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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Chatterbox Spring 2020
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, March 19, 2020 4:26 PM

afternoon

First day of Spring.Mother Nature sent us showers.Ns was clear after work.Had to go to town for errands.Did see Csx send two eastbounds.Did get supper of Stacey's choosing for carry out.Not exactly what we had planned but it is what it is.Tomorrow is Friday and Stacey's birthday.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, March 19, 2020 5:52 PM

Ah, spring.  At least it's not snowing...  In fact, we may hear some bumps and rumbles here in the next couple of days.

FP popped up with a "remember this" post of mine from seven years ago.  There was a lot of inches of snow on my feeders...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Erik_Mag on Friday, March 20, 2020 1:24 AM

Looks like we have a few more days of rain coming up, which hopefully won't be contributing to a nasty fire season this fall.

Not really sure what to make of the edict from Sacramento, can do a little bit of work from home.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, March 20, 2020 12:06 PM

Working from home until further notice.  At least I'm still working, which is better than a lot of people.

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 Erik_Mag on Friday, March 20, 2020 2:41 PM

I did see a bright spot this morning, swung by B&N to pick up some reading material (Closed - ugh), then to Target for coffee and TP. The aisles for paper towels and TP were cordoned off with employees handing out packages to enforce the 1 package per customer rule - nice! With reports of TP substitutes clogging up sewers, it was nice to see some proactive measures being taken.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, March 20, 2020 2:51 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.California closed so I got to unload 2 containers that we were sending to them.Stacey is getting groceries.Reported case of bug in Defiance county.Not a good way to start a vacation.Have plenty of stuff to do here at home.

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 Friday, March 20, 2020 5:05 PM

The rate of new infections is apparently dropping, and they're finding existing meds that will treat the virus.  We'll see how long it takes to start relaxing the restrictions.

What they aren't making a big deal of is the number of the recoveries.  And that's something like 98% of the infections.

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, March 20, 2020 7:46 PM

I was scheduled to have my second cataract surgery this morning--and the response to the latest virus canceled that. I did have the postponed followup of the first eye with my opthalmologist this afternoon--and he decided that my left eye called for soon action, so I am now to go back to the Eye Center this coming Tuesday afternoon (no breakfast or lunch, even though I did not need general anaesthesia two weeks ago (morning surgery back them).

The great uproar over the earthquake has more or less died down; now there has to be general examination of the damage, and then repair or demolition.

Johnny

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Posted by rvos1979 on Friday, March 20, 2020 7:52 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Working from home until further notice.  At least I'm still working, which is better than a lot of people.

I'm going to be one tired SOB when this blows over, the two Georgia Pacific mills in Green Bay are running flat out at 120 percent capacity. Only so many trucks can be loaded in a day, and so many loads run. Not gonna complain about the money, though..........

Load of paper plates goes to Joliet tomorrow, then I go home until Monday. Next week will be junk, as the truck needs to be serviced, and I have a list for the mechanics..........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by SD70Dude on Friday, March 20, 2020 8:02 PM

rvos1979

I'm going to be one tired SOB when this blows over, the two Georgia Pacific mills in Green Bay are running flat out at 120 percent capacity. Only so many trucks can be loaded in a day, and so many loads run. Not gonna complain about the money, though..........

And let me guess, CN is all out of boxcars.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by mudchicken on Friday, March 20, 2020 11:02 PM

SD70Dude

 

 
rvos1979

I'm going to be one tired SOB when this blows over, the two Georgia Pacific mills in Green Bay are running flat out at 120 percent capacity. Only so many trucks can be loaded in a day, and so many loads run. Not gonna complain about the money, though..........

 

 

And let me guess, CN is all out of boxcars.

 

SD70Dude

 

 
rvos1979

I'm going to be one tired SOB when this blows over, the two Georgia Pacific mills in Green Bay are running flat out at 120 percent capacity. Only so many trucks can be loaded in a day, and so many loads run. Not gonna complain about the money, though..........

 

 

And let me guess, CN is all out of boxcars.

 

No, but the new grocery warehouse is nowhere near a spur or crossdock.

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 Saturday, March 21, 2020 5:59 AM

Good morning

Wating for daylight.Already have front porch carpet pulled out.It was a good idea for about 7 years.Need to pull out the rest of the staples and such.Matt will finish up wiring the yard on the layout today.Going to be chilly but sunny this weekend.Hopefully those old solutions provide the answers for this new bug.

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 rvos1979 on Saturday, March 21, 2020 4:20 PM

SD70Dude

And let me guess, CN is all out of boxcars.

The Broadway mill had all the tracks ripped out last year. The Day mill (Old Northern Tissue mill) is down to one track in the old shipping dock, rarely do I see CN in there..........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, March 22, 2020 12:13 PM

afternoon

J 715 was early this morning.Dropped off some more cars for scrap at Omni.They also took some tank cars further east to the elevators at Standley.Sounded like Ns was having signal outages around Toledo.Going to see what mother nature brings 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 MikeF90 on Sunday, March 22, 2020 3:31 PM

tree68
The rate of new infections is apparently dropping, and they're finding existing meds that will treat the virus. We'll see how long it takes to start relaxing the restrictions. What they aren't making a big deal of is the number of the recoveries. And that's something like 98% of the infections.

Sources and clarification please.  I've only heard that cases have peaked in China; for details see the Johns Hopkins map. Due to unpreparedness in the US, detection of existing non-symptomatic infections is still way behind.  I did hear that a local biotech company has received emergency approval to produce their test kit, time will tell.

EDIT: link to Ars Technica interview with Dr. Brilliant (!) who was involved with defeating smallpox. Straightforward and succinct talk. READ IT NOW.

And 98% 'recovery' means 2% clogging our hospitals or worse. Our areas main health care provider and hospital operator has issued strict guidelines about who is allowed to be tested - severe shortage of test kits and proper first responder PPE still exists. Practicing social distancing is the smart thing to do for the coming months - don't join the Free-dumb Party!

@Erik_Mag, surprised to hear that some store actually has TP and is controlling the distribution. With most families at home the reason for increased residential consumption is obvious. Except for price gougers no online availabilty seen yet.

@rvos1979, I'd like to hear from someone familiar with the paper industry about how flexible production machinery is. Facilities still cranking out paper plates seems idiotic and out-of-touch with reality.

Sorry for all the downers but this had to be said. Sad

Now back to railfanning. Just a SWAG, but traffic on the western main lines seems to have slowed down. On Tehachapi caught another meet at Woodford siding which seems unusual as it is only ~7000 ft long. 

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 22, 2020 6:14 PM

MikeF90

@rvos1979, I'd like to hear from someone familiar with the paper industry about how flexible production machinery is. Facilities still cranking out paper plates seems idiotic and out-of-touch with reality.

Paper plates were sold out at my local grocery store - along with paper towels and TP.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by rdamon on Sunday, March 22, 2020 6:20 PM

We may all die of the virus but our rear ends will be clean!

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 22, 2020 6:28 PM

Got the first batch of homemade masks from a local quilter today.  We've also got two bottles of food-grade disinfectant on hand.  It's packaged in liquor bottles by the distillery that's making it.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 22, 2020 7:47 PM

Local botique distiller is now producing hand sanitizer for local health care professionals.  Supposed to have the first batch moving out Wednesday.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, March 23, 2020 7:32 AM

BaltACD

Local botique distiller is now producing hand sanitizer for local health care professionals.  Supposed to have the first batch moving out Wednesday.

 

Hand sanitizer is next on the list for this local distiller as well.  The liquid sanitizer is available free to first response agencies, and for a price to others who need it.  All the hand sanitizer is going to the county health/EMS agencies for distro to local agencies.

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 MikeF90 on Monday, March 23, 2020 2:59 PM

If I was within easy driving distance of Oregon, maybe I'd chance trying to buy some Everclear (150 proof IIRC) to make some homemade hand sanitizer. Probably too late ....

Still no sign of paper products or bleach in stores around here, but I was Extremely lucky when a major online retailer had some TP available. We'll see if that order completes successfully; I keep reading that transportation firms are intimidating and otherwise abusing their employees to coerce them to work sick. Angry

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Monday, March 23, 2020 5:56 PM

   Kinda reminds me of WW-II when industries converted to wartime production.  Not that I remember it first-hand, though.

_____________ 

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, March 23, 2020 6:00 PM

Got word that my race scheduled for Easter weekend has been cancelled - two more events scheduled on the successive following weekends to find out about.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, March 23, 2020 6:57 PM

Paul of Covington

   Kinda reminds me of WW-II when industries converted to wartime production.  Not that I remember it first-hand, though.

A local hospital is looking for people with 3-D printers to make mask parts.  I'll get mine dusted off and see if it's capable of doing the job.  It may not be big enough.

The state corrections folks have ramped up hand sanitizer production.  Our county just got a big shipment that will be distributed to first reponder agencies.

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 rvos1979 on Monday, March 23, 2020 10:20 PM

BaltACD
MikeF90

@rvos1979, I'd like to hear from someone familiar with the paper industry about how flexible production machinery is. Facilities still cranking out paper plates seems idiotic and out-of-touch with reality.

Paper plates were sold out at my local grocery store - along with paper towels and TP.

Different paper mills use different processes to make different kinds of paper, a mill that is set up to make linerboard cannot be converted over to make tissue products, and vice versa. It is also cheaper for a mill to specialize in one type of paper. Georgia Pacific makes all sorts of paper products, they own Dixie, Bounty, Northern, and Angel Soft brands, to name a few. So, one load for me may be toilet paper, and the next load may be large rolls of linerboard going to a box plant to make cardboard boxes.............

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5:52 AM

Morning

Watching Csx from the web cam in Deshler.Plenty of welding going on in spots yesterday.Matt has finished the yard on our layout.Today he will probably keep working on cleaning the locomotives.Also have some cars that need some couplers.Have a guy coming today to talk about a tree.Need it down before mother nature decides to put it on my back porch.

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, March 25, 2020 4:59 AM

morning

Going to be the nicest day today.Have stuff to do in the yard.Can go for a walk in a park.Might get to see a train or two.

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, March 25, 2020 8:05 AM

Word came out overnite that the rest of the Denver Metro area (out here in the burbs) join the city in hunker-down mode tomorrow.

Can Boss-Hen tolerate this?

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 rvos1979 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 8:29 AM

Currently getting ready to leave a hotel in the St Louis area, truck was down for service. All the shop has left is the oil pan gasket, and it's ready to go. Then it's a Muskogee turn, paper towels out, not sure what's coming back to the Chicago area..........

In other news, the cavalry is coming: Sysco Foods, with one of the largest private fleets in the country serving the nation's restaurants, is shifting some of its supplies and trucks to the grocery supply chain, to help with the shortages...........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 9:35 AM

Randy-
     Is the issue with truckers being able to find food on the road as big a deal as some people are portraying it ot be?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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