Trains.com

Chatterbox Spring 2020

15723 views
402 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, March 30, 2020 2:37 PM

afternoon

Gray and chilly day today.Back to work Monday for me.Ns local was uptown shuffling cars.Had a person request to camp in Deshler.Polietly declined his request.Plenty of things on hold because of the virus bug.Matt's school might resume on May 1st.Time will tell.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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, March 28, 2020 2:37 PM

We had snow again last night; the roof of the porte cochere (it's right under my window) had quite a bit on it when I got up this morning, but it is all gone now. It's 46 in the city now. Lovely spring weather?

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 1:59 PM

We may see that system tonight.  Hard to say.  Several snow systems stayed south of us this past winter.

 

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 Saturday, March 28, 2020 1:12 PM

Between the two of us, we were aware of three thunderstorms passing through.  I was awake for one around midnight, one woke Pat up in the middle of the night, and there was one about daybreak (I missed that one, too).  Pat says there was small hail during the last one, and possibly the one before.

It's supposed to rain again this afternoon.  Our crocuses and daffodills (or daffy-down-dillies, as my Gram used to call them) should love this.

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 Saturday, March 28, 2020 6:21 AM

Good Morning

Thunderstorms overnight.We are in a quiet time for now.More rain and wind for tonight.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
  • 25,022 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, March 27, 2020 7:50 AM

JoeKoh
Seems a big truck hit the part of the I-94 overpass.

At least it's a pedestrian overpass and not some eight lane behemoth.  They'll probably have it gone by the end of the 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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, March 27, 2020 6:02 AM

Morning

Driving in Detroit is a bigger mess today.Seems a big truck hit the part of the I-94 overpass.Caused it to collapse.Mother nature will be quiet here today.Tomorrow she'll send out the lion.

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
    July 2009
  • From: San Francisco East Bay
  • 1,360 posts
Posted by MikeF90 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:11 PM

Murphy Siding
A robber could show up at the second window any time.

Isn't the money at the first window? Of course, many robbers are multiple cards short of a full deck.

On the Tehachapi Cable railcam at night it looks like almost all of the SR-58 traffic is trucks - good. Last night I was also surprised by very strong snowfall seen but it has melted away by midday.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:03 PM

rvos1979
 
Murphy Siding

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?

 

 

Most of the places I've stopped at are open for takeout, you just can't eat inside. The problem in a few areas is with a policy of not serving walk ups at the drive thru, because of robberies that have happened. I've not had any issues so far, but I also keep food in the truck for such an occasion.........

 

Glad to hear that truckers can still get fed. With all the rumors on social media you have to wonder about some people's brain power. No matter what, if there are trucks on the highway, there will be truckstops to supply food and fuel.

     The robbery thing makes little sense. If I'm ordereing at the first window and picking up at the second window, it should be pretty obvious I'm not a robber. A robber could show up at the second window any time.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:19 PM

afternoon

The ND&W is still fighting the swamp takeover west of Defiance. They brought 6 cars in and took 18 back for NS in Woodburn.Saw some switching and through trains at Fc as well.Mother Nature is going to fill the swamp this weekend.

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:11 PM

Snow here a good bit of the morning, and the sun is shining brightly now. 32 degrees at 0545.

As I noted on another thread, my second eye surgery was this morning, and I now use reading glasses for close work; I do not need them for computer work. It may be different with my laptop.

Johnny

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:18 AM

I've been working from home for the duration (a mixed blessing).  Commercial traffic out of Midway is down a bit but not quite as much as I would expect.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:03 AM

rvos1979
..because of robberies...

Unfortunately, not surprised.

Our schools here are preparing lunches and delivering them to the students' homes.  Since they may include perishables (and to minimize contact), they are asking the families to leave coolers near the road.

Apparently, some folks see the coolers and think they're a freebie, left by the road for anyone to take.

At this point I haven't heard of anyone following the buses (what they are using for the deliveries) and ripping off the delivered food, but, again, it wouldn't surprise me.  

Out first thing this morning for a trailer fire.  That part of the business hasn't dropped off...

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: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 4:43 AM

Murphy Siding

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?

Most of the places I've stopped at are open for takeout, you just can't eat inside. The problem in a few areas is with a policy of not serving walk ups at the drive thru, because of robberies that have happened. I've not had any issues so far, but I also keep food in the truck for such an occasion.........

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

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
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.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
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
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
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...

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
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!

              

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Louisiana
  • 2,310 posts
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.

_____________ 

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

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: San Francisco East Bay
  • 1,360 posts
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

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
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...

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
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!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,022 posts
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
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
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
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!

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
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!

              

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: San Francisco East Bay
  • 1,360 posts
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. 

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