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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 2:28 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Mother Nature sent a couple showers.Chores 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 Erik_Mag on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 2:25 PM

The San Diego County government website has started putting out a weekly summary of COVID statistics. One of the charts was case fatality rate versus age and it takes off starting at 60 years and is scary at 80+ years.

Seems to me that the "lockdown" plans should have been looking at protecting 'nursing' homes from the beginning as there was ample evidence from Italy and Washington state about the problem. Some areas have done well, I have an aunt in Eastern Montana that has had a no visitors policy for several weeks now even though the nearest confirmed case is 100 miles away. OTOH, about a third of the deaths in the state were in one such facility along the former GN main line.

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 2:20 PM

BaltACD
In my county, where the virus hit several 'nursing' homes the death rate is very near 10% despite the county having a much lower percentage of the state's number of those infected.

That phenomenon is being seen in the big county to the north of us, where most of the cases are in nursing homes.  They still only have two deaths countywide, however.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 7:10 AM

tree68
 
Erik_Mag
...even a 30% reduction in fatality rates will be worth going after. 

If you factor in the potential of the antibody studies and the findings with the aircraft carrier and homeless shelters, the death rate is possibly in the range of 0.1% as it is.

In my county, where the virus hit several 'nursing' homes the death rate is very near 10% despite the county having a much lower percentage of the state's number of those infected.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 6:37 AM

Erik_Mag
...even a 30% reduction in fatality rates will be worth going after.

If you factor in the potential of the antibody studies and the findings with the aircraft carrier and homeless shelters, the death rate is possibly in the range of 0.1% as it is.

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 Monday, April 27, 2020 11:14 PM

tree68

But, the studies and other information that have come to light lately do give one some hope.  First, a person may already be immune, whether they know it or not, and second, catching the virus is not a death sentence, or even an indication that you're going to be some measure of sick.

There's some indication that catching a "cold" caused by one of the "cold" coronaviruses (not the COVID-19 virus) can give some protection against COVID-19. One would hope that the various drug trials will bring up at least one drug that reduces the severity of the of the worst cases - even a 30% reduction in fatality rates will be worth going after.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 27, 2020 6:43 PM

BaltACD
But until their is near universal testing - we will have no more idea of the condition of the herd than urinating into the wind.

An individual in the herd will have no idea of the condition of his condition unless he is individually tested.

I agree with both points - there was a bit of sarcasm there on the first point...

But, the studies and other information that have come to light lately do give one some hope.  First, a person may already be immune, whether they know it or not, and second, catching the virus is not a death sentence, or even an indication that you're going to be some measure of sick.

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 BaltACD on Monday, April 27, 2020 5:57 PM

tree68
They're working on herd immunity.  If studies and other findings are to be believed, about one in seven already have the antibody, and sixty percent that do get infected will remain asymptomatic.

But until their is near universal testing - we will have no more idea of the condition of the herd than urinating into the wind.

A individual in the herd will have no idea of the condition of his condition unless he is individually tested.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 27, 2020 4:58 PM

They're working on herd immunity.  If studies and other findings are to be believed, about one in seven already have the antibody, and sixty percent that do get infected will remain asymptomatic.

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 Monday, April 27, 2020 4:55 PM

MikeF90

Unfortunately that encouraged covidiots to flock to the beaches with not much social distancing going on (sigh). Brings to mind that Clint Eastwood movie line: "do you feel lucky ...." Guess we'll find out in a week or two.

Considering what warm humid air and solar UV does to viruses, I don't think that there is much of a problem with people on the beaches. The combination of hot sand and solar UV will be even harder on the viruses. Doesn't help that a lot of the "news" photos were taken with telephoto lenses which distort the amount of crowding.

On the RR side, my wife and I have both noticed that the trains are blowing their horns a lot more than normal when running across the San Elijo lagoon.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, April 27, 2020 3:43 PM

The rain is slowly moving in here; it will take up residence all night and all day tomorrow.  So far, this month's showers have pretty much been a bust.

Doesn't matter; we can't go anywhere or do much anyway.  I was out in the yard yesterday (a very nice day!) conversing from behind a mask and picking up sticks and other such from the lawn.  It did not get cut, of which fact I'm sure my doctor would approve this time.  

Pat and I have survived the first half of our mandatory quarantine ...one week to go!  We'll require another grocery run in a couple of days, but are otherwise doing fine, with no problems connected with our brush with the COVID-19.

On the day the quarantine expires, Pat will receive her book order from Barnes and Noble.  I will have to go in, two weeks late, for a cancer-med infusion (had to take a pass on it last week due to the quarantine).   This is good...going to the infusion site will take me along the tracks again, and maybe I can grab some sightings.  And, since it will be Taco Tuesday, I can think of a lunch possibility that we can pick up and enjoy trackside!

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 JoeKoh on Monday, April 27, 2020 2:59 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Nice sunshine today.Pen Pal from California called yesterday.He is practicing social distancing by helping at Cajon Pass.Was wondering how the events here were shaping up.Still not out of the woods yet.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 MikeF90 on Monday, April 27, 2020 2:36 PM

Looks like Mother Nature flipped the 'spring' switch, last Friday it topped 80F here. Unfortunately that encouraged covidiots to flock to the beaches with not much social distancing going on (sigh). Brings to mind that Clint Eastwood movie line: "do you feel lucky ...." Guess we'll find out in a week or two.

Also noticed that the nearby tom turkeys have stopped gobbling at 6am sharp. By contrast, this AM a bunch of Canada geese literally honked for two minutes straight without moving, must have been mobbing a possible predator. Coffee Yes, I'm wide awake now thank you.

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, April 27, 2020 12:21 PM

Reel mower here is back-up for a 20+ year old 4-cycle rotary push mower that rarely fails (like Balts, a little TLC and maintenance does wonders)....Just have to watch the worn gear mesh.

(Just remember to tighten the blade back down after sharpening Embarrassed what a racket! from under the deck of the rotary mower)

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 blue streak 1 on Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:58 PM

Reel mower story.  My father had a push reel mower that we used.  He decided to convert the mower to a powered reel mower.  Putting all the parts together took part of the winter.  The first mow of the season things did not go well.  The blade would  turn but the mower would not go forward.  Finally realized that the pawls that allow a person mowing to pull the mower back and engage the blade when pushing forward had to be turned. Also had to switch the 2 wheels..  Simple fix and mower worked for  years until finally broke beyond repair. 

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, April 26, 2020 12:46 PM

Murphy Siding
Paul_D_North_Jr

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf concluded his speech tonight with this line: "By doing nothin' [sic], we are doing something truly extraordinary, and for that I thank you."  A tip of the hat to anyone who can recognize the origins of that line. 

 

Hmmm. Something in my brain is thinking of Johnny Carson on his farewell episode, but then Winston Churchill keeps popping in. Hmmm.

From the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite (set in Preston, Idaho - you might recognize the territory, Murphy): 

Uncle Rico : Why don't you sell some to your girlfriend. Might as well do somethin' while you're doing nothin'.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/characters/nm1088052 

 

- 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, April 26, 2020 12:01 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

Didn't know what an "ear saver" was until I looked it up:

https://www.fox29.com/news/fishtown-man-makes-ear-savers-to-relieve-irritation-from-surgical-mask

I need to have my wife make one of those!

- PDN. 

I've seen pictures of people using action figures (with suitable hands) as well as those S shaped monkeys for the same purpose, and headbands with buttons added.

If you know someone with a 3D printer, the files are available.  I do two different styles, and have one file set up with four of the bands, and one with five.  Once they start, they take about 4 hours, but I can walk away from the printer with no problem while it works.

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 Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:54 AM

Didn't know what an "ear saver" was until I looked it up:

https://www.fox29.com/news/fishtown-man-makes-ear-savers-to-relieve-irritation-from-surgical-mask

I need to have my wife make one of those!

- 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, April 26, 2020 7:00 AM

Gorgeous day yesterday, rain today.  Must be spring.  I did get the lawn mowed.

Still turning out "ear savers" on the 3D printer.  The "maker" community started making them for the medical community, but with everyone wearing masks now, they're quite popular everywhere.

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 Sunday, April 26, 2020 6:56 AM

Morning

Watched Csx yesterday.Seems they have tagged q 160's containers to ride along with q 010's UPS and Fed x trailers.508 and 509 have containers from the 150/151 run from North Baltimore to Detroit.Contractors have started tearing out the rails behind GM where the foundry section was. Might go to Fc today.Mother nature sent us some rain overnight.Going to send us some NW wind to dry off.Matt made some stir fry for supper.No problem with leftovers it was good.

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 Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, April 25, 2020 5:27 PM

JoeKoh
Matt is making supper tonight.Mamma says she is just going to watch.

What is he serving?

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 24, 2020 3:06 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Power reel mowers were not that unusual.  Some of the neighbors had them and Dad's first power mower was a reel mower.

This particular couple was quite the pair of gardeners - many gardens, lots of flowers.  I do recall, though, that their grass would have made a putting green look shaggy.

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, April 24, 2020 3:02 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Heard csx is pulling up every other yard track in Defiance's yard.They just come and switch and go back to Garrett.They have also had more cars for Omni to scrap.Matt is making supper tonight.Mamma says she is just going to watch.

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 CShaveRR on Friday, April 24, 2020 10:55 AM

My grandfather had a powered reel mower.  The power was electricity, and it contained a cord (self-retracting) that was long enough to reach anywhere in their fairly sizable yard.  At my age, I wasn't allowed to go anywhere near the thing.

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, April 24, 2020 10:16 AM

Power reel mowers were not that unusual.  Some of the neighbors had them and Dad's first power mower was a reel mower.

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 Thursday, April 23, 2020 6:32 PM

BaltACD
My father, when I was a kid, upgraded from a powered reel mower to a rotary mower and shortly thereafter he managed to remove his big toe and the top of his second toe with the rotary.

One of my "ride along" responses early in my EMT training was to a patient who had done the same thing - I think he was pulling the mower backward.

It's tough finding a piece of toe in the grass...

We had a neighbor in MI who had a powered reel mower.  

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 BaltACD on Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:51 PM

Paul of Covington
 
Deggesty
then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned 

   My older sister who is 81 years old has been a health food nut most of her adult life, and she is so full of energy nobody can keep up with her.  She mows her lawn with that type of mower.

My father, when I was a kid, upgraded from a powered reel mower to a rotary mower and shortly thereafter he managed to remove his big toe and the top of his second toe with the rotary.

Over the years I have had various hand pushed rotary mowers and riding mowers.  When I moved to my present place in Maryland, I bought a 22" hand pushed rotary mower.  Later on when my son was old enough to drive he 'inherited' grass cutting while I was in Florida.  With my Ex exing another individual and moving from a acre property to a duplex townhouse, my son brought over the riding mower from the acre property and took the 22" mower to his mothers duplex.  I have had the rider ever since - it is now 24 years old.

Currently getting grass growing fluid from the sky - next Tuesday & Wednesday are SUPPOSED to have less that 20% chance of rain.  Was supposed to race in the neighborhood this weekend - I guess Covid-19 is saving me from a bad weather racing experience.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:28 PM

Hi

Ns was clear after work today.Ran errands in town.Csx dropped plenty of more cars for scrapping at omni.We had a few sprinkles this afternoon.Tomorrow is Friday.Matt is making supper for us tomorrow night.

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 Paul of Covington on Thursday, April 23, 2020 4:08 PM

Deggesty
then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned

   My older sister who is 81 years old has been a health food nut most of her adult life, and she is so full of energy nobody can keep up with her.  She mows her lawn with that type of mower.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 12:03 PM

diningcar

Had all of them; then retired to AZ in a home with native growings, no grass. Now because of need to be near family I live in a Homeowners Assn. where it is cut by a contractor. 

I bought a zero-turn mower.  Absolutely overkill for my yard, but I tired of pushing that 20 inch mower around.  Not getting any younger, you know.  Turn the key and away I go...

I do the yard behind the fire station, too...

My brother-in-law has so much greenery in his yard in Phoenix, AZ that the city comes out periodically to do a census.  Seems the sewer bill is based on the water bill, and he gets credit on the sewer bill for the trees, bushes, and lawn.

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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