Trains.com

Chatterbox Winter 2020-2021

16310 views
230 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, January 15, 2021 2:50 PM

I've got a couple of pizzas in the freezer - that might just be an idea!

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 15, 2021 2:25 PM

afternoon

Had to detour this morning due to a bad accident.Ns has a few cars uptown to shuffle.Going to go do errands.Matt says pizza for supper would be great.

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, January 14, 2021 2:45 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.Got a notice that our water bill got lost in the mail.Call the office.Put in for vaction time at work.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 2:53 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear after work.Went and gave my virtual hugs.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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 4:18 PM

evening

Well last night remided me of a song lyric."We'll win the game or know the reason why."Rand errands today.Took some goodies to my brother in Edgerton.Saw some trains on Ns and Csx as well.Also got to see one of the SDI's switchers come out.Came home and found out need to send virtual hugs.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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, January 11, 2021 2:55 PM

afternoon

Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.Got my B&O sign that I ordered for Christmas.Going to see how the boys from Columbus do in Miami tonight.Chores to do as well.

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 Monday, January 11, 2021 2:15 PM

tree68
Glutton for punishment...

I think there's a support group for that ..... Wink

Last night a LORAM train came through Tehachapi after 11pm; what struck me is that they have astonishingly, unbelievably bright work lights. They moved through the 'West Cable' camera FOV quickly so it was unclear what work they were doing.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 9, 2021 6:51 PM

good evening

Had sunshine today and went out and looked for trains.Took a friend over to see what was left in Willard yard.He had never seen the Ns yard in Bellevue so we went up there as well.Saw action on Csx and Ns.Also found a rebuilt gp 7 not in Kansas anymore but in Tiffin Ohio.More sunshine tomorrow.We'll take it.

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
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, January 8, 2021 7:19 PM

No Trains Magazine yet, but I was busy today with plumbing.  New faucet for the kitchen sink, repair to a drain on the kitchen sink, and lo and behold, the toilet is leaking.  

Later this winter, the upstairs half bath gets a new sink, and the downstairs bath gets a new faucet for the sink.

Glutton for punishment...

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 8, 2021 2:58 PM

afternoon

Just got my Trains magazine as well.Matt is checking it out.Ns had some cars uptown to pick up.Did see some sunshine on the way home from work.Wished nephew a happy birthday today as well.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 2006
  • 1,754 posts
Posted by diningcar on Thursday, January 7, 2021 4:15 PM

Just received my February issue. 1st quick look through has lots of info about where MC and I have worked. There is an explanation of the Truxton flyover which was a subject of much speculation here recently (some by me). 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, January 7, 2021 2:45 PM

afternoon

Carl Matt and I are interested in Rileys and that diner we went too.Still working on Stacey.Ns sent a westbound stack train after work.They had a track inspector looking in the siding as well. Matt looked for some trains after work this morning.Saw some on Csx.That maybe why hes a bit tired this afternoon.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: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, January 7, 2021 9:57 AM

Randy: Carl and I have a pretty good idea of where you're at right now in Gary. NS is still picking up a derailment close by there.

Time to pull down the x-mas lites before the snow returns Saturday.

Turning-in the company vehicle after a quarter million miles. Not shedding a tear over this one. (Ford highlighted the problem in blue and circled it)

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
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 8:07 PM

Had to put the semi in the shop in Gary this morning, bunk heater finally gave up the ghost Tuesday night in Tuscola. Wouldn't light, then when it did, went into overheat shutdown. Thankfully, I keep warm sleeping clothes in the truck for just such an emergency, and I had just changed my CPAP hose to a heated version, which made the night bearable. Having the shop look at a few other items while it's here as well.........

 

Pretty sad when a party devolves into what happened today...........

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
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 7:03 PM

Flintlock76

 

 
tree68

Got a new faucet for the kitchen sink.  Now all I have to do is install it...

 

 

 

I replaced all the bathroom faucets in the house about four years ago.  Not too  tough.  It might have been easier but I'm not the contortionist I used to be!  OWWWWW...

 

The bathrooms are next.  The downstairs bath will simply get a new faucet.  The upstairs half bath is getting a new pedestal sink with the same faucet as downstairs.

My well water runs though limestone - the hardness is off the scale (meaning I get a lot of scale...)

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 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 4:29 PM

tree68

Got a new faucet for the kitchen sink.  Now all I have to do is install it...

 

I replaced all the bathroom faucets in the house about four years ago.  Not too  tough.  It might have been easier but I'm not the contortionist I used to be!  OWWWWW...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 4:25 PM

Bravo, Matt!

At the end of this post will be a number, representing the number of times I've been interrupted by fast-moving trains on NS's Water Level Route.  We are spendig the night at Riley's Railhouse in Chesterton, Indiana, just up the grade a bit from Porter.

We've had a fair day so far.  We met my sister and brother-in-law for lunch in Gary at the Great Lakes Cafe; they semed to be as taken with the place as we are.  We then went east with them, showing them a decent lakefront Park in Gary, and the site of NS' 12/23 wreck (which they'd already discovered).  We were going to show them the five houses on the Lake from the Century of Progress Exposition in 1934, but found the road closed...it looked to my sister like signs of beach erosion--not surprising in the least.  

After they continued on U.S. 12 toward Michigan (I think they're curious about why we enjoy the slow roads!), we headed back to Chesterton, where Pat wanted to go to a quilt store (we bought material as well as one of the notions she needed), then checked in at the Railhouse.  It's been moderately busy through here, but so far, no trains have interrupted my post.

At this oint I'll mention my foray yesterday into Elmhurst, where I spent most of the lunch hour with "CopCarSS" Chris.  We caught up on COVID aftermaths, and--of course--Carmen, the new baby girl.  When we found out about her arrival a few months back, we were ready right away with a card and some books as a present.  You know, the religious tracts like The Little Engine That Could and Tootle.  But it was hard to arrange dlivery, even though they live relatively close--COVID and other things intervened.  But I delvered the package to Chris, and he later sent us a video of Carmen unwrapping it...it really has been a while (okay, she had Daddy helping her!).  Can't wait to meet her in person sometime.

Anyway, after whiling away the hour with Chris, I drove north to Bryn Mawr, where I saw not one, but two Canadian Pacific manifests!  It's hard to write information when you're in a car by yourself and there's no place to pull off...

The neatest thing about one of those manifests was a string of a couple of dozen welded-rail transport flat cars, organized as a train (they were empty, but the end cars and the center anchor car were in the proper place).  And the neatest thing about this was that the cars were relatively brand-new--not just rebuilt.  They were 286K flat cars, and I think the risers for rail transport could hold a couple more rails each.  The walkway had been moved to the top of the cars, with its railing extending the cars up into Plate F territory.  CP has gotten 84 such flat cars, built by the Ebenezer Railcar Company, so there are probably three such trains floating around the system.

Well, no trains since I started writing this...probably just as well.  I have enough information on hand here to keep me busy during the darkest, most brutal days of winter (which I'm sure are ahead, but this week doesn't have any of them!).  Hey, if you want a neat place to spend a night and morning, and don't mind having the trains going right by, check out Riley's Railhouse (www.rileysrailhouse.com), and tell them I sent you!  We rcommend the Upper Berth for railfans, but we are in the Lower Berth this time.  They also have a box car and a caboose set up with rooms.

0 :(

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
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 4:19 PM

Got a new TV -  Need to have the internet and a e-mail address to get it to work.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 2:28 PM

afternoon

Ns local was back in the siding after work today.Might turn into a regular run.Kitchen faucet? Matt did ours while we were at work.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
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 3:37 PM

Got a new faucet for the kitchen sink.  Now all I have to do is install 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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 2:29 PM

afternoon

Ns local was waiting in the siding to go back to Toledo.Gray drizzly and damp day.Need to do 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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, January 4, 2021 2:32 PM

afternoon

Back to work today.Got a christmas card from my niece today.Ns was clear after work.Matt's college is requesting more tuition money.welcome back to normal.

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 2, 2021 3:42 PM

afternoon

Matt had to go north of the border to take care of his railroad club dues.We then went and ate in Toledo.We went to Vickers where Ns was working on the diamond.Csx ran 2 trains on the C&O side.Then Ns ran some trains.Saw a nice young man from the past that used to come to Deshler.Turns out now he works for Ns.Heard the dispatcher talkto the N 803 on csx(detroit edison coal train).They had a pair of BNSF aces and had to wait for Ns traffic to clear.Then Ns ran a westbound train 309.They had the "GT" heritage unit in the consist.Also a CN Barn.We went around Toledo and went west.We got ahead of him and took more pictures between Delta and Wauseon.Other friends took pictures at the wauseon depot.Pretty good day.Mamma is at the store now getting groceries.Mother nature might send us some snow tomorrow. Checked the mailbox have more pictures for the fridge.Need to get stuff back for work come Monday.

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 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, January 2, 2021 11:09 AM

innoculations are so screwed up in this state that we will never--------------

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, January 1, 2021 3:14 PM

My lights will wait until Sunday.  Hopefully we won't see much of the winter weather they have forecast in the meantime.

There's ice on the tree branches at Crossroads Park...

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, January 1, 2021 3:03 PM

afternoon

Icy this morning now cold and rainy.Did get the outside lights in before the weather started.Just taking it easy here at home today.

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 Thursday, December 31, 2020 11:17 PM

2020 is in a dirt nap.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 9:20 PM

Just under an hour and 45 minutes left in the year as I post this.  And I think I'll head for bed early.  

Got my shot today, as I am an EMS provider.  Four weeks and I get the second round.  

Ed's essay is poignant, and worth posting every year around this time.

Here's hoping we all have a better 2021.  Stay Safe!

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 Thursday, December 31, 2020 9:01 PM

Wellsboro used to be quite the place when it was three main lines, not two, crossing there...and even more when the trains from the C&O of Indiana started coming up that way.  They had to put a balloon track in to handle that move, but until they did they see-sawed over the GTW to get the trains to the B&O.  And, it was a manual interlocking!  Glad you took the opportunity to go there!

That story from Ed still brings tears...if Larry hadn't posted it, I would have.  He would not have enjoyed the weather we're supposed to get tomorrow afternoon and evening...a little bit of everything except the locusts and brimstone.

Thanks again for posting the story, Larry.  Just think...2020 will be gone in three hours here.  I might be out before that (sounds like whiz-bangers going off already!).  A very happy 2021 to everyone here...may health, safety, and happiness be yours in abundance!

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
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, December 31, 2020 6:57 PM

Good Morning

Agree with Carl.Miss Ed very much.Would always answer any questions you had.Went and checked on brother and made a delivery.Took a road trip to Wellsboro Indiana and checked out the CHCN(Chicken).Saw some good stuff and unique power as well.NS and CSX ran some trains by as well.Tomorrow guessers are calling for some nasty stuff coming.Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year.

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").

 

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