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Chatterbox Winter 2019-2020

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 3:06 PM

JoeKoh
.Friend that retired from work wonders when she can get a day off.

Ain't that the truth.

Recovering from the weekend in MA by working on doll house for granddaughter.  The catch?  Need to deliver it by Sunday.  I think I can pull it off.

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 JoeKoh on Thursday, January 30, 2020 3:58 PM

afternoon

Ns sent an eastbound stack train after work today.Went into Defiance to do errands.Saw the ND&W switching and csx sent q 016 eastbound as well.Sounds like first thing tomorrow the ND&W will be crossing FC to go west.Took the day off to talk to a local group about trains.They have come to Deshler a couple of times.Going to open up the museum for them when it gets warmer.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 Thursday, January 30, 2020 4:02 PM

A high school group in Saranac Lake,  NY, launched a balloon this morning from their school.  It got to 55,000 feet before the balloon burst, and the package came down in Vermont.   It's reachable where it landed, I believe, but I'm not sure if they chased it all the way over.  Pretty cool, regardless.

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 Friday, January 31, 2020 12:36 PM

1-2" of snow overnight - First real snow here since Thanksgiving week.

71 degrees on Superbowl Sunday then single digits and 6-8" of snow on Monday.

To the north, I-80 at Sherman Hill had a 20+ car pileup this morning and our survey crew is having a rough time getting back from western CO on I-70.

2020 is off to a strange start.

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, January 31, 2020 2:03 PM

afternoon

Had snow showers this morning then sunshine.The Nd&w got started west past Fc okay then got stuck in some mud.Csx's J 715 had 1 car for omni.Problem is they had too much other train and it would take them out of the block.Finally figured out the gon went to omni and dropped it off.Lunch was good with the Deshler fans today.Then helped them and thier teacher learn more about trains and Deshler.They would like to come and do a cookout when it gets warmer.Saw csx q 170 cross over at Fc on the way home.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 Saturday, February 1, 2020 3:45 PM

evening

Not the best weather day here.Been watching the Deshler rail cam.Engine had to come from Lima turn on the wyes and go back just to work.Matt is doing dishes tonight.Going to watch for another train q 510 come north.

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 blhanel on Saturday, February 1, 2020 3:52 PM

Joe, what is Fc shorthand for?  Is that Fostoria?

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, February 1, 2020 5:31 PM

blhanel
Joe, what is Fc shorthand for?  Is that Fostoria?

Defiance - Fostoria was F Tower.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, February 1, 2020 7:33 PM

Spent the day back at college.

Our local community college throws a shindig called "Super Science Saturday" showcasing, what else - science.

Our amateur radio booth was quite popular.  The kids like tapping their names out in Morse code, and getting a bracelet with their name in Morse (in beads) was very popular.  So were the little breadboard kits with a buzzer and pushbutton on which the could tap out their name in Morse, and take with them when they were done.  We had prepared some 60 of the kits and nearly ran out.

I'm not sure how well some of the moms and dads were when the little buzzers got home.

We had three National Honor Society students helping out (community service credit).  One is already a ham, and an other was showing great interest, working with one of our Morse code proficient folks for quite a while.  

All in all, it was a good day.  

 

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 Sunday, February 2, 2020 7:08 PM

evening

Went to church and gave happy anniversaries to G+G.Had sunshine this afternoon.Matt's boss called and said he could take the night off.We went to Deshler.Saw some trains made new friends.Saw a CDOT bl20ghm engine going east on q 368.Were blocked in for a bit by q 351's crew change.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 mudchicken on Monday, February 3, 2020 1:28 AM

Yay! - Flyover country & a small market team prevails this year.

Thermometer has started its overnight crash dive. Chinook winds were pushing people around) Denver was warmer than Miami today by 5 degrees. La Junta was 5 degrees warmer still, but near-blizzard conditions expected on Monday afternoon. (Don't like the weather here? - Wait 15 minutes)....Preparing to avoid the ditch-hunters tomorrow.

 

 

 

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 Monday, February 3, 2020 7:59 AM

From what I can see out my window, we had a light snowfall last night; the mountains were supposed to have much more snow.

Johnny

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, February 3, 2020 10:16 AM

The sun finally showed itself yesterday, it was nice to see that it was light until almost 5 PM.  Temp made it to 50, so most of the remaining snow melted.

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 tree68 on Monday, February 3, 2020 10:43 AM

We've gotten a light dusting overnight the past few days - just enough to turn everything white again.

Driving to my daughter's house yesterday I encountered a classic lake effect band.  Curtain across road, a few miles later, it was back to clear sailing.  The heavy snow got at least one driver, though.  I could still pick up our fire dispatch as they called out an FD and ambulance for a rollover within that belt.

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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  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, February 3, 2020 12:43 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

The sun finally showed itself yesterday, it was nice to see that it was light until almost 5 PM.  Temp made it to 50, so most of the remaining snow melted.



Pat says that she heard on the news that the length of daylight has increased by about 20 minutes a day since the last time the sun was out!  

The highest temperature I saw (McArthur) was 54.

I noticed that the sun is now higher in the sky...I can actually drive somewhere without having to lower the visor in the middle of the afternoon while headed into it.  

Life goes on...


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 Deggesty on Monday, February 3, 2020 1:40 PM

It has been snowing all morning. I cannot tell how deep it is from my room, but I heard that schools are closed and the city libray is closed today. The temperature is 22 here now.

Our recptionist who is usually here on time Mondays was 15 minutes late coming in.

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, February 3, 2020 1:45 PM

The front end of what hit Johnny got into Denver about 11am. Fortunately the SuperBowl after-effects kept lots of people off the streets, but a few still found the ditches including a semi that took out six cars and made a liquor store a drive-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
  • Member since
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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, February 3, 2020 2:36 PM

afternoon

Ns had some cars to switch uptown when I left work.Had some guys looking at the crossing uptown as well.Maybe going to finally put in the gates and lights uptown?

Chores to do.Matt has to do dishes.

By the Way FC is the crossing between the ND&W shortline and Csx on the west side of Defiance.The Nd&w is limited to 10 mph over the diamond.

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 MikeF90 on Monday, February 3, 2020 4:10 PM

After the 49er's implosion I checked to see how far the cold front had moved. The winds in SoCal were astonishing. Tehachapi had 30+ mph continuous with gusts over 60. Grade crossing gates were waving around wildly and not coming down sometimes. Trains were moving much slower than normal.  Barstow and Cajon pass were similarly affected.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, February 3, 2020 5:42 PM

update

Deshler traffic jam as q 351 changes crews.Clinton street can opener claims another box truck 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").

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, February 3, 2020 7:58 PM

Evening update: it snowed almost all day, with 9" (it amounted to less than an inch of water) in Salt Lake City--and much more to the south of the valley. 

By 3:45, the Highway Patrol reported 247 crashes; it was not stated if this was a local number or statewide. One poor benighted driver stopped on I-15 to put his chains on; apparently he was not hit.

Current temperature is  23; it is expected to drop another 10 degrees during the night.

MC--it looks as though you should keep your Scottie indoors.

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, February 3, 2020 9:38 PM

Duncan R. Scottie is out romping in it. Until his black flagpole disappears, he's good to go. Turns 4 years old on Friday and is very hardy.

Four inches of fine powder so far and headed to single digit temps. tonite.

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 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 9:58 AM

The local humor columnist had an interesting observation in this morning's paper (he moved here from California several years back)--"It didn't take long to learn the worst thing about snow--that it actually lowers the collective IQ of wherever it happens to be falling."

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 5:31 PM

evening

Ns had an eastbound coal train after work.There was also a westbound coming as well.Matt and I went into town.Our washing rock broke so we went and got another one.Matt helped hook up the new hoses too.Chores to do 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 tree68 on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 7:13 PM

Deggesty
...that it actually lowers the collective IQ of wherever it happens to be falling."

Mainly as it applies to driving...

And the effect seems to be immediate.

I don't need an alarm clock if it's snowing first thing in the morning - the scanner chatter for all the cars off the road is enough to wake me up.

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 8:12 PM

tree68
 
Deggesty
...that it actually lowers the collective IQ of wherever it happens to be falling." 

Mainly as it applies to driving...

And the effect seems to be immediate.

I don't need an alarm clock if it's snowing first thing in the morning - the scanner chatter for all the cars off the road is enough to wake me up.

The corollary is the the fewer drivers on the road in snowy conditions, they 'better' they think they are.  The more drivers the worse they actually are.

When you make a mistake with no one on the roads - you can generally get yourself out of it.  When you make amistak amongst thousands of other vehicles - you will hit at least one of them.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 9:28 PM

We are getting snow later--maybe starting tomorrow--and it may be "an accumulating event".

In other news, possibly related, my elder granddaughter has gotten her learner's permit, effective today.

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
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  • From: Northern New York
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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 10:21 PM

CShaveRR
In other news, possibly related, my elder granddaughter has gotten her learner's permit, effective today.

I have, I think, 4 years before that happens - depends on where they live at the time.

I'll have a better idea of what our snow outlook is tomorrow when I get the NWS emergency manager's briefing for our area.  One map I saw showed snow over a long swath of the 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...

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 10:10 AM

CShaveRR

We are getting snow later--maybe starting tomorrow--and it may be "an accumulating event".

In other news, possibly related, my elder granddaughter has gotten her learner's permit, effective today.

 
My grandson also has his permit, don't think that Dad will let him on the road for the next few days (I hope)Whistling
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 BaltACD on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 2:28 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH
 
CShaveRR

We are getting snow later--maybe starting tomorrow--and it may be "an accumulating event".

In other news, possibly related, my elder granddaughter has gotten her learner's permit, effective today. 

My grandson also has his permit, don't think that Dad will let him on the road for the next few days (I hope)Whistling

Presuming there is a nearby expanse of paved space that no longer has cars parked or too many light poles - take the 'new' drivers out and let them learn from experience how to spin or stop the spinning of a vehicle.  Real world skills that are rarely if ever taught to drivers.

My Dad took me to a nearby shopping center when it snowed so I could learn the critical aspects of car control - fortunately in the middle 60's parking lots weren't 'beautified' with flower and tree planters all over the place.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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