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Chatterbox Fall 2021

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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, December 4, 2021 7:08 PM

evening

Foggy start this morning.Saw trains on Csx and Ns.Matt went up north and got the 1225 Polar express.Got peeps where they needed to be.Lights uptown were looking festive on the way home.Going to relax.

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 zugmann on Saturday, December 4, 2021 8:03 PM

blue streak 1
Thoughs on the various RRs loosing personnel.  Because of the way the railway labor act the unions cannot strike right now over the awful working conditions.  Could it be that many railroaders are taking the best option and striking by leaving the various RRs ?   That beggs the question of how the various roads are going to meet this problem?

Sounds like a good forum topic in and of itself.  

 

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 tree68 on Saturday, December 4, 2021 9:00 PM

blue streak 1
Now we then have other various business that are having retention of employees.  could it be most businesses do not have unions to improve working conditions?   So the employees that can are just quiting.  We might just call this the great USA strike?  If the pols recognize this as a strike maybe something will get done?

Blame it on the new economy - wherein there are few blue collar jobs and lots of jobs that used to be considered starting positions in the workforce (ie, burger flippers).  The loss of jobs that traditionally paid a living wage has resulted in a workforce forced to do what was entry-level work - except that they now expect (even need) to be paid a living wage.  

Employers are now forced  to pay workers according to an arbitrarily set rule, rather than for the true value of the work.  Of course, that's kind of been the case with the minimum wage right along.

Add to that the "bonus" payments made over the past couple of years and it's not worth it to go to work.  Take away the expenses of commuting and childcare and unemployment looks pretty good compared to having to schlep to work every day.

Just my perspective.  YMMV.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, December 4, 2021 9:07 PM

tree68
Add to that the "bonus" payments made over the past couple of years and it's not worth it to go to work.  Take away the expenses of commuting and childcare and unemployment looks pretty good compared to having to schlep to work every day.

Railroad personnel issues go back way before the "bonus" payments. 

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 JoeKoh on Sunday, December 5, 2021 11:01 AM

Hi

Went out and about today around Fc.Contractors were working along the ND&W.They are starting the rail process tomorrow from FC west.They were also working on a crossing up by their yard office too.Saw some trains on csx.Omni has more cars to scrap from Csx as well.J 715 had an extra guy qualifying for the local today.They went back to Garrett with 1 car.Wind blowing from the east,guessers say we are going to get wet.

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 tree68 on Sunday, December 5, 2021 11:46 AM

JoeKoh
Wind blowing from the east, guessers say we are going to get wet.

An east wind is usually up  to no good in the land of prevailing westerlies...

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 Sunday, December 5, 2021 11:36 PM

blue streak 1

That beggs the question of how the various roads are going to meet this problem?

Annoying grammar pedant here...

"That raises the question" as your first two sentences do indeed raise the question about how the various roads are going to meet this potential problem.

The "Great Resignation" is having an effect on a lot of industries, though for railroads the problem is a lot of the "institutional memory" disappearing due to retirement (cf many comments by Mudchicken).

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Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, December 6, 2021 9:50 AM

Sitting in Green Bay this morning, got a brand new International truck on Thursday, and found out that it won't go into 12th gear. Shop is looking at it, we are hoping that it's a software issue...........

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 Monday, December 6, 2021 10:00 AM

rvos1979
...it won't go into 12th gear.

I'm presuming that 12th is the top gear, or maybe even overdrive?

I've handled a 7 speed, but that's 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...

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Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, December 6, 2021 1:21 PM

tree68
rvos1979
...it won't go into 12th gear.

I'm presuming that 12th is the top gear, or maybe even overdrive?

I've handled a 7 speed, but that's it...

Yup, 12th is top gear on this Eaton automated transmission. A software update got my RPMs back to where they should be in 11th, but it still won't shift into 12th. Curiously, the collision avoidance radar is now reading about 15mph above what traffic is doing, so I've still got software gremlins.........

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 BaltACD on Monday, December 6, 2021 2:25 PM

rvos1979
 
tree68
rvos1979
...it won't go into 12th gear.

I'm presuming that 12th is the top gear, or maybe even overdrive?

I've handled a 7 speed, but that's it... 

Yup, 12th is top gear on this Eaton automated transmission. A software update got my RPMs back to where they should be in 11th, but it still won't shift into 12th. Curiously, the collision avoidance radar is now reading about 15mph above what traffic is doing, so I've still got software gremlins.........

Must be a 'replacement chip' installed to get the truck 'out of the plant'.  All of which raises the question - just how good are the mechanics in debugging software?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, December 6, 2021 3:11 PM

afternoon

Mother Nature has cooled us down today.Ns sent a westbound Detroit Edison coal train with Bnsf power after work.They have some cars uptown as well.Ran errands in town as well.Going to stay in tonight.

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 tree68 on Monday, December 6, 2021 5:32 PM

Now  if I can just figure out what "switch" I accidentally hit to make the forum go full screen, eliminating the stuff to the right, like the PM section...

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, December 6, 2021 5:57 PM

tree68
Now  if I can just figure out what "switch" I accidentally hit to make the forum go full screen, eliminating the stuff to the right, like the PM section...

Of course Kalmbach IT has it so one is unable to start a new PM conversation so that is not as big a loss as it once was.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, December 6, 2021 7:18 PM

BaltACD
Of course Kalmbach IT has it so one is unable to start a new PM conversation so that is not as big a loss as it once was.

It is easier to read the larger type...

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: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 3:14 AM

Good Morning

Happy Mookie day.Will have some hot chocolate later in a BNSF mug after work.Computer says 21 degrees this morning.

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
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Posted by rvos1979 on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 5:09 AM

Around zero in Green Bay this morning, day 2 of fixing issues with this truck is about to commence. Found out that this is actually an 11 speed transmission, the management didn't bother to tell the shop personnel or the drivers. Got a speedometer issue to fix that was most likely caused by that, and we need to get the auto start system working, because all the power in the sleeper, including my CPAP, shuts off before the auto start kicks in........

I think I want my old truck back.........

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 JoeKoh on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 2:45 PM

afternoon

Have a car in the warehouse siding.If Ns wants it back they might want to move the eastbound Bnsf coal train out of the way.Still chilly outside.Going to go make the hot chocolate.

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
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Posted by Backshop on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 6:04 PM

rvos1979

Around zero in Green Bay this morning, day 2 of fixing issues with this truck is about to commence. Found out that this is actually an 11 speed transmission, the management didn't bother to tell the shop personnel or the drivers. Got a speedometer issue to fix that was most likely caused by that, and we need to get the auto start system working, because all the power in the sleeper, including my CPAP, shuts off before the auto start kicks in........

I think I want my old truck back.........

 

Is your truck orange or red?

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 11:09 AM

A young member of our fire department died early this past Saturday morning when his truck went off the road and struck a tree.  His passenger survived and was able to wake a neighbor to report the incident.

He'll be missed by all.  His family is not well off, and the costs resulting are a real burden for them, so a fundraiser is being held.

Monday evening a 20 foot box trailer from a bottle and can redemption center was placed at our banquet hall to receive donations.  I was notified (by our 9-1-1 center, no less - someone called them to find out where they should put their donation) on Tuesday evening that it was full.  It's been replaced with a full sized box truck...

People can be amazing if they want to be.

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 ChuckCobleigh on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 11:24 AM

rvos1979
Found out that this is actually an 11 speed transmission...

Makes me wonder if the tractor was used to haul gear on the last “Spinal Tap” tour.Whistling

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Posted by MikeF90 on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 12:50 PM

The cataract surgery on the left eye went well, quite an experience since I was just sedated. Corrected eye world looks like a cooler light temp than the fuzzy right eye vision. I'm off to get a first check from the opthamologist .....

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 1:42 PM

MikeF90
The cataract surgery on the left eye went well, quite an experience since I was just sedated. Corrected eye world looks like a cooler light temp than the fuzzy right eye vision. I'm off to get a first check from the opthamologist .....

See my optometrist on the 20th.  Have been told for the past several years that I have a small cataract in my right eye - I have been told that nothing needs to be done with it at present.  

Got glasses last year, they do the job, however I feel my unaided vision has worsened more since I got them.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 1:49 PM

Lynn had cataract surgery a few years back.  She also got toric lens implants at the same time.  She states that her vision has improved.

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 CShaveRR on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 1:53 PM

@

 

We can't let these days go by without paying tribute to Our Sister Jen, our Mookie, whose 78th birthday was yesterday.  I was she who was responsible for the Chatterbox Cafe initially, and for many of its antecedents.

On a more personal level, it was Mookie who made me interested in visiting her, and going to "Camp Mookie" where something was nearly always moving.  I, on the other hand, persuaded her and her husband, the "Driver", to visit Chicagoland, where she found out first thing about diamonds and the size of the city terminals.  It was also Mookie who introduced me to Facebook many years ago (Pat now thinks that's a good thing). 

 

Hope she's listening... ^~~^  Happy birthday, SJ!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, December 8, 2021 3:16 PM

afternoon

Ns coal train and boxcar in the same location as yesterday.They have a set of cars uptown as well.Ns sent an eastbound Carl specail as we left work.Had some snow flurries as well.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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 4:09 PM

Never met Jen in person, although it was I who provided her avatar of the original "Mookie."  

Exchanged Christmas cards with her and Ed for several years.

She was definitely an asset to the forum!

Due for my eye test for the railroad this coming spring.  Could be interesting as either diabetes or the med I was taking definitely had an effect on my vision.

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 Wednesday, December 8, 2021 8:32 PM

[quote user="MikeF90"]

The cataract surgery on the left eye went well, quite an experience since I was just sedated. Corrected eye world looks like a cooler light temp than the fuzzy right eye vision. I'm off to get a first check from the opthamologist .....

 [/quote
 
Mike my cataracks were a different color than most.  The color rendition fixed eye to not fixed was very  pronounced.  Almost scared me at first.  It will resolve when your second eye is done.
  • Member since
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 8:33 PM

[quote user="MikeF90"]

The cataract surgery on the left eye went well, quite an experience since I was just sedated. Corrected eye world looks like a cooler light temp than the fuzzy right eye vision. I'm off to get a first check from the opthamologist .....

 [/quote
 
Mike my cataract were a different color than most.  The color rendition fixed eye to not fixed was very  pronounced.  Almost scared me at first.  It will resolve when your second eye is done.
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, December 9, 2021 11:03 PM

For the first time this year observed a CSX unit auto carrier train.  Was northbound with  ~~  120 - 150 cars all loaded with autos.

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