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Chatterbox Spring 2023

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:49 PM

evening

Saw a couple Ns trains after work today.Took care of yardwork here at home.Tomorrow see what need finished up in Deshler for Saturday.Our first guests are bringing a camper tonight.Going to relax.

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, May 26, 2023 5:57 PM

evening

Finished up at Deshler.Csx was taking some locomotives to new homes today.M 351 had a former IC switcher.M 561 had a UP sd 90 Mac.I 191 had a new Up rebuilt engine as well.Stuff is ready to go for tomorrow.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 tree68 on Friday, May 26, 2023 6:28 PM

Took some flower urns to the family graves today, and picked up a couple of things for my Memorial Day picnic, such as it will be.  Steak, potato salad, watermelon.  

There's only two of us from my generation in the area anymore - all of the elders are gone.  And I'm not sure any of the next generation is really interested (and many of them are gone from the area as well).

Got the old, very tired floor off the utility trailer.  Now it's a matter of fitting the plywood that's replacing it into place and secured.  Forgot about notching corners, odd angles for the bolts, etc.  But it'll be out of the garage before dark, finished or not.  Still some suggestions of frost in the forecast.

Nice and clear last night.  My ISS app reminded me of an upcoming pass, so I set one of my radios to listen for the amateur radio repeater and stepped outside in time to spot it passing overhead.  Pretty cool.  And, I heard some traffic on the radio from hams making contacts.  I don't really have a good antenna for tracking satellites, so have to make do with what I've got.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, May 27, 2023 10:49 PM

almost morning

Helped at the museum this morning.Then the cookout was on.Old friends new friends and csx sent trains when they could find crews.Boss approved going back tomorrow for more.

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 28, 2023 6:44 PM

evening

Busy weekend at Deshler.New and old friends stopped by.People liked what they saw and appreciated our work.Tomorrow will have many parades and ceremonies.Going to check on my brother as well.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 Monday, May 29, 2023 3:44 PM

afternoon

Checked on brother.Ns sent some trains.Had some green tractors going east and a Bnsf/Csx coal train combo.Had a warbonnet take a train west as well.Haven't seen our guest from this morning.Maybe our little fawns Mom came and guided it back deeper into the woods.Tomorrow going to see if the ND&W wants to cross at Fc.Guessers say going to get warmer with little rain.Farmers could use some.

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 29, 2023 3:55 PM

Peaceful day here so far.  Our local American Legion post does honor guards at several local cemetaries, ours included.  My FD hosts them for some refreshments after they finish here.  They still had three stops after this.  One is on an island (of of the 1000).

A steak goes on the grill in a little while, to be accompanied, when done, by some potato salad, and topped off with some watermelon.  I might eat inside, but a holiday picnic, nonetheless.

I've been watching a number of podcasts and other videos about WWII in the Pacific, most specifically the Solomon's campaign.  I read "Guadalcanal Diary" by Richard Tregaskis in high school, and recently obtained a copy (I may have my original copy around, but who knows where...).  All of the on-line videos have really fleshed out Tregaskis' story.  

And given that today is Memorial Day, the poignancy of what happened there is just that much more reinforced.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 2:31 PM

afternoon

Had one more day today.Went to Deshler to finish cleaning up.Had a rail train in Deshler.I 166 had a special Cp "every child mattters" unit. Also had a friend take I 191 west with 4 UP units. 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 CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 10:16 AM

I was out exercising the camera on Memorial Day (observed) but also took yesterday off.  I'm curious to know how many union members are aware of Memorial Day, 1937.  When I was growing up, I was quite aware of that date and what it meant.  Years later, I wrote a paper for a college history class (my major) covering the unionization of the steel industry which also included that day as significant to the movement.

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 Wednesday, May 31, 2023 10:54 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH
I was out exercising the camera on Memorial Day (observed) but also took yesterday off.  I'm curious to know how many union members are aware of Memorial Day, 1937.  When I was growing up, I was quite aware of that date and what it meant.  Years later, I wrote a paper for a college history class (my major) covering the unionization of the steel industry which also included that day as significant to the movement.

I was attending Purdue University in 1965 when Memorial Day was May 30, no matter what day it fell on.  The University did not observe that day as a Holiday.  A group of us had intended to go to the Indianapolis 500, however in my case, a Chemistry final exam got placed on the calendar for that day.  I stayed and took the exam, in retrospect, I might have scored better had I gone to the race.  Never got to the track until 2017 when I had the opportunity to participate in our club's National Championship Runoffs - I scored better on the Chemistry Exam.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 2:38 PM

afternoon

Back to work today.Guessers say going to stay warm and no rain.Not good for the farmers.Saw the Ns local go by our building but didn't drop off anything for us.Been to the Time trials and the actual race a few times.Being a drummer liked Purdues huge drum.Need 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, May 31, 2023 4:16 PM

Nice day today, until after lunch, when we were toned out for wires down in the road.  Ended up closing one end of the road, at least until a fellow on an ATV apparently decided to drive in front of an oncoming car at another location.  He got a helicopter ride to the trauma center.  Two calls in a row.  In fact, we weren't done with the wires down call when the other one came in.

The cable people apparently were faced with replacing a pole for the first call.  We eventually got the highway department to put up "road closed" signs, so we didn't have to sit there.

OTOH, the thermometer in our brush truck (which I was driving) showed +90°F...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 4:59 PM

Getting 403 Forbidden 

When attempting to post - except for this post.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 1, 2023 2:48 PM

afternoon

Ns placed a boxcar on our dock.They also have more cars in the siding and cars across the street.They also have Mow equipment further back in the siding as well.Chores to do.Going to try to keep cool.

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, June 2, 2023 2:28 PM

afternoon

Boxcar is just outside our building waiting for Ns to pick up.They have more cars across the street.Came to a decision with the boss.Someone else is cooking tonight.Just need to find where.

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 3, 2023 7:32 PM

evening

Got chores done early this morning before it got too warm.Watched the Deshler web cam.The rail train didn't get much picked up today at south Deshler.M 560 is parked at North Baltimore(csx yard) with no crew until 4 am tomorrow.Did cool off this evening so we went for a walk.Csx sent a rail train west and 3 eastbounds.The NDW yard looked a little fuller tonight.They have 1 car for csx to pick up tomorrow.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").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 3, 2023 7:44 PM

The county-wide can and bottle drive for the county fire coordinator's secretary (who passed about a week ago from cancer) appears to have been a success.  A 4x8 utility trailer was filled twice and is still getting cans and bottles dropped in it, and the larger utility trailer (for hauling mowers, etc) is about as full as it can get.  I'm pretty sure other fire departments around the county had similar results.  They'll all get picked up tomorrow and we'll find out by mid-week what the final take is. 

In other news, I bought a "long slot" toaster.  It'll hold two regular slices in each slot (4 total) but the reason I bought it was because I can now toast my favored rye bread without having to turn it end-for-end to toast the whole slice.  Works great! 

Cooled off today, but not without bringing some wind with it.  Had a high gust of 29 MPH.  That did cause some minor problems with the can drive, as a few cans got loose and blown into a neighbor's yard.  They're all corralled now.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by MikeF90 on Saturday, June 3, 2023 9:13 PM

tree68
In other news, I bought a "long slot" toaster. It'll hold two regular slices in each slot (4 total) but the reason I bought it was because I can now toast my favored rye bread without having to turn it end-for-end to toast the whole slice. Works great!

What brand, please?  When my last one died, no one was selling one for years ....

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 3, 2023 10:22 PM

MikeF90
What brand, please?  When my last one died, no one was selling one for years ....

Elite Gourmet - ECP3100, I think.  Got it on Amazon - they had several at a wide range of prices...

Disclaimer - This does not constitute an endorsement of any particular brand.  It's just the one I happened to buy.

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 Saturday, June 3, 2023 11:42 PM

tree68

 

In other news, I bought a "long slot" toaster.  It'll hold two regular slices in each slot (4 total) but the reason I bought it was because I can now toast my favored rye bread without having to turn it end-for-end to toast the whole slice.  Works great! 

Had to hunt for a long slot wide slot that will take an uncut bagel.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 4, 2023 12:58 PM

afternoon

Wandered over to Indiana.Ns in New Haven had plenty of goodies.Checked on Csx in Garrett as well.One one the club members was there so I could look at their model railroad layout.Ns had a couple more trains as we ate lunch in Butler.L 96 was also working SDI.Wasn't as crowded as it was last time.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 Monday, June 5, 2023 2:27 PM

afternoon

Was Monday at work.Ns has some cars to shuffle.They also had cars on the other siding uptown as well.Still very dry dry dry here.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 5, 2023 3:46 PM

Helped load up the cans and bottles collected for a good cause at my fire station.  We finished filling the second of two 35' box trucks worth and there were more that would be picked up Monday evening.

The proceeds (six cents per can/bottle) will benefit the family of a woman who died of cancer.  The campaign was organized before she passed, but the enormity of the response is a tribute to how well regarded she was.  She served as the secretary to the county fire coordinator, meaning members of virtually every fire department knew her as a result of dealings with the office.

It'll probably be the end of the week before the redemption center has a count on all of them.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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, June 6, 2023 1:09 AM

   Did you guys looking for toasters that can handle long or odd-shaped items consider a toaster oven?  I hardly ever fire up the big oven in the stove.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 6:50 AM

Paul of Covington

   Did you guys looking for toasters that can handle long or odd-shaped items consider a toaster oven?  I hardly ever fire up the big oven in the stove.

I have a toaster oven, but it seems like overkill to brown up a couple of slices of bread...

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 tree68 on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 7:16 AM

For those on the east side of the country, you may find this map interesting: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

It shows where the smoke from Canadian (and a few US) wildfires is going.  It ranges as far south as the Carolinas and as far west as Lake Michigan right now.

We're seeing a strange yellow overcast right now here in northern NY, and reports of ash falling...

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 Tuesday, June 6, 2023 10:00 AM

We're starting to get air quality alerts based on the wildfires in northern Michigan and Quebec.

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 zugmann on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 10:03 AM

tree68
I have a toaster oven, but it seems like overkill to brown up a couple of slices of bread...

Toaster oven toast never seems "right". 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 12:23 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

We're starting to get air quality alerts based on the wildfires in northern Michigan and Quebec.

There's a low pressure system over the Maritimes right now that's bringing the smoke south.  As someone pointed out on FB - it smells like everyone in the county has a wood stove going right now.  

We've been seeing yellow all day, and you can see the smoke in the air.  

Two medevac helicopters declined to fly a mission this morning due to visibility issues.

I've gotten reports from Scranton and Dayton of smoke from these fires.  Ontario has, at this point some 18 fires going, many still uncontrolled, which have burned over 70 square miles (18,000+ hectares).

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 Tuesday, June 6, 2023 3:21 PM

afternoon

Ns was switching around this afternoon.Have more to do uptown.Yes getting the haze from the fires.Close to home Fostoria has been granted money to build overpasses over the railroads.Not sure which crossings will be taken out.Need 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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