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Chatterbox Spring 2024

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 30, 2024 7:07 AM

Two interesting spots when I arrived at our yard in Utica, NY Friday morning.  First was in the consist of an CSX eastbound working the Susquehanna yard - A BNSF genset switcher.  Might have even been running...

At the same time, a CSX westbound was preparing for a pickup from the Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern yard.  Noticed a "different" locomotive in the lead.  As they came into the yard I saw that it was CSXT 911, "Honoring our First Responders."  Grabbed a couple of pictures, of course.  I caught it in person in Deshler last summer.

The Easter Bunny trips went well, too.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 4, 2024 4:15 PM

afternoon

Csx decided to send the bosses special through Deshler yesterday.Also Miss Katy"up 1988" came through on the up intermodal trains to and from NWO.Waiting for the swamp to dry before I can get the mower out.Have news reports that 500,000 people might come to our town for the solar eclipse Monday.Big brother is coming up from Virginia but he is staying at Sisters house.City also working on cleaning up the old switchyard downtown along Csx.Wonder if they will tear the concrete dock out this time.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 Thursday, April 4, 2024 5:04 PM

Making preps for the eclipse.  We're square in the middle of it, and NWS is suggesting we may have fairly clear skies, which means LOTS of visitors.

We're making ready in the ham radio community - already monitoring our local repeaters.  There are reports that there are already folks here for the event.  We'll have hams in the local hospitals and emergency operations center "just in case."

I'm staying home and monitoring several repeaters, and it's possible I may have to run a call or two with the fire department.

Wheee!

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, April 4, 2024 5:34 PM

tree68
Making preps for the eclipse.  We're square in the middle of it, and NWS is suggesting we may have fairly clear skies, which means LOTS of visitors.

Lots of people travelling very far to see something they can't really look at.  

I guess if they enjoy it.  I was always a fan of lunar eclipses, myself. 

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 Thursday, April 4, 2024 7:06 PM

zugmann
Lots of people travelling very far to see something they can't really look at.  

Our library is giving away glasses.  Many businesses are.

I'm going to build a camera obscura and put my GoPro in it to shoot the event.  Assuming it's not too cloudy.

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, April 4, 2024 7:41 PM

NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE IT DEPARTMENT?MultiVersus: Stripe

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 samfp1943 on Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:16 PM

mudchicken

NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE IT DEPARTMENT?MultiVersus: Stripe

 

  

                     Bang Head   HEEEEE  HEEE!!!  

               M.C.,  So Spot on!  LaughLaughLaugh     Zzz  Whistling

 

 


 

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:55 PM

Over 3.5 inches of rain - so far this month.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Lord Atmo on Friday, April 5, 2024 10:30 AM

Salutations!

Not much really happening here, but I remain very excited for CNW weekend at IRM in about a month. I have other trips planned for the year including an Appleton getaway in just 2 weeks. The whole drive down there is fun and has a lot of opportunities to catch some CN action. I always check the yard at Stevens Point too since there's almost always an SD60 hanging out around there.

I also booked my hotel for St. Paul Train Days in June. Although they have not yet released details on what equipment will be on display, they never disappoint. So I'm excited already!

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 8, 2024 2:41 PM

Well, totality is over here - now comes the traffic as every tries to leave at once.

LarryWhistling
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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 BaltACD on Monday, April 8, 2024 4:22 PM

Maryland was an area of partiality - took the Triumph out for a ride with the top down during the entire affair.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 8, 2024 7:28 PM

Turns out there were minimal traffic issues.  The worst case scenario didn't happen.  In fact, some summer weekends have worse traffic than what we experienced.

I gotta say, though, that it was a cool experience.  Even saw the "diamond ring."

I was watching the Deshler rail cam when it went through there.  It was surprising how quickly it got really dark, and how quickly it got light again afterwards.

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 Monday, April 8, 2024 8:45 PM

tree68
Turns out there were minimal traffic issues.  The worst case scenario didn't happen.  In fact, some summer weekends have worse traffic than what we experienced.

I gotta say, though, that it was a cool experience.  Even saw the "diamond ring."

I was watching the Deshler rail cam when it went through there.  It was surprising how quickly it got really dark, and how quickly it got light again afterwards.

Central Maryland was supposedly in the 85% of totality - with the weather having high level variable cloudiness - without looking, you didn't know it was happening.  

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blhanel on Monday, April 8, 2024 9:12 PM

Our solar system sure knew it was happening.  An otherwise perfect solar day here got "mooned"...

 SolarDuringEclipse by Brian Hanel, on Flickr

EDIT: Finally got the link to work...

 

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Monday, April 8, 2024 10:26 PM

I only saw the ~60% occultation here in San Diego, but both of my sons got to see totality. One traveled to Dallas from Johns Hopkins with freinds, one who brought a telescope with solar filter - son got a spectacular shot on his phone through the scope. The other son has a short drive from Purdue and very moved by all of the birds going quiet.

To make things even more interesting for my Purdue son is that my wife is a UCONN grad, the two had a bet and he ended up paying.

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 8, 2024 11:25 PM

Had a year and a half at Purdue.  Passed up an opportunity to attend the 1965 Indy 500 so I could take a Chemistry final exam - would probably have gotten a better grade going to the 500.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, April 8, 2024 11:39 PM

Another contasiner ship lost power leaving NY harbor. Fortunately did not hit bridge.  This is not good & may require some changes?

Huge Shipping Container Loses All Power Near NYC Bridge Not Long After Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse (msn.com)

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 7:15 AM

blue streak 1
Another container ship lost power leaving NY harbor. Fortunately did not hit bridge.  This is not good & may require some changes?

Perhaps some parallels to the land barges the railroads are running?  Same size crew for a huge ship as a smaller one...

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 Tuesday, April 9, 2024 7:48 AM

tree68
 
blue streak 1
Another container ship lost power leaving NY harbor. Fortunately did not hit bridge.  This is not good & may require some changes? 

Perhaps some parallels to the land barges the railroads are running?  Same size crew for a huge ship as a smaller one...

There are many more marine incidents around the world than we realize - as many of them happen in 2nd and 3rd world locations and nothing gets reported in North America media.  To most people Titanic is about the only marine disaster they have ever heard about.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:06 AM

Most of those incidents get forgotten rather quickly. Two come to mind.  In 1962, the Calumet Western swing bridge over the Calumet River near Torrence Avenue was knocked off its center pin when it was sideswiped by a freighter.  Several years ago, the B&O bridge. also over the Calumet River next to the Skyway, was struck in the raised position by a Cypriot freighter.  The bridge was removed.

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 JoeKoh on Thursday, April 11, 2024 2:16 AM

morning

Swamp going to get a refill.Deshler had a new record of trains yesterday.Wonder when the new diamond will get put in.We just enjoyed the eclipse from home.Didn't have the amount of people some experts were saying.Big brother coming on Friday to visit.Going to see brother in Edgerton and wish him Happy Birthday.Off to work we go.

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, April 11, 2024 8:44 AM

JoeKoh
morning

Swamp going to get a refill.Deshler had a new record of trains yesterday.Wonder when the new diamond will get put in.We just enjoyed the eclipse from home.Didn't have the amount of people some experts were saying.Big brother coming on Friday to visit.Going to see brother in Edgerton and wish him Happy Birthday.Off to work we go.

stay safe

Joe

The CSX 'thought process' for such undertakings that I observed would lead me to believe that replacing the diamonds at Deshler will be a Holiday undertaking - Memorial Day, 4th of July and/or Labor Day being the next three on the callendar.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2024 11:49 PM

Brian:  web site access is  slowing down.  now about 20 seconds.  Again cannot access some News Wire articles but can others.  Will not let me sign out on non access wires.

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Posted by rdamon on Friday, April 12, 2024 12:05 PM

BaltACD

 

The CSX 'thought process' for such undertakings that I observed would lead me to believe that replacing the diamonds at Deshler will be a Holiday undertaking - Memorial Day, 4th of July and/or Labor Day being the next three on the callendar.

 

 

IIRC the current diamonds sat assembled in the SE quadrant area for several months before being installed. 

I see some new signals in on the NW side, but no sign of a new diamond, unless it it is being assembled elsewhere. 

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Posted by diningcar on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 5:42 PM

Tornado spotted SW from Lawrence, KS this AM. Brief sighting and no damage reported

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 1:57 PM

First mowing today - supposed to rain here a little later.

Looks like the serious stuff will miss us, though.

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 Wednesday, April 17, 2024 11:54 PM

Here is an article about initial efforts to detect rolling rail fatigue cracks.  Evidently a lot more research will be needed.

EMFI Technology Development for Rolling Contact Fatigue Characterization in Rails - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, April 18, 2024 4:18 PM

Well the forum access is slow again. Sometimes getting the 504 notice but just mainly a 30 -45 second wait.  Anyone with same problem?

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, April 18, 2024 7:14 PM

blue streak 1
Well the forum access is slow again. Sometimes getting the 504 notice but just mainly a 30 -45 second wait.  Anyone with same problem?

Same here - they need stronger hamsters to spin the generator wheel to power the servers.

 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, April 18, 2024 9:03 PM

Hamsters are on the way to the geriatric ward. New ones will arrive eventually.

 

Somebody please order a RDT for Ma Nature ... Snow and snizzle here. (aka - Springtime in the Rockies)...grass here would have to turn green in order to cut it - for now it remains a potential fire hazzard.

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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