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Chatterbox Summer 2019

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, July 19, 2019 8:13 AM

morning

Stacey had the day off so I took it off too.Yardwork is done.Matt has his ticket for the rail excursion on the former DT&I.It is going from Leipsic to Diann Michigan and back in October.I will be on the ground waiting for it to get pictures.Going to go keep cool.

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 Paul of Covington on Friday, July 19, 2019 12:37 PM

Deggesty

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH

We got a break yesterday when a thunderstorm passed through in the late morning to early afternoon.  Kept the temperature down but drove the humidity up.  Today it was already 84 degrees at 5:15AM with humidity to match.  Morning train was on time, not sure about this afternoon.

 

 

 

That reminds me of the two months I spent in Baton ROuge in the summer of 1953--rain was nice in the afternoon, but the water evaporating from the pavement made the heat worse.

 

   Yep, timing is everything.  If it rains too early in the afternoon, you get a steambath; if it rains late in the afternoon then clears up at night, you get a very rare thing down here: a cool morning.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, July 21, 2019 5:43 AM

morning

Had a good visit visit yesterday with a family friend.My dad recognized who she was.Sisters and friend traded grandma stories.I was just the driver.Niece did get her box.Did see some CSX and Ns action but did not stop.We have church.Matt gets to help with lunch and do dishes tonight.Tomorrow it's back to work.

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, July 22, 2019 9:37 AM
Man retirement is a ot of work!!!! I need a job just to relax!!!
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, July 22, 2019 10:45 AM

BOB WITHORN
Man retirement is a ot of work!!!! I need a job just to relax!!!
 

 
Which is why this son of a 306th BG man is still working.  Who knows what my wife would come up with for me if I retired.
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 JoeKoh on Monday, July 22, 2019 3:17 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Ran an errand in town.Came home and contractors were getting ready to redo our street.They are grinding today.Repave tomorrow.Time to do some 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 BaltACD on Monday, July 22, 2019 8:41 PM

Now getting the 'Weather Guessers' preempting regular programming to talk their way through the entirety of a Tornado Warning.  

They broke into programming at 9:28 and the Warning is to be in effect until 9:45 and it has been the same verbiage used being cut and sliced and rearranged since they started - NWS expired the warning at 9:40 and the BS stopped and cut to commercial on the 'regular programming.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 7:19 AM

I get texts for various weather events - I could get them for things like earthquakes, etc, but there's no need for that.

The problem is when there's an on-going weather event, like the recent heat wave or good ol' lake effect snow, and they send out the same text every two hours.  Really? For two days? I got it the first time...  

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 9:43 AM

tree68
I get texts for various weather events - I could get them for things like earthquakes, etc, but there's no need for that.

The problem is when there's an on-going weather event, like the recent heat wave or good ol' lake effect snow, and they send out the same text every two hours.  Really? For two days? I got it the first time...  

In addition to 'grabbing' the programming the screen also contained a 'scroll' of the warnings and that areas that were covered by the warnings and their times of expiration across the top of the screen both during the 'cut in' and while regular programming was taken place.

I am guessing - the station(s) have secured new radar equipment that can detect wind movements within a storm and the radar has a supervising computer program that can detect wind conditions that have the signature of a tornado.  At the time there were NO REPORTED SIGHTINGS of tornados.  I don't know if any later investigation of damages in the appropriate areas my have tornadic indications.  My view is they just wanted to show off their new 'toy'.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 1:28 PM

BaltACD
I am guessing - the station(s) have secured new radar equipment that can detect wind movements within a storm and the radar has a supervising computer program that can detect wind conditions that have the signature of a tornado.

That's within the capabilities of the WSR-88D radar (and accompanying software) the NWS uses.  I doubt most TV stations bother to maintain their own radar any more.  The WSR-88D is that which is known as "Doppler."

New capabilities have been added to the WSR-88D that allow a better reading of what the radar is seeing.

The Doppler radars take a full six minutes to do a complete volume scan at elevations ranging from 0.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees for "clear air" and up to 19.5 degrees in storm modes.  Some radars have recently had their lowest elevation reduced to zero degrees.

The couplet signature of rotation isn't hard to spot if you're looking at the relative storm velocities, which is a product available on some weather sites.  Seeing such rotation usually results in a "radar indicated" tornado report.  

NWS shares the data freely (and free), meaning local users (including broadcast stations) can do such over-the-top coverage.  Remember - if it bleeds, it leads...

Some years ago I recall reading about a TV station that would stay on the air overnight during potential storm situations.  They didn't broadcast any programming - just dead air.  They told their viewers to leave their TV's on (and tuned to that station), with the volume up.  If a storm warning was necessary, they would broadcast a tone to wake folks up, probably followed by information about the warning.

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 BaltACD on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 2:21 PM

tree68
BaltACD
I am guessing - the station(s) have secured new radar equipment that can detect wind movements within a storm and the radar has a supervising computer program that can detect wind conditions that have the signature of a tornado. 

That's within the capabilities of the WSR-88D radar (and accompanying software) the NWS uses.  I doubt most TV stations bother to maintain their own radar any more.  The WSR-88D is that which is known as "Doppler."

New capabilities have been added to the WSR-88D that allow a better reading of what the radar is seeing.

The Doppler radars take a full six minutes to do a complete volume scan at elevations ranging from 0.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees for "clear air" and up to 19.5 degrees in storm modes.  Some radars have recently had their lowest elevation reduced to zero degrees.

The couplet signature of rotation isn't hard to spot if you're looking at the relative storm velocities, which is a product available on some weather sites.  Seeing such rotation usually results in a "radar indicated" tornado report.  

NWS shares the data freely (and free), meaning local users (including broadcast stations) can do such over-the-top coverage.  Remember - if it bleeds, it leads...

Some years ago I recall reading about a TV station that would stay on the air overnight during potential storm situations.  They didn't broadcast any programming - just dead air.  They told their viewers to leave their TV's on (and tuned to that station), with the volume up.  If a storm warning was necessary, they would broadcast a tone to wake folks up, probably followed by information about the warning.

In this area - TV station don't broadcast dead air during the wee hours, however, they do interrupt programming to broadcast the warnings and the warning tone, which seems to be broadcast at about 10dB or more louder than the program's audio level.  You also get the NWS 'computerized' announcement of the warning and a rebroadcast of the tone at the conclusion of the message.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 2:35 PM

   Larry, you just reminded me of something I read back in the 1960's (I think), about using the TV set directly as a tornado warning.  You would select broadcast (not cable) channel 2 or 13 (It was one end of the VHF channels--I don't remember which.), then adjust the brightness control so the screen just turned black.  If there was a tornado in the area, the continuous lightning activity in it would turn the screen white.   Does anyone else remember this?

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 4:32 PM

evening

Did some yardwork tonight.Neighbor asked for some landscape help as well.Matt started the project but I finished it.He is doing dishes now.Going to get some 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 2:25 PM

afternoon

Ns had a mixed frieght going in the siding.The local was also uptown switching when I left work.Matt is done with his classes for now.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 mudchicken on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 5:26 PM

Paul of Covington

   Larry, you just reminded me of something I read back in the 1960's (I think), about using the TV set directly as a tornado warning.  You would select broadcast (not cable) channel 2 or 13 (It was one end of the VHF channels--I don't remember which.), then adjust the brightness control so the screen just turned black.  If there was a tornado in the area, the continuous lightning activity in it would turn the screen white.   Does anyone else remember this?

 

I don't ever remember this in SW Ohio.... Local lore?

Ominous black clouds to the west of here (the mountains vanished)... Hoping for more rain and a smaller water bill.

Just back from Durango - expected to see miles of black trees and ashes*, but nope. Steam engines running normally and I love the sound of those rascals as they start climbing/working at speed above Hermosa before the first stop at Rockwood (wye)

* The "416" fire of last year claimed no houses or structures, big as it was. There is a "441" fire up there now, well to the east of the railroad (lightning fire) that they are going to let burn. (nice, moist and green this year)

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 Wednesday, July 24, 2019 5:44 PM

mudchicken
I don't ever remember this in SW Ohio.... Local lore?

I don't recall where it was - on the plains somewhere, I think.

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 Electroliner 1935 on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 6:09 PM

Yes,I remember this. Back when I got my first TV when I got married in 1959. I believe the WLW TV station's weather man promoted the idea. I tried it during a thunderstorm and saw some light streaks, not enough to make the screen glow. 19" B & W Zenith.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, July 25, 2019 2:28 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a load of sailboat fuel(empty well cars) west when I got off work.Chores to do here.Matt 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 JoeKoh on Friday, July 26, 2019 5:01 PM

evening

Ns had an eastbound coal train go by after work.Went uptown to see the progress of the ND&W rebuild.Went by the CSX MOW shak and saw a crumpled csx truck.Went to the crossing where it happened and crews were rebuilding the gate,crossbuck and had a new crossing shed as well.Too many questions to say what happened.Was just wondering why there wasn't a lookout person assigned as they were fixing the crossing.Trains were coming by the crossing at normal speed.(they were working outside the gates but still??)

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, July 26, 2019 7:26 PM

Update

Csx truck was stolen from the Mow shak near Fc.Left near the road crossing.Hope they find the guy that stole it.

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, July 27, 2019 10:55 AM

We had our fifteen seconds with UP 4014 yesterday afternoon, and my Facebook feed is full of great pictures and videos of its trip from Butler to West Chicago.  

My best takeaway from the whole experience was the broad grin of my young friend after he'd seen the train (he hadn't been next to me when it went through).  The best takeaway for everybody--especially the railroad--should be the round of applause that erupted after the train had passed.  Nobody who mattered could hear that, but it absolutely felt like the right thing to do.

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 Sunday, July 28, 2019 5:22 AM

Morning

Watched some csx yesterday.Last night they were playing where are we going to put that? Going to go watch some more 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 mudchicken on Monday, July 29, 2019 11:56 AM

 

From ABC News:

Amtrak struck and killed a box truck Sunday........What? Huh?

"An Amtrak train struck and killed a box truck in northern Illinois on Sunday night, killing the driver, authorities said."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/truck-driver-dies-when-vehicle-struck-by-amtrak-train-in-illinois/ar-AAF0TaD?ocid=spartandhp

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 zardoz on Monday, July 29, 2019 12:55 PM

mudchicken
Amtrak struck and killed a box truck Sunday........What?

I hope it wasn't a mothertrucker.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, July 29, 2019 1:56 PM

The truck in question was lettered for a local plumber or other tradesman, which might give you a fair idea of its size.  The driver was killed.  Early reports suggest that he was trying to drive around lowered crossing gates.

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 JoeKoh on Monday, July 29, 2019 2:29 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Matt did errands for me today.Mother nature looks like she wants to send rain.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 tree68 on Monday, July 29, 2019 3:47 PM

Sunday was a complete loss to me - I napped most of the day.  

Saturday I worked a late train ("Haunted History," in the woods, in the dark, with actors trying to scare the bejesus out of the guests), followed by a late drive home.  Just as I hit the bed at home, the pager went off for an accident involving a state trooper.  So much for much sleep Sunday early.

I normally run an amateur radio net on Monday mornings - this morning conditions (or something) dropped out to the point that someone else had to take it over.  Great fun.

At least it only got to +85F today...

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 mudchicken on Monday, July 29, 2019 4:26 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

The truck in question was lettered for a local plumber or other tradesman, which might give you a fair idea of its size.  The driver was killed.  Early reports suggest that he was trying to drive around lowered crossing gates.

 

...snuffed himself, eh?

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 ChuckCobleigh on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 2:42 PM

zardoz
I hope it wasn't a mothertrucker.

You reminded me of a great Playboy cartoon from the sixties depicting a minor traffic accident between a sedan and a “Mother's Cookies” truck with the truck driver advancing on the sedan driver with a menacing demeaner and the sedan driver saying, “What I said was you Mother's truckers should be more careful.”

Man, I miss the likes of Buck Brown, John Dempsey and Gahan Wilson.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:30 PM

evening

Ns sent a westbound stack train and the local was uptown after work.Matt helped a bit with the yard then went to do dishes.Reminded Matt to charge up the camera for Saturday.Still has videos he wants to upload from earlier this year.Got a picture from pen pal.Going to see if we can figure it out.It's of Penn Central in 1969.(before I was born).

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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