Tree, could be something there!!!
Carl, everyone else in Flint blames the water.
Evening
Ns had some cars for uptown and a coal train in the siding when I left work.Voted and gave hugs today.Plenty of work at work.Matt's school decided to give them off Thursday for the volleyball state tournament game.He will be helping with yardwork and doing dishes Thursday night.Going to get supper.
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").
Our precicent had only 9 operating voting machines! The back up line was :30 . Noted there were 3 spare machines on the floor. A few questions to an official after getting thru attempted obsification finally got the answer. How many operational voting machines is set at the state level by the office of secretary of state. Guess what office the present Secretary of state is running for in Georgia ? Your guess !
Ah, yes, that conflict of interest in Georgia has made the national news. I hope the court decisions, the provisional ballots, etc., actually are enough to turn the tide toward fairness.Pat and I voted early, and are satisfied with the results here in suburban Chicago. It didn't take us too long to get through the process.
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)
I saw a sheet-load of trains yesterday afternoon (really!) while we were tending the Peck House. In fact, I had to write the last one on the other side of the sheet. I thought it was an interesting day. When we were heading from home to the Peck House, there was an eastbound train sitting at Finley Road, waiting to be allowed into the "terminal". He figured into things that happened for a while afterwards. But here's the story.
1255--A westbound stack train blocked the crossing at Grace Street as we were trying to get to the Peck House after going to the bank. He was on Track 3.
1303--An eastbound scoot came through, staying on Track 1.
1320--The westbound scoot (on time) came through on Track 3; seven cars.
1324--A manifest train came west, powered by three locomotives, the second of which was a unit from the Kansas City Southern system. It came in on Track 2, but had to cross to Track 3 (that freight at Finley Road, remember)? One of the cars on this train was a brand-new woodchip gondola, contents covered by a tarpaulin. Not only was the car new to me, and the series (110 cars) not yet listed, but they were built by a new company hat had just set up in Trenton, Nova Scotia.
1339--An eastbound manifest train, with a UP and a Norfolk Southern unit on the point and another Union Pacific unit in the middle of the train. This was on Track 1. This train, by contrast, had a lot of ancient gondolas from the Tie Yard of Omaha, including series I hadn't seen before (these will also keep me busy for a while!).
1343--My view of the previous train was blocked by a westbound intermodal train--again on track 2, crossing over to 3.
1354--Another westbound manifest train, with no fewer than six locomotive units on the point. He was on Track 3 all the way.
1404--This hour's eastbound scoot, on Track 1. He had six coaches.
1409--A westbound intermodal train...four locomotives, and the first tub had an "ArroWedge" container on the upper level to reduce wind drag. Again, he had come in on Track 2, and had to cross over to Track 3.
1427--The westbound scoot, on Track 3. He had eight coaches.
1443--I heard the next train coming well before he got close--I haven't heard anything struggling as hard as this one in many years. It reminded me of Chicago & North Western days when there never seemed to be enough power to go around. It was an intermodal train with just one locomotive unit, eastbound on Track 2. Yep...that's the guy that we saw sitting there at Finley Road two hours earlier.
1454--There was a westbound intermodal train on Track 2 (he must have crossed over to 2 from 3). Five locomotive units, and another ArroWedge container. He was moving pretty well. The gates didn't go up after he went through, because...
1456--An eastbound coal train, on Track 1. This one had an interesting mix of coal cars, all secondhand but from several different series. I got some cars with a reporting mark I'd never seen before (BBLX), and several series of MQRX cars that I have to research as well.
1501--A train made up exclusively of auto-rack cars went west on Track 3. The power was three units, a UP followed by two CSX engines.
1504--The eastbound scoot (7 coaches) came by, crossing over from Track 1 to Track 3. (It's a safe bet that he would have caught up with the coal train before they got past Elmhurst, and Track 3 seemed to open up for him just in time.)
1514--An eastbound manifest, on Track 2, moving somewhat slowly. Before he got completely by me, we got...
1518--Another eastbound manifest, moving faster, on Track 1.
1528--The westbound scoot, on Track 3. Had he been on time, we would have seen all three tracks occupied at once. As it was, this probably happened around the curve, at Villa Park.
That was it--the next eastbound scoot was at 1605, on Track 1, and that was the one we had to flip the sheet for. And since I didn't commit the first train to the sheet (I was driving), we wound up with a sheet-load plus two--19 trains in a little over three hours. Three sheets of notes on equipment, very little of which I could cross off. So I think I'll stay home today...unless I don't!
evening
Westbound sand hopper train was stil in the siding when I got off of work.There were also cars uptown for the local.Ran errands here at home.Going to get chilly soon according to the guessers.They are even saying that one four letter word as well.
Ns had a westbound stack train with plenty of power go west.Then a frieght in the siding went west as well.The local was uptown when I left work too.Matt took care of some leaves today.Hope the volleyball team won.
Ns local was uptown gathering empties when I left work.Came home and ran errands and used coupons for supper.Tomorrow it's time to head south.Have one passenger to pick up in Lima.Hopefully the power comes back on for them soon.
Snowing (again) down your way - was surprised to see a snow-white Deshler on the cam this morning, and it looks like it'll look like that in the morning again (it all melted during the day Friday).
We're supposed to see some lake effect Saturday. Hope it clears up for Sunday - I've got a small train show I'd like to attend.
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...
Good morning
Yes Larry we had more snow and some black ice yesterday.Local trooper said he didn't have any ditch finders to help out.Trains were moving on Csx and Ns but couldn't stop to take pictures.Tow trucks were busy on I-75 picking up disabled cars.Matt is going to get ready for his soup lunch at Church.Have to go uptown and get new shovels for Tuesdays predicted snowfall.Thank you for all the Veterans today.Back to work tomorrow.
Monday AM: First train of the day, since late, last night [Veterans Day] Mixed westbound freight; first time I'd seen BNSF Buffer cars in front of auto racks.. 20 or 30 cars back were some OTR 'dumpsters' with multiple haz diamond signs. Snowed here, (1"+), overnight up north it would be called a 'dusting' down here; it is 'a sign to shelter in place' for many!
So, if you've got snow or ice for the first time this year; probably, want to drive carefully, and watch out for the drivers that believe that speed will conquor any problems.
To all my fellow Veterans, enjoy the day, go out and get a complimentary coffee
and donut or meal.
Semper Fi !
Sam thank you for your service.Ns had some tonka toys by milepost 329 in Archbold.Looked like they were getting ready to replace a switch.Was a train in the siding when I left work.Matt got a good report from his teachers at school.Going to eat supper.
Ns had some cars uptown when I left work.Co-worker is selling raffle tickets for cow pattie Bingo.Told them they better get the boots ready.
Ns was clear when I left work.Made a delivery to nieces house.Just gave hugs over the phone.Weather for tomorrow..Yuk.
Snow - Sleet - Sneet - Freezing Rain and plain old fashioned rain in the forecast.
Will likely put the yearly accumulation of precipitation over the all time record of 62.95 inches with a month and a half left in the year - all without the benefit of a Hurricane.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
A little snow on the ground here - much more up into the Adirondacks. But it's cold - what's here won't be melting for a few days.
Took the truck in for an oil change, recall, and "take a look at the sway bars - it's been a little wobbly." When I get it back on Friday, it'll be worth $700 more than it is now...
Can't complain to much, though. The truck doesn't owe me a cent, and this is still cheaper than a payment on a new vehicle.
Ns has an eastbound coal train in the siding at work.This morning was yuk but the crews have been out making the roads better.Had to remind my snowblower that when he is out of school it's his job to clean off the walks and driveways.Glad tomorrow is Friday.
JoeKohThis morning was yuk,
Watching the Deshler cams this morning. Saw it was a mess, so I checked your school closings. Pretty much everybody...
About 6 inches of snow - now turning to rain!
We were on the edge of this mess. Slippery and slushy this morning, snow stopped at about 11:00, and most of it is gone. I hope the roads dried off. I think we're supposed to get more stuff over the weekend, but dry and warmer (low 40s) through Thanksgivng.(Quite a change from last Thanksgiving, when all of our families came down here to sunny skies and temps in the 60s!)
The annual Haj to Cincy starts Saturday. Boss Hen drives off the first tank of gas into Kanzass whilst I sleep off some of the 16+ hour shifts from the past two weeks.
Duncan R. Scottie gets a staycation this trip.
Five inches of the white stuff here this morning. Fifteen inches in the western Adirondack foothills, and a foot or so at Lake Placid.
Winter is here (unless we get a warm spell again...)
BOB WITHORNFlint's got maybe 2" and all the drivers forgot how to drive. Sure is fun to have a 7000 pount pickup.
The reality about snow and driving I have observed in my 55 years of driving.
When the road isn't crowed you can make a mistake, get youself out of it, and move on with no harm, no foul.
When the roads are crowded - everybody is a idiot driver - there is no room for any single driver to make a mistake without affecting others.
While 4WD permits you to 'go' in conditions where 2WD vehicles can't - you still can't stop any better than any other vehicle!
Retirement is nice - I don't HAVE to go on the roads to go to work.
BaltACDRetirement is nice - I don't HAVE to go on the roads to go to work.
I'll second that. So nice to just look out the window at the beautiful scene and not have to endure the struggle.
jeffhergert A few days ago, at the away from home terminal, I was called for a coal train. When we got to the depot, our train was third out west of town. It was behind a coal train that was going to deliver to the municipal power plant and another thru coal train. The other thru coal train crew was also still at the depot waiting. There was some kind of congestion going on down around Omaha, so they wanted to send our train and the one ahead the short way, avoiding the congestion. It was around 60 minutes (I wasn't paying attention to the actual time line as it was playing out.) before the first train pulled into town and out of the way. The second followed about 15 minutes later and ours about another 15 minutes. We aren't allowed to change out in front of the depot. So all crews must be taken by van to the change points. The crew ahead of us had to wait for the van to show up, there being only one van in town at that time. Shortly after they left to go to their train, ours went by. They cut the number of yard vans a few years ago. I believe we used to have 4, but now have 2. They like to send the yard vans out of town; assisting a local or taking crews to Council Bluffs. Something they really should use road vans for. So waiting for a ride is almost a daily occurance. Anyway, after our train went by, we probably waited for another 15 or 20 minutes for the van to show back up and we loaded up. On the way to the train, we stopped at a convience store which we are allowed to do, adding 5 to 10 minutes to getting to the train. (We are on the verge of losing this priviledge, but haven't yet.) Upon arrival at the train, the inbound engineer said the PTC doesn't work and the DP, a BNSF unit, would often drop it's load (produce power) to about half of what it should be doing, but it would come back after a minute or two. I said I'd try to get the PTC working, a requirement if the paperwork says it's operational but I guessed we would probably have to run ATC/cab signals. The inbound mentioned the ATC wasn't cut in. We got on and I tried the PTC. It would not allow me to select location and the speedometer was stars instead of a 0. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the news. He immediately gave me permission to soft-cut out the PTC and run with ATC. I went and cut in the ATC. I then tried to use the self-testing feature and it wouldn't work, not an unusual occurance. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the self tester didn't work and there was no test loop at Missouri Valley anymore. (It was removed some time back.) He immediately said to get a van, have the conductor go the the rear end and we would shove the train back over the junction switch and go the long way, where there is a test loop down in Council Bluffs. We called for a van right away. A manager was out and about and came out to us. He said to wait, that he would call and see if we could just go the short way and have a mechancial guy from CB meet us over by Mo Valley and get the ATC tested. I had gone back to the second unit and when I came back, the conductor was on the ground talking to the manager. He then got in the manager's vehicle and they drove off. I guessed he was overruled and we were going to shove back. Which is what happened. Once we were stopped, the manager had us stay where we were and would have the conductor back up to the head end in a few minutes. The conductor got on the engine and said, "They want to take us Out of Service." I asked why? Because it took us so long to get to our train, over 20 minutes from the on-duty time and we didn't call anyone. The conductor and manager had been on a phone call with the corridor manager on the way back to the head end. The CM felt we were deliberately stalling, dragging our feet. It didn't matter that our train wasn't there (the CM wanted the terminating coal train's crew pulled, too.) or that there wasn't a van available. The CM told the conductor that they'll start using managers to take crews to the train if there's no available van. (Good luck, usually they aren't around in their offices either.) The CM went on to tell the condr that if we don't want to work, they can find others to work, that anyone can do our jobs. That the competition is starting to catch up to us and the reason the railroad's service is poor is because of the TE&Y employees. After the call the manager said this attitude is part of the PSR implementation coming down from the new VP of Operations. He also said we did a good job in shoving back. So far, neither of us have been pulled out of service. Sorry for the long post, but it's been on my mind. Jeff PS. Upon arrival at our home terminal we had to wait about 30 minutes for our crew to come on duty. They were spacing crew calls for trains one hour apart. So much for wanting to move trains in a timely manner.
A few days ago, at the away from home terminal, I was called for a coal train. When we got to the depot, our train was third out west of town. It was behind a coal train that was going to deliver to the municipal power plant and another thru coal train. The other thru coal train crew was also still at the depot waiting. There was some kind of congestion going on down around Omaha, so they wanted to send our train and the one ahead the short way, avoiding the congestion.
It was around 60 minutes (I wasn't paying attention to the actual time line as it was playing out.) before the first train pulled into town and out of the way. The second followed about 15 minutes later and ours about another 15 minutes. We aren't allowed to change out in front of the depot. So all crews must be taken by van to the change points. The crew ahead of us had to wait for the van to show up, there being only one van in town at that time. Shortly after they left to go to their train, ours went by. They cut the number of yard vans a few years ago. I believe we used to have 4, but now have 2. They like to send the yard vans out of town; assisting a local or taking crews to Council Bluffs. Something they really should use road vans for. So waiting for a ride is almost a daily occurance. Anyway, after our train went by, we probably waited for another 15 or 20 minutes for the van to show back up and we loaded up. On the way to the train, we stopped at a convience store which we are allowed to do, adding 5 to 10 minutes to getting to the train. (We are on the verge of losing this priviledge, but haven't yet.)
Upon arrival at the train, the inbound engineer said the PTC doesn't work and the DP, a BNSF unit, would often drop it's load (produce power) to about half of what it should be doing, but it would come back after a minute or two. I said I'd try to get the PTC working, a requirement if the paperwork says it's operational but I guessed we would probably have to run ATC/cab signals. The inbound mentioned the ATC wasn't cut in. We got on and I tried the PTC. It would not allow me to select location and the speedometer was stars instead of a 0. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the news. He immediately gave me permission to soft-cut out the PTC and run with ATC. I went and cut in the ATC. I then tried to use the self-testing feature and it wouldn't work, not an unusual occurance. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the self tester didn't work and there was no test loop at Missouri Valley anymore. (It was removed some time back.) He immediately said to get a van, have the conductor go the the rear end and we would shove the train back over the junction switch and go the long way, where there is a test loop down in Council Bluffs. We called for a van right away.
A manager was out and about and came out to us. He said to wait, that he would call and see if we could just go the short way and have a mechancial guy from CB meet us over by Mo Valley and get the ATC tested. I had gone back to the second unit and when I came back, the conductor was on the ground talking to the manager. He then got in the manager's vehicle and they drove off. I guessed he was overruled and we were going to shove back. Which is what happened.
Once we were stopped, the manager had us stay where we were and would have the conductor back up to the head end in a few minutes. The conductor got on the engine and said, "They want to take us Out of Service." I asked why? Because it took us so long to get to our train, over 20 minutes from the on-duty time and we didn't call anyone. The conductor and manager had been on a phone call with the corridor manager on the way back to the head end. The CM felt we were deliberately stalling, dragging our feet. It didn't matter that our train wasn't there (the CM wanted the terminating coal train's crew pulled, too.) or that there wasn't a van available. The CM told the conductor that they'll start using managers to take crews to the train if there's no available van. (Good luck, usually they aren't around in their offices either.) The CM went on to tell the condr that if we don't want to work, they can find others to work, that anyone can do our jobs. That the competition is starting to catch up to us and the reason the railroad's service is poor is because of the TE&Y employees. After the call the manager said this attitude is part of the PSR implementation coming down from the new VP of Operations. He also said we did a good job in shoving back.
So far, neither of us have been pulled out of service. Sorry for the long post, but it's been on my mind.
Jeff
PS. Upon arrival at our home terminal we had to wait about 30 minutes for our crew to come on duty. They were spacing crew calls for trains one hour apart. So much for wanting to move trains in a timely manner.
Is a Corridor Manager [CM] somekind of a Dispatch supervisor?
Has that Corridor Manager ever been in Road Service?
Johnny
samfp1943 jeffhergert A few days ago, at the away from home terminal, I was called for a coal train. When we got to the depot, our train was third out west of town. It was behind a coal train that was going to deliver to the municipal power plant and another thru coal train. The other thru coal train crew was also still at the depot waiting. There was some kind of congestion going on down around Omaha, so they wanted to send our train and the one ahead the short way, avoiding the congestion. It was around 60 minutes (I wasn't paying attention to the actual time line as it was playing out.) before the first train pulled into town and out of the way. The second followed about 15 minutes later and ours about another 15 minutes. We aren't allowed to change out in front of the depot. So all crews must be taken by van to the change points. The crew ahead of us had to wait for the van to show up, there being only one van in town at that time. Shortly after they left to go to their train, ours went by. They cut the number of yard vans a few years ago. I believe we used to have 4, but now have 2. They like to send the yard vans out of town; assisting a local or taking crews to Council Bluffs. Something they really should use road vans for. So waiting for a ride is almost a daily occurance. Anyway, after our train went by, we probably waited for another 15 or 20 minutes for the van to show back up and we loaded up. On the way to the train, we stopped at a convience store which we are allowed to do, adding 5 to 10 minutes to getting to the train. (We are on the verge of losing this priviledge, but haven't yet.) Upon arrival at the train, the inbound engineer said the PTC doesn't work and the DP, a BNSF unit, would often drop it's load (produce power) to about half of what it should be doing, but it would come back after a minute or two. I said I'd try to get the PTC working, a requirement if the paperwork says it's operational but I guessed we would probably have to run ATC/cab signals. The inbound mentioned the ATC wasn't cut in. We got on and I tried the PTC. It would not allow me to select location and the speedometer was stars instead of a 0. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the news. He immediately gave me permission to soft-cut out the PTC and run with ATC. I went and cut in the ATC. I then tried to use the self-testing feature and it wouldn't work, not an unusual occurance. I rang up the dispatcher and told him the self tester didn't work and there was no test loop at Missouri Valley anymore. (It was removed some time back.) He immediately said to get a van, have the conductor go the the rear end and we would shove the train back over the junction switch and go the long way, where there is a test loop down in Council Bluffs. We called for a van right away. A manager was out and about and came out to us. He said to wait, that he would call and see if we could just go the short way and have a mechancial guy from CB meet us over by Mo Valley and get the ATC tested. I had gone back to the second unit and when I came back, the conductor was on the ground talking to the manager. He then got in the manager's vehicle and they drove off. I guessed he was overruled and we were going to shove back. Which is what happened. Once we were stopped, the manager had us stay where we were and would have the conductor back up to the head end in a few minutes. The conductor got on the engine and said, "They want to take us Out of Service." I asked why? Because it took us so long to get to our train, over 20 minutes from the on-duty time and we didn't call anyone. The conductor and manager had been on a phone call with the corridor manager on the way back to the head end. The CM felt we were deliberately stalling, dragging our feet. It didn't matter that our train wasn't there (the CM wanted the terminating coal train's crew pulled, too.) or that there wasn't a van available. The CM told the conductor that they'll start using managers to take crews to the train if there's no available van. (Good luck, usually they aren't around in their offices either.) The CM went on to tell the condr that if we don't want to work, they can find others to work, that anyone can do our jobs. That the competition is starting to catch up to us and the reason the railroad's service is poor is because of the TE&Y employees. After the call the manager said this attitude is part of the PSR implementation coming down from the new VP of Operations. He also said we did a good job in shoving back. So far, neither of us have been pulled out of service. Sorry for the long post, but it's been on my mind. Jeff PS. Upon arrival at our home terminal we had to wait about 30 minutes for our crew to come on duty. They were spacing crew calls for trains one hour apart. So much for wanting to move trains in a timely manner. Jeff: Hellovawaytorunarailroad! Is a Corridor Manager [CM] somekind of a Dispatch supervisor?
Jeff PS. Upon arrival at our home terminal we had to wait about 30 minutes for our crew to come on duty. They were spacing crew calls for trains one hour apart. So much for wanting to move trains in a timely manner.
Jeff: Hellovawaytorunarailroad!
I'm going to guess that the Corridor Manager is the rough equivalent of what CSX called the Director of Train Operations (DTO). DTO's coordinated the 'macro' operations of the Division they were responsible for and coordinated with the DTO's on other Divisions in an attempt to provide 'seamless' operation over Division boundries. They are non-contract company officials (on UP I believe Train Dispatchers are also non-contract company officials). Most DTO's on CSX had been either Train Dispatchers or Trainmasters - like any other occupation - they all had differing personalities from 'easy going' to 'PIA stickler'. From time to time a individual DTO may have 'thought' they were being 'played' and would take actions to 'remedy' the situation. In my office DTO's six TD desks and the Chief's desk and interacted with four other Company Divisions as well as a number of other railroads. The DTO positions were eliminated by EHH in his view of PSR.
On one division I worked for when a particular Conductor showed up on a particular train - the DTO would order that that crew be deadheaded to the final terminal of the train and another crew called to work it. The 'announced' reason was that the particular Conductor took too much time in performing line of road pick ups and set offs and would exceed the HOS and thus tie up the line.
When it comes to Yard Vans - there is SOMEONE who is responsible for their dispatchment, normally a Yardmaster or other Supervisor where the vans are stationed. In Jeff's case, I suspect the Trainmaster who ferried his Conductor to the rear of his train may be the individual responsible for the vans movements. If UP is going to use Trainmasters to move crews around the property they are going to have a lot highly paid cab drivers and no one supervising the operation of the railroad.
I never worked uner 'PSR'. However, every time there regiem change in any of the organizations I worked with (B&O, Chessie System, CSX) there were generally changes in how employees were viewed by company management. In Jeff's case I have no doubt that the CM featured every employee beneath him on a organization chart were worthless and could be replaced at his whim; by the same token those above the CM on the Org. Chart believe he is just as worthless and replaceable.
They let us out on time today.Went to town and picked up things for tomorrow.In the morning we are testing the Christmas lights.We have a big party for my twin nephews turning the big"40".Sunday Matt and his youth group serve lunch at a local shelter.Might see a train or two we'll see.
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