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Chatterbox Summer 2018

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 1:00 AM

Frog strangler today* .... and everybody is strangely happy around here. Hope some of it landed in the fire zones (mudslides reported in old burn areas) 

 

1.5 inches of water in 20 minutes. I-70 was a canal in places with water flowing over the bridges 4-6" deep. C-470 (belt freeway) construction area found itself under 48" of water which pretty much did-in the rush hour.

Probably no match for Joe's swamp, but I have a western facsimile for today.

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 Monday, July 23, 2018 5:36 PM

evening

Ns sent a westbound after work today.Mother nature has on the cooler side.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 Firelock76 on Monday, July 23, 2018 5:07 PM

I didn't want to watch that video, but I had to just to make up my own mind.

Suicide?  No, I don't think so.  A suicide would have been standing in the gauge or stepping into it before impact, and I didn't see that.  Extreme foolishness?  Absolutely.

A railfan?  I doubt it, even though some railfans will take unecessary risks just to get "That one shot that NOBODY  else has!"

A smart-phone zombie.  Some people think they're a Godsend, but with each passing day I become more and more convinced they're insidious.

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, July 23, 2018 12:55 PM

Agreed - and what I heard initially from folks that were just beyond the incident. Suicide no-Stupid yes. (we now have cell camera zombies to go along with the i-zombies and GPS-zombies with zilch for situational awareness)

...The anal retentives here have started their obfuscation [even with the you-tube video and eyewitness accounts.] I assume the 844 will go back to Cheyenne in the dark at about 2am after they kept it off Sunday's train. The Frontier Days specials may never be steam powered again (ever) after this.

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 Monday, July 23, 2018 6:27 AM

BaltACD
Suicide by train

It looked to me like she was taking pictures or a video, but had absolutely no idea she was in the "kill zone."  Since she had her face planted in the camera, she couldn't tell.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, July 22, 2018 10:30 PM

tree68
 
mudchicken
Uncle Pete's steam kettle suffered a grade crossing accident with fatality tonight coming back from Cheyenne. Before the expert at everything, proficient at none tribe appear to push their warped handle on reality - it was unfortunate, but some of our fears have been realized, somebody got stupid and paid the ultimate penalty. 

Extremely graphic video from a drone.  Repeat, EXTREMELY GRAPHIC.

Absolutely no question about what happened there.

Suicide by train

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Sunday, July 22, 2018 8:39 PM

tree68
Absolutely no question about what happened there.

Concur on that 100 percent.

We had a Surfliner-trespasser collision today on Camp Pendleton, big delays for rest of day, probably.  We seem to have one of these incidents about once a week this year.

EDIT: Maybe this is happening more often, as we had another pedestrian fatality Monday morning on the Surfliner.  The Sunday incident was reported as the victim's having been seen lying on the track ahead of the train; no details on the Monday incident.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, July 22, 2018 7:07 PM

mudchicken
Uncle Pete's steam kettle suffered a grade crossing accident with fatality tonight coming back from Cheyenne. Before the expert at everything, proficient at none tribe appear to push their warped handle on reality - it was unfortunate, but some of our fears have been realized, somebody got stupid and paid the ultimate penalty.

Extremely graphic video from a drone.  Repeat, EXTREMELY GRAPHIC.

Absolutely no question about what happened there.

 

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 Sunday, July 22, 2018 11:05 AM

afternoon

Looked at Ns and Csx today.A couple of Csx were parked because of no room at Garrett.One of them(Q 091?) had the TTX double stack test car about 5 cars behind the engine.The weeds are very thankful that we recieved the rain.MC Big Sis and company are coming your way to raft down some rivers.Any water left?? Going to go mow some weeds.

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 Sunday, July 22, 2018 10:19 AM

mudchicken

Uncle Pete's steam kettle suffered a grade crossing accident with fatality tonight coming back from Cheyenne. Before the expert at everything, proficient at none tribe appear to push their warped handle on reality - it was unfortunate, but some of our fears have been realized, somebody got stupid and paid the ultimate penalty. Not UP's fault, not a PTC issue, not a disregarded statute - just plain old stupidity. (and yes - the media made a mess of the initial reports)

Mudchicken's, right of course, but here's a little follow up for those who do not receive the 'local' news in Colorado. linked@ https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/pedestrian-killed-by-up-s-historic-steam-train-on-return-trip-from-cheyenne-frontier-days

"Pedestrian killed by UP's historic steam train on return trip from Cheyenne Frontier Days"

And then, there was this, from TRAINS own NEWSWIRE: from the weekend of 07/3/2018

 linked @ http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/07/03-railfan-to-blame-in-weekend-crash-while-chasing-up-844

 Anyone who has 'chased' any one of the Steam events, knows how crazy (and insane?)  one of these events can become.  It is bound to happen, and when it does, the event can become a side-show; circus, individuals seem to loose all sense of caution and common sense. It, the loss of life or personal injury, is certainly a shame, and sad. But the blame lays with the individuals,not the Companies. My 2 Cents

 

 


 

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, July 21, 2018 11:38 PM

Uncle Pete's steam kettle suffered a grade crossing accident with fatality tonight coming back from Cheyenne. Before the expert at everything, proficient at none tribe appear to push their warped handle on reality - it was unfortunate, but some of our fears have been realized, somebody got stupid and paid the ultimate penalty. Not UP's fault, not a PTC issue, not a disregarded statute - just plain old stupidity. (and yes - the media made a mess of the initial reports)

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, July 21, 2018 10:15 AM

Hi

Mother Nature is giving us gentle showers.Heard the Sp 1996 got held up in Garrett last night due to rough weather.Heard some trains on CSX but we were going to get Matt a new shower curtain.Carl new cars have been popping up as others are scrapped here in town.I'll try and take a look 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 CShaveRR on Friday, July 20, 2018 8:14 PM

Hope those boots of yours provided suffcient anchor, Brian.

We had some nice storm-cloud backdrops here, and maybe a quarter-inch of rain so far.  Of course, when our church friends have scheduled the luau (tomorrow night), it's supposed to be wet.

Not much train-checking lately (or spotting, or striping, or whatever).  Old-age problems with one of my legs, I guess.  They took a bunch of scans yesterday.  Still haven't heard back (the scans actually dealt with a potential recurrence of cancer.  I want something to be found, so it can be addressed!).  

Back to the freight equipment research.  I found a series of over 1000 new covered hoppers on our trip a couple of months ago, and now I'm finding these cars being sold off (400 to on company, up to 600 to another).  I think I was lucky to have seen the originals in Louisiana when 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 blhanel on Friday, July 20, 2018 4:07 PM

JoeKoh

Some areas are under a tornado watch.

//Peeks out from storm shelter

You can have 'em... we've had our share.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, July 20, 2018 2:28 PM

afternoon

Saw 2 Ns westbounds when I left work.Ns was also replacing track in the siding too.Some areas are under a tornado watch.Had a nice gentle rain eairlier this morning.Chores to do here at home.

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 switch7frg on Thursday, July 19, 2018 3:20 PM

SmileMudchicken,give Phil Swift a call

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, July 19, 2018 2:48 PM

Thermometer here on the 11th floor says 100 degrees.

Brownouts will come along soon. (window glazing gasket material is starting to droop)

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, July 19, 2018 2:38 PM

afternoon

Had a surprise.Work sent us home early.Ns was working on the west side of Archbold.Chores to do.Matt gets to go to work soon.

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 Thursday, July 19, 2018 2:29 PM

Sounds like my cell phone.  Tried to show someone something at lunch and got a "no SIM card" error.  Went to the cell phone store.  They reseated the card and my phone immediately lit up with all the messages I'd missed...

Looks like our respite from the heat was brief - but our respite from rain continues.  I'm sure the vacationers like that, but the farmers are starting to worry.

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 Deggesty on Thursday, July 19, 2018 1:47 PM

I just got back from lunch--and found my inbox filled with postings from Kalmbach.  Apparently whatever was holding the postings up was taken care of.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, July 19, 2018 11:31 AM

Usually I find many postings from the Kalmbach site in my email. This morning, there was nothing new--and when I went to various forums, I found that there had been many posts since before I went to bed last night. 

I also found that it is no longer possible to subscribe to a particular forum, but it is still possible to subscribe to a particular thread--yet a post that I made to one thread about five minutes ago still has not appeared in my email. I hope that this is an easily fixable situation, as having such emails saves time when wanting to keep up with the railroading world as it is presented in the various forums.

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 4:48 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Chores to do here at home.Rain this weekend the guessers say.We will see.

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 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 8:58 PM

Here is a picture of my hay growing frined, taken this past April--60 years after graduation.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPKYXsV8oiBA9tZCrQQAKqJN6AKDmT4PHHer_7vuzeoGHv-2WfR49SaT1kmko-j9g/photo/AF1QipM-xDqFDhTBZSwSMTz28Pn6vDe1fbYNHXlgW090?key=dUpXMmVRWnNjdm1PYy0yVGRvc3FKOHRBaEFJdDh3

Do a right click on it and open it.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 7:50 PM

mudchicken
Crunchy grass not good.

My fire department was one of several that responded yesterday to what turned out to be about ten acres of nicely dried, ready-to-bale hay - all cut and raked.  The house and other buildings were saved, but the hay is now smoke.

I stayed at the station, which nearly proved to be important, as another grass fire, possibly involving some big bales, was reported shortly thereafter in the same area.  It was controlled by units re-routed from the first incident.

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 mudchicken on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 7:25 PM

I think the weatherliars forgot us again. My water bill could use a break.

Crunchy grass not good.

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, July 17, 2018 6:33 PM

Ma Nature granted us almost an inch of rain overnight - boy, did we need it.

I'm sure the weeds will be the first to recover...

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...

  • Member since
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 5:06 PM

evening

Well the story won me an"extra cheesey" pizza years ago.Ns had an eastbound waiting.They also sent a track inspector west.Matt found the NKP heritage unit earlier in the bay.Chores to do here at home.We didn't recieve any rain so the mower is still on vacation.

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 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 3:43 PM

Joe,

A square meal.  Very good, I like that one. 

We lost 90 small squares as well, so Iowa is out-a-luck

Bob

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 7:51 AM

mudchicken

It's a 4 letter state thing. Johnny will be along to round it out.Sad

 

Well, all my experience with hay was with the rectangualr bales, back in the fifties--either going through the tunnels that my best friend built in his father's loft or selling them when I worked in a general store. One of my college friends, in Tennessee, still rolls his hay.

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, July 16, 2018 10:45 PM

It's a 4 letter state thing. Johnny will be along to round it out.Sad

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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