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Chatterbox Spring 2022

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Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 6:27 PM

The bridge at Ranchero looks like it can handle a 3rd track.   I remember when they put the full crossing cates at the aqueduct road.  The old crossing protection was a red light and a bell. 

I am sure the underpass has greatly reduced the number of people using that shortcut.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 5:57 PM

Last night on the VR Hesperia/Cajon camera (MP 49.7) I saw more evidence of possible 'monster train' fallout.

An eastbound freight was stopped blocking the grade crossing on screen. This would indicate that another in the block was stopped at CP Frost MP 38.0. About an hour later a WB monster with midtrain DPU breezed through and the EBs left soon after.

IMO BNSF should extend 3MT east from CP Martinez MP 52.8 which would also help WBs. It's a worse situation - distance to both Summit and Lugo is around 3 miles, barely long enough for monsters. What about stopping distance? Another possible location to 'split the distance' is near CP Hesperia MP 45.1. 

My Cajon sub Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/fT0BF

The time is right for construction during import slowdowns due to China Covid pauses and high consumer goods inflation. Nah, the bean counters will cut capital and expense spending to improve the OR.

You really should check out the above cam, traffic is high most of the time due to all of the Barstow - SoCal shuttles.

EDIT: another Cajon Pass area resource are the exhaustive picture albums maintained by locals but hosted on an Swiss :) website:  https://www.trainmaster.ch/cajon.htm  WARNING - this could be a days long distraction ....

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 4:04 PM

evening

Ns had cars uptown and trains waiting to come into town after work today.Took care of the yardwork.Mother nature is sending rain.Time for supper.

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, June 7, 2022 2:32 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown and sent a train by after work today.Yes Deshler got more rain than we did.Waiting for the swamp to dry today.Will get the mower out tomorrow.Larry sorry for your loss.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 tree68 on Monday, June 6, 2022 4:00 PM

I wondered if it was just a group that decided they wanted a fire and brought along their own firewood to have one regardless.

Definitely rain in Deshler today.  The area near the diamond went from dry to "lake" in just a half hour.  The drainage there is very poor, but that's still a lot of rain.

Attended a funeral today.  It sprinkled a bit, but that was all.  The deceased was a federal firefighter who suffered a stroke while at work several years ago.  He apparently fell recently (we responded to the call) and bumped his head, causing a brain bleed.  One of his former bosses gave as touching a eulogy as I've heard in a long time.

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 Monday, June 6, 2022 2:38 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown and a train on the main after work.Mother nature sending rain.Larry small fire ring at the park as long as someone is there to watch.Do not need a repeat from last year.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 Sunday, June 5, 2022 4:57 PM

Last night on the VR Cajon cam I noticed several passes in both directions of just two locos - perhaps these are helpers as there was usually a stopped WB at the time. Also, the DS often asks if a 'responder' is needed. Just a speculation, but the very long WBs may have to wait for more spacing due to low independent brake axle count.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, June 5, 2022 10:15 AM

Saw some folks splitting wood at Deshler Friday or Saturday night.  

Got some communications work done on the railroad yesterday.  Nice day, but it wasn't all that warm and shade + breeze made for a coll time at times.

Calling hours for a FD member's brother today (also a firefigher, but not in our department).  Funeral is tomorrow and will be a well-attended avent.

I was asked if I could fly the drone, but it's near an airport, so I don't think that's going to happen.

 

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, June 5, 2022 9:47 AM

morning

Went for our walk.Csx sent the trains afterwards.Had 2 westbounds and 2 east bounds.Csx has new signal bungelows and signal masts by the mow building.Not too much on the ND&W today.Came home and took care of the woods that crossed over the yardline.Heard a train probably I 010 coming into town.Going to relax this afternoon.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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, June 4, 2022 5:16 PM

evening

Got chores done and went for a walk.Mamma had to go grocery shopping so I wandered over to Deshler.There was a railfan group there having a meet.When csx wasnt running trains they had a mock up ballgame in the SW wye.Once csx got running there was some good stuff coming by.Time for supper.

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 BaltACD on Friday, June 3, 2022 10:34 PM

tree68
Ah, middle school.  It takes a special person to teach middle school.  At least, so I'm told.

Our school district had a space problem which they solved, for a while, by making junior high into a three year institution - 7, 8, 9.  Thus, it became sophomore initiation when the newbies hit the high school (10, 11, 12).

There was not a lot of development in sixth grade, so arriving at the junior high school for seventh grade contained a few "surprises."

OTOH, at least two couples from my classwho started going together in seventh grade are still together, nearly sixty years later...

In March of my 7th grade year we moved from Maryland (where I was in Jr. High) to Garrett, IN.  Garrett had 7th through 12th grade all in the same school with no particular designation between Junior and Senior.

Relatively speaking I was always the New Kid through most of my 12 years of regular schooling.  For that matter it took three different institutions of 'higher learning' for me to get my degree.

Have attended my graduating high school's 25th and 50th reunions.  I am still amazed by the number of 'besties' that have known each other since elementary school and still live in the same geographical area that they did since they met.  I left the area a month after graduation, but did return three years later to attend college in the area.  Two years after college graduation I got moved to Maryland.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, June 3, 2022 9:49 PM

Ah, middle school.  It takes a special person to teach middle school.  At least, so I'm told.

Our school district had a space problem which they solved, for a while, by making junior high into a three year institution - 7, 8, 9.  Thus, it became sophomore initiation when the newbies hit the high school (10, 11, 12).

There was not a lot of development in sixth grade, so arriving at the junior high school for seventh grade contained a few "surprises."

OTOH, at least two couples from my classwho started going together in seventh grade are still together, nearly sixty years later...

 

 

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, June 3, 2022 5:46 PM

evening

Ns still had some cars uptown after work.Didn't see anything on the main.Got a rebate check from one project so we made a grill pad out back.Little stone an extra 4x4 post and it's done.The other landscape timber looked like it was used by the Maw at one time on the bottom.Balt I get asked that all the time about our son Matt.How the heck is he going to be 21 in June? How is my niece going to be 40? How tall is my great nephew going to be?(13,6' and size 14 shoes).Going to relax.Chores to do 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").

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 3, 2022 7:58 AM

rdamon
 
BaltACD

Attended my eldest Granddaughter's 'graduation' from the 5th grade - the end of elementary school these days as Middle School encompasses 6th through 9th grades and High School has been reduced to 10th to 12th grades.

As a old phart I recognize elementary school as 1st through 6th.  Junior High as 7th & 8th and High School as 9th through 12th.

All that said, the development differences year to year as children grow seems even more amazing the older I get. 

Not sure if this is good for the kids or the school district facility planner.

Keeping the 6th graders with the younger kids gives them a little more time to grow up before middle school.

I did notice puberty had reached several of the 5th grade girls to a much greater extent than I had ever observed during my time in 5th grade so many years ago.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by rdamon on Friday, June 3, 2022 7:28 AM

BaltACD

Attended my eldest Granddaughter's 'graduation' from the 5th grade - the end of elementary school these days as Middle School encompasses 6th through 9th grades and High School has been reduced to 10th to 12th grades.

As a old phart I recognize elementary school as 1st through 6th.  Junior High as 7th & 8th and High School as 9th through 12th.

All that said, the development differences year to year as children grow seems even more amazing the older I get.

 

Not sure if this is good for the kids or the school district facility planner.

Keeping the 6th graders with the younger kids gives them a little more time to grow up before middle school.

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, June 2, 2022 4:01 PM

Attended my eldest Granddaughter's 'graduation' from the 5th grade - the end of elementary school these days as Middle School encompasses 6th through 9th grades and High School has been reduced to 10th to 12th grades.

As a old phart I recognize elementary school as 1st through 6th.  Junior High as 7th & 8th and High School as 9th through 12th.

All that said, the development differences year to year as children grow seems even more amazing the older I get.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 2, 2022 3:03 PM

afternoon

Ns was running some trains after work.Glad tomorrow is Friday.Going to work on some 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, June 1, 2022 10:21 PM

Paul of Covington
   !!!  Do you have to have a flashing light on it for aviation?

I'm in a valley - the tower isn't as high as the surrounding hills.  Any aircraft flying low enough to hit my tower is in deeper trouble...  Never mind the nearby blue spruces that are also taller than my tower.

That said, except for near airports - as mentioned - the FAA doesn't require tower lighting for anything under 200 feet.  That's why you see a lot of 195 foot cell phone towers...

But I did include a solar light near the top, just for the heck of 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
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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 4:22 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown and trains on the main after work today.Came home and took care of the yard.Mother natures rain went around us so far. Could use a little. Time to cook supper.

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, May 31, 2022 11:33 PM

Paul of Covington

 

   !!!  Do you have to have a flashing light on it for aviation?

 

Unless Larry is in close proximity of an airport, the flashing light is only needed if the top of the tower/antennas is more than 200' above ground level. When away from airports, pilots are reqired to maintain at least a 500's distance from any dwelling.

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 10:45 PM

tree68
There is now a 50' tower on the back of my garage...

   !!!  Do you have to have a flashing light on it for aviation?

_____________ 

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

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 6:46 PM

MikeF90
the sound was coming from a VR webcam streaming on my cellphone; oh, well.

Been there.  I usually keep Deshler up on the PC.  Every now and then I have to check whether it's a siren here or on the webcam...

One major project pretty much completed.  There is now a 50' tower on the back of my garage... Four antennas.  We'll see if the neighbors complain about radio interference.  Even though I've had radios on the air for almost seven years 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...

  • Member since
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  • From: San Francisco East Bay
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Posted by MikeF90 on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 3:37 PM

Last Friday I was awakened by the sound of drilling. Almost called the HOA about the no-notice disruption when I realized that the sound was coming from a VR webcam streaming on my cellphone; oh, well.

Another great, uncommon cab ride video has popped up - Gilroy to SF on Caltrain.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgGAq0_fikw

You can observe the electrification progress along the ROW; most catenary is in place from Tamien (San Jose) to north of Redwood City.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 2:41 PM

afternoon

Keep em rolling Randy.Ns had cars uptown and a train on the main as well.Yesterday the can opener claimed another truck.Town in Indiana upset after Ns decided it wants its depot back.They signed a lease with Conrail but now Ns wants to terminate the lease.Town put some major $$ into fixing it.Chores to do here.

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 Tuesday, May 31, 2022 6:10 AM

Greetings from Dublin, GA......

Traffic was surprisingly good yesterday, although I'm glad I got through the construction near Asheville, NC, when I did, it was starting to get pretty heavy at 1100 Eastern. Cars mostly behaved themselves, save for one incident I heard from another driver where a car saw a cop on the side of the road, freaked out and slammed on his brakes, and caused a chain reaction pileup.........

Swapped loads in Rincon, GA, last night, headed to Meridian, MS, today, then will find a load towards home, have a couple choices in that area..........

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 blue streak 1 on Monday, May 30, 2022 11:47 PM
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Posted by tree68 on Monday, May 30, 2022 6:51 PM

Started out the day opening up our banquet hall for the American Legion honor guard that was visiting all the cemeteries in the area.  

After that I just kicked back, athough I did do some work on my (hopefully) soon-to-be-raised tower this afternoon.

And I raised the flags here at the house and at the FD to full staff at noon, per the Flag Code.

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 Monday, May 30, 2022 11:45 AM

afternoon

Csx ran a couple trains while we were on our walk this morning.Checked on my brother and Ns ran a few trains as well.Matt is going back to school.Back to work for us 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, May 29, 2022 8:43 PM

Evening

Went to a graduation party today.Loram Ballast cleaner was parked in the Defiance yard.A coal train passed a stopped frieght.Might have to go help Sis in the 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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, May 29, 2022 6:43 AM

JoeKoh

good almost morning

Deshler was a good time today.Csx was jammed up when we left.Good to see our friend from Canada who could finally come down.Was amazed at how fast he made his breakfast dissappear.Later today it's out for a graduation party.

stay safe

Joe

I was in and out and on a short road trip, so didn't watch much of Deshler today.  I did notice that the stopper got pulled later in the evening, with a lot of eatbounds coming through nose to tail.

I have to repe4at the road trip today to remove the strap holding a bronze gravemarker to a cousin's grave stone after the epoxy holding it on sets.  Got to give it 24 hours.

Everyone have a safe  and enjoyable Memorial Day.  Remember - flags at half staff at dawn, full staff at noon.

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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