Trains.com

Chatterbox Summer 2023

17737 views
197 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:31 PM

something different on our local CSX siding.  Around 1300 Tuesday afteernoon CSX loco 908 arrived being sandwiched on south by loaded Herzog ballast cars.  North of loco was about 5-6 B&O marked loaded side dump rip cars with various sizes of rip rap. around 1800 siding rip rap cars picked up.  Intermodal trains were running at least as far as LaGrange with a couple also BNSF's to BHM.  LaGrange has intermodals go 3 diffeent routes.  Ballast cars still hee at 0030 with 908 still running.

About  an hour 1400 another south bound rip  rap train passed by long end first.  Wondered how a loco only in middle of a train operates  PTC?  

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: San Francisco East Bay
  • 1,360 posts
Posted by MikeF90 on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 8:35 PM

Looks like we're finally going to get some summer weather here. Thursday temps are projected to hit 84F and 92F on Saturday.  After that we'll see....  No RR heat restrictions known for this area.

As opposed to CN in Quebec where the RR is optimized for, say, 0C.  They impose 20MPH if above 70F (!! 20C/68F?) and currently 10MPH (!!!) if above 30C/86F. Amtrak has suspended service north of Albany.  Due to climate change perhaps CN should plan ahead for the upcoming east Canada desert ....

Due to the Yellowstone River bridge collapse the ex-GN part of the BNSF northern transcon will be a real mess for a few months.  Maybe they should rethink their slow upgrade path between Sandpoint ID and Whitefish MT - some longer sidings and 2MT would be helpful now.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 2:41 PM

afternoon

Ns came and picked up the cars across the street today.Still have cars parked uptown.College boy got a package in the mail.Will take care of yardwork tomorrow after 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, June 26, 2023 3:21 PM

We ended up with around 515 contacts during Field Day - likely a new high for us.  It's by no means a record - I'm sure that similar operations to ours may have acquired totals of 1,000 or more.

One station in the Maryland area was running 12 transmitters, all on different modes and frequencies.  We had four.

Slept like a rock once I got home...

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 26, 2023 2:30 PM

afternoon

Back to work.Ns has cars across the street and uptown.Mother nature sending showers.Yesterday had some funnel clouds spotted north of us.Need to do 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").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 26, 2023 2:27 AM

Morning

Csx has some scrap cars for omni in the yard.They picked up the switcher at Fc.Had a few storms but nothing severe here.Time to go back to 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, June 25, 2023 6:02 AM

Looks like I dodged some weather in Deshler.  

The reunion was great - may become my go-to event from now on.

The drive home was pretty good, except through Toronto, as usual.  It's bad enough normally, but throw in some construction...

Field day is going pretty well.  Made contacts on both coasts, and in between.  But it was a long 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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 25, 2023 5:32 AM

Good Morning

Maned the museum yesterday.Had some visitors.Csx ran some trains here and there.People were out enjoying the day.Guessers say rain and storms.Going to see if we can catch the local picking up the switcher at Fc.Tomorrow it's back to 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, June 23, 2023 9:02 PM

mudchicken
...nobody around here saw a funnel even though the path was within a quarter mile of the house.

Straight line winds can be pretty serious stuff.

Got home from my whirlwind "vacation."  Saw lots of trains in Deshler, had a great reunion (it's for those who have celebrated their 50th reunion).  Just missed a big laker at Port Huron (got in a wrong lane and had to endure a lengthy detour), and anyone who's driven through Toronto knows how that goes.

Had to fix a brake - found one wheel with the metal pad backing up against the rotor.  No serious damage, and I had a spare pad on the shelf, so we're back on the road again.

This weekend is the Amateur Radio "Field Day," where we set up a "bare base" operation, running on alternative power, and see how many contact we can make from around the country and around the world.

It's surprising how many railfans are hams.  Spoke to several at Deshler.  One arranged for me to contact a ham in VA (or was is SC?  His records show VA).  And he'll be looking for our operation (call sign K2I) while he's operating.

Time for bed - it's gonna be a long weekend...

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
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, June 23, 2023 11:35 AM

afternoon

Took lunch into town.Saw I 010 on Csx.The Ns switcher is going to Connelsville Indiana when Csx can pick it up.Also the NDW sent the Sante Fe 2026 and 3 boxcars west to Woodburn for Ns.The rain line was coming eastbound but fell short of here at home.Guessers say lookout Sunday night.Going to finish up 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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Friday, June 23, 2023 9:54 AM

diningcar

Tornado and large hail near mudchickens residence yesterday. 

Tornado Lite was mostly heavy rain (2.5 inches in 30 minutes) and heavy wind (80-100 mph) with pea and marble sized hail....nobody around here saw a funnel even though the path was within a quarter mile of the house. Worst damage here was a couple of damaged rose bushes. Gratefull this wasn't an eastern Colorado/Kansas/Nebraska/Iowa type twister. [flying monkeys absent]

Will be cleaning up and bagging leaves when they dry out. (and falling off the new siding - house has pseudo green polka dots right now)

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
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 23, 2023 9:27 AM

Another half inch of precip after Midnight to the present.

Able to see things that needed water green right up.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,754 posts
Posted by diningcar on Friday, June 23, 2023 7:46 AM

Tornado and large hail near mudchickens residence yesterday.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, June 22, 2023 11:12 PM

JoeKoh
afternoon

Checked on brother.He got to wish Sis a happy birthday.Went over to Indiana.Ns was hit and miss.We ventured to Elkhart and saw an Ns crew working on swapping power around.Then in the traffic jam coming home saw 3 Ns westbounds coming for the yard in Goshen.Came home and took care of the yardwork.Tomorrow it;s chores here at home and errands.Saturday it's Deshler.

stay safe

Joe

Precipitated all day 0.48 until Noon - 0.06 after Noon but the ground never dried.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, June 22, 2023 8:23 PM

afternoon

Checked on brother.He got to wish Sis a happy birthday.Went over to Indiana.Ns was hit and miss.We ventured to Elkhart and saw an Ns crew working on swapping power around.Then in the traffic jam coming home saw 3 Ns westbounds coming for the yard in Goshen.Came home and took care of the yardwork.Tomorrow it;s chores here at home and errands.Saturday it's Deshler.

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").

 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, June 22, 2023 10:04 AM

Summer started earlier than the calendar in Northern Illinois and we're going through a bit of a dry spell complete with brown lawns.  We might some rain early next week.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 3:25 PM

afternoon

Did errands after I woke up.Checked the NDW yard.They are prepping a former NS switcher for shipment.The owner from Napoleon has sold it.Not sure if it is going to NS or CSX.Tomorrow going to check on brother and help him call Sis to wish her Happy Birthday.Balt we could use some rain as well.

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").

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 10:46 AM

Summer Solstice was greeted by RAIN in Central Maryland.  Sorely needed I might add.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Chatterbox Summer 2023
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 10:58 PM

Good Morning(almost)

First day of summer.Guessers are saying chances of rain.We need it.Went over to Deshler and chat with Larry(Tree) for awhile.Csx started slow but then the trains kept moving.On the way north the L 318 moved a bad order car so the crews could work on it.Then on the way back south a rail train crew parked their train in a siding in Ottawa.The crew van brought them back up to Deshler.They took over for the L 318 crew and picked up the fixed car and the train and took it back to Lima.We also had a meeting as well.Will be helping out Saturday as our curator needs to help with other projects.Time for bed.

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").

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy