Trains.com

Chatterbox Spring 2020

15691 views
402 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, April 6, 2020 3:26 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Matt was doing online classes from school when I got home.Showed his classmates the trainroom when he was done.Work is still busy.

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 6, 2020 5:38 PM

Deggesty
 
BaltACD 
Deggesty
How customer service differes from store to store! Many years ago, when living in a small town, I saw a certain model of vacuum cleaner advertised at a certain price. Knowing I needed one, and not knowing of a closer store, I drove about 55 miles, went into the store, asked for what had been advertised, paid the advertised price for what was given me, and went home. When I opened the box, I found a better model! The next time I was in the city, I went to store, wanting to make amends--and the salesman told me they were out of the model I asked for so I was given the better model. 

Back in the day when the customer was serviced, not sucked in by bait and switch. 

And now, that company has closed many stores, including at least two in the area where I now live.

Retail PSR.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 2:21 PM

afternoon

Ns sent an eastbound stack train after work today.Chance of thunderboomers tonight according to the guessers.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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 3:12 PM

JoeKoh
Chance of thunderboomers tonight according to the guessers.

Yeah - they've got you under "enhanced."  As of this moment, there's nothing on the radar, but with the right conditions, that can change in a jiffy.

Got a new toy today - a better (and bigger) 3D printer than the one I had.  There's been a lot of 3D printing of stuff to help the medical community around here.  Once I get past the learning curve, I'll start turning stuff out, too.  Plenty of filament on hand. 

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
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 7:25 PM

Just had a little hailstorm go through here 30 minutes ago- half-dollar size at its largest, but no wind.  No apparent damage here...

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 1,685 posts
Posted by Erik_Mag on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 10:10 PM

tree68

 Got a new toy today - a better (and bigger) 3D printer than the one I had.  There's been a lot of 3D printing of stuff to help the medical community around here.  Once I get past the learning curve, I'll start turning stuff out, too.  Plenty of filament on hand. 

Good for you.

My son's been helping out at the maker lab at UCSB in 3D printing parts for medical face shields. His one complaint was that the design went through a few iterations, but the design has been locked down. The social distancing rule is enforced by only one person in the lab per shift.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 10:45 PM

Erik_Mag
The social distancing rule is enforced by only one person in the lab per shift.

Given that it's gonna take a couple of hours on my printer to turn out a face shield band, social distancing is no problem (that, and I live alone).  I'm printing a device to take the strain off the ears right now, and I'll see how it came out in the morning...

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 Wednesday, April 8, 2020 5:59 AM

Took advantage of Senior Hour at my normal grocery store - managed to 'score' a 9 pack of TP.  Whoo Hoo!

They have set up 'one way' shopping - designating aisles as up or down - they lose their way on the half aisles.  Simple observation - many were not paying attention to the aisle's designated direction.  

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 10:53 AM

We had a number of storms go through here, too, including one that sounded like it was delivering some hail for a few seconds.  

It's bright and sunny out there, and I'd love to move my computer outside and loll in the backyard, but the backyatd needs a bit of work before I could feel good about that.  Pat and I have had fevers and sore throats to verying degrees since last weekend, but we've been able to manage them on the home side (and the nurse says that if we can do that, we don't have the Coronavirus).

Saw one stack train yesterday while I managed to get out on my bike (it needed air in the tires, which I was able to get).  About the only thing I got out of that trip was that I really need to gain some strength and physical condition.  I never expected it to be that grueling!

Lots of research work here to keep me occupied (at least until someone decides I should be doing something else):  my Texas friend and I are working through the old Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion box cars, first trying to find out which ones went to SBD/CSXT.  I haven't done anything yet this morning, but I set the tables last night so this bunch could go pretty quickly.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 11:21 AM

BaltACD
Simple observation - many were not paying attention to the aisle's designated direction.  

Since I usually have a good idea what I'm looking for (as opposed to browsing), that's my usual mode of shopping.  My usual store has done the one way aisle thing yet, but I'd probably do my best to observe it.  

I don't usually start at the main entrance, either - there is a second entrance that represents the shortest trip between the check-out and my truck, so I go in there and work my way around.  That puts me in the middle of the store to start...

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 Wednesday, April 8, 2020 12:05 PM

tree68
 
BaltACD
Simple observation - many were not paying attention to the aisle's designated direction.   

Since I usually have a good idea what I'm looking for (as opposed to browsing), that's my usual mode of shopping.  My usual store has done the one way aisle thing yet, but I'd probably do my best to observe it.  

I don't usually start at the main entrance, either - there is a second entrance that represents the shortest trip between the check-out and my truck, so I go in there and work my way around.  That puts me in the middle of the store to start...

The store designated their two entrances as 'Entrance Only' and 'Exit Only'.  The designated 'Entrance' is my normal entrance and exit from the store.  Knowing the specific things I was looking for I only went to three locations for my needs before hitting the self checkout. Only a single cashier's location was open.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 2:34 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Had some rumbles last night but not that bad.Going to have more rain this evening.Mother nature is going to drop the temps for a bit too.Did send brother a birthday card.Unfortuneately until this bug is outta here he can not go out or see visitiors.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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 7:09 PM

update

Talked with Sis.Josiah Daniel came today.Everyone is doing fine.That makes me a great uncle for the 22nd  time.

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
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 9, 2020 2:50 PM

afternoon

Work is done for the week.Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.Mother nature has sent a west wind to chill things down.Hope everyone has a good Friday 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 9, 2020 4:26 PM

JoeKoh
Hope everyone has a good Friday tomorrow.

Would that be a good Good Friday?

Wind here tomorrow, snow in the forecast...

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
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, April 10, 2020 4:05 PM

afternoon

Chilly but was a nice Good Friday.Went out to see what I could find.The guys from the I&O picked up some gons from Protec in Leipsic.They were having problems on how to push the button to get across Ns to go north.Stopped briefly at Deshler.Going to upload pictures.

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
    January 2019
  • 1,685 posts
Posted by Erik_Mag on Friday, April 10, 2020 4:20 PM

Been wwatching the rain fall this last week, as of 10AM pdt, we've had 5" since Sunday, been a couple of years that we were lucky to get 5" for the whole rain season (July 1 to June 30).

{Update} Less than an hour after the above paragraph was posted, the NWS updated rainfall total to 5.68", within 3 hours after than, rainfall total came in at 7.3" for the last 6 days. The drainage system in our yar was redone a bit less than two years ago and it worked like a champ.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, April 10, 2020 4:37 PM

Windy today.  Went to the local mom & pop hardware store (about 10 miles away).  Saw a bird trying to fly into the wind, had ZERO ground speed.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 10, 2020 7:52 PM

Snow flurries here today, some accumulation at higher elevations.  A tad breezy, but we're supposed to get some serious wind over the weekend.  

I'm starting to push the "get outside" option to folks.  Even if it's not in groups, you don't have to sit inside your house all day.  Sit on the porch.  Sit in the backyard (doing yardwork wouldn't hurt).  Talk to your neighbor over the back fence (social distancing, of course).  I get the impression that some folks think they have to stay in their houses.  Nada.  You just can't go browsing around stores, etc.  Or parks, many of which are closed.

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 Friday, April 10, 2020 8:46 PM

We are supposed to have rain tomorrow night and Sunday morning.  Easter afternoon is supposed to be sunny, then we expect snow every day through Thursday after that.  

I know Larry's right, but after a rough day yesterday, I have been looking forward to a weekend at home...inside, catching up on stuff I need to do.

Yesterday we took Pat in to be checked for Coronavirus.  Results haven't come back yet but she's been feverish for most of the past week and the doctor there (a specially-equipped office set up in Naperville) said that he's pretty sure the test will come back positive.  We have a follow-up on Sunday.

If my wife has the virus, I pobably won't be far behind her.  I've been feeling all right so far, but this afternoon I became vilently ill.  A two-hour nap helped, and I hope that the sandwich I'm eating now stays down.  Not much of the stuff I'd planned to do today got done.  (Body temperature, before and after this episode, was the same...my usual low 98s.)

I did however, find a couple of answers to questions I'd had on both sides of a group of tank cars that existed in the early and middle 1990s.  After about 30 years I found the origin of these 19 cars.  And after 25 or so years, I found the dispositions of the remaining cars.  (And all of this while looking for something that hasn't revealed itself yet about a different series...Umler, surprisingly, has no information on the origins of these cars, which are still in existence!)  Still, the challenges of this particular area are the kind of puzzle I like to gnaw on.

Balt, I remember one windy day while I was at work in my tower that a bird was out in front of me, just enjoying the breeze.  No motion in either direcion, no flapping of wings--just soaring in place, if you will.  I haven't seen that before or since.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 10, 2020 11:10 PM

CShaveRR
If my wife has the virus, I pobably won't be far behind her.  I've been feeling all right so far, but this afternoon I became vilently ill.  A two-hour nap helped, and I hope that the sandwich I'm eating now stays down.  Not much of the stuff I'd planned to do today got done.  (Body temperature, before and after this episode, was the same...my usual low 98s.)

It's been said that gastro-intestinal issues may be a precursor on this virus.  Hopefully you both weather the infection, if it turns out either of you have it.

Just don't be taking any fish tank cleaner...

There's been a lot lately about how 98.6 isn't "normal."  It is, after all, an arbitrary number determined years ago as an average.

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
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Friday, April 10, 2020 11:51 PM

tree68
I'm starting to push the "get outside" option to folks.  Even if it's not in groups, you don't have to sit inside your house all day.  Sit on the porch.  Sit in the backyard (doing yardwork wouldn't hurt).  Talk to your neighbor over the back fence (social distancing, of course).  I get the impression that some folks think they have to stay in their houses.  Nada.  You just can't go browsing around stores, etc.  Or parks, many of which are closed.

Larry, my wife and I have been taking walks around our association (one mile) and when we pass others, one moves of the sidewalk and moves into the street and thus we maintain the 6 ft separation as we make our running meet. And Carl, after what you and your wife have been through, I wish you all the strength you need to have to beat that %#@@& Covid-19.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, April 11, 2020 7:54 AM

morning

Have seen a couple of those LE&F boxcars come through on Csx.They have coal hopper cars too that are used for MOW.Carl hope you and Pat feel better soon.Staceys boss called yesterday.She is to come back to work next Monday.We'll see what happens from there.Going to go out and see what csx can send by.

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
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, April 11, 2020 12:27 PM

Joe found a Cryo-Trans mine for me on his ventures out this morning...supplied me the numbers and names of twelve of the 20 cars in a completely new series!  (The series was built last November and December...new enough!)

Pat officially has the Coronavirus; the good news is that she appears to be coming out of it, as do most people who remain quarantined.  I feel fine this morning...if it holds off a little longer for me, Pat will be immune to this version.

There's a lovely day out there through my window!

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
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, April 11, 2020 1:55 PM

Carl, I am sorry to hear that Pat has the Coronavirus; may she come completely out of it--and you not come down with it.

Johnny

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, April 11, 2020 3:36 PM

afternoon

Found some more for Carl.Will be interesting to see where some of the other stuff I found goes.

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
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, April 11, 2020 3:48 PM

No trains today (but a fair amount of tracks, most of them  out of service), but I did get out on the road for a couple of hours.  Had four deliveries to make at widely separated locations.

There's still snow on Tug Hill.  Some may have been from our most recent storm.

Still giving the new 3D printer a workout.  The face shield brims aren't as needed right now, but they're still looking for the device that keeps the elastic strap from masks from chafing on your ears.  Very important for those wearing them on a regular basis right now.

I'm getting the hot projects knocked out - almost time to tackle that spruce that came down in the back yard last 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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,315 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, April 12, 2020 6:55 AM

good morning

Happy Easter.

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 Sunday, April 12, 2020 12:28 PM

A blessed Easter to all.

The skies are clear--but it is about 20 degees colder than it was yesterday (it's the Easter cold snap), and it will stay cold a good part of the week, with some rain later in the week.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, April 12, 2020 1:00 PM

 The Easter Bunny is freezing his patooties off here. 2 inches of snow overnight and more falling lightly until the end of Friday.

All kinds of railroad research projects all over the midwest on hold because the archives, railroad engineering, state and county offices are all closed. Abandoned railroad R/W info kinda hard to access in these times, which will cause some projects to grind to a halt. (Millenial buttonpushers are incredulous that this stuff isn't findable on the webCrying)

BNSF is busy trying to figure out who set two piles of reclaimed ties on fire at Pueblo (newsworkers are claiming 10000 ties, but their counting is probably as bad as their reporting skills.)

Between Las Animas & La Junta, just east of Bents Fort, there is a 2000 Acre range fire burning on the North side of the Arkansas River. BNSF is watching that carefully  from the other side of the river. (Amtrak not affected; DC - This would be between  Marlman and the river on the old AV District ...  Fingers are being pointed at an agri-dummy burning ditches in the midst of a red flag warning Dunce)

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

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