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Chatterbox Summer 2022

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, August 21, 2022 4:40 PM

Helped provide comms support (amateur radio) for a foot race today - runners had the choice of a half marathon or 18.12 miles (as in War of 1812).

Watching the radar, hoping an oncoming storm would pass without incident.  Nope.  In fact, we were on the edge of a severe-warned cell.  I think most of the runners decided to finish, even if soaked.

Took along a pop-up canopy and the camp rocker, but the wind decided neither would be appropriate.  Nothing blew away, but it all got put away and I sat in the dryness of my truck instead.

Between a pre-race meeting and the last runner in it was over five hours.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, August 22, 2022 2:30 PM

afternoon

Didn't see anything on Ns after work.Heard they are changing symbols based on destination? Yesterday Csx was in a mess.Mother nature didn't help with tornadoes and flash flooding.Dispatchers were getting creative parking trains that had no crews available.Have chores to do here.Need to go give hugs on 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").

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, August 22, 2022 4:03 PM

JoeKoh
afternoon

Didn't see anything on Ns after work.Heard they are changing symbols based on destination? Yesterday Csx was in a mess.Mother nature didn't help with tornadoes and flash flooding.Dispatchers were getting creative parking trains that had no crews available.Have chores to do here.Need to go give hugs on Friday.

stay safe

Joe

NS train naming conventions have always mystifyed me.  They don't even operated Amtrak trains under their Amtrak schedule numbers.

I am sure they make sense to NS employees, but to outsiders they don't appear to have a rhyme or reason.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 3:33 AM

CSX is no different. Walking a mile in another muggles shoes can be a thrill.

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 tree68 on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 7:28 AM

mudchicken
CSX is no different.

CSX recently made some sense out of their designations when they got away from all of the "Q" stuff.  I'm sure calling everything a "quality" train made sense at some point, but "M" for manifest makes a lot more sense...  With the Q's, at least the three digit number had some significance, though.

The numbers stayed the same in some cases, with only the leading letter changing.  At one point odd and even numbers followed a plan, but I'm not sure that's the case any more.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 7:58 AM

mudchicken
CSX is no different. Walking a mile in another muggles shoes can be a thrill.

Numbers have identified train schedules since the second train was operated.  The prefix letter could be considered confusing to some, the three digit 'train number' and the two digit date of origin are self explanatory.

I loved the Chessie System's applying names to trains, however, that even more confusing to outsiders.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 11:34 AM

Gets weird from the get-go, before the train ever departs the yard. Trainmen's names for certain tracks vs. computer location (ZTS/SPIN/CLIC etc) vs. ICC Track numbers on maps gets really bizarre. Different worlds.Huh?HmmConfused

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 BaltACD on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 1:04 PM

mudchicken
Gets weird from the get-go, before the train ever departs the yard. Trainmen's names for certain tracks vs. computer location (ZTS/SPIN/CLIC etc) vs. ICC Track numbers on maps gets really bizarre. Different worlds.Huh?HmmConfused

Worst part of railroads dealing with the public - "Where is here?"

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 1:17 PM

"It's on Main Street"Mischief

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 BaltACD on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 3:10 PM

mudchicken
"It's on Main Street"Mischief

Does Main Street cross the railroad?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 4:06 PM

afternoon

Ns had stuff uptown and a westbound after work today.Came home and mowed the yard.Matt took care of the trimming for me.Neighbor was watching and said he did a good job.Almost time for supper.Balt yes "Main st." crosses both the Toledo sub and Willard sub in Deshler.The toledo sub likes to remind Deshler that is was trains that founded the town.Especially when they decide to have a parade.

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 Wednesday, August 24, 2022 2:27 PM

afternoon

Ns had stuff uptown after work.Chores and errands to get to here.One thing that helps is ODOT finally got the exit done on the west side of Defiance.Mamma is happy.

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, August 24, 2022 6:25 PM

Spent part of the day at the NY State Fair with the ADKRR display.  Probably 150 folks came through the entire exhibit (several old rail cars - we were in one of them with our set up).

Some folks were interested, other walked right past us.

I think they are still looking for help for later in the event.  I may go down and help again.

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 mudchicken on Thursday, August 25, 2022 7:47 AM

BaltACD

 

 
mudchicken
"It's on Main Street"Mischief

 

Does Main Street cross the railroad?

 

Several hundred times in a given state. Ask them for a DOT# and all you get is the deer in the headlights look and no way of narrowing down where "here" is.

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 BaltACD on Thursday, August 25, 2022 7:54 AM

mudchicken
 
BaltACD 
mudchicken
"It's on Main Street"Mischief 

Does Main Street cross the railroad? 

Several hundred times in a given state. Ask them for a DOT# and all you get is the deer in the headlights look and no way of narrowing down where "here" is.

Been there - done that - for years. (normally they will say the city they are calling from) It's down by the Quickee Mart.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, August 25, 2022 12:14 PM

BaltACD
Been there - done that - for years. (normally they will say the city they are calling from) It's down by the Quickee Mart.

It's down the street from the old Quickee Mart...

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 Thursday, August 25, 2022 2:42 PM

afternoon

Matt can help you find those numbers. Csx had a small derailment in its North Baltimore terminal this morning.Ns had stuff uptown after work.Had to get around a fender bender on the way home.Tomorrow Matt moves his stuff back to school.Also need to give hugs.

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 Friday, August 26, 2022 9:02 PM

evening

Went and gave hugs.Csx and Ns had trains parked.The coal tower north of Marion is still there.Matt got some pics of the 765 today.Tomorrow taking my brother to go see it.Need to get some sleep.

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, August 27, 2022 1:24 PM

afternoon

Brother got to hear the whistle of the 765 and watch her run.We let the chasers chase and went back to Bryan Ohio for lunch.Ns sent a good mix of trains.They even sent the "PC" heritage unit east as well.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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, August 27, 2022 8:24 PM

Took our brush truck to a local racetrack for a "First Responder's Night" tonight.  Not a bad turnout of fire, police, and EMS, but I was stunned to see the dearth of race fans.  The stands were virtually empty.  It wasn't that long ago that it would have been SRO.

One of my firefighters just changed over from DIRT to asphalt, he was racing tonight.  I didn't stick around to watch him as I wanted to get the brush truck back into our district.

A central theme of this year's event was commemorating a young firefighter who died while training at our state fire academy.  There are many questions still unanswered.

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, August 28, 2022 11:43 AM

afternoon

Csx ran some trains while we were on our walk.Conductor friend is on one out of Chicago later this afternoon.Won't be by here until after dark.Csx has trains parked everywhere.College boy is getting stuff around to go back to campus.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 Sunday, August 28, 2022 2:47 PM

tree68
...he was racing tonight. 

Until he hit the wall and bent his car up.  He's fine...

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, August 29, 2022 4:09 PM

afternoon

Had a Monday feel at work today.Ns had cars uptown and a westbound intermodal after work. Mother Nature sent almost an inch of rain this morning.About to send us some more.Very Muggy.On our errands after work noticed 3 trucks in the hotel area.Two of them had 1 track each for a big crane.The other truck had other parts.Not sure where the rest of the big crane is at.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, August 30, 2022 2:36 PM

afternoon

Mother nature sent us a wallop last night.Our road south of us is still closed due to downed power lines.I cleaned up the tree debris and other things last night.We were without power for about 4 hrs. At work the warehouse lost part of its roof.Today Ns has cars uptown and it looks like an autorack train too.Having a PB&J and thinking of Carl.Still miss him.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 BaltACD on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 2:50 PM

JoeKoh
afternoon

Mother nature sent us a wallop last night.Our road south of us is still closed due to downed power lines.I cleaned up the tree debris and other things last night.We were without power for about 4 hrs. At work the warehouse lost part of its roof.Today Ns has cars uptown and it looks like an autorack train too.Having a PB&J and thinking of Carl.Still miss him.Chores to do.

stay safe

Joe

Joe's storm is about to arrive Central Maryland.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 3:44 PM

We're getting rain, but nothing "heavy."

We had a severe thunderstorm warning last night, and even a tornado warning, but aside from a brief power outage (15-20 seconds), and a few trees and wires down around the area, nothing really came of it.

Although the sailboat that got dumped in the St Lawrence River might disagree.

What we're getting right now is the same system Balt is seeing.

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: US
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 5:33 PM

Storm dropped a whopping 0.12 inches of rain - in about an hour.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 2:34 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown and looked like another train too after work.Crews finished last night fixing the damaged poles.They shut our power off at about 11 pm or so.Then it was turned back on and we could go back to sleep.Some poles our or road still have quite a lean to them.Whats going on in Colorado? Seems a hospital had a record number of twins born? Whats left in the water? 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 rixflix on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 8:14 PM

JoeKoh
twins born? Whats left in the water?

Amniotic fluid?  The placenta?

Why are those crossing signal masts at the former Deshler station site?

Rick

rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.

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Posted by Gramp on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 9:54 PM

Drove past a linear warehouse here that's a distribution center for local papermill's production.  Has truck docks on one side and a long rail siding alongside the other side with many boxcar loading docks.  Haven't seen boxcars there for a long, long time.  Today there were 8 boxcars set out dock by dock there. This line was CN that they sold this year to Watco (Foxy Rail).  So encouraging to see.

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