, courtesy of Facebook:
The thrill doesn’t go away...
I went trackside at Elmhurst right after my dentist appointment, and a stack train was coming out of the yard to head west. Engines were barely working as he went by slowly (hind end was still in the yard).
Along with three units on the point, this train had a mid-train distributed power unit (DPU). About the time that unit was getting close, he opened up...and, being a GE unit, sounded great! And, by the time the end of the train (refrigerator cars) came by, he was moving at track speed or thereabouts—50 mph.
I guess I’m old-school, remembering that you needed a conductor to climb on the waycar and transmit a highball to the engineer. But this DPU, with nobody in the cab, knew right when the whole train was out of the yard and through the crossovers. Of course, I know how they do it, but it has to be impressive to the curious uninitiated observer—and it’s just fun for me!
Good Evening
Warm day here in Nw Ohio.Matt decided he still liked cracker jacks after our church service this morning.Went down to nephews shop in Celina.People were still trying to make deals at the 127 garage sales.Went through Lima on our way to Deshler.They had a few trains go by Ns tower.One of the trains was a CF&E transfer job goign back to their yard in west Lima.Made a dlivery in Deshler.A new friend was delighting his grand children in California on the webcam.While I was there I gave him a tour.Glad to be home.Work tomorrow.
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