Good Evening
Tomorrow is the first day of winter.We have cool tempratures but sunshine here.Makes cleaning up the swamp good.We got a good start after I got home from work.Matt was able to get his packages mailed this morning.Ns was clear after work.One thing I did notice was they put up signs along the sidings.They say end of Ns maintenence.Going to get cleaned up.
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").
Saying goodbye to fall here with below zero temps last night and just above freezing temps today. And several inches of snow on the ground.
I don't have to leave the house until Thursday. Hopefully it's a decent day. And the doc will give me positive news...
Larry 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...
Official start of winter is 9:59AM CST. We still haven't had any measurable snowfall over the last 280 days around here and it looks like it will continue until sometime after Christmas.
Evening
Ns had a tanker train in the siding to go west after work.Came home and Matt was busy working in the swamp.We are almost done.Cooler day tomorrow but still will be able to get outside.Guessers here say a wet Christmas.Last day of work for the year tomorrow.Going to get cleaned up.
Monitoring a Canadian amateur radio repeater nearby brought the news that a fire station in Portland, ON burned yesterday. By the reports I've found, it sounds like the station (volunteer) was a goner by the time the fire was discovered mid-afternoon. There were apparently several explosions.
No one was hurt.
All the apparatus in the station was destroyed as well.
It was one of four stations for the Rideau Lakes Fire Department. The area remains covered for fire.
It happens.
tree68Monitoring a Canadian amateur radio repeater nearby brought the news that a fire station in Portland, ON burned yesterday. By the reports I've found, it sounds like the station (volunteer) was a goner by the time the fire was discovered mid-afternoon. There were apparently several explosions. No one was hurt. All the apparatus in the station was destroyed as well. It was one of four stations for the Rideau Lakes Fire Department. The area remains covered for fire. It happens.
Back during the Winter of 2009-10 the local VFD had their assembly hall that was attached to their station catch on fire account snow broke a tree branch into and electric line and caught the building on fire. The hall was a complete loss - the station and its equipment were saved.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
evening
Ns still had a westbound tanker train in the siding today.Work is done until next year.Made great progress in the swamp.Looking back the way it was.Time to get cleaned up.
afternoon
Swamp work is all done.Matt went out to get the I&O going north at Hamler.Seems csx was having problems flipping the switch to get them across.They also had MOW working on the diamond at Deshler.Csx sent a coal train west but it would be parked in Garrett due to the crew needing helpers to get to Chicago.Helped Stacey get the rest of her items for Christmas dinner.A local store had Valentines day stuff out as well.Glad to be home.Going to relax.
Doc says the ankle is looking good. Lotsa hardware in it. New cast - black, no less. Back again next week.
Got groceries today, too. Well stocked at this point, including all the fixin's for Christmas Dinner.
Reminds me - I'll have to break out the guitar and entertain myself with Peter, Paul and Mary's "Christmas Dinner," always one of my favorites.
good morning
Our next door nieghbors must want me to shovel plenty of snow.They brought over plenty of goodies last night.Going over to G+G's house today.Going to watch for deer today and the flying kind tonight.Word is Csx and Ns are going to try to run a normal schedule.Have a Merry Christmas.
As an aside, for those who have a scanner (especially a base scanner with an outside antenna) the International Space Station will be broadcasting slow scan TV images all week.
While this may sound technically difficult for the "man on the street," it's not.
The frequency is 145.800 MHz. Most scanners will handle this.
There are smart phone apps that will decode the images - search for SSTV on your app store.
You can find out when the ISS will pass over your area at https://www.n2yo.com/?s=25544 . Be sure to input your location!
I have the means to connect a computer to my amateur radio equipment, and will be doing so, of course. But you don't need that - just an "acoustic coupling" (air gap) will do just fine.
morning
Very foggy yesterday.Guessers say some wet sloppy snow will be coming this afternoon.The train room clean out was successful as well.We both said that's where that car went.More chores inside today.
At least seven feet of snow on the ground in the Sierras, but unfortunately for skiers I-80 is closed at Colfax. Much more snow to come later this week - great for our water supply. Amtrak is running kind of sort of. Here in the East Bay night temps in the 30s, daytime might make it to 50.
BNSF appears to be running on both tracks (alternately?) after the Sunday derailment track damage at Baring MO (southern transcon) was repaired.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
JoeKohGuessers say some wet sloppy snow will be coming this afternoon.
Based on what I saw on the Deshler cam today, you got it...
Hlding near freezing here, and has been all day. Hopefully the weather is decent Thursday - the one day this week I have to go out...
The south is staying in the daytime 70s until Saturday. Then look out.
Got some wet snow last night.It is damp and foggy this morning.Nieces are going to Chicago on Amtrak.They left from Jackson Michigan.I can only tell them now about the route and things they might see.(was under Santa silence).Been watching the railcam in Deshler.Mow has been busy on the diamond.Chores to do here.
Good evening, Merry Christmas and any other festivity you may have celebrated, and a safe New Year's weekend ahead!Since the official start of winter, I've been in our hospital's ER area twice (one time I even made it into a room instead of just in the hallway). Neither of those visits addressed what eventually was determined to be my problem. We instead went to my oncology offices, where I was fnally given an order for a flask of new (to me) blood. This is probably only a temporary fix, but it effected quite a change in immediate ability to walk unassisted, body color, other telltale signs like that. The problem seems to be last month's change from one cancer med (and its accompanying steroid) to another (to be determined, with big doses of a different steroid). And today was visit #4, to the transfusion area. Next scheduled medical visit: next Monday, next year.Last night I was in such bad shape I fell short of landing in bed after a trip out. Things have to improve from there, as it felt (accurately) like I had zero energy.Today, after the transfusion and whil I'm feeling (relatively) okay, I'm trying to bring myself back toward a normal schedue of mealtimes and bedtimes. This process may take a while, but I find it a potentially significant milestone. We have company coming tomorrow, and I'd like to at least be able to greet them from someplace other than bed. If there's any chance I can make it to church on Sunday, I shall.No sightings trips have been made since we came home from Michigan on December 11 (that, by the way, is the most recent time I've driven a car). No worries, though--I have lots of things to check out here, including a report of the C&NW owning (or at least leasing) a number of wood-bodied vinegar tank cars about 70 years ago!In case I get busy or ill again, a happy New Year to everyone hereon! Celebrate safely, and watch the weather!
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)
Glad you're feeling better, Carl.
I can kind of sympathize with you. I'm starting to figure out what I can do/get away with and what I can't with one foot completely out of commission.
OTOH, last visit to the ortho doc says 12 weeks vs the 8 I've been looking at - something about diabetes affecting healing of the bones. I've got things under control with diet, and to an extent, exercise, but it's still a factor.
Finally got a railing put up on the side porch, which will make getting in and out of the house easier. Of course, If I had a walking cast on the bad foot, it would be easier, but, no weight bearing yet.
Good thing I've got friends who will run me around and get my mail, etc, for me.
Headed to the ortho folks again tomorrow. Daughter and family are picking me up from there and taking me out to dinner, with a brief side trip to pick up the grocery order I just put in. Not that much good has come out of the pandemic, but being able to shop on-line and pick up the whole order without wandering through the store has been great, especially if someone else has to pick it up for me. All paid up and ready to go.
Hopefully you get the current round of issues sorted out. Keeping you in my thoughts.
tree68Glad you're feeling better, Carl. I can kind of sympathize with you. I'm starting to figure out what I can do/get away with and what I can't with one foot completely out of commission. OTOH, last visit to the ortho doc says 12 weeks vs the 8 I've been looking at - something about diabetes affecting healing of the bones. I've got things under control with diet, and to an extent, exercise, but it's still a factor. Finally got a railing put up on the side porch, which will make getting in and out of the house easier. Of course, If I had a walking cast on the bad foot, it would be easier, but, no weight bearing yet. Good thing I've got friends who will run me around and get my mail, etc, for me. Headed to the ortho folks again tomorrow. Daughter and family are picking me up from there and taking me out to dinner, with a brief side trip to pick up the grocery order I just put in. Not that much good has come out of the pandemic, but being able to shop on-line and pick up the whole order without wandering through the store has been great, especially if someone else has to pick it up for me. All paid up and ready to go. Hopefully you get the current round of issues sorted out. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Age and diabetes streached the healing of my broken and surgically repaired radius bone into a 4 month chore. By the time the medical-industrial element of society was done with it - I was billed approximately $40K - insurance settled for much less and I ended up paying about $500 out of pocket.
Ahh, Old men talking about their medical issues. My oncologist told me "Getting OLD is NOT for sissies. After blood clots traveled to my lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) I need Oxygen if I do very much more than sit or walk around the Apt. Thank god and science for vaccines and the medical advances we have. My brother (who died ten years back) used to tell me DON'T get old" but didn't have any alternative so I plan on just getting older. Carl, when it gets warmer, I hope to meet you for a trip to Elmhust. So hang in there.
Electroliner 1935Ahh, Old men talking about their medical issues. My oncologist told me "Getting OLD is NOT for sissies. After blood clots traveled to my lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) I need Oxygen if I do very much more than sit or walk around the Apt. Thank god and science for vaccines and the medical advances we have. My brother (who died ten years back) used to tell me DON'T get old" but didn't have any alternative so I plan on just getting older. Carl, when it gets warmer, I hope to meet you for a trip to Elmhust. So hang in there.
Age and infirmity is the medical-industrial complex's attempt to liberate our lifes savings into their accounts.
Stopping the 'theft' tends to be counter productive to the individal involved.
Trip to ortho went well, if long - sat waiting more than actually getting stuff done.
I did get to finally see the before and after xrays. Really did a number on it, and I now have substantial hardware in the ankle.
So now I have a nice navy blue cast, vs the black one I've had for a week.
After the appointment was finally over, my daughter and her family picked me up (they grabbed my on-line grocery order while they were waiting) and we went to a nice little restaurant for dinner. It wasn't Christmas dinner, but I got to see the grandkids (grandson spent much time on his phone... He's 12) and chat with daughter and son-in-law.
I've captured all 12 of the slow-scan TV images being broadcast by the International Space Station this week. One's not very good - we'll keep listening and decoding until the event is over, in hopes we get a good copy on that one, too.
Went a bit south after doing chores here at home.We followed an I&O train from the Ottawa loop to DT&I jct. We were even able to get it on a trestle after it crossed bluelick road.While in Lima we also saw an Ns transfer job come out of the I&O yard to get back on therir trackage.We then went to the hobby store in Wapkoneta.We saw a local going south back to Cincinnati with tanks on flats.We also saw K 596 come south as well.They had a meet with someone at AK siding.Had supper then made it home safely in the fog.Going with Sis tomorrow to give our brother a New Years Noon celebration.Guessers are not sure what is coming yet for new years day.Tomorrow will also be a "stay frosty" kind of day.
Hey mudchicken, how are you faring with all the dust and smoke flying around?
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Brian, I was about to ask MC the same thing...I hope they're above most of it. A news repot showed law-enforcement people telling people to evacuate and head east, which doesn't give me much of a clue.Transfusion euphoria lasted less than a full day here. I slept a lot of today.Tomorrow we may get some neighbors dropping in. It will be okay if she doesn't bring her harp...if she does, I might be in trouble! I will stay frosty tomorrow night, with good memories. We're in line for four to eight inches' worth of snow in a short amount of time to greet the New Year. Chicago's fireworks celebration will be safe, though, I'm told, and worth seeing (probably not worth staying awake or waking up for, though...). I just want the snow to be off the streets by Monday morning, though, as that's when my next session with the oncology lab will take place. Also my next possibility of seeing anything on the tracks anywhere. Past my bedtime...whatever that means, these days!
Carl & Brian:
Marshall Fire was well north of us (30 Mi NNE) . No smoke or smell down here. Could barely see the smoke trailing to the east as the wind* kept everything close to the ground. Wind finally quit about 9PM. Closer to us we had semi trailers blowing over on the Denver belt freeway (C-470).
(*) 80-115 MPH gusts - Mother nature's bellows in overdrive compounding the difficulty of stopping the range fire.
BNSF's Front Range Sub (C&S Denver- Boulder - Cheyenne line) was possibly in the eastern edge of the fire limits north of Louisville Jcn/ Webb, but not hearing much on them. There was a story last night about a possible underground long-abandoned coal mine being possibly set on fire near Marshall. Weird day.
Figures - that area is looking at 5-9 inches of very late snow appearing tonight. (grass is dormant and so-dry that it's crunchy)...If you survived the fire up there, (600+ homes destroyed) you are now freezing in the dark with no gas or electric and a boil-order on the local water supply.
Good morning
Welcome to 2022.Took brother out yesterday.We found a nice little barber shop in Butler Indiana.We stopped at Auburn for lunch and checked out Garrett.We got to see a Csx crew take power into the yard to turn it around on the wye track.Had to run an errand this morning.We are starting with fog but a whole bunch of mixed stuff coming.Going to watch the Rose Parade out west.Matt will probably be working more on the layout.
Happy New Year to one and all!
Just kicking back and relaxing, although I did spend a little time sorting out the collection of stuff on the "dining room" table (hasn't been used for dining in ages). Still a lot to sort out, though.
We've got winter weather coming out way as well. Several inches of snow last I heard. For now, it's +36F, so it'll have to cool off before we get too much. But, it's supposed to do that tonight, too...
Started out at zero degrees (no temperature) this morning and totally missed New-Years last nite...completely zonked by 9pm. 4-5 inches of powder snow was greeted with a great sigh of relief this morning. Lots of people in the ditches with Joe's patented ditchfinders, including many with baloney-skin tires. (Not good for the poor folks in the burn area, but great for the rest of us)
The Marshall Fire is now not being blamed on downed wires. (If BNSF were closer to the fire limits, no doubt they would be blaming them...) Now they are looking at a shed that was caught on video close to the point of origin burning in a truck storage yard some 5.75 miles west of BNSF. (Kinda funny that some lawyer already filed a suit against the power company... professional credibility issue?)
Ice and then snow on top in Lawrence, KS. The temperature is zero with a wind chill of -7. Miss Diane and I missed our usual Saturday AM brunch because it was too dangerous on the street for an almost ninety year old to be walking.
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