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Chatterbox Spring 2019

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, April 11, 2019 8:09 AM

SD70Dude
 
zugmann
tree68
Got my eyes checked today - I passed. Hearing test tomorrow.

huh?

 

 

WHAT!?

Seriously though, hearing loss is a occupational disease for railroaders, and I suspect many others (the sirens probably do it for Larry). 

I've actually had earplugs vibrate right out of my ears while riding in one of our NS-spec SD70M-2's, better known as "thundercabs".

 

Being married has the same effect. After so many years, you lose hearing in that range your spouse broadcasts. As of last Sunday we've been married 30 years. I'll swear that all I hear anymore is Charlie Brown's teacher......"Wa-wa, wa, wa-wa wa-wa, wa?".....Yes dearSigh

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, April 11, 2019 8:04 AM

Bucking some snow drifts just to get to work this morning. Some of them were at least 5/8" to 3/4" deep! Some big maroon still managed to put car off the highway and into a cornfield.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 7:11 AM

Nice and sunny this morning - and +21F.  Mother Nature can't seem to line up sun and warm weather at the same time...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 10:29 PM

Racing at VIR this weekend - weather looks iffy!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 7:36 PM

We were supposed to get snow Friday--they've been talking about that since last week.  Then they added today to the snow event.  Today, we got some rain; the snow stayed a county or two away from us to our north.  Friday, the high is supposed to be in the low 50s.  But now Sunday might be the snow day, they say.

Regardless, with the high today about 35-40 degrees below yesterday's high, and the rain and all, we decided to stay in.  I was supposed to work on upgrading a series of reports from a fellow carchaeologist, but have only made a little progress on one of the half-doz or so that's there for me.  When I have to use my own files to work on them, I often see things that need upgrading or correcting, so yeah, that gets done, too.  I also found about 120 cars for the new-builds table that have been around for a while, just not there.  I think that's why they keep me around for a while--everyone knows I'm not all there!

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 Murphy Siding on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 5:49 PM

     Currently having a "weather event" here. They've been screaming BLIZZARD!!! for several days. Now, they're thinking maybe 2-4 inches locally. Lead article in the paper is morning was about this week's storm of the century. They went so far as to predict snowfall amounts to expect (in addition to the usual up to 24" or more!!!). Snowfall on the northeast corner of town was predicted at 2"; at the northwest corner, 12". The 2 spots are 12 miles away from each other. Now that's why they call it accuweatherDunce

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 4:45 PM

Meanwhile, back at the ranch near the Mile Hi City.....

After much whoop-de-doo in the local media, the snow finally arrived to go along with the wind we've had all day (40-60mph)...now we get to see if the chicken-littles from good 'ol Weatherliar U were even partially correct.

(It was predicted 9-14 inches of blue slop, then they all went into CYA mode. This time yesterday it was 80 degrees. Blizzard warnings got moved-up three hours and not much happenned for the next six hours.)

Cowabunga?

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 Wednesday, April 10, 2019 2:26 PM

afternoon

Ns local was waiting to hook back up to his train and go west after work.Need to get cleaned up.Matt and his group are doing another supper at Church.The group leader is bringing the Pastor a birthday cake since his birthday is Friday.

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 Wednesday, April 10, 2019 12:15 PM

zugmann

 

 
tree68
Got my eyes checked today - I passed. Hearing test tomorrow.

 

huh?

I guess it's hot!

I actually hate taking hearing tests - I'll either hear the tone and not react, or will develop a memory of it and hear it when it's not there.

That said, apparently I've suffered a bit of a loss since two years ago.  Not real significant, but not as good as before.

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 SD70Dude on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 8:14 PM

zugmann
tree68
Got my eyes checked today - I passed. Hearing test tomorrow.

huh?

WHAT!?

Seriously though, hearing loss is a occupational disease for railroaders, and I suspect many others (the sirens probably do it for Larry). 

I've actually had earplugs vibrate right out of my ears while riding in one of our NS-spec SD70M-2's, better known as "thundercabs".

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 8:00 PM

tree68
Got my eyes checked today - I passed. Hearing test tomorrow.

huh?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 7:44 PM

A true quantum-leap in winnings ;)

The two others did not stand a chance.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 6:32 PM

Can you believe the present jeapordy champion?  $110,000+ for one day !

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 5:41 PM

Got my eyes checked today - I passed.  Hearing test tomorrow.

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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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 4:43 PM

evening

Stacey had to wait on the Ns local before she picked me up at work.Mower is ready to go.I just need to fill up the gas can.Guessers say rain and cold for tomorrow.Other 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 JoeKoh on Monday, April 8, 2019 3:17 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Worked on the mower today.Will go get the blade sharpened tomorrow.With this nice weather the grass is turning green quickly.Back to chores.

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 mudchicken on Sunday, April 7, 2019 11:49 PM

The Las Animas fire continues. (3+ square miles)...Looks like the last snowstorm/blizzard will be trying to put it out Wednesday. The weatherliars are all over the place on what's this thing gonna do.

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 CShaveRR on Sunday, April 7, 2019 8:29 PM

Today (and yesterday, and part of the day before) was spent in the Peoria area.  I was able to get to the Toledo, Peoria & Western yard yesterday, and to the Tazewell & Peoria yard today (TZPR is Genesee & Wyoming's name for what used to be the Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad).  

Speaking of Peoria and Pekin, we were in both today.  First time I've been to downtown Pekin in 48 years.  I recognized the building that used to be the motel that they put me up in on the trip I took that ended in South Pekin.  It's no longer a motel; I'm not sure what exactly it is.

I once again got to adore the old Whipple truss bridge that crosses the Illinois River with six spans.  Also got to strafe a string of tank cars for a commodity check (ethanol and LPG carried by these cars).  

We went to church three times today:  with my daughter's family for their worship service, to Obed and Isaac's for dinner (in an old Presbyterian church building) and to Peoria's First United Methodist Church, where my granddaughter Katelyn (can you believe she's 14?) was in a choral concert this afternoon.  She had a solo, delivered flawlessly.

We could have made tracks for home after the concert, but due to rapid fatigue on my part (due in turn to heart and medication problems), we decided to stay tonight and take the day for a leisurely return tomorrow.

Yesterday, the two grandchildren who weren't singing today were on teams competing for the state championship in the Odyssey of the Mind competition.  One of their teams got a First, the other a Third.  Whether the first-place team goes on to the world championship (to be held at Michigan State University in East Lansing this year) remains to be seen.

So, how to go home?  We came down by way of Rochelle, should we go up by way of Streator and Ottawa, or via Pontiac and Joliet?  We could go via a hybrid routing, as long as I get sufficient rest.

And on that subect, more diagnostic testing is scheduled later this month...scans for cancer on the 18th, and a consultation with the cadiologist on the 29th.

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 Sunday, April 7, 2019 5:25 PM

The boat show is in the books.  We sold a fair number of chances on the UTV we're raffling off.  

Don't know how any of the other vendors did, although one did sell a "party barge" (pontoon boat) that was located near our booth.  Apparently it was last year's model, however, and with all the costs involved, plus any discounts they applied, they may have actually sold it at a loss...

The salesman told us that with the boat configured as it was (including a humongous motor), it would do over 50 MPH on the water...

Not right now, though.  On my way to a fire department dinner with a neighboring FD, I was driving parallel to the St Lawrence and noticed a Canadian ice breaker mid-river and just downstream from a large mass of ice.  Current and prevailing winds have kind of jammed up the ice, and they are apparently leading ships through the ice packs.

Spring in the north country.

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, April 7, 2019 1:56 PM

afternoon

Took brother out for an early birthday present.Ns and csx trains were plenty.Heard a crew complain the engineers seat needed more padding.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 BaltACD on Friday, April 5, 2019 8:31 PM

tree68
Spent the day at the local boat show selling raffle tickets for the UTV my FD is raffling off.  Made a few sales.  

Our booth is outside. Temps in the 30s and occasional snow.  Wheee!  Thank goodness for portable heaters!

Nothing says - Go to a Boat Show - like snow and 30's.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 5, 2019 6:07 PM

Spent the day at the local boat show selling raffle tickets for the UTV my FD is raffling off.  Made a few sales.  

Our booth is outside. Temps in the 30s and occasional snow.  Wheee!  Thank goodness for portable heaters!

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 mudchicken on Friday, April 5, 2019 4:48 PM

Looking at a major range fire that started outside Las Animas in SE Colorado (in the area where Amtrak 3/4 run on the old Santa Fe (Las Animas Jcn./Keller/Hilton) ... big problem is that's what is burning you cannot access with trucks - All they can do is watch it burn and protect the few houses and ranch buildings.

Las Animas Junction is where the 1875 Santa Fe northern transcon meets the 1936 ATSF/DC&CV Boise City-Amarillo line east of Las Animas.

Might investigate after the fire is over/out and see if we can spot any remnants of the 1873-1878 Arkansas Valley RR with all the vegitation gone.

 

https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Brush-fire-burning-near--in-Bent-County-508149601.html

 

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 Friday, April 5, 2019 4:36 PM

evening

Getting spring fever here.Looked like the Ns local set some cars out before I got off work.Came home and put the snow equipment away.We got out the chairs and statues and such.Was told great niece is coming to the new high school for a dance show.It will be my first time in the new Defiance high school.Going to go get cleaned up.

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, April 4, 2019 2:25 PM

afternoon

Rainy and chilly here in Nw Ohio.Ns has a westbound yard mix in the siding.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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 Wednesday, April 3, 2019 6:51 PM

Breezy here as well - saw 27 MPH on the weather station at the fire station a short time ago, and my home weather station has 31 MPH as a high...

At least it's mostly sunny and not too cold.

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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  • From: US
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 3:32 PM

While March is supposed to come in like a Lion and depart as a Lamb - this year it seems that the animal kingdom got reversed - March started as a Lamb and ended as a windy Lion - and the wind continues into April - great kite flying weather.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 2:39 PM

afternoon

Nice sunshine.Ns had a mixed train waiting in the siding after work.Chores to do here.Not quite dry enough to get things out of the shed yet.

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").

 

  • Member since
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:53 PM

afternoon

Ns local was uptown when I got off work.We stopped after work and ordered the coffee cake for our"Sonrise" service.The sunshine is nice.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").

 

  • Member since
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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 1, 2019 8:49 PM

The sunshine was nice here all day - melted the inch of snow we got overnight.

Not by much, though.  The home weather station says it never got above +35F, and then there was that wind...

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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