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Chatterbox Summer 2020

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  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, July 5, 2020 12:41 PM

Last night for 4 hours our town was transferred to Iraq.  Mayby Fallujah  (SP?)  .  All display from just town residents. Have in the past not attended commercial fireworks displays that were as spectacular.    It just went on and on.  There are vacant lots all around our home and they were all used for big bangers not little firecrackers.  Local fireworks stand reported sold out.  Think maybe $10 - 20K of fireworks.  It was very loud.  Had small rain about 6 PM that prevented any fires.

Our dog a mix between a pointer and Beagle was not fazed.  Imagine Snoopy sitting on his dog house just pointing with his head.  Also his coloring much the same as Snoopy. He heard the whistling fireworks first and asks to go out. Tell him OK and out the dog door he goes.  Larger bangs has me decide to join him.  Find him at the fence watching neighborhood adults and his favorite children setting them off.  He quickly determines when rockets shoot off a boom is coming shortly. Sometimes a quick bark comes just before the boom.

One boom flushed a squirrel and he chased it with out paying attention to the war going on around us. We finally got tired outside and came in. Dog decides to go asleep while the war continued.  Unfortunately we missed eclispe except clouds parted for about 5 minutes and neighbor sent up a flury of star shells that  bracketed the partial eclispe.  A fitting night of July 4th celebration.

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, July 5, 2020 3:07 PM

What fireworks ban?

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, July 5, 2020 3:44 PM

mudchicken

What fireworks ban?

 

Not in Georgia.  Banned after midnight except holidays after 0200.  If there is fire danger then there are certain bans but we have lived in a rain forest this year.  YTD rainfall statewise over 10 inches and here over 15 above normal.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, July 5, 2020 5:45 PM

Aerial video from Los Angeles showed a veritable sea of fireworks...

Most all of the official fireworks around here were cancelled - some draw significant crowds.  It can take two hours to get out of little Alexandria Bay (year-round population a little over 1,000) after the Boldt Castle display.  

Not this year.

That said, I've heard that there were some pretty decent private displays...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, July 6, 2020 1:24 AM

Saw a tweet that said something like:

 

"Firework sales this year be like:  buy one, get 256,000 free".

 

Saturday night, there were about 6 dispplays going at once while I was playing yard engineer.  Incl. an impressive 2 hour display. 

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 samfp1943 on Monday, July 6, 2020 9:16 AM

[quote user="zugmann"]

Saw a tweet that said something like: 

"Firework sales this year be like:  buy one, get 256,000 free".

Saturday night, there were about 6 dispplays going at once while I was playing yard engineer.  Incl. an impressive 2 hour display.  

[/quote]

Spent 4th W/E over in SE Kansas, at  in-laws... The neighbors there had some pretty impressive fireworks, prtyy much al weekend.  Got back herer on Sunday evening...Looks like the locals and their usal fireworks were almost a nothing burger!  Too Quiet.  Sigh

This morning, we've only had a couple of trains one heavy(5 BNSF GM units, on- point) TOFC going East. Then a sort of strange one going WB...A single NS unit leading (could not catch the number, but a GE manfu unit)  The consist was primarily UPSU boxes on piggy back flat cars; no well cars. Many UPS trailers, and in one block about a dozen FedEx trailers; one in-train DPU(BNSF GM) unit, and it was followed by only, a dozen or so cars with UPSU containers. Probably, about 8,000'  of train(?) An unusual make up for around these parts.  

 

 


 

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, July 6, 2020 9:59 AM

We were coming home from Michigan Friday, and we saw people leaving a fireworks store with bags full of something that I assume wasn't lunch.  Fireworks are supposedly illegal here in Illinois, and this store was in Indiana right at the state line.

Illegality notwithstanding, we had quite a few neighborhood sessions for days leading up to the event, and even a few yesterday.  We discovered the remnants of a bottle rocket on our front roof...to get there from the launch site the rocket would have had to vault some pretty tall trees and the roof of our house.  Since my ladder use has been restricted, I'm just hoping the next gully-washer will take care of it.

 

Boom!

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, July 6, 2020 3:00 PM

afternoon

Back to work today.Saw an eastbound Ns with autoracks after work.The American Legion might still have a display in Deshler Saturday night.We will see.Also was able to get a new dresser for my great nephew.Going to work on how to get it to him.(assembly is extra)

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 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 3:16 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work today.Mother Nature looks like she might give us a shower. Matt and Stacey went into town on errands.Found out we need to give hugs.A guy who used to live in our old neighborhood passed away. He would wait for the trains by the clinton st viaduct.Need to get working on some projects.

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 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 9:09 PM

We had thunder and wind, but no rain, here.  Things seem to disappear from the radar when they get close to the Lake.

Things were a little backed up on UP today, but I only was there for a moment in time.  We had an eastbound manifest train strung out over the western half of Elmhurst, keeping the principal streets of teh town clear.  He had come up on a restricted-proceed block to follow a stack train into the yard (the stacker was hanging out over a grade crossing at the eastern edge of town and had the control point completely covered).

I had my final collection of white-cells for my immunotherapy today.  The final infusion is Friday morning.  Then we have to wait six months (months, I tell you!) to see if it's worked.  

The heat, the cancer, and the yard work is causing me to take a lot of naps lately.

I'd love to see some trains on the day of my infusion, if not sooner.  Not that I need the work; I still have some sightings to check out from our trip to Michigan last week.

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 Wednesday, July 8, 2020 5:29 PM

Evening

Had to do some house cleaning before I could come in.Ns was clear after work.Csx has sent another grain train to the elevator west of town.Mother Nature sent us a shower.Going to be nice and muggy tomorrow.Matt is doing dishes.Saturday the Deshler Legion is still planning on putting on the fireworks.Also found out that a certain staff member of "Trains" is a Dad again.Congrats to Brian and his family.Off to do more chores.

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 Thursday, July 9, 2020 2:31 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a westbound after work.Matt gets to go do dishes.Still warm and muggy here.Going to chill inside.

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 Thursday, July 9, 2020 6:25 PM

Ah, finally, somebody at Kalmbach went down the hall and kicked the computer!

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 tree68 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 6:49 PM

mudchicken

Ah, finally, somebody at Kalmbach went down the hall and kicked the computer!

Yeah, I had to go "incognito" to get into the forum a day or two ago, but it's back now...

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 blue streak 1 on Friday, July 10, 2020 4:20 AM

tree68
mudchicken

Ah, finally, somebody at Kalmbach went down the hall and kicked the computer!

 

Unfortunately had same problem.  Kalmback e mailed me back and said to clear all cookies and go to google chrome.  OH REALLY!

To make it worse microsoft just hijacked all my programs on an update and now displays completely different.  All my favorite links on the star function all over the place.  Just to get anything had to "ctrl alt delete" to get anything as microsoft wanted me to sine in for their service. UGH 

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, July 10, 2020 10:41 AM

I had to clear all cookies AND reboot my computer before I was finally able to log back in- Super Angry

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Friday, July 10, 2020 1:10 PM

blue streak 1
  Kalmback e mailed me back and said to clear all cookies and go to google chrome.  OH REALLY!

   I am not very knowledgeable about the whole computer thing, and I may just be paranoid, but I've had the impression the last couple of years that Google has been engaging in an aggressive campaign to monopolize the business.  There were a couple of local sites that I looked into that said I had to use Chrome to access them.  I didn't.

   Almost every day in my spam folder I've been seeing messages from Google that pictures or some other info that I requested has been loaded into my Chrome folders.  I delete them without looking at them.  I have never used Chrome.  I don't like being pushed.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, July 10, 2020 1:44 PM

I use Chrome because Microsoft has historically been so intrusive.  Now Chrome is catching up, it appears.

I use Firefox occasionally.  Haven't had any problems with 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...

  • Member since
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  • From: South Central,Ks
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Posted by samfp1943 on Friday, July 10, 2020 1:50 PM

[quote user="Paul of Covington"]

blue streak 1

   I am not very knowledgeable about the whole computer thing, and I may just be paranoid, but I've had the impression the last couple of years that Google has been engaging in an aggressive campaign to monopolize the business.  There were a couple of local sites that I looked into that said I had to use Chrome to access them.  I didn't.

   Almost every day in my spam folder I've been seeing messages from Google that pictures or some other info that I requested has been loaded into my Chrome folders.  I delete them without looking at them.  I have never used Chrome.  I don't like being pushed.

[/quote]

     BS1's highlighted comment seems to be pretty, much Klambake's stock Company  answer for 'puter issues...

Like some of the other poster on this Thread, I too, suffered some 'issues' as well! 1stL It was M/S's latest "enhancement to their program", 

2nd: Was apparently in the Forum Program. I lost the ability to communicate with  My mani PMs and also when I sign in, my info square on the upper right COLUMN PULLS UP OK, but my 'name' fails to fill in, on the login area on the left side of the page header.

I use Firefox as my main browser {occasionally, Opera] THAT is apparently, a computer death sentence for IT.   I do not trust google, at all. Bang Head  Which is probably why I am assigned to a computer hell???

 

 

 


 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, July 10, 2020 3:07 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Mother nature is sending rain and cooling down outside.Matt has to do dishes.Going to do some 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 rvos1979 on Friday, July 10, 2020 7:48 PM

That does it, Kalmbach isn't getting any more toilet paper until they can run a site competently........

Got a new toy for me to play with at work Thursday, my 2016 Freightliner P3 Cascadia with 673,500 miles was starting to have emission problems, so they found me a 2019 Freightliner P4 Cascadia with just under 200,000 miles on it. This truck also has a refrigerator and an auxiliary power unit to run the HVAC with the main engine shut down. Very nice for a company truck.........

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 tree68 on Friday, July 10, 2020 9:19 PM

rvos1979
Got a new toy...

All you need is a microwave and the amenities will be right up there with our 1964 ALCOs...  ;-)

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
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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 6:25 AM

tree68
rvos1979
Got a new toy...

All you need is a microwave and the amenities will be right up there with our 1964 ALCOs...  ;-)

I think I still have my microwave from the last company, and this truck does include a cubbyhole and power inverter to run it. Not sure I want to put it in or not yet.........

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 samfp1943 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 2:50 PM

rvos1979

That does it, Kalmbach isn't getting any more toilet paper until they can run a site competently........

Got a new toy for me to play with at work Thursday, my 2016 Freightliner P3 Cascadia with 673,500 miles was starting to have emission problems, so they found me a 2019 Freightliner P4 Cascadia with just under 200,000 miles on it. This truck also has a refrigerator and an auxiliary power unit to run the HVAC with the main engine shut down. Very nice for a company truck.........

Sounds like a pretty snertzy ride there, Randy! That team must have been pretty careful with it....Whistling         Used to be the 'new guy' on the block got the highest mileage, worn out 'hangar queen' in the fleet...  Happy Motorin' Mischief  

 

 


 

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Posted by samfp1943 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 3:00 PM

[quote user="tree68"]

Paul of Covington

And people wonder why I live in the north woods...

[/quote]

 Nothin' like a little, ole Southern fauna to keep things on an even keel!! Chef

Have a friend who used to run a BNSF trackage rights train from NLRAR to Memphis....He probably killed as many alligators in Arkansas as the 'Swamp People' do in South La.    He's Thankful, that there are no alligators on his Amtrak route in Illinois, these days.  Whistling

 

 

 


 

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Posted by MikeF90 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 6:34 PM

Paul of Covington
A twelve-foot alligator was found in a residential neighborhood in New Orleans.

No matter where you live, be prepared. About 13 years ago someone left their 'pet' alligator in a L.A. county lake. It eventually was captured and removed to the L.A. Zoo.

The temps in L.A. over the holiday were pretty reasonable compared to north of the Tehachapis. My drive back through the San Joaquin valley showed ~110 degrees solid for over two hours, and it is ~100 degrees here today. BUT .... [everybody repeat] .... It's A Dry Heat!  At any rate, I decided that the fireworks on the Ft. Madison barge / train cam were good enough this year.

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Posted by rvos1979 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 6:38 PM

samfp1943

Sounds like a pretty snertzy ride there, Randy! That team must have been pretty careful with it....Whistling         Used to be the 'new guy' on the block got the highest mileage, worn out 'hangar queen' in the fleet...  Happy Motorin' Mischief 

Not anymore, Sam, now they give the green drivers the brand new trucks, and the ones who have been around a while make do with the used trucks........

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 blhanel on Saturday, July 11, 2020 6:48 PM

MikeF90

 At any rate, I decided that the fireworks on the Ft. Madison barge / train cam were good enough this year.

 

I've been watching that cam quite a bit lately, given that it's the first VRF cam in Iowa.  Do you participate in the YouTube chat as well?

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Saturday, July 11, 2020 11:38 PM

samfp1943

2nd: Was apparently in the Forum Program. I lost the ability to communicate with  My mani PMs and also when I sign in, my info square on the upper right COLUMN PULLS UP OK, but my 'name' fails to fill in, on the login area on the left side of the page header.

I use Firefox as my main browser {occasionally, Opera] THAT is apparently, a computer death sentence for IT.   I do not trust google, at all. Bang Head  Which is probably why I am assigned to a computer hell???

I was same problem with Firefox on the Mac, i.e. logins would not take. First thing that worked was switching to Safari, this morning in a "what the heck" moment I deleted all of the Kalmbach cookies (and a few others). Tried logging in with Firefox and - it workedBig Smile.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, July 12, 2020 5:25 AM

Morning

Deshler was interesting yesterday.Matt was able to come for the fireworks after work.Q 350 had a really good view of the fireworks as they came north to turn to go west.Q 506 also had plenty of panel track going north.Going back to finish a project today.Back to work tomorrow.Maybe Csx can find some more crews.

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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