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Chatterbox Spring 2022

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, May 23, 2022 10:12 PM

Haven't seen much of the neighbor lately, and his lawn was getting a bit ragged, so I took the zero-turn over and mowed.  Needs a hay rake now.  Used an entire tank of fuel on it...

Actually, once the cut grass dries out, I'll go over it again, to chop the stuff up even finer.

I don't know if he's just out of town for a few weeks, or sick, or has outright moved.

One of our firefighter's brother has suffered another stroke.  Not his first, which is why he was living with our firefighter.  We flew him out to a stroke center the other day, and are waiting for an update.  Add him to your prayers.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 2:43 PM

afternoon

Ns was running after work today.Matt sent me a picture of his job.He is to check the crossings and make sure the number plates are correct.Csx even ran their geometry train while he was doing his work.I take care of next door neighbors yard as well.A friend of ours had a deer find his car.He is dealing with that.

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 Wednesday, May 25, 2022 12:59 PM

JoeKoh

Matt sent me a picture of his job.He is to check the crossings and make sure the number plates are correct.

(1)Has his 214c training?; TWIC Card? PPE/Steel Toed Shoes/Safety glasses? (and he is aware different railroads have vest color preferences)

(2) Knows how to figure out how to figure out what the check code is? (There will be an end of summer quiz on that one - not a random letter!)?

(3) Is keeping track of the crossings w/o ENS signs or number plaques? (especially the scofflaws on the industry tracks .... wonder how many overpasses/underpasses have their DOT Numbers displayed? ) ALL vehicular and pedestrian crossings are supposed to have DOT Crossing #'s, even bridges)

(4) Knows what determines whether the crossing is public or private? (pop-quiz fodder)

(5) Knows what datum the crossing location (Lat/Lon - GPS for muggles)  is supposed to be? (pop-quiz fodder)

(6) Knows how the whole system started? and what it's used for?

 

Mud (1970's ODOT Co-Op while at UC for two quarters in my pre-junior year back when dinosaurs roamed southern Ohio)

 

...Hopefully ODOT is better than their counterparts in IL, MO and CO in maintaining their records.

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 JoeKoh on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 2:56 PM

afternoon

Saw a maintainer looking down the track uptown on Ns after work.Not sure what he was looking for.Matt does have safety lenses and steel toed boots.He is actually working in the state up north for Monroe county just across the border.I am sure we will hear more about it this weekend.Heard a report that a game is Columbus this year will be very expensive to get into.I will just stay closer to home.One more day of work.

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, May 26, 2022 5:02 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Csx had an eastbound while we were running errands.Have had rain on and off all day.Tomorrow going to Deshler to prep for Saturday.Local Diner owner was saying how much prices have gone up.I see that as I was at the store at the time.Please take time out this weekend to remember why we have this weekend holiday.

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 Thursday, May 26, 2022 8:04 PM

Been following some ships lately.  A large cruise yacht is currently docked in Clayton, NY (it's the kind you can book rooms on, although I hear they are pricey).  

I've been following the USS Minneapolis-St Paul on it's journey from Duluth back to salt water.  Right now she's sitting in the middle of Lake Erie.  Might be able to catch her in person as she transits the Thousand Islands, but it all depends on when they decide to resume their trip.

Just as there are rail cams, there are ship cams.  The people who follow them are just as nerdy about ships as we are about trains.  I saw video of the M-SP leaving Duluth, missed her at the Soo Locks, but caught her at Port Huron.  There's another cam between Port Huron and Detroit (Marine City), but I didn't check that one.

It was nice finally sleeping in my waterbed again.  After fourty years sleeping on one, I'm kind of used to 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 BaltACD on Thursday, May 26, 2022 9:07 PM

Made the Topeka to Maryland run.  Rain off and on from Topeka to Washington, PA.  Got up to the low 80's around Washington and then dropped to and stayed in the low 70's from Morgantown to Central Maryland.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, May 27, 2022 4:34 PM

evening

Went to Deshler to work on stuff for tomorrow.Csx ran some trains and was working on the diamond.Track 1 still has a speed restriction on it.Came home and took care of yardwork.College boy Matt is in Deshler and is camping overnight.Going to be nice weather and a cast of whoever shows 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, May 28, 2022 10:52 PM

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

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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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 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 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...

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, May 30, 2022 11:47 PM
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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 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 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 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...

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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 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 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 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 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 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!

              

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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 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 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 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 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 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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