afternoon
Nice sunshine this afternoon.Work looked liked it missed me.Ns had a westbound in the siding after work.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").
Not sure, Paul...on "my" train the DPU was in the middle, with the UCIR car and the frac-sand cars behind it. The KCS car was ahead of the DPU, though.
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)
Will be a short week for me this week, semi went down last Friday for emissions issues, and then my pickup went down for a broken fuel tank strap. Should have the semi ready by noon, pickup by end of the week........
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
I think I got stopped by the same freight on the BRC 59th Street line at 65th and Harlem yesterday. Your mention of the covered hoppers jogged my memory. I do remember that it had two GE's on the front end and a GE in DPU mode on the back end. The rear-end GE looked like it had a turbo fire some time in the past (burned paint near the stack).
Doesn't it always work this way? I slave my butt off (one could hope!) getting a report out before the end-of-the-month New-builds Table deadline (be it real or perceived...no pressure!), then we go out to dinner at one of Pat's favorite places. She allowed me to take a leisurely route there...I didn't even have to. We left church, and there was a slow-moving estbound manifest on the UP. The moves I made to catch up with it were anything but leisurely, but they were successful, to a point. The first time we were stopped by it, we were at a crossing in Villa Park. It was there that I saw my UCIR Centerbeam flat car. It was also there that I determined that we needed to see the train again. So into downtown Elmhurst we went. The train, for some reason, was still moving slowly, though it didn't seem to be headed into the yard. I caught the UCIR car again when it was moving at practically walking speed, grabbing build date and lot number. I was able to get the KCS box car off the same train.
[UCIR is the Union County Industrial Railroad, in Pennsylvania ...it just got these 175 brand-new cars, the first equipment it's ever owned or leased, and I was told by a fellow carchaeologist to be on the lookout for them. I may have been the first one of us to actually see one. The Kansas City Southern box car was one of 215 that were recently relettered from another railroad...maybe not news, but definitely news to me!]
Of course, the leisurely trip was out the window by then, so we made an expeditious trip south to LaGrange, adjoining the BNSF “Racetrack” at Westmont, where—guess what—another slow-moving manifest was headed east! The cars it contained were exotic enough to me, and will keep me busy for a while (I never saw so many covered hoppers with the North Dakota Mill and Elevator Association logos on one train before!), but we couldn't keep up with him as well. This train contained the new-looking GACX car, which needed to be reported [in this case I just made note of it because it looked new...and, as I found out, it was--one of a series of 30 cars built last month]. We waited for what was left of him at a grade crossing in Hinsdale.
So here you go...another 205 new cars. That should bring my March total up to 5000, if it isn't already! [For the uninitiated, that 5000-car figure for me is about the same as what EVERYONE reported in February!]
Dinner, by the way, was delicious!
Mother nature sent some ice and snow.Csx sent a few trains.Ns had had plenty of trains.Switch problems in Garrett for CSX and Montpelier for Ns.Ns 24 z had to set out some bad cars as well.Going to see if the hometeam can play ball today.Matt gets to do dishes again tonight.Back to work tomorrow.
morning
Rainy here in Nw Ohio.Yesterday Csx decided to send q 200, q506 and q 508 up the toledo sub at Deshler.Going to help with errands and chores today.Need to get stuff for back to work Monday.(No Fooling) Matt gets to do dishes again tonight.
BOB WITHORN Carl, There is a dot on the Michigan for Nunica and an exit off I-96 with a restaurant.......(edit)...and the food was always decent. Not a place you would know existed unless you made an exit mistake. Used the next exit, a 1/4 mile further, for Spring Lake way too many times, helped build 1 1/2" scale trains at a friends place there.
Carl, There is a dot on the Michigan for Nunica and an exit off I-96 with a restaurant.......(edit)...and the food was always decent. Not a place you would know existed unless you made an exit mistake. Used the next exit, a 1/4 mile further, for Spring Lake way too many times, helped build 1 1/2" scale trains at a friends place there.
Bob, there are two good restaurants in Nunica, then. The one that is more widely known is Turk's (that may be where you went). This one is a little more off the beaten trail, right in the middle of town (such as it is), and not far from where the GTW used to go through. The times I rode the train through there, the trees fouled the track so you'd inadvertently duck if you had a forward-facing window on the south side.Crockery Creek Saloon (where we went this time) has some great bluegill sandwiches when the bluegills are available. One of our group (12 people) had a smelt dinner, and Pat had a ravioli dinner that she couldn't put away.
Had rain and drizzle this morning.Csx ran a few trains.A customer was giving the ND&W crew fits.One shift told them where the cars went.When the new shift came in they had changed their mind.Matt gets to do dishes again tonight.Hope everyone can stay dry.
Carl, There is a dot on the Michigan for Nunuca and an exit off I-96 with a restaurant.......(edit)...and the food was always decent. Not a place you would know existed unless you made an exit mistake. Used the next exit, a 1/4 mile further, for Spring Lake way too many times, helped build 1 1/2" scale trains at a friends place there.
Spring is officially here. Baseball opened yesterday with a split decision. The Northsiders won 12-4 over Texas while the other team lost 5-3 to KC while committing three errors.
Plus today got to see our sperry friend go on the Toledo sub in Deshler on the web cam.His house is just across the SW wye at the trainpark.Good times.
Yep Carl that was the W001.It spent the night in Garrett and I got to see it Tuesday morning.Was surprised to see it on Wed. in Toledo.Our sperry friend was surprised to see us in Toledo too.The college is the University of Toledo.Looking at all the variables it seems the best fit.A classmate of mine works in the admissions department and offered to help us get the paperwork together.The tour was just a general tour.Next one will be an engineering tour.Good to see the home team win today.
44 dump cars came out of Canada on the BNSF yesterday. Last seen heading south at track speed, the dispatcher giving it priority over everything else...
Joe, on Monday I saw one CSX unit followed by two equipment cars and a Track Geometry Car. Was this your W001? It was on the Porter Branch in northwestern Indiana. I assume it went back to the main line at Willowcreek before heading wherever.Which college is that near Toledo?___________________
We took a trip to the Land of No Trains earlier this week. This was for a classmates' lunch in Nunuca, a tiny place that long ago had two railroads and later one railroad and an interurban...nothing left, of course. But the story here is that we used to be able to make the round trip to Ottawa County in one day. Not any more--age and medications have slowed me down (and Pat has always dozed off on longer car trips). So this time we made it into a three-day trip, spending the two nights in Riley's Railhouse in Chesterton, Indiana, on NS's ex-NYC Water Level Route.Our reservation there had put us into the "lower berth", but due to a no-show, we were able to get back up into the "upper berth", same room we had last Thanksgiving. Despite the fact that the B&B has a railroad motif, this is the only room that directly overlooks the tracks (and there is a small container filled with ear plugs for those who need them).For some reason (anxiety, indigestion, whatever), I had difficulty sleeping Monday night, and the trains were not too helpful. We had to leave at the crack of dawn Tuesday for lunch, so it was just "Bed and..." that day. They never could have fed us in time to get us on the road.The trains were running well, though--we saw lots of manifest activity as well as the ubiquitous stack trains and at least one outbound Amtrak train. I found out later that the Norfolk Southern's SD70ACE units that I would see on occasion looking pretty spiffy actually were new.Tuesday, after the lunch and some necessary shopping up in Michigan (yards of fabric and a new computer cord), we got back down in mid-afternoon. While at the fabric store, I had to explain again the "setting fire to the tracks" thing to an interested clerk.We got back down to Chesterton in plenty of time to settle in, grab supper, then stay in and watch NCIS (Pat) and get some sightings logged (me). I couldn't get much of that done that evening because of the constant interruption of the trains and more potential sightings. The streetlight outside had been converted to LED, and it was easier to read numbers into the night. But that evening was something else--NS had hit its stride, and was sending trains through on each other's blocks, apparently. We'd get one westbound, followed almost immediately by an eastbound, wait ten or twelve minutes, then repeat, and so on...it was amazing! Fortunately (?) it let up later in the evening, and I was able to fall asleep fairly quickly and soundly. In the morning we stayed for an amazing breakfast of French toast, fruit, eggs, and sausage. The trains were still a little less frequent--only about three or four passed through during breakfast. We were the only gusts that morning (very early in the season, says Richard, the proprietor).Kudos, by the way, to Richard...while we were gone Tuesday, he followed through on a suggestion I'd had last fall, and installed a short, sturdy metal railing on the steps leading to the balcony with the train view--the steps were slippery and difficult to navigate without it (again, advancing age, I suspect).We took the scenic route home, and saw more interesting cars in Gary, East Chicago, and Burnham. The trip netted me sightings of new equipment from several series, representing 1200 new cars for my next report. It would be a little pricey to do this every time we go to Michigan, but it is definitely safer...and a lot more relaxing for me! And Riley's Railhouse is still definitely highly recommended, even if you don't necessarily like trains (they have rooms in a box car and caboose on the leeward side of the building that shields a lot of the noise). Chesterton has a lovely downtown for antiquing, and there's a used bookstore right across from the rail house, a nice park with picnic tables right in the middle of town by the tracks, and plenty of fast-food options nearby, as well as a couple of lunch spots right downtown (those places also do breakfast, but Riley's visitors don't need that option!). Sadly, there's no train service to Chesterton, even though two Amtrak round trips come flying through (the South Shore is several miles away...one could commute into Chicago rather nicely from there if one wanted to drive only as far as Chesterton). A trip here cannot be recommended highly enough!
Morning
Damp day here in Nw Ohio.Saw a video of a semi hitting the back of a school bus near here.The bus driver and kids were not hurt.Didn't hear about the truck driver.On Deshlers cam saw lifeflight land and take someone after an accident.These put my running errands and getting new lamps as not such a big deal.Going to watch the opening day parade and hope the home team wins.Matt gets to do dishes tonight.
evening
Went for a college visit today.Was able to spend the morning at Vickers east of downtown Toledo.Ns was busy running trains.This held up csx's W 001 and a sperry truck on CSX.We also got to have lunch with our former pastor.Matt really liked the campus.There is also an Ns branch that goes to an elevator in Michigan that cuts right through the campus.Going to relax.Tomorrow is opening day in Cincinnati.Hope everyone can stay dry.
Hi
Got to see CSX w001 checking things out this morning.Also talked to a maintainer about the switch for the ND&W.J 715 was coming in town when I came home.Have errands to do this afternoon.Matt gets to do dishes tonight.
Well Matt got his background check for his trip and we got other errands ran.Was able to watch CSX this afternoon.The local had a problem with the switch for the ND&W.The couldn't find a maintainer so the took the cars and went back to Garrett.I hope Manville doesn't run out of sand.More fun stuff for tomorrow.
mudchicken BaltACD CShaveRR Right reason (most likely), wrong railroad. That's CN that does that, and serves the route of the Illini and Saluki (let's hope the City of New Orleans is always big enough!). I read somewhere, the UP was requiring 7 cars in addition to CN. 7 Cars = equivilent high speed shunt?
BaltACD CShaveRR Right reason (most likely), wrong railroad. That's CN that does that, and serves the route of the Illini and Saluki (let's hope the City of New Orleans is always big enough!). I read somewhere, the UP was requiring 7 cars in addition to CN.
CShaveRR Right reason (most likely), wrong railroad. That's CN that does that, and serves the route of the Illini and Saluki (let's hope the City of New Orleans is always big enough!).
I read somewhere, the UP was requiring 7 cars in addition to CN.
7 Cars = equivilent high speed shunt?
The UP and former IC lines must have an older signal system, or older equipment at some crossings.
VIA Rail runs short (2 or 3 car) trains at 90+ mph on a daily basis in southern Ontario. This is also in straight CTC territory, no PTC, cab signals or automatic train control of any kind, so we Canadians must be nuts.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Took brother out today.Saw both csx and NS at work at SDI in Butler Indiana.Also saw a B43 local go west as well.NS sent a 17 N west and it had a BN green"Mookie" unit.Haven't seen one of those in a long time.Then NS sent an eastbound with UP on the point and plenty of "Deere's" on the back.Brother liked that train.Time for Matt to go do dishes.
Went south with Sis.Did see a few trains.I wasn't driving but I did see one crossing the Miami river in Dayton.On the way home I noticed a couple of them stopped on CSX.Also saw a few cars that might have a visit due to condition from a patrol officer.Sis wanted to make dishes for Matt so that's where we had supper.Going to relax.
Oh well, the tree sloths (what bearcats really are) did better than the original expectation. The "other" school did in the other Iowa school. (I went to both schools, so I guess the day was a draw against Iowa)....The other Cincinnati school (NKU) in the initial 64 put up a game effort, but came up short.
Sorry if it was Cincinnati-
Go Hawkeyes!
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Ns was clear when I left work.Not many people at work today must have spring fever or march madness.On vacation next week.Have college visits and hopefully some trainwatching too.We'll see what Matt's schedule looks like.Hoping co workers team can win the basketball title in Columbus.Chores to do.
Hadn't known about the UP's shunting requirements. Those should have been a moot point in Illinois with the rebuilding of the track for most of the distance from Joliet to St. Louis. Or could it be that CN requires the St. Louis trains to have that many cars over Chicago to Joliet?Johnny, you're pencilled in; we'll see what happens closer to the time. We may be in Michigan for the later one. Medical procedures will have to take precedence...the PSA is still creeping up again.I took a walk to the Post Office and back today (about 3.5 miles, half of which is along the tracks). I saw two scoots and one westbound manifest freight of good size that was clearly identifiable as a North Platte train by cars in the consist. I hope that's significant in regard to the flooding problems. I would dearly love to have been able to ride the old CNW into Omaha and back during this detour session, but I can't fit it in.
Busy times after work.Ns had mixed freights each way and the local was coming up the siding.Chores to do here.Might watch some basketball too.Tomorrow is Friday!!!
Oh, yes, Sam--we were all wondering if the ballast there makes good footing.
Johnny
CShaveRR Johnny, these locomotives are relatively new, within the last couple of years. There are similar units working in California. I only wish the trains were a little more consistent in appearance. As for the lettering, I have no doubt that it's vinyl adhesive. Easy enough to repair, or, sadly, to vandalize.One commenter on the video noted the acceleration from a dead stop. That will do these units well on the lines in Michigan and to St. Louis. They are capable of the 110 m.p.h. that is anticipated (or being delivered) on those lines. I would love to be pushed back into my seat by the departure from some of these stations!
Johnny, these locomotives are relatively new, within the last couple of years. There are similar units working in California. I only wish the trains were a little more consistent in appearance. As for the lettering, I have no doubt that it's vinyl adhesive. Easy enough to repair, or, sadly, to vandalize.One commenter on the video noted the acceleration from a dead stop. That will do these units well on the lines in Michigan and to St. Louis. They are capable of the 110 m.p.h. that is anticipated (or being delivered) on those lines. I would love to be pushed back into my seat by the departure from some of these stations!
I expect to be in Chicago 7 May--leaving on the Cardinal (eat in a dinette)--and coming back 16 May, coming back from Boston--I hope to get to Brunswick this time.
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