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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 4, 2020 10:37 PM

Joe, I'm not getting much ready for Saturday, just looking forward to a nice trip out.  Pat is hoping to get things done around here while I disappear.

Our water heater sprung a leak, too; that's how we knew it had to go.  But the new one has all of its tank volume unencumbered so far.  Our village used to have its own wells for water, and you couple practically crunch it, it was so hard.  We now get Lake Michigan water from Chicago, and it's almost mineral-free.

For the next home-repair project we need to buy a post for our split-rail fence and replace the current one.  Something (perhaps age) broke it off at the ground line.  We also have a downspout that needs re-hanging, a victim of a windstorm a while back.  

While unsuccessfully looking for a fencepost today, we got out in the direction of West Chicago and Geneva.  There were trains, and I was able to grab some good sightings, including a series of 300 covered hoppers that nobody had reported yet, even though they're a couple of years old.  I'm also having fun with some thirdhand gondolas...originally used by BN for woodchips, now used in the cotton industry.  One company got a batch of 25 new cotton-gons.  Their reporting mark?  GINX!

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 Friday, June 5, 2020 8:10 AM

Back when I was a house owner, I would drain the water heater from time to time, which (I think) extended its life. I did replace two heaters over the years (the first time was after I got up to go to work and found no hot water, so I had a job waiting for me when I got home from work; Ricki was unhappy to find no hot water when she got up). The third time, I let a professional do the job. All in the space of 38 years.

Johnny

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, June 5, 2020 11:20 PM

We've been in our house for 41 years; this is the third water-heater we purchased.  The one it replaced lasted a lot longer than the one before it; the plumber said we won't get that lucky again.

We got our fencepost today, after visiting two Home Depots and a Menard's to find it.  It wasn't installed; I'll need cooler weather for digging out the bottom of the old one.  Tomorrow would fit the bill, but I'll be otherwise occupied, with a much more pleasant chore.

Telephone calls today firmed up my schedule for the next month of white-cell collections and re-infusions.  I start Tuesday.  Hope I tolerate it well...

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 blue streak 1 on Saturday, June 6, 2020 2:15 PM

Had a friend who had a new hoe built with 5 bathrooms.  Wanted to buy a 75 gallon gas water heater but sticker shock was high.  Talked plumber in buying 2 standard 40 gallon water heaters and plum them in series.  First heater set for ~ 90 degrees and fed to second heater at 125.  Finally had to replace one * not sure which on about 2010 and other last year.  Never complained about not enough hot water.

Have no idea if that would meet codes but realize that any heater has a maximum BTU rate no matter what the size so maybe 2 heaters imput more heat per hour than any 75 gallon would ?

Also he had the plumbing set so he could isolate the bad one until a replacement was installed

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Saturday, June 6, 2020 5:03 PM

blue streak 1

Also he had the plumbing set so he could isolate the bad one until a replacement was installed

Nice....

Our water heaters seem to be lasting about 6 - 7 years. Nice thing about the newest is the flashing LED running off the thermocouple indicating that the pilot light is lit.

On another subject, my daughter will be graduating from UCLA next Saturday - virtual commencement only. Sad She metioned that there will be a guest speaker, but someone she didn't think we would know - George Takei AKA Hiraku Sulu. FWIW, George also appeared as crewmember of a IJN midget submarine on the Mr Roberts TV series - spoken dialog in English, subtitles in Japanese.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 6, 2020 6:28 PM

Erik_Mag
On another subject, my daughter will be graduating from UCLA next Saturday - virtual commencement only.

Just have the graduates walk through your favorite big-box store as they announce them over the PA system...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, June 6, 2020 7:26 PM

I was looking forward to a trip to Ann Arbor on AMTRAK for my Granddaughter's graduation (her Masters in Epidemiology) but that was cancelled. Bummer. Now I have a voucher and don't know when that might get used. Her choice of study was timely. She's keeping me in lockdown until the rate of new cases declines. Flew to LA and returned on AMTRAK from LA when my other granddaughter graduated from USC a couple of years ago. 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, June 6, 2020 8:57 PM

evening

Just got unloaded from our trip.It was nice.Matt enjoyed the trains at pine jct.It was one right after another.Got to see the seimens engines for the Amtrak service in Michigan.A big thank you to Carl for being our tour guide.I'll see if I can get Stacey to that B&B.Matt says he is up for more train shenanigans anytime.Going 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").

 

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, June 7, 2020 12:24 AM

Freak wind and rain storm today. 80+ MPH wind took out about 25 feet of my six foot cedar fence and threw it about 15 feet next door. Neighboring dogs have four yards to wander in - instead of just one. Flying monkeys en-route to Arkansas and Toto is off to parts unknown. Yard furniture flew 15-20 feet. Carl & Joe- get ready to duck!

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 mudchicken on Sunday, June 7, 2020 12:33 AM

blue streak 1

Had a friend who had a new hoe built with 5 bathrooms.  Wanted to buy a 75 gallon gas water heater but sticker shock was high.  Talked plumber in buying 2 standard 40 gallon water heaters and plum them in series.  First heater set for ~ 90 degrees and fed to second heater at 125.  Finally had to replace one * not sure which on about 2010 and other last year.  Never complained about not enough hot water.

Have no idea if that would meet codes but realize that any heater has a maximum BTU rate no matter what the size so maybe 2 heaters imput more heat per hour than any 75 gallon would ?

Also he had the plumbing set so he could isolate the bad one until a replacement was installed

 

blue streak 1

Had a friend who had a new hoe built with 5 bathrooms.  Wanted to buy a 75 gallon gas water heater but sticker shock was high.  Talked plumber in buying 2 standard 40 gallon water heaters and plum them in series.  First heater set for ~ 90 degrees and fed to second heater at 125.  Finally had to replace one * not sure which on about 2010 and other last year.  Never complained about not enough hot water.

Have no idea if that would meet codes but realize that any heater has a maximum BTU rate no matter what the size so maybe 2 heaters imput more heat per hour than any 75 gallon would ?

Also he had the plumbing set so he could isolate the bad one until a replacement was installed

 

In line on-demand heater not an option, not enough gas supply delivery (too small a diameter gas line)

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 Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, June 7, 2020 5:18 AM

There's also such a thing as an air-source heat pump water heater - it extracts heat from the surrounding air, and uses that to heat the water.  Although consumer-level thermodynamics being a zero-sum game at best, it doesn't seem to affect the homeowners I've talked to.  For example, you'd expect the basement where such heaters are at to be a few degrees cooler than they were before, and the home heating system to have to run a little more to make up for that loss.  However, said owners say they've not noticed that effect.  Realistically, what they've got is a 2-stage 'geothermal' (actually "ground source heat pump") setup - the 55-degree (more or less) ground outside the basement keeps replenishing heat into the basement walls, which then replenishes heat into the basement air, which then feeds the heat pump water heater.  Supposedly lowers the electric bill for the water heater quite a bit, and has a good supply of hot water (then again, who would ever admit to purchasing a mistake?). 

More info here:

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/heat-pump-water-heaters#:~:text=Heat%20pump%20water%20heaters%20use,like%20a%20refrigerator%20in%20reverse. 

- PDN. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, June 7, 2020 9:08 AM

Had some weather come to us out of Canada last night.  Small hail, lightning, not much wind here - and only a tenth of an inch of rain.

It did interrupt some of the newly-allowed outdoor dining.   I went to a small diner for some takeout and was offered a chair, fork, and a chance to socialize, so even though it was indoors, I took them up on it.

I listen (on the scanner) to the county to the southeast of us - they got slammed pretty good.  Reports of multiple trees down in several places.

Off to a train show today.  It's a small one, but I need some track and I know the organizers, so I'll be there to support them, too.

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 Erik_Mag on Sunday, June 7, 2020 3:16 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

There's also such a thing as an air-source heat pump water heater - it extracts heat from the surrounding air, and uses that to heat the water.  Although consumer-level thermodynamics being a zero-sum game at best, it doesn't seem to affect the homeowners I've talked to.

The air source heat pump water heater does a good job of dehumidifying the air, with humid air more heat comes from dehumidification than from reducing air temperature. Such a beast would make even more sense with a large tank and a timer to avoid peak load operation.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, June 7, 2020 5:58 PM

Erik_Mag
...a large tank...

Saw plans some years ago for a hot water heating system that involved a cistern and a wood boiler.  The boiler used fan-assisted burning of six foot logs (gravity feed).  According to the story, a burn would only be required every few days.

I figure that if you coupled that with a solar collector, your only ongoing cost (capital costs and wood notwithstanding) would be the power to circulate the heated water.  And that could be reduced with solar electric.

Were I to build such a system, I'd also include a commercial back-up, in case I wanted to get away for a couple of weeks.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Monday, June 8, 2020 10:44 AM

Virtual Railfan Flagstaff cams caught a westbound BNSF worm train contacting a pedestrian at the station platform this morning (12:44 AM local time). Not sure from watching whether it was inebriation, suicide attempt or both. Pedestrian quite vocal up to point he was transported by medics. Train stopped for three and a half hours. Does not look like they've made Barstow at quarter to nine.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 8, 2020 11:52 AM

afternoon

Nice sunshine today.Had some unexpected errands to do today. Saw a couple trains on Csx.Did get my toll paid from Illinois from Saturday.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 jeffhergert on Monday, June 8, 2020 2:14 PM

The last few weeks have started seeing a lot of TBOX and FBOX box cars being stored in the Missouri Valley-Omaha/Council Bluffs-Fremont triangle.  Missouri Valley also has a couple of tracks of older reefers stored.  I think those reefers aren't long for this world.  Many look to be the type that are getting close to their age limit.

A conductor I worked with the other day said a local Fremont manager told him the railroad is thinking about storing cars on one of the main tracks between Fremont and Valley NE.

Jeff 

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 1:28 PM

A year or two, or three, time gets away from me, I posted about some business that the railroad could've had but didn't want.  One of those was an ag processor that wanted to run 50 car shuttle trains from elevators in the north west grain lines to their facility.  Also up on the grain lines.   From what I understood, they would've supplied the cars.  The railroad only locomotives and crews. 

I heard today that that ag processor is going to switch over to all truck for their needs.  I've heard that they've been slowly pulling business from rail, but now it sounds like all their business is going away.

It's ironic when the railroad's CEO in a recent interview said that grain was starting to improve and there were opprotunities there to be had.

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 2:49 PM

afternoon

Getting warmer.Ns was clear after work.Yes Csx does plenty of moves around Deshler.They have problems haveing the power turned the right way when they go to our local elevator.So they use the wye tracks to turn the power.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 BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 4:33 PM
Beat the rain!!!! Got the hay baled and in the barn 2 hours before a few drops fell. It's a good day.
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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 4:57 PM

jeffhergert
and there were opportunities there to be had.

Did they mention anything about taking advantage of those opportunities?

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 samfp1943 on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 9:24 PM

jeffhergert

A year or two, or three, time gets away from me, I posted about some business that the railroad could've had but didn't want.  One of those was an ag processor that wanted to run 50 car shuttle trains from elevators in the north west grain lines to their facility.  Also up on the grain lines.   From what I understood, they would've supplied the cars.  The railroad only locomotives and crews. 

I heard today that that ag processor is going to switch over to all truck for their needs.  I've heard that they've been slowly pulling business from rail, but now it sounds like all their business is going away.

It's ironic when the railroad's CEO in a recent interview said that grain was starting to improve and there were opprotunities there to be had.

Jeff

  Jeff:

         Sounds like there is some sort of a 'Failure to Communicate' there.Sigh

Maybe the 'Boss' need to take the Sales Dept to the wood shead, and 'splain to them; if there is no freight, there is no money!   Almost sounds like our current national political environment.  Different agendas ? Bang Head 

 Just got back from taking the dog out for her evening 'stroll'... Just as a TOFC  eastbnd was rolling by...5 units in full throat on the little grade by the back; what was different with this one was the lioad! 

Practically, all trailers were 53' FedEx boxes,   about 10 UPS pup trailers,with about 10 cans singled on flatcars; 1 Prime reefer, and bringing up the rear 3 Amazon Prime cans, and a single FedEx trailer.    Have not seen that many FedEx trailers, since I worked at the Memphis Hub ; let alone on one train, here in Ks.!  Whistling 

 

 


 

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 9:45 PM

tree68

 

 
jeffhergert
and there were opportunities there to be had.

 

Did they mention anything about taking advantage of those opportunities?

 

That's the thing.  Supposedly, the railroad was moving people back to sales/marketing who used to work in that area but had gone on to other departments.  That they were looking at things they had given up years ago.  Like allowing two elevators to go in togther to build a single unit train. 

It's happened before.  They say they want business, but are still very selective in the business they take on. 

I think the problem is, they are still more worried about lowering the operating ratio and raising the stock price.  (The stock price hit, and for a while exceeded, the magic number that was rumored to be the target price for the people who pushed for the PSR bandwagon to sell off their remaining holdings.)  I feel that they still are of the mind that it's better to squeeze out a few more pennies of the dollars they have, rather than try to bring in more dollars.

Jeff

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 2:32 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.Also a Mow truck was going EB.Mother nature sending us storms now.NS is taking the 2156 back to St.Louis.Will be in our area Friday.Might go see it when Matt is done with orientation.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").

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:45 PM

This evening had a great example of CSX Precision scheduled railroading ( PSR ).  2 northbound CSX AC-44s both under power - two CSX hoppers in the 39xxxx series half loaded with what appeared as some very white sand - Followed by an EOT fully functional.

That should really help the OR ?

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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:59 PM

blue streak 1
That should really help the OR ?

Scheduled train?  power is probably needed to turn or go on something else.  

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

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 11, 2020 5:34 PM

evening

Have seen q 009 with its full set of 3 engines and 1 well car go west before at Deshler.Ns sent a stack train west after work.Came home and did yardwork.Mother nature could have sent us some more rain last night.Cottonwoods are out in full force.Went into town on an errand.Stopped at a rootbeer stand for supper.Saw a green for Csx but nothing came east.Need to get Stacey back in training for riding and trainwatching when Matt goes to college.No work tomorrow but chores here.Will see if we can catch the N&W Y locomotive when it comes by on the NKP.

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, June 12, 2020 8:00 AM

zugmann

 

 
blue streak 1
That should really help the OR ?

 

Scheduled train?  power is probably needed to turn or go on something else. 

On two separate occasions I saw a lone locomotive with a three-well car go east through Utica, NY.  This was during the period when CSX had added a pair of IM trains to the mix out of their new IM yard in Valleyfield (now closed).  It was opined at the time that this was a train run to meet a contract requirement or something like that.

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 JoeKoh on Friday, June 12, 2020 3:18 PM

afternoon

Matt's going through his orientation right now.Seems N&W 2156 is stuck at Bucyrus.Going to check it out when Matt is done.

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, June 13, 2020 6:25 AM

good morning

Was able to go to Bucyrus after Matt's meetings online.Ns sent a new crew to move the 2156.Matt was able to get them crossing the W&LE diamond at Chatfield.Then we waited in Fostoria.Matt then again got them crossing the C&O/NKp diamond as well.Matt is sleeping in.Mother nature sent some rain overnight as well.Going to say hi to our new great nephew this afternoon.

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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