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Chatterbox Summer 2019

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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
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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 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 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 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?

_____________ 

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

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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 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
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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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

_____________ 

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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 Deggesty on Friday, July 19, 2019 8:03 AM

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.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, July 19, 2019 7:06 AM

Heat advisories for today and tomorrow here.  There's rain in the forecast, but they say it'll be scattered.  Don't need a gullywasher like Joe had yesterday - watched one of them pass through Deshler on the cam - cut visibility down to a hundred yards or so.

Just finished running the morning ham radio net - time for some light chores before I camp out in front of the box fan.

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, July 19, 2019 6:53 AM

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.

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 Thursday, July 18, 2019 8:26 PM

evening

Had a ditch filling downpour when we left work today.Picked up my nieces box for delivery Saturday.Went and took brother out.We watched CSX work in Garrett.(cars were not in order said the crew) Went back up to the Ns line.Trains started coming because of a work curfew being lifted.Saw the Ns local going back to Elkhart and he had a former conrail caboose with him.An Ns Mow employee was locking up his machine as it sat with the other tonka toys in Edgerton.Going to keep cool the next couple days.Plenty of water on hand for us.

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 Thursday, July 18, 2019 2:35 PM

Pushing 100 degrees here. (Humidity or not, that's still too much heat)

Jeff: Intimately familiar with Eagle and Falcon Avenues, west of Carroll. The old stone abutments at Eagle have now seen their third bridge and different alignment over the years. (the stone walls now don't really need to be there)...Froze our butts off, working in an Iowa snowstorm. (and then there is the cut in the hill east of the Arcadia elevators at the "divide" ... plus Maple River Jcn (CNW abandoned at MP 262.5 in 1986 to Ida Grove)

Saturday could be a 20 degree drop in temperature plus the unstable weather as the front passes through.

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 Thursday, July 18, 2019 11:10 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH
Today through Saturday are supposed to be real scorchers.

Same here - just planning to "play it cool."  Not bad for now.

If we get reports of people having serious trouble with the heat, we could probably open up the FD Banquet Hall as a cooling station.

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 Thursday, July 18, 2019 6:51 AM

Today through Saturday are supposed to be real scorchers.  My ride this morning was slightly late due to a few speed restrictions because of the heat.  It will probably be worse tomorrow.  Metra is already alerting people about the speed restrictions and resulting delays.

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 Wednesday, July 17, 2019 2:29 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Niece called and asked while you are coming down this way....Chores to do here.Going to get started on them.

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 jeffhergert on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 9:50 PM

ChuckCobleigh

 

 
jeffhergert
Well, you can see my arm and the lime green of my vest and a little bit redness of the Kromer.

 

How about this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUDN3zFg1jA

 

The first scene, coming into Carroll, I'm sitting behind the engineer in the cab of 4014.  The other scenes, I'm back in the cab of the 8167.

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 8:15 PM

evening

Ns had the local uptown when I left work.Went to a meeting in Deshler tonight.Csxs local D743 did it's run around.Also q 508 had some interesting cars as well.I did see q 192 with it's mix of stacks and produce cars on the way home.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").

 

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 3:04 PM

I enjoyed seeing the videos of the UP special train. The locomotives whistle reminded me the N&W;s J whistle, which enjoyed hearing when #42 was leaving Bristol--whether I was standing by it or out at t my college, about a mile and three-fifths  away.

Johnny

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 12:58 PM

jeffhergert
Well, you can see my arm and the lime green of my vest and a little bit redness of the Kromer.

How about this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUDN3zFg1jA

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 11:32 AM

blhanel

Well, drat.

 

Got a nice video of 4014 eastbound at the J Avenue overpass just west of the Kate Shelley Bridge, but didn't see a waving Kromer in it.  Catch you daydreaming, Jeff?

https://youtu.be/YdwEn1LaKoc

Then, the camera wasn't ready when I finally did see you sitting in the helper unit in Boone.

 

More pictures to follow...

 

 

Well, you can see my arm and the lime green of my vest and a little bit redness of the Kromer.

Jeff 

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Monday, July 15, 2019 10:33 PM

Tough work but somebody's got to do it. Happy for you.

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