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Chatterbox Spring 2019

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, May 24, 2019 8:54 AM

tree68
Well, I'm finally back.  The gremlins in the servers had me simultaneously as logged in, and as a newby.  Couldn't post, or much of anything else.  It's been fixed, and here I am.

The world of Kalmbach IT - mind numbing and baffling.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 24, 2019 7:22 AM

Well, I'm finally back.  The gremlins in the servers had me simultaneously as logged in, and as a newby.  Couldn't post, or much of anything else.  It's been fixed, and here I am.

 

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, May 24, 2019 7:15 AM

Murphy Siding
 
BOB WITHORN
Seven more work days and my 43 1/3 years on this job are done, retirement? Maybe, sorta, kinda, I guess.
 

 

 

Good for you! I've got about 10 good years left in me, them it will get weird. I'm not one to sit around so retirement would be difficult. 43-1/3 at the same place?

Not that big a deal.  I'll have 40 years with the same agency in June.  I feel that I'm good for a few more years before hanging it up.

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 Murphy Siding on Thursday, May 23, 2019 11:05 PM

BOB WITHORN
Seven more work days and my 43 1/3 years on this job are done, retirement? Maybe, sorta, kinda, I guess.
 

Good for you! I've got about 10 good years left in me, them it will get weird. I'm not one to sit around so retirement would be difficult. 43-1/3 at the same place?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by jeffhergert on Thursday, May 23, 2019 9:59 PM

I had the UP 4141, the George Bush engine in my consist today.  It was trailing, dead - past due inspection on one item.  

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, May 23, 2019 9:17 PM

Good evening

After mother natures wake up call this morning it was a nice afternoon.Ns sent an eastbound after work.I went and took brother out to trainwatch.We checked out Garrett(CSX) and watched some switching and crew changes.The best thing we saw was an NS grain train head for Ft.Wayne on the wabash long hood forward.Going to be a nice day tomorrow.We'll see if the swamp is dry.

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 Wednesday, May 22, 2019 5:23 PM

Evening

Had some more rain today.Ns was clear when I left work.Got errands done.I got my truck back.Tomorrow is last day for this week.Please take time to remember this weekend.

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 diningcar on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 9:04 AM

Last night weather service from Kansas City showed vivid photos of tornado touchdowns and then lifting back up after two +- minutes. These were at Silver Lake, KS (just north of Topeka) and then in a rural area further north. No damage or injuries reported.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 10:00 PM

CShaveRR

Balt, I trust that you survived that storm system that seems to have crossed your entire state today.  

Tornado Warnings were sounded - the actual tornados were NE of where I am at, that being said you could see the Cumulonimbus Clouds of the T'storm line that was causing the tornados.  That line had passed our area before the Tornado Warnings were sounded - my son and I were making a dinner run and they sounded as we were returning to his house.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 8:47 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Mowed the swamp before I went to Deshler.Csx sent various trains.There was an eastbound with CN power that looked like a molten sulphur train.Meeting was good.More 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 CShaveRR on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 7:43 PM

Balt, I trust that you survived that storm system that seems to have crossed your entire state today.  

Our temps were slightly cooler than yours, and the rain quit about 1:00 p.m.  More rain due tonight, but then temperatures are set to rise overnight into the lower 80s tomorrow.  Right now we have gentle breezes interspersed with knock-you-over (unless you're MC) gusts.

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 BaltACD on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 3:07 PM

Currently in Kansas - 55 degrees and spitting rain on the 21st of May!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 1:00 PM
Seven more work days and my 43 1/3 years on this job are done, retirement? Maybe, sorta, kinda, I guess.
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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 8:04 AM

Cowabunga! - 6" of snow overnight here at 6000' elevation. Should all melt off by lunchtime. Springtime in the Rockies!

Lightrail was a little too "light" this morning. On the south end of the Denver RTD system, we have a derailment. (Gravity works!)

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, May 20, 2019 2:24 PM

afternoon

Ns had some cars to shuffle after work.Cooler and breezy today.Chores to do here.

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 Monday, May 20, 2019 10:09 AM

Thanks for visiting the area around my old neighborhood.  I used to know Whiting pretty well but some of the streets don't exist anymore due to expansion at the Standard Oil refinery.  Last time I was at Colehour with my son (sometime last summer), we were able to get an FEC leaser on NS.

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 Monday, May 20, 2019 9:18 AM

Thank you, MC, for the hopper car info!

We have early-spring weather today, with the temperatures hovering in the lower 50s.  This is after yesterday, when they got up to near 80, with a strong threat of severe storms.  So strong, in fact, that Lombard's Lilac Festival parade was cancelled outright (you can guess what happened after the cancellation...sunshine!)  That was an unavoidable pity, since the parade was also intended to celebrate Lombard's sesquicentennial.

Pat and I, on the other hand, had determined that this year we weren't going to participate in or even watch the parade (it's fun when you have kids in it, or grandchildren who still enjoy such things, but they didn't come up this year).  We decided that a Sunday-afternoon cruise would be a good way to get out of town and avoid the hubbub.  So we went in toward the city, dined at Portillo's in Summit, visited my new "magic spot" in Bedford Park, then went to some of the rarely-seen (for me) places in industrial northwestern Indiana before returning home on my usual route through Hammond, Burnham, Dolton, and Blue Island.  The weather was pleasant for most of the trip...breezy, hovering around 80.  We did have a good shower while driving in Chicago, but that was it, save for some magnificent cloudscapes while driving.

The results of the trip for me were quite spectacular:  seven pages of handwritten data (basically the same as an extremely good day at work used to yield), which so far has yielded three heretofore-unseen reporting marks for me, requiring two new files), and a couple of newly-built series to be added to the table that we carchaeologists maintain.

Pat, on the other hand, was impressed by how green and lush things were, and was helpful in recording data when needed.  She also managed to get four inches knit on the sweater she's working on for a friend.  We engaged in my favorite pastime, listening for the shock of recognition when, after a foray into new territory, that she's discovered that she suddenly knows exactly where we were.  

My biggest shock on the trip was going past the BP refinery in Whiting, when we found that several of the yard tracks there, usually filled with tank cars, held quick-dumping aluminum hoppers instead.  Storage?  

The wildest experience was an almost-new reporting mark on a gondola:  WCRX.  It looked a lot like the WCRC gons near it, and when I got home, I found out that the car we'd seen does not exist!  It was supposed to be lettered WCRC, but there's no mistaking what two of us saw and commented on.

Pat is still raving about what a gorgeous trip it was!  And after my morning doctor's appointment I'll be getting busy on some of the data obtained.  I might be almost ready to put out another report to my friends.

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 mudchicken on Monday, May 20, 2019 8:32 AM

(1) So long HOBART TOWER, some of us will always remember. (at least it didn't burn like Redondo did)

(2) Johnny - yes, THAT Geneva. A bunch of those old coal hoppers have been in storage between Dotsero and Gypsum.

Rainy and in the forties here.Good chance of wet snow tonight ....Springtime in the Rockies! (and I have to be on the other side of the Continental Divide tomorrow...such fun!)

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 Deggesty on Sunday, May 19, 2019 8:59 PM

Yes, MC, if you are referring to the Geneva down the road from where I live, that Geneva is not there any more. The plant was built well inland during WW II so enemy airplanes would be discouraged from trying to bomb it. It is dark when I go by the place now, so I do not see it. I have a memory that people live in newly built houses on the site. 

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, May 19, 2019 8:18 PM

CShaveRR

Glad you made it home, Johnny!

There were 1050 of those hoppers that were relettered CTRN (numbered 1-1050).  The CTRN cars were leased to the SP, at least until UP took over.  I haven't seen one for a while, so I'm wondering if it's still in coal service.  

I can provide the BN number for just about any one of 'em.

 

Those coal hoppers are still running around, but the purpose for feeding the dragons and ore for Geneva (UT) has changed drastically. 

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 Sunday, May 19, 2019 5:03 PM

evening

The water parted enough for us to get to nephews house.Had a good time.Sister is coming north on I-75.Said people are driving like idiots.We brought home a cupcake for Matt when he gets home.Saw a stack train going east on CSX.Back to work 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 Saturday, May 18, 2019 4:13 PM

Glad you made it home, Johnny!

There were 1050 of those hoppers that were relettered CTRN (numbered 1-1050).  The CTRN cars were leased to the SP, at least until UP took over.  I haven't seen one for a while, so I'm wondering if it's still in coal service.  

I can provide the BN number for just about any one of 'em.

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 MikeF90 on Saturday, May 18, 2019 3:54 PM

JoeKoh
Guessers say Mother Nature wants to send more rain.

I'm not sure how much will wind up in your area. Here in the SFBA the predictions have been for moderate rain today and tomorrow - so far it's been kinda light and wimpy.

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, May 18, 2019 3:37 PM

Yes, as Carl posted yesterday, we had time to shake hands yesterday while I was in Chicago--the Late, Late Shore Limited arrived in time for me to get a round trip to the lounge and then go out to the  California Zephyr; I di not have to get get inside the door of the lounge before the cart driver said he was ready to take me and two others who had just come into Chicago out to the train.

We arrived n Salt Lake almost two hours late--slow orders in western Nebraska and other places.

Knowing that we would be late coming in here, I took a nap after dinner--I pulled forward enough of one of the seats in the room (H) and lay down and went to sleep. The car attendent looked in and put a blanket over me.while I slept. I woke in plenty of time to get off.

It rained here last night.

Carl, can you decode a car that was plainly BNSF but now is CTRN?

The new version of get-rid-of-diners meals is a little better, but I much prefer going to the diner, ordering my meals--and enjoying conversation with whomever else has been seateda at the same table. Yesterday morning, I shared the table with a lady and her son and daughter from Australia, and had conversation with a couple from Londaon, England at lunch.

And, I saw too many people who do not understand the ettiquette of waiting at the door until they are instructed as to where to sit. I did see many who do understand. I do not recall any who awere dressed in a scruffy manner; they apparently restricted themselves to the counter downstairs in the lounge car.

A further note on the shower room in the accessible room in Viewliners--there is no place for the attendant to put towels and such where they can be kept dry during the taking a shower. Just like the floor in bedroom showers, the floor is slick (I put a hand towel on the floor to reduce the probability of slipping). There is enough room for the keep my walker and suitcase in the bedroom area--I can do so in an ordinary Viewliner bedroom, but the situation is cramped.

Of course, the public showers have dressing rooms where towels and such can be kept dry.

Now to finish unpacking, get my newspapers arranged by date--and catch up on the comics.

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, May 18, 2019 3:00 PM

afternoon

Warmer today for sure.Matt and I helped a friend run model trains at Auglaize Village.Saw and heard some csx trains go by as well.The village speeder had a little trouble running today as well.Matt gets to go do dishes tonight.Tomorrow he goes with his church group to do lunch at a shelter.Guessers say Mother Nature wants to send more rain.

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 Friday, May 17, 2019 2:24 PM

afternoon

Muggy with passing rain sprinkles.Ns was clear when I left work.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 JoeKoh on Thursday, May 16, 2019 7:58 PM

update

Forgot to mention that I saw a courthouse in Denver will be getting a package to assemble.Just one of those things I see at work.Mother Nature is refilling our swamp a bit earlier than the guessers prognastications.

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 Thursday, May 16, 2019 5:17 PM

evening

Heard a horn on Ns but didn't see a train after work.The swamp is trimmed and mowed.Glad tomorrow is Friday.Matt wants to help run HO scale trains at Auglaize village on Saturday.He will be working a shelter and doing dishes on Sunday.

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, May 16, 2019 4:27 PM

Well, Johnny's in good hands with Amtrak.  His Lake Shore Limited train was late today (problems with making the connection at Albany), and he got in over three hours late.  I got a chance to "hail and farewell" him in Chicago before he had to catch the Zephyr home.

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 BOB WITHORN on Thursday, May 16, 2019 9:06 AM
Well, retirement is now May 31st instead of June 30th. Should be just in time to bale hay. Did a major remodel of mom's house over the last 6 months, closing is in a few days. Now I have to bum a room from my sister for a few days!!! Not interested in commuting 3 hours each way to work.

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