Trains.com

Chatterbox Summer 2019

14155 views
254 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, August 11, 2019 5:12 PM

Sorry, MC, I was out of there a week ago, and Joe was ahead of me.  Pat and I went to New Albany, Indiana, for their art and history museum (an old Carnegie Library), to see their Underground Railroad exhibit.  Not much to see in Louisville, though I did find a former Coors tank car there.

Reunions...both of us are past our 50th, two years ago.  In a couple of weeks we'll be going up for my 70th!  The classmates decided to hold a birthday party instead of a graduation-anniversary party (any excuse for a party).  Our class--known in the high school as that class, with the emphasis on class--has been pretty good about keeping in touch with and visiting each other.  If classmates come to visit Chicagoland for almost any reason except to change flights, we'll usually go visit with '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)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, August 12, 2019 3:26 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown.They also sent a power move westbound.Ran errands in town.Have other chores to get done.Mother nature is sending us some 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, August 12, 2019 8:08 PM

Well, wrapping up my "vacation" (I guess retired people can take vacations, too...), back on the road tomorrow.  I'll be going through Ontario on the 402 and 401.  The 402 (Sarnia to London) is pretty sane.  The 401, on the other hand, is a real zoo.  The good part is that once I get off the 401, I'm about 20 miles from my house.

Paddled a kayak down the Huron River today - about 2.5 hours.  Haven't been down the river in over 50 years, but it's still a pleasant trip.  For a fair part of it you're reminded that you're only a couple hundred yards (at most) from civilization, but portions are out of range of most traffic noise and you're out in the "boonies," so to speak.

May have rescued a snapping turtle today during the kayak trip - it looked like it had gotten someone's fishing line/bait and was dragging a fair amount of the line around.  There were a lot of weeds hung up on the line, and I could tell it was getting very fatigued.  I was able to cut the fishing line and perhaps it was able to get into shallow water and rest.

I did confirm that Lake State Railroad is now operating much of the CSX Saginaw Sub.  Saw one train, heard another, but they didn't run one today at about the same time, so I couldn't get a good picture.  Maybe next year.  There sure isn't the traffic on the line I remember when I was a kid.

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
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 6:53 AM

Your experience on 401 sounds similar to driving I-15 between Las Vegas and Barstow.  Once I got past Primm, the situation quickly became a case of keeping up with traffic at 80 MPH or risk getting run over.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 2:27 PM

afternoon

Ns local was working uptown after work.Csx update from yesterday.Csx has a mess near Carey Ohio.Fire crews were busy at the maumee river bridge trying to figure out how to put out a fire underneath the bridge.Friend was a conductor for an eastbound out of Chicago.He had the CNW heritage unit on the point.It was dark and rainy by the time he got through our area.Got to North Baltimore at 11:45 pm.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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 4:34 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Your experience on 401 sounds similar to driving I-15 between Las Vegas and Barstow.  Once I got past Primm, the situation quickly became a case of keeping up with traffic at 80 MPH or risk getting run over.

Only 80?  Got caught one time in the north of Toronto when they'd temporarily configured the express lanes from three to four in each direction.  I (along with a lot of other drivers) was in the left hand lane, almost within reach of the Jersey barriers in bumper to bumper (literally) traffic, doing 85.  And I wonder why I have arthritis in my fingers...

Survived today's transit - Toronto wasn't bad, just a couple of almost stops.

The open road was a pain.  The semi drivers seem to like to pass each other with about a half mile per hour difference in their speed.

And when I did pass a slower driver, it seemed that while there was no one in sight behind me when I started the pass, there was almost always someone on my bumper about half way through the pass, eager to race on...

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 4:35 PM

good evening

Ns had a westbound and local around when I left work.Came home and took care of yardwork.Also have things prepped for supper as soon as Mamma gets home.Matt is off doing 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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, August 15, 2019 2:36 PM

afternoon

Ns had an eastbound stack train and local working when I left work.Chores to do here.Matt is going over to Garrett for the model RR club.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").

 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Friday, August 16, 2019 8:36 PM

tree68
 

The open road was a pain.  The semi drivers seem to like to pass each other with about a half mile per hour difference in their speed.

And when I did pass a slower driver, it seemed that while there was no one in sight behind me when I started the pass, there was almost always someone on my bumper about half way through the pass, eager to race on...

 

Sounds real familiar to me currently- Joanie and I are finishing up a cross-country trip to Florida and back.  Tonight we're in Hendersonville, NC- gonna run through Great Smoky Mountains NP tomorrow to Paducah, then home Sunday.  Did get in one "brief" train ride yesterday in Spencer, NC- the NC Transportation Museum's high-nose diesel and half a dozen passenger cars do a short run to the end of the railyard and then back them up to the depot.  They do have an impressive amount of vintage vehicles on display, and working on more, including an older passenger plane.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, August 16, 2019 8:53 PM

evening

Ns was clear after work.Took brother out this evening.Went down to New Haven and was he was able to see the 765 as they were shutting down for the day.Csx and Ns both were having problems where to put trains.We saw  L 75 and L 91 on Ns both with high hood locomotives still in use.Matt is still doing dishes right now.

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, August 16, 2019 9:00 PM

tree68
The open road was a pain.  The semi drivers seem to like to pass each other with about a half mile per hour difference in their speed.

And when I did pass a slower driver, it seemed that while there was no one in sight behind me when I started the pass, there was almost always someone on my bumper about half way through the pass, eager to race on...

I-81 through the Carolina's and Virginia - half a MPH difference between semis passing each other would be 'buzzing the tower' - more like 0.01 MPH difference - one time was stuck behind 1 truck passing 1 other truck from one exit to the next.  Never again.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, August 18, 2019 5:23 AM

Balt I-81 in the Carolinas?

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, August 18, 2019 7:26 AM

blue streak 1
Balt I-81 in the Carolinas?

I routed from Jacksonville to MD one time  - I95-I26-I77-I81 - I forget where the change off between 77 and 81 happened - however, I am told portions of that route and I85 are the prime route for truck between the Northeast and Southeast, as it avoids all the tolls that are on a i95 route between Richmond and New York.  Once off I95 the route is nominally all 2 lanes in each direction - so truck passing truck is a big impediment factor.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, August 18, 2019 8:42 AM

BaltACD
however, I am told portions of that route and I85 are the prime route for truck between the Northeast and Southeast, as it avoids all the tolls that are on a i95 route between Richmond and New York. Once off I95 the route is nominally all 2 lanes in each direction - so truck passing truck is a big impediment factor.

81 is nothing but solid trucks MD and PA.

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

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, August 18, 2019 3:11 PM

afternoon

Mother nature sent us a downpur.Saw the local working Gm when I came home.Time to get stuff for 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").

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, August 18, 2019 3:16 PM

zugmann
 
BaltACD
however, I am told portions of that route and I85 are the prime route for truck between the Northeast and Southeast, as it avoids all the tolls that are on a i95 route between Richmond and New York. Once off I95 the route is nominally all 2 lanes in each direction - so truck passing truck is a big impediment factor. 

81 is nothing but solid trucks MD and PA.

Virginia too

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by Convicted One on Sunday, August 18, 2019 6:47 PM

JoeKoh
Saw the local working Gm when I came home

 

Hey Joe, being the well traveled Buckeye that you are, can you identify which business or buisnesses are in operation at this location on NS's Fostoria District, due south of Fremont OH?

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.24482,-83.11745&z=16&t=SL

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, August 18, 2019 7:09 PM

BaltACD
Virginia too

81 through Virginia is torture.  The state never ends.

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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, August 18, 2019 7:30 PM

zugmann
81 through Virginia is torture.  The state never ends.

That's how I've always felt about PA...

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, August 18, 2019 7:56 PM

Come, come, now; if you are driving south on 81, Virginia does end a just a little west of Bristol.Big Smile

My worst experience in driving in Virginia came in 1989 when I drove from Greensboro, N.C>, to Culpeper on a Sunday afternoon. The big rigs would pass us going downhill, andwe would pass them going up hill. I had felt a lot safer driving on various highways in West Virginia--including one had  only one paved lane.

In 2010, we visited my sister-in-law who was living in Lewisburg, W. Va., and she had advised us not to take 81 because of truck traffic. SOmehow, there was little truck traffic where we used 81.

How do like the section near Wytheville where you are going south on 81 and north on 77 at the same time?

Johnny

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, August 18, 2019 7:58 PM

The Industry is called Church and Dwight according to Goggle maps.Have no idea what they make.There is also a LP gas facility to the east.

The rain did stop.Did get to see the CSX local go back to Garrett.Q 368 had some nice tractors going east.Also K 603 had the CNW 1995 on the point.Crew was reporting problems with the 2nd engine.Sounds like mother nature is getting ready to release round 2 of rain.Time for bed.

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
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, August 18, 2019 8:04 PM

Church and Dwight is known for, among other things, Arm & Hammer products.

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)

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, August 18, 2019 9:41 PM

Hey, Carl - the CNW commemorative unit went through Deshler 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...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, August 18, 2019 11:20 PM

I saw...what are the odds of CSX not messing it up?

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)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, August 19, 2019 2:33 PM

afternoon

Ns had some cars uptown after work.Muggy out today.The 1995 was on the point.It was the 2nd unit with a bad battery(also a Up engine).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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, August 19, 2019 3:31 PM

CShaveRR
I saw...what are the odds of CSX not messing it up?

About the same odds as any other railroad - especially with newly touted CSX Safety Improvements.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 7:24 PM

good evening

Ns had an eastbound autorack train with Up power.There was also a westbound stack train waiting when I left work.Went to our monthly Deshler meeting.An empty ballast train came and parked in the east siding.There were plenty of trains on the way home.Need to 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 7:51 PM

There was a train of windmill blades through Deshler this morning - pretty impressive.

Gotta move some video files from my kayak trip last week over to the "big" computer so I can edit them and splice them into one or two videos.  That'll probably be done by next week.

Wednesday, it's "Princesses and Super Heros" on the railroad.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 9:43 PM

tree68

There was a train of windmill blades through Deshler this morning - pretty impressive.

Gotta move some video files from my kayak trip last week over to the "big" computer so I can edit them and splice them into one or two videos.  That'll probably be done by next week.

Wednesday, it's "Princesses and Super Heros" on the railroad.

 

Her highness, Captain Fomite?

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 3:45 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Came home and mowed the swamp.Guessers say highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's for the next couple days.Bring it on.More 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").

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy