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Chatterbox Spring 2024

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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 2:31 PM

In case you haven't checked the newswire on here today - Kalmbach sold the magazines and site to Firecrown Media.  

 

Guess we'll see.   

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 BaltACD on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 2:09 PM

Erik_Mag
I suspect Balt is seeing the frame for an ad that isn't loading. I got those on a new computer after installing Firefox and enabling "https only mode in all windows", which blocked most of the ads. Setting "Enhanced Tracking Protection" to "strict"  cleaned up the last vestiges of the ads. While I don't have an ad blocker, there are a lot of sites that think I'm running an ad blocker.

The site seems to be loading quickly so far.

I'm certain it is a unfilled banner ad block.  At least on this site it is only showing up on the bottom of the page.  On RailPictures.Net I am getting banner ads at both the top and bottom of their pages, which are loading AFTER the page itself loads.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Monday, April 29, 2024 10:06 PM

I suspect Balt is seeing the frame for an ad that isn't loading. I got those on a new computer after installing Firefox and enabling "https only mode in all windows", which blocked most of the ads. Setting "Enhanced Tracking Protection" to "strict"  cleaned up the last vestiges of the ads. While I don't have an ad blocker, there are a lot of sites that think I'm running an ad blocker.

The site seems to be loading quickly so far.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 29, 2024 6:30 PM

I don't run an ad blocker, per se.  I have a hosts file that blocks most of them, though.  Every now and then I'll hit a site that doesn't like that, but who cares?

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 29, 2024 4:46 PM

While the forum appears to be working - I am getting a translucent band at the bottom of each screen displayed.  There is an X in the right hand corner of the band that causes it to go away when the X is Left Clicked.  Suspect this is some form of advertisement without any data being displayed.

Is this a new device to circumvent ad blockers?

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Sunday, April 28, 2024 3:06 PM

Two days in a row with relatively unimpeded access - hope I don't jinx things by mentioning that...

The wife and I spent the morning at the Encinitas street fair - the historical society had a couple of pictures of AT&SF's Encinitas station. Weather was beautiful, clear skys and temps in the high 60's.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 28, 2024 1:08 PM

Probably an oversubscribed router close to the servers.

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 Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:12 AM

Flintlock76
 
Paul of Covington
This site is working but is still rather sluggish.  I'm thinking Kalmbach may not be to blame.  My bank's website is still having similar problems, and Blue Streak mentioned above that he's been seeing problems with other sites. 

Not to dispute, but I haven't had any problems with any other 'site I go to while the Kalmbach gremlins were out in force.  Just saying. 

Put another way - I have never gotten 504 time out errors from ANY of the other sites I frequent - NEVER.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:03 AM

Paul of Covington
This site is working but is still rather sluggish.  I'm thinking Kalmbach may not be to blame.  My bank's website is still having similar problems, and Blue Streak mentioned above that he's been seeing problems with other sites.

Not to dispute, but I haven't had any problems with any other 'site I go to while the Kalmbach gremlins were out in force.  Just saying. 

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, April 28, 2024 2:18 AM

Paul of Covington
 
NKP guy 
Flintlock76
I'll tell you, I was ready to give this site the big goodbye.  

You aren't the only one. 

   This site is working but is still rather sluggish.  I'm thinking Kalmbach may not be to blame.  My bank's website is still having similar problems, and Blue Streak mentioned above that he's been seeing problems with other sites.

The only slower web sites I know of are Comcast.  You would think with the corporate structure and overall size of the corporation you would think everything would be ultra fast - NOPE!  Slow Slow Slow - inordinate amount of time progressing from necessary page to the next page.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, April 28, 2024 2:08 AM

NKP guy

 

 
Flintlock76
I'll tell you, I was ready to give this site the big goodbye. 

 

You aren't the only one.

 

   This site is working but is still rather sluggish.  I'm thinking Kalmbach may not be to blame.  My bank's website is still having similar problems, and Blue Streak mentioned above that he's been seeing problems with other sites.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by NKP guy on Saturday, April 27, 2024 6:11 PM

Flintlock76
I'll tell you, I was ready to give this site the big goodbye. 

You aren't the only one.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, April 27, 2024 4:17 PM

The Forum gremlins finally let me in last night, somewhat.  Things seem pretty much back to normal today.  

I wasn't able to get on the Forums all week.  I'll tell you, I was ready to give this site the big goodbye. 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, April 27, 2024 4:01 PM

I've been 504'd for several days.  Finally came up today, but 504'd me on a reply. Not out of the woods yet...

Getting a little rain here this afternoon, but they can keep the heavy stuff out in Oklahoma...

There was a derailment last night in Deshler, OH.  It happened just as the cars in question were going off screen on the PTZ cam.  A visiting fan can be seen going over to the crossbuck to look up the number to call CSX.  Aside from tying up traffic for a bit, there were no untoward consequences.  

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 Saturday, April 27, 2024 10:22 AM

Howdy

Mother Nature sent some more swamp filler this morning.Thursday I 115 disconected a truck and low boy trailer near Hamler on Csx.No injuries.Last night B 523 had some cars jump the tracks while turning at East Deshler.Have chores to do here at home.

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 Saturday, April 27, 2024 9:19 AM

It was timing out with 504's past Midnight for me.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, April 26, 2024 9:57 PM

Paul of Covington

   I'm starting to get a little bit paranoid.  My bank's website has been having similar problems the last few days.

 

 
That is same problem that am having with some sites!
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Posted by Paul of Covington on Friday, April 26, 2024 9:47 PM

   I'm starting to get a little bit paranoid.  My bank's website has been having similar problems the last few days.

_____________ 

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

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, April 26, 2024 8:31 PM

adkrr64

Forums are back online! Big Smile

 
Well yes and no!  Web site is slow at times and still getting some 504 warnings.  Also spilling over to News Wire.
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Posted by adkrr64 on Friday, April 26, 2024 5:30 PM

Forums are back online! Big Smile

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 21, 2024 1:58 PM

Rules class is done for the year.  Several new volunteers to mentor, which is a good thing.

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, April 21, 2024 4:13 AM

Morning

Csx made a mess last night south of Glendale Ohio.Helped at the museum.Was trimming at the park and helped a gentleman with a flat tire.Going to go check on brother 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").

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Defiance Ohio
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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, April 19, 2024 1:39 AM

Morning

Mother nature sent us a wake up call this morning.Going to head for Deshler on Saturday to help with projects in the museum.Did yardwork here last night.Time to get ready for 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
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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 18, 2024 11:41 PM

Visited the Rochester and Genesee Valley museum group tonight to present brief programs on the Adirondack and railroads here where I live.

They seemed well received.

RGV is doing a bang-up job on some restorations, but like all such efforts, it takes a lot of resources.  Volunteerism can only do so much.  They have a great facility, though.

My tablet/GPS gave me a great route going to - all Interstates.  Coming home, though, it chose to route me on "regular" roads - although that wasn't really a problem.  Took a little longer, but having to actually drive helped keep me alert.  And a fair portion of the route was roads I'm familiar with.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
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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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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 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 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 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...

  • Member since
    December 2006
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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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