Happy birthday to both of you, Carl and Larry. As my grandfather would say, “Many happy returns!” It took me many years to figure out what he meant by this.
That was obvious now - hindsight being 20/20! What can I say? Great minds think alike! Occasionally I get my birthday wish of snow…usually it doesn’t stick but I count the effort anyway…
I have seen CNW reporting marks (along with MP and WP) on Union Pacific heralded cars but with fresh paint…so maybe the powers that are in Omaha are using marks they own to free up space elsewhere.
Good question; unfortunately the math involved is beyond me (I barely understood the formulas for finding the same day).
Temporarily laid up after a fall…nothing permanently damaged, I don’t think, but I’m not straying very far.
It would have been neat to be down along I-55 between Dwight and Pontiac this morning, when the special Amtrak train hit 110. (But I’ve never seen so much cynicism in the comments. I hate how politics has muddied the waters.)
Also letting Chad (and Rick) know that we’re still here. Somebody will be glad to make the coffee, Rick!
Carl…has your “fall” involved your activity with the bike…? However it was, we wish you a speedy return to your normal activity.
Guess I don’t fit in with the last several birthday comments…not until February.
Quentin, I fell on a slippery stairway just before getting on my bike. I was still able to bike my errands before becoming too stiff to do much of anything. These were painted wooden stairs, and it had just quit raining, so they were very slick. When my feet went out from under me, I caught a stair tread in my back.
I’m still sore, but definitely improving. We expect to walk to church tomorrow, and I survived a wedding and reception tonight with no problem, except for getting into and out of the car.
News this morning about the derailment of Amtrak Train 350 east of Niles, Michigan. From the location, the train would have been winding up on its way to 110 m.p.h. Details:
http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-breaking-news-train-derailment-in-niles-20121021,0,1369365.story
The line was blocked for only a matter of a few hours. Two westbound trains were held at Kalamazoo for a while.
Wow…looks like that could’ve been worse. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Carl, please remember: the season is fall…not the behavior. Glad to hear you’re getting better.
Around my neck of the woods (close enough anyway) the SOO 1003 Mikado is supposed to be pulling Santa on Sat Nov 3. I have plans to get Aedan there…plus get a few (dozen) photos.
Carl; do what an acquaintence of mine did when he fell on a slippery slope---- . went to the owner and told them to fix the problem or get sued. He did not want anyone else to to get hurt. Had a battle with their lawyers who wanted him to sign a release first before fixing but he hung in and problem fixed permanently.
I took a bit of a tumble this weekend, too, but I’m none the worse for wear (plenty of other reasons to be stiff, sore, and tired). Part of the barrier marking the edge of the “Punkin Patch” was a section of “silt fence.” I was stepping over it and the trailing foot didn’t quite clear - and down I went.
We had well over 300 pumpkins leave the patch in the hands of eager youngsters over the two weekends. And the varmints around the patch are grateful for some of the orbs that didn’t pass muster (damage, soft spots, etc), since they just got pitched out in the woods.
Had to deal with some track construction, too. They stayed on their side of the barrel, and we stayed on ours, but the company doing our track work for the upgrade on the way to Big Moose spent all weekend hauling ballast, one 10-wheeler hi-rail dump truck load at a time, up the hill. The only access is at Carter and Big Moose, so it’s all got to be hauled in from the end points. It’s going to be a great five miles of track, though.
Belated birthday dinner tonight at my daughter’s house, and I get to meet their new pup, “Rosie” as well.
I will mention that I fell to the proprietors of the place (one of the local Historical Society’s museums). This entrance is very rarely put into use (the other entrances were out of commission due to the pouring of fresh concrete), but some sort of safety strips probably should be put on those stairs nonetheless.
Pat and I had a nice Sunday lunch at the deli that recently opened in downtown Lombard. Food was good and ample (and inexpensive), and in the 35-40 minutes we were there we got three freights and a scoot–close enough to read numbers and other data off the cars.
One eastbound stack train had bunch of refrigerated containers near the point. I can’t remember how they were marked (“Horizon”?–large logos), but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this. I’m guessing that there were 25 or 30 tubs with these cars. A lot of them were not stacked, so maybe 50 boxes all told.
More on the Amtrak derailment in Michigan. The train, for some unknown reason, was lined into a yard track. So we have either a rules infraction or an ATCS malfunction.
So, a little bit of job news… if it goes well, I’ll share in a few days.
also half tempted to start a HO switching layout. I know this is the wrong part of the forum, and I need another hobby to waste money on like I need another hole in my head. Also half tempted to buy a bike, but it’s getting to that cold and dark time of year.
You might get a better deal on a bike at this time of year.
Could have used one of those signs. If I go there tomorrow, I promise that I’ll be a little more sure-footed.
Any DuPage voters paying attention to this, the Village Hall in Downers Grove, one of the venues for early voting, is very close to the BNSF “Racetrack”. We tried it out today. I’d do it again, if they’d let me.
In the same neck of the woods, the overpass carrying BNSF over Belmont Road is now completed. Things around the station there look pretty impressive, from what I can see while going under it. Might have to ride the train some weekend.
Looking forward to it !
[:-,] Missing that part of your former life ? Going to duplicate those lines at home ? Most model rails aim to create/ replicate the dispatcher’s kind of control, I believe.
I actually like biking before and during dawn, in temps down into the 30’s (not when ice is likely, though). A few good hills just keep you warm - not pouring sweat - very little traffic, and great sunrises sometimes. The world looks very different then - try it !
- Paul North.
I do miss switching. Especially the planning part.
Don’t have to tell me about the world at sunrise - I spent the last 5 years working them. Nothing like the blue hour.
Thanks for the coffee Carl. [;)]
Never touch the stuff myself, Chad, so I’m glad it was palatable.
Actualy I don’t either. Just an excuse to drop by. [8D]
Others should have the benefit of those experiences, too . . . [:-^] [swg]