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Chatterbox Summer 2022

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, September 1, 2022 2:48 AM

morning

The old depot site is going to be a storage area for CSX Mow.Mow still uses the tower.Some companies have gone to trucks because the rail service is terrible.Hopefully the shortline can keep the cars coming in.

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, September 1, 2022 6:59 AM

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

They were there before, you just couldn't see them because the depot was in the way.  Probably just spares/leftovers from a replacement.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, September 1, 2022 10:40 AM

It's been a busy three - four days. The main part of the annual AREMA Conference & Technical sessions has left town. AREMA was back in Denver for the first time in decades. The Trains/ Kalmbach tribe packed-up their booth and fled on Tuesday night along with the other exhibitors. PDN is still here for a 2-day crash course and won't go home until late tomorrow. I will be spending days digesting the stuff we saw and learned about.

Probably the most amusing sessions was about creating PTC for rubber-tired bubbas and how at-grade crossings would be handled. The cost of equipping every car and truck to handle a robust rubber-tired PTC system and the grumblings from a poll about what it will cost every vehicle owner was great fun.

As always, there were presentations you could not see unless you brought along a clone or three. At least there will be papers on-line available in about a month.

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 diningcar on Thursday, September 1, 2022 11:09 AM

MC, it has been many years since I attended; and they were always held in CHGO. I was once a Committee Chairman when it was AREA. So many years ago, and when you live to be 90 and still have memories.  

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, September 1, 2022 4:33 PM

They won't be in Chicago for a while after complaints about the stupid high expense for attendees and exhibitors' space goes away. There is also a rift between the suppliers and AREMA that does look like the big REMSA shows will cease by 2025 until a way is found to keep AREMA from losing money on those things. PSR is making it even harder to get mid-level engineering staff involved. IF only the PSR concept could be pried away from the spreadsheet jockeys and the related muggles with more interest in Wall Street than in the industry.

I can remember when everybody showed-up at these meetings in suit and tie. Probably less than 10% do now. My 3-year stint as a committee chair starts pretty soon. (second trip up the ladder)

The number of Chico's orphans  attending is dwindling, but there are still plenty of folks still involved and coming to learn.

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 Thursday, September 1, 2022 4:39 PM

evening

Ns had cars uptown.Looked like they had some autoracks parked after work.Been reported that Csx has a fleet of trains to get to the east coast but no crews.The new Fertilizer plant had a ground breaking ceremony this week.It will be served by Pioneer rail(ND&W).Took care of the yard work here tonight.Tomorrow its a Deshler workday.Will run the trimmer and have a couple other projects to do.Will see what Csx can send by.

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, September 1, 2022 4:40 PM

mudchicken
They won't be in Chicago for a while after complaints about the stupid high expense for attendees and exhibitors' space goes away. There is also a rift between the suppliers and AREMA that does look like the big REMSA shows will cease by 2025 until a way is found to keep AREMA from losing money on those things. PSR is making it even harder to get mid-level engineering staff involved. IF only the PSR concept could be pried away from the spreadsheet jockeys and the related muggles with more interest in Wall Street than in the industry.

I can remember when everybody showed-up at these meetings in suit and tie. Probably less than 10% do now. My 3-year stint as a committee chair starts pretty soon. (second trip up the ladder)

Back in the day - the industry had over 100 Executives making decisions for MofW activities on their own road.  Now a days you nominally only have 6 making decisions at the Class 1 level.  The 'short line' owners keep their sights more closely aligned with time proven technology, not the latest technology to come down the pike.  Shrink the audience for such technology exhibits and they go away.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, September 1, 2022 4:49 PM
The shortline owners don't have people that even understand the proven technology anymore. Those few Cls 1 execs are burning out at a frightening rate. Lean and mean has graduated to starving and stupid. (and you know the financial trash running the show have no idea what it takes to get your boots dirty and make the railroad run correctly and safely)
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 Friday, September 2, 2022 1:51 PM

afternoon

Went over to Deshler and cleaned up.Also trimmed around the park too.Had plenty of new friends.Csx was it's usual self.The demo job trailer is by the shak by GM in Defiance.It's a doublewide structure.Shouldn't take too long.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 JoeKoh on Sunday, September 4, 2022 9:35 AM

morning

Went and looked around Defiacne today.Omni has a few trankers to scrap.The ND&W is holding cars in their yard.Csx was fixing the connection siding with them this week.Csx is still having trouble finding crews for trains.Mother nature is sending on and off rain today.Going to ask what we are doing for lunch.

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, September 5, 2022 9:59 AM

morning

Went for our walk this morning.Csx local L 376 dropped off some cars for the NDW yesterday.Csx was running trains.MOW is working on a new signal box at 90.3 just west of FC.Going to grill out for lunch today before Matt goes back to campus.Couple 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 blue streak 1 on Monday, September 5, 2022 9:25 PM

More possible problems about Li-Ion batteries.  Amazon has not or inspectors have not specified what cause but unexplained "arc flash events" might be linked to batteries but could to other items.  ???

Amazon temporarily shuts down solar rooftops at all US facilities due to fires (msn.com)

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 12:48 AM

"Arc flash events" sounds more like a problem with poor wiring practices. If Li-ion batteries were involved, they would most likely been the power source of the arc flash as opposed to the direct cause. Having said that, there's a lot of room for improvement i Li-ion battery safety.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:09 PM

afternoon

Had an extra off day today.Watched Csx and the NDW at FC.The NDW did not come across the diamond but had a healthy exchange of cars with Csx.Csx and NDW signal maintainers had a meet as well about the crossing too.Also noticed west of town road crews have the dirt flying so they can bypass 3 crossings west of Defiance.Chores to do.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 BaltACD on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:42 PM

Had a storm system pass through overnight - 4.25 inches of rain between Midnight and 0830.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 6:21 PM

BaltACD

Had a storm system pass through overnight - 4.25 inches of rain between Midnight and 0830.

That system stayed south of me.  Got a few sprinkles.

We've had quite a few systems do that this year.

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 Wednesday, September 7, 2022 3:40 PM

afternoon

Seemed like a Monday today back at work.Ns had cars uptown.They also had a stack train parked uptown too.Came home and took care of the yardwork.Neighbor asked if we needed some homemade salsa.She will bring some over when its done.Time 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").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, September 8, 2022 2:32 PM

afternoon

Ns had cars uptown after work.The main looked clear from what I saw.Have chores to do here at home.Hugs to those across the pond since her majesty passed away today.

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, September 8, 2022 3:01 PM

My snail mail appears to have a new carrier.  Previously mail would normally get delivered sometime between 1130 and 1300.  This week it has been between 1630 and 1745.  Such is life.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, September 8, 2022 8:59 PM

BaltACD

My snail mail appears to have a new carrier.  Previously mail would normally get delivered sometime between 1130 and 1300.  This week it has been between 1630 and 1745.  Such is life.

One of the package services regularly hits my house after 5PM, despite the fact that I see their trucks go by the house all day, and even stopping at my neighbors...

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, September 8, 2022 9:14 PM

tree68
 
BaltACD

My snail mail appears to have a new carrier.  Previously mail would normally get delivered sometime between 1130 and 1300.  This week it has been between 1630 and 1745.  Such is life. 

One of the package services regularly hits my house after 5PM, despite the fact that I see their trucks go by the house all day, and even stopping at my neighbors...

Where I live, UPS and FedEx attack my area from two directions.  UPS sends local delivery vans from Frederick and Baltimore.  FedEx sends their delivery operations from Hagerstown and Baltimore.  There have been times when I have seen both deliveries from each carrier in the neighborhood at the same time.

I may be mistaken but I think UPS delivery drivers are given a print out of their delivery route that takes into consideration each address they are to deliver to and the company driving rules concerning left turns.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Gramp on Thursday, September 8, 2022 10:01 PM

Our UPS comes out of Oshkosh. FedEx and Amazon come from our airport. I know Amazon drivers follow GPS routings that foul them up at times.  And there are multiple sortings throughout the day that are loaded on vans and sent out. Vans crisscross each other continually. USPS has packages in normal mail routes and package only routes. 

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, September 9, 2022 7:20 AM

Gramp
USPS has packages in normal mail routes and package only routes. 

USPS has several routes in this area that run on Sundays to deliver packages.  This past winter, one of the drivers mistook a driveway/trail as where they needed to go to make a delivery.  They got stuck.  

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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, September 9, 2022 10:08 AM

I'm beginning to think that Amazon routers and drivers have almost no idea as to what they are doing.  Sometimes, when I'm driving home from the train station, I will see two or three Amazon vans within a block or two of each other heading in completely different directions.

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 BaltACD on Friday, September 9, 2022 10:21 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH
I'm beginning to think that Amazon routers and drivers have almost no idea as to what they are doing.  Sometimes, when I'm driving home from the train station, I will see two or three Amazon vans within a block or two of each other heading in completely different directions.

Locally Amazon announced the closing of TWO warehouses, I have no idea how many warhouses they have in the area in total, but obviously more than two.  I suspect, but don't know, that each warehouse supports a set of drivers for delivery of the stock they hold.

I suspect the 'logistics plan' for Amazon, UPS and FedEx are all closely held proprietary data.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by rdamon on Friday, September 9, 2022 11:39 AM

BaltACD

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH
I'm beginning to think that Amazon routers and drivers have almost no idea as to what they are doing.  Sometimes, when I'm driving home from the train station, I will see two or three Amazon vans within a block or two of each other heading in completely different directions.

 

Locally Amazon announced the closing of TWO warehouses, I have no idea how many warhouses they have in the area in total, but obviously more than two.  I suspect, but don't know, that each warehouse supports a set of drivers for delivery of the stock they hold.

I suspect the 'logistics plan' for Amazon, UPS and FedEx are all closely held proprietary data.

 

Amazon is reducing their warehouse space in the Atlanta area.  Maybe volume is down post-covid or they are getting more efficient.

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, September 9, 2022 2:07 PM

Got the railroad's booth all set up for this weekend's train show.  Still have to run off a couple of things to add to the handouts.

It's usually a good show.  Best part is that I'm less than 10 minutes from home, so can sleep in my own bed each night...

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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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, September 9, 2022 5:10 PM

evening

Ns had cars uptown and one on the main after work today.Went and checked on my brother.The one place in town was closed for the season.so we drove along US 6 over to Butler Indiana.There we got some goodies and Ns sent a mix of trains.Need to do some chores 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 JoeKoh on Sunday, September 11, 2022 12:47 PM

afternoon

Went over to Deshler today.Csx was backed up as usual.One crew had a long ride back from Chicago in a cab because they had to wait for another in Garrett.I 015 was 15 000 ft long.Plus there is a 25 mph speed restriction for trains going east or west on the diamond.Matt is working with his Model railroad group in Fostoria coming up.On the way home saw someone set off a set of well cars in the east yard lead in Defiance.Rain on and off next few days.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 rvos1979 on Monday, September 12, 2022 5:59 AM

Left the house yesterday morning in a light rain, and while it's dry down here in West Memphis, there are reports of anywhere between 6 and 12 inches of rain back home. At least it didn't come down all at once, but there are reports of some minor flooding issues. Heading to Zachary, LA, today, and turning for Chicago with a load for Wednesday............

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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