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Chatterbox Summer 2023

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, July 28, 2023 10:49 PM

tree68
 
BaltACD

Getting SEVERE THUNDERSTORM warnings this evening - I can hear the Thunder and the sky is almost BLACK. 

The radar does look pretty bad down your way.

Meanwhile, I just stopped by the solar farm.  The batteries are still burning.

Got the other front bearing replaced on the truck (right side was several weeks ago).  Nice not to hear that grinding sound...

My rain gauge racked up 0.56 inches in about a half hour of actual rain.  Thunder lasted for about two hours.

Hope the following didn't create your grinding noise!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, July 29, 2023 7:04 AM

BaltACD
Hope the following didn't create your grinding noise!

Wouldn't have been as bad as that if it had been a brake issue, but it was a front wheel bearing.  The way it was grinding leads me to believe that a complete failure was not far off.  Now both front bearings have been replaced in the span of three weeks.  Happy sailing!

This morning's radar looks like we'll get some rain a little later in the day, if the lake doesn't moderate it as usual.

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, July 29, 2023 10:04 PM

evening

Very eventful day.Started with a tornado warning at 3 am.Wasn't any damage here at home.Went to Deshler and half the town was without power.It came back on just before we opened up the museum.Trimmed up the park before we left.Went to Bryan to meet up with some friends.Saw a friend as a conductor on Ns go west.They had a concert at a VFW post across the tracks and we were able to stay on the back porch and enjoy.We left when 309 came in and started to do its work in Bryan.Going to sleep good tonight.

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 Saturday, July 29, 2023 11:34 PM

Li - ION batteries.  Trying to find a location in basement that I can make a new fire RESISTANT charging station.  Just trying to get a non flamable location that is not awarkward! 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, July 30, 2023 8:29 AM

blue streak 1

Li - ION batteries.  Trying to find a location in basement that I can make a new fire RESISTANT charging station.  Just trying to get a non flamable location that is not awarkward! 

If you're talking small batteries (bikes, etc), they make charging bags and the like.  Might be easier than building something yourself.

The watch goes on at our local battery fire.  New shift came on at 8 AM.  This will probably still go on for a few more days.

Yesterday was wet, but nothing severe.  My rain gauge showed 1.4" this morning, though.

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 JoeKoh on Sunday, July 30, 2023 3:28 PM

afternoon

Saw a couple trains on Csx when we walked this morning.Got brother a couple things.Ns was squeezeing them through Edgerton and Butler.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 tree68 on Sunday, July 30, 2023 8:54 PM

After the birthday party today, I headed south to return the grand-dog to her family and joined them for supper.  When I walked into my house after the party, it was like she knew she was going for a ride, and she recognized her neighborhood as soon as we entered it.  Everyone was glad to have her home.

On the way back, I stopped at the solar site.  The fire chief told me that they expect that they will be able to clear on Tuesday - there are still some areas that are too hot to deal with.

After last night's low 50's temps, I offered (and provided) some wind sides for the canopies they have set up, and provided a couple of small heaters.  The 24 hour watch continues.

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, July 31, 2023 2:31 PM

afternoon

Heard an Ns after work today.They have a coal train on the main uptown.Better weather but we are going to get more smoke from Canada.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 JoeKoh on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 2:32 PM

afternoon

Looked like Ns had a different train uptown after work today.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 Tuesday, August 1, 2023 2:47 PM

Drove into town in nice sunshine.  Did my shopping and returned via the solar site.  Things are settling down, and the FD may be able to clear sooner rather than later, but it's still a very active scene.

In the six miles from that location to my house I ran into rain.  I could see it from a distance, but couldn't be sure exactly where it was raining.  Gonna have to delay some mowing for a while...

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, August 2, 2023 2:28 PM

afternoon

Ns looked the same today after work.College boy said he should be home tomorrow.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 Wednesday, August 2, 2023 7:17 PM

Freighter with a fuel leak on Lake Michigan...

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 Leo_Ames on Thursday, August 3, 2023 2:29 AM

Surprised it doesn't happen more often to the MV Manitowoc and her sistership.

These two 1970's era river class freighters were built so cheaply for Kinsman Marine Transit by American Shipbuilding that they've always had to be patched regularly from stress and such. I've even heard stories of doors and such not shutting correctly from so much flex in her.

I'm kind of impressed they're still out there working for Lower Lakes 50 years later given their quality. But at least they have Alco 251's inside.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, August 3, 2023 2:29 PM

afternoon

Looked like Ns moved some cars across the street.Tomorrow is National Chocolate chip cookie day.Plan accordingly.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 JoeKoh on Friday, August 4, 2023 4:05 PM

evening

Took college boy to Deshler.Helped take care of yardwork there.Met some new friends as well.I 010 had the B&O 1827 unit on the point.It was slightly delayed in Defiance as the can opener claimed another truck.Tomorrow it's set up time for our church mission festival.

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 5, 2023 11:20 AM

afternoon

Checked things out today.Ns has 3 high hoods around New Haven.Saw some csx action at Fc.The Ndw has 4 of the 5 units at the yard in Defiance.The ndw might be doing some digging by Antwerp to clear some trees.Mother nature might send rain tonight.Our Mission Festival will be inside our church tomorrow.Waiting for Boss and college boy to come back from shopping.

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, August 6, 2023 1:18 PM

afternoon

Mother nature provided rain this morning.Now it's sticky outside.More storms to come.Brought home some extra cracker jacks and drumsticks from church.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 tree68 on Sunday, August 6, 2023 8:10 PM

Pleasant trip through the central Adirondacks today as engineer on the "Mountaineer" to Tupper Lake.

It was a beautiful day, everything ran pretty well, and we got back right on time.  Can't beat that!

Check out Harrison's YouTube channel (North Country Trains) -  you may find some video and stills there.

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 Harrison on Monday, August 7, 2023 11:48 AM

tree68

Pleasant trip through the central Adirondacks today as engineer on the "Mountaineer" to Tupper Lake.

It was a beautiful day, everything ran pretty well, and we got back right on time.  Can't beat that!

Check out Harrison's YouTube channel (North Country Trains) -  you may find some video and stills there.

 

This is a good time to say thank you for everything yesterday- I had a great time.

I will be putting out some sort of video soon...

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, August 7, 2023 2:35 PM

afternoon

Ns left some cars uptown.Also heard an eastbound.College boy reports a variety of wildlife in the woods behind the house.He starts Monday at his co-op job.He will be working 4 10 hr days.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 Monday, August 7, 2023 10:15 PM

Had a line of severe thunderstorms pass through the area starting about 5 PM.  My weather station measured 1.6 inches of rain in about one hour.  The neighbor to my South had a number of branches break on trees in both is front and back yards.  One of them in the back yard hit the anemometer on my weather station and broke one of the measuring cups off it - will see how Super Glue or JB Weld wil 'fix' it tomorrow.

Up the road about 15 miles in the County Seat the news is reporting over thirty power poles were snapped and have come down blocking six lane US Route 140 for about 5/8 of a mile and trapping many cars and the people operating them - until it can be verified the power has been turned off. 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, August 7, 2023 10:25 PM

I got 1.92" in about an hour this afternoon, and it's been raining off and on since, probably between a quarter and a half inch.  Got some water seeped it's way into the basement, but the furnace and water heater are safe.

Several tornado warnings in the area - video of one rotation looked nasty, but it was in the woods, and caused minimal, if any damage.  

My daughter posted that her sump pump bought the big one.  Haven't talked to her to find out how they made out.

There were a number of power outages in the region.  Mine held steady.

My weather station isn't talking to the sending unit at all.  The cable seems to be OK.  I'm afraid the sensor may be shot, which won't be cheap to remedy.

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 Tuesday, August 8, 2023 2:41 PM

afternoon

Saw the Ns local switch a bulkhead flat for a boxcar in our building.They were waiting uptown when we left work.Stopped by and voted on the way home.College boy was busy checking the viaduct(clinton st) structure for any damage from the latest hit.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 Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:12 PM

The severe thunderstorms that took down 30 power poles in my county seat, also broke one a couple of miles from my house.

When I was in Florida after the multiple hurricanes that his South Florida in 2005 I saw a number of billboards that had been constructed  with power pole type poles at their primary structure with the 'board' affixed across the four poles that defined it - hurricane force winds acting against the 'sail' of the billboard snaped the poles within a foot or two of the ground.  I understand the force multiplier of the 'sail'.

Viewing the damage from this most recent storm - the snapped/broken power poles did not have any billboards attached to them to act as the force multiplier.  They only had the surface area of the pole and any transformers and wires attached to them.  I don't see where the force necessary can be generated against the circular area of the pole and the 'accessories' attached to it.  I am not an aerodynamicist who I suspect can explain the phenomenon.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:55 PM

The tornado that hit Lewis County (to the south of me) has been rated at an EF3.  Pretty substantial for this area.

While there was substantial damage to some buildings along the 17 mile path, including a ski area, much of that path was woods and swamps.

There were no injuries.

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 rdamon on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:10 PM

BaltACD

The severe thunderstorms that took down 30 power poles in my county seat, also broke one a couple of miles from my house.

When I was in Florida after the multiple hurricanes that his South Florida in 2005 I saw a number of billboards that had been constructed  with power pole type poles at their primary structure with the 'board' affixed across the four poles that defined it - hurricane force winds acting against the 'sail' of the billboard snaped the poles within a foot or two of the ground.  I understand the force multiplier of the 'sail'.

Viewing the damage from this most recent storm - the snapped/broken power poles did not have any billboards attached to them to act as the force multiplier.  They only had the surface area of the pole and any transformers and wires attached to them.  I don't see where the force necessary can be generated against the circular area of the pole and the 'accessories' attached to it.  I am not an aerodynamicist who I suspect can explain the phenomenon.

 

 

The wires carry considerable tension.  I have seen several times a line of poles taken down when one fails.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:21 PM

evening

Saw the Ns local switch out cars today at work.Ran errands in town and saw a csx phosphate train going back for more eastbound.Came home and mowed after college boy trimmed.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 Thursday, August 10, 2023 4:02 PM

afternoon

Ns looked clear after work.Ran errands in town.Glad tomorrow is Friday.Looking forward to summerrail in Marion on Saturday.

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 11, 2023 5:10 PM

evening

Ns had some cars by us and some uptown after work today.Ran errands and ZAP!! the power goes out while we are in the grocery store.Matt is on his way home from helping do a couple projects in Deshler.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 tree68 on Friday, August 11, 2023 10:40 PM

Took part in a "first responders night" at the local dirt track.  Aside from the parade of fire trucks around the track (lights and siren!), there was a raffle of racing items ranging from a helmet to body panels.  Over $1100 was raised for a foundation in honor of a young firefighter who died several years ago.

I didn't get to drive the track this time - I had charge of the table selling the raffle tickets...  I've been out there before, though.

Getting a day off from running on the railroad.  Had scheduled myself for our "Mountaineer" trip on Sunday, but there are apparently some weather related issues along the line.

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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