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Chatterbox Winter 2018-2019

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  • Member since
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  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
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Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 8:29 PM

jeffhergert

Iowa Interstate 1, Polk County (Iowa) snow plow 0.  Or maybe -1, -1 snow plow that is.

https://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/polk-county-snowplow-hit-by-train-near-altoona/1795870345 

Jeff 

 

I dunno, looks kinda like IAIS #512 might've gotten a little crumpled...

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:45 PM

Carl, your mention of the vampires reminded of my experiences 11 1/2 years ago. Before being dosed with a carcinogen killer, a blood sample would be drawn. Usually, one particular phlebotomist would draw the sample, and I began calling her "Bloodsucker." One day, someone else drew the blood, and, as I was being treated, I saw my favorite vampire about to draw a sample from another man and called, "Hello, Bloodsucker." The other man looked a little worried, and she assured him, "That's a term of endearment."

Johnny

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Posted by jeffhergert on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:24 PM

Iowa Interstate 1, Polk County (Iowa) snow plow 0.  Or maybe -1, -1 snow plow that is.

https://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/polk-county-snowplow-hit-by-train-near-altoona/1795870345 

Jeff 

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:33 PM

 

Free snow! Come and get it! Luxurious white hue, about 10” thick with no more moisture than a handful of dust. Hurry- won’t last long!

 

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:11 PM

We got less than an inch of snow overnight, and it was already doing something else by the time I left to get blood drawn for lab tests.  (It looked and behaved like rain on the car and on clear roads, but if it hit snow or ice it became slick.)  We shouldn't need to shovel anything.

At my chosen medical lab (in Glen Ellyn), I heard a train horn.  I got to the front of the building in time to see the hind end of a manifest freight head east (and now you know why I choose that particular lab whenever possible!).  

After the vampires did their thing, I left for home, and found the manifest stopped at Finley Road.  Its signal was an Approach (yellow-over-dark) when I was driving past the power, but I actually saw it change to yellow-over-green, showing that a route was lined up for this train to cross over from Track 2 to another track (most likely Track 1) at Grace.  I had to work a little hard to get myself blocked by the train (going around a big block, then going the length of another block and doubling back to get into a good position), but it was almost worth it.  I saw a TBOX car that looked very new...I couldn't read the build date from where I was, but when I got home, I could check.  It was built in 12/18.  I still need my first 2019-built freight car...what was more dismaying was that this car's series was shown in the "official" table my friends keep as being built in 1/19--a higher number would have done if for me!  Still, they would need the date I saw to keep the records accurate.

So now I'm back to working on sightings made on Monday after catching those two CP trains on the way (sort-of!) home from our tax preparation.  I'm busy, but still a happy camper.  If I get enough done today, and if the weather turns nice as promised, I would like to take a little saunter to the tracks and a ride to Elmhurst and back.  I already have results from my labs suggesting that I need more exercise, and the three or so miles I'd get on a trip like this will certainly help!

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 Wednesday, February 20, 2019 3:43 PM

afternoon

Ns local was uptown when I left work.Snow this morning has changed to a very cold rain.Ran errands in town.Larry I came back from uptown yesterday and saw the Geo. train on Deshlers webcam.He didn't waste any time getting by Defiance.Also he had a stack train following him west on the other track.Matt did get his test in today.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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:35 AM

Monday was a holiday for me.  After shoveling the walks I got out to exercise the Canon A-1 in snow conditions.  It wasn't that cold (upper 20's) but accumulated snow made things a little messy.  Managed to get a picture of a Sperry car at Barr.  In 50 years of taking pictures with 35mm cameras, that's only the second time I got a Sperry car on film.

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 CShaveRR on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 7:37 PM

Our advisory kicks in at 3:00 this morning.  We should have an inch of snow on the ground when we get up, another inch by the time we leave for Pat's physical therapy, then a tiny layer of ice on top of that before it all turns to rain/slush.

We had only four trains per hour at the Peck house today (when two of the four are scoots, that's not very busy).  Two more trains showed up while we were driving home.  A couple were manifests, so I have a little to work with.

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 tree68 on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 3:38 PM

Joe - the CSX track geometry train just left Deshler westbound (as of 1630).  Should be in your neck of the woods soon.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 3:16 PM

afternoon

My work ships orders LTL.Places are always looking for drivers.Thing is most people want to do short hauls not cross country trips.Randy can also testify to the 4 wheelers being distracted by cell phones and such.Ns sent a stack train each way after work today.We are under a winter weather advisory for tomorrow morning.Matt's test will probably be re-scheduled.Went uptown and they were finished with our order.Stacey is happy so we are good.

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 blue streak 1 on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 2:47 PM

For shadow:  A new England LTL carrier has filed bankruptcy and is going to shut down.  We cannot understand how any carrier in that area can make a profit?  Cannot see any benefit for RRs in the area?

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/new-england-motor-freight-files-bankruptcy-plans-wind-down-trucking-operations 

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 4:51 AM

Single digits in the Mile-High City. The cold is squeezing moisture out of the air with a super fine, gritty, snizzle. You almost can't see it.

Struggling with a side effect of PSR here where the the big railroad engineering staffs have been decimated and what was easilly accessed institutional memory is now a bear to find. (The institutional memory is retiring or leaving early and the survivors never got the time to learn from the old heads. Sad. Can confirm CSX, NS and UP have problems. Combined with the EagleOne scam artists making life difficult for BNSF and UP, information gathering for client projects is tougher than in the past.)

What happens when Brand X railroad sells a line to Brand A shortline of which half a mile of track isn't theirs?HmmHuh?Confused

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, February 18, 2019 7:51 PM

JoeKoh
Had an error code for some reason earlier.

Same here.  

About four inches of snow this AM, and cold.  More cold tonight - already -0.5F here.  Hardly a cloud in the sky, so lots of radiational cooling...

It was plenty cold out on the road this afternoon.  One car lost control in some slush on the road and hit another - both had to be flat-bedded out.  One of the tow companies had a communications problem, meaning we (the FD) ended up hanging around directing traffic for upwards of an hour, waiting.  And waiting.

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, February 18, 2019 5:11 PM

evening

Had an error code for some reason earlier.Ns was clear when I left work.Watched the Deshler camera.A crew was in South Deshler to repleace some bad wheels on a tank car.Matt is due to take a college test on Wed. The guessers say a mixed bag of stuff in the morning changing to rain.We'll see how it plays out.

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 Monday, February 18, 2019 4:32 PM
Tough morning commute. Had 8:30 appointment in Grand Rapids, an hour and 40 minutes away. Enter snow storm, leave Elkhart 40 minutes early, arrive 30 minutes late, they said sorry you'll need to reschedule, so I'll try again next week
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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, February 17, 2019 12:40 PM

afternoon

Turning white here in Nw Ohio.Csx ran a few trains by.Was able to watch a few in the old neighborhood.Even saw an old Milwaukee road grain hopper.Matt has to go do dishes for work next.

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, February 17, 2019 7:32 AM

As of 0830 - ISS will pass over Louisiana/Alabama momentarily, and track up the east coast to Maine.  145.800 on your scanner...

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, February 17, 2019 5:58 AM

Good Morning

Need to get ready for church.Matt's group is back at the local center to do lunch.Snow on the way.Will see what Csx runs.Matt has to do dishes again later.

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 Saturday, February 16, 2019 4:00 PM

I've been monitoring the International Space Station through the weekend - they are broadcasting slow-scan TV images until around noon Sunday.

If you have a home scanner, you may well be able to hear them on 145.800 mHz.  Generally, it's a two minute transmission, followed by two minutes of silence.  

Smartphone apps and computer programs are available to turn the signal from beeps and boops to an image.

As an amateur who does other digital stuff, I've got the hardware necessary.  So far I've caught around a dozen images including a couple of duplicates (they're using the same dozen or so images over and over).

There are sites that will tell you when the ISS is passing over you.  Just be careful about the sites that only tell you when that will happen at night (when you can see it going over), as radio doesn't care if it's dark or light.

Fun stuff!

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 Saturday, February 16, 2019 3:55 PM

The crossing at stateline is a crossing/viaduct combo.You cross track 1 and go under track 2.The driver did a u turn then came back flying down the road after q 091 finished going west.

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 Saturday, February 16, 2019 3:53 PM

afternoon

Went a little west this morning.Saw a triple crown and local on Ns cross CSX a St.Joe.Also saw Csx working on a big train at Garrett.He almost made it to Auburn Jct.NIPSCO was busy with pole and line work in Auburn so I decided to come back east.I saw him at the Ohio/Indiana state line.Csx sent a westbound q 091 as well.Had an impatient driver waiting for the train on track 1.Going to relax tonight.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Friday, February 15, 2019 4:40 PM

tree68
CO detectors have a finite life.  Most people don't bother to read the instructions.  If they did, they'd realize that periodic rapid beeps (or a similar alert) indicate it's time for a new detector.  I've been out on a number of "CO detector" calls for that very reason.  

I think ours alerted us with beeps and then displayed something that indicated end of life. The replacement is supposed to be a 10-year, as opposed to 5-year, model. Got both at our local Costco and the new one lined up with the screws in the wall, so minimal problem on the replacement.

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, February 15, 2019 2:59 PM

ChuckCobleigh
Local news is saying there were no working smoke detectors in the house.

An all too common problem - apparently especially with rental properties.  Replacing older smoke detectors with the new 10 year version will help remedy that.

The two daughters who survived the fire have now succumbed to their injuries, leaving the 13YO who ran to the neighbors the sole survivor.

The father apparently tried to rescue the other girls.

CO detectors have a finite life.  Most people don't bother to read the instructions.  If they did, they'd realize that periodic rapid beeps (or a similar alert) indicate it's time for a new detector.  I've been out on a number of "CO detector" calls for that very reason.  

We get to the residence and discover a CO level of zero.

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 Friday, February 15, 2019 2:26 PM

afternoon

Ns had a big mixed frieght to go west in the siding.They also sent an eastbound stack train after work as well.Was going to go on a trip south with Sis but those plans are on hold.Guessers say snow on Sunday,maybe more on Wed.Need to run errands in town.Matt gets to go do dishes tonight.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Friday, February 15, 2019 2:29 AM

tree68

Tragic fire early this morning in Watertown - three dead, three injured.  Five of the victims were children.

One of the worst fires in this area in years, casualty-wise.

Caught snippets of the radio traffic -things were a bit frantic for a little while.

Local news is saying there were no working smoke detectors in the house. Think I'll check mine tonight, off schedule. Had to replace a CO detector this year when the old one went "end of life" on us. We just had a CO fatality in the county, sad but preventable.

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, February 14, 2019 11:13 PM

Red Flag Warning, Winter Snow Warning and High Wind Warning (60-90mph gusts) all on the same day. Ma Nature getting a bit schizoid around here?

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
  • Member since
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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, February 14, 2019 2:33 PM

afternoon

Ns sent an eastbound mixed freight after work today.Hope everyone has a nice Valentines day. Matt has no homework tonight but gets to go do dishes.

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 Thursday, February 14, 2019 9:16 AM

Mrs. Shadow, having had stomach problems (Barrett's) in the past, I probably know only a little of what your husband is going through.  Get that pain under control, and get him to take it easy (not always the easiest thing to do).  If he's comfortable in a car, go watch trains...calmly!

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 tree68 on Thursday, February 14, 2019 6:28 AM

Tragic fire early this morning in Watertown - three dead, three injured.  Five of the victims were children.

One of the worst fires in this area in years, casualty-wise.

Caught snippets of the radio traffic -things were a bit frantic for a little while.

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 Shadow the Cats owner on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 6:09 PM

Everyone please keep myself and family in your prayers as my husband had major surgery today.  He had a gastric sleeve done and is having a hard time controlling the pain and nausea right now. 

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