Gardner Gawking

0359-0630/12-14-2018 was another busy slice of time, 0359 when D-3 and (Signal Truck?) 1157 finished off a convo about a circuit being cut out and D-3 advising when the circuit would be needed again. Naught further was heard, not that that means anything but naught. From 0400 and on, sounds from AY-4 -- an intermittent constant throughout listening -- and AYPO -- more about which later -- were heard, though it wasn't clear whether they were working solo or in concert. At 0422 and for the next couple of minutes came the D-3 side of a convo with AYPO and the 7545, D-3 rogering the train info and marker number and then giving AYPO the OK to reverse direction within the interlocking limits of CPF-AY and head east on Track 2.
At 0429, the 333 WLs were dark, bur a couple later, the 334 ELs and 1 stagger were all at Stop, well ahead of 400's expected arrival and hinting that there might be shunting going on at the 335 ELs, which also were at Stop. Why? Sitting on the 1 were WB racks with dark Ponies 7833 and 1058. Whether this was a 287 or I87 never did hear, but it was short enough that no marker had been visible at 334. 400 with a total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 2028 would get east of the 335 ELs at 0440. Dunno whether 400 got buzzered or radioed outta Wachusett cuzza ongoing AY-4 radioactivity.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop, with general on 2 on the Timpany Boulevard UGB and EB racks on 1 east of Timpany, NSs -- dark again -- 9977 and 8343 down by the platform. Threre coulda also been a few racks and general in the yard, but the occupants of 1 and 2 obstructed the view. To take care of the Sameoldsameold Ledger entries, the brush-cutter was still on the House, the untucked stone was still on the Heywood, and the tented centerbeam and rack were still on the Extension. Looks like some folks might not be getting their dimensional lumber and/or vehicles in time for the Tuesday after next. An offering of thanks was made to The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, the additional 0505 reward being POED with the 7518 announcing that the switch and derail had been restored, giving their update (deets lost), and getting both acknowledged and on the move.
The CPF-346 WL was -- no surprise -- at Stop, POED with NewBlue 7518 and KCIRs 7797 and 5968 plus 42 getting a no defects, 19°, 2494', and train too slow from the 346.6 at 0520. There were a few slurries, a coupla cuts of company gons, boxes that included both a logoed and a nonlogoed Smurf, both full-size and shortie covered hoppers, and 3 NS coil cars.
On the way EB the 345 WLs still were at Stop, but the 345 1 EL had changed to Slow Approach, a strong hint that the WB racks at 335 would be west before the EB racks would be getting east. Dunno how it is in daylight, but both the 345WLs and ELs are visible from the lefthand lane of Rte. 2 EB.
Down Da Hill, the WB racks were gone, and 402 was getting outta the facility after calling a Medium Approach Slow for the lead, a total of 4 racks, 1 bi, and the 1138 clearing the 335 ELs at 0539. 402 had reached out to the Westminster trainmaster a coupla times, but and again, AY-4 activity coulda preempted reception of response.
Wanting to stay east of 402, 333 got bypassed, the 330.8 WBs showing a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2. The 330 1 WL was at Slow Clear and the GL Controlled Siding at Medium Approach Medium, the FG WLs being dark. At 0553, solo and dark OldPaint 353 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot, naught was in the old layover, and WB and dark KCIR 7605 plus at least 1 tank was sitting on West Side.
Remember wanting to stay east of 402? They came to their stop at North Leominster while I was stopped at the Rte. 13 lights, lights that were cooperative enough to let me see the Clear on the 2 EB stagger for Derby get dropped at 0602, the 1 staying at Approach.
For whatever of a number possible causes, whatever the 40.2 mighta have had to say to the 402 went unheard. Also unheard was anything to, from, or about 22K, AY-3, AY-5, EDPO, ED-8, ED-9, POAY, Q426, or Q427.
But AY-4 did close out the 0630 end of listening.

For 0400-0607/12-17-2018, the input was more audible than visual. The 𝚨 and 𝛀 being -- surprise -- FI-2, 0409 being when D-3 asked what they had and where they were going, the response unheard. At 0416, AY-4 -- again a constant intermittent -- would get told to back it up, and right around 0430, a Zombiefied D-3 would reach out to somebodies with the 7518, again response unheard.
At 0433, the 333 WLs were dark, the same for the 334s and 335s signals. The 335s did come on and the west did get bright at 0445, 400 with 5 flats and the 1128 getting east of 335 at 0447. The OCD was strong today and revealed that the 335 WLs were at Stop, hinting that no EB was imminent. Never heard the 400 OK themselves to go, but mebbe the buzzer took care of that. Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and would remain that way during the brief stay.The easterly half of Yards 4 and 2 had racks, those on 2 definitely loads. The brush-cutter was continuing to rust in place on the House, and the Extension was an persistent host for the tented centerbeam and rack. Oh -- it had been snowing and with some minor accumulations in the Fabled Higher Elevations of Worcester County. Dunno when it started, but all visible Gardner tracks hadn't had the accumulation run off. At 0503, a Zombiefied -- Yard Channel? -- D-3 reached out to 287, again response and further developments unheard.
Back down Da Hill, the 335 ELs were dark, as were -- at 0518 -- the 333 ELs and thus 333 WLs. 0520 was when 402 -- more about which later -- was doing their air, the Medium Approach Slow for the facility and Medium Approach for 334 being called out at appropriate intervals. There was a Yard Channel Zombiefication of D-3, "power," "yard," and "marker" being the sole bits of clarity.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 and GL WLs at Stop and the FG WLs dark, and at 0533, both the FI-1/2 parking spot and the old layover were MT. AY-4 would continue to provide proof of activity, and at 0540, the EB staggers for Derby were dark. 0553 was when D-2 would engage in a semi-broken exchange with EDPO -- the power ID being among the broken -- and advise them to tie down by the tower.
Zombiefication would be in effect during a 0602 and later 402/D-3 exchange about power trouble, the repeat and acknowledgment broken, but D-3 saying it would be passed along being clear. At 0650, there was no Service Alert posted.
Now for FI-2's 0607 𝛀: That's when D-3 acknowledgment that 2 was lined and locked normal and said they could reverse direction on that 2 and go west to CPF-Derby, hinting Lafarge had just gotten any snow run off at least some of its rail tops. Dunno about any of the others usually seeable or hearable during this stretch of time.

0400-0605/12-19-2018 started of with the start of a series of the D-3 side of convos with FI-2 -- later IDd as the 353 -- about it mebbe being too cold (18° on the car thermometer) and thinking about it and getting back to them, and then suggesting a fusee to see if that would warm up the lock a bit. The details of what the lock was locking and where the lock was were known to the principals, but not to me, The airwaves -- at least to me -- were otherwise MT until 0426 when AY-4 was heard for the first time. As you might expect, AY-4 also supplied the 0605 coda -- a car countdown.
At 0427 and well ahead of 400's expectable arrival, the 333 WLs showed a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding and Stops otherwise, dark NSs 8902, 9427, and 2582 stopped on 1 with wells that would extend to just clear of the 335 ELs. 22K? More likely an I2K, cuz a series of to-and-from-22K transmissions would be starting -- also at 0427 -- and would include a "22K, Restricting" at 0444, producing the expectable yarding transmissions and an AY-4/22K chorus. Mebbe the Hill Yard 22K was a delayed one from yesterday, but the Wachusett pig would be waiting till there were tracks open east.
At 0428, D-2 would tell AYPO -- more about which later -- with the 7523 that a maintainer would match up with them at Westford, then tell AYPO that he had been told that the 7575 was dead and with dead batteries, and then at 0436 to keep coming and back off for a WA tie-down.
400 -- more about which later -- had been doing their air at 0433, getting east of the 335 ELs at 0442 with a total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 2000. There had been another D-3/FI-2 exchange involving a run-around, but The Deity Off High-Band Propagation was not in the clarity vein.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark. There were FP-FP racks on Yard 4, their MTness echoed by the MT Extension. Before anyone rejoices for PW consignees, It looked like there was a rack plus mebbe something else on the Bull Run. Constants remained the brush-cutter on the House and untucked stone on the Heywood.
On my way EB, 22K and AY-4 would alternate car countdowns, and at 0455, D-3 would reach out to FI-2, but some substance did not follow, at least to me.
At 0504, 400 would call out an Approach for Derby, followed by a 0509 call of stopped at Derby. Didn't hear anything else, so D-3 musta put in a route. 0509 was also when the EB pig was still just east of 335 and when the 335 WLs showed a Stop for the Single and a Medium Approach Slow for Controlled Siding..0513 was when D-2 reached out to AYPO, the clear buis being " Cab has been called," "Plaistow," and "that's where EDPO is."
333 was bypassed, but a refueling stop wasn't, so dunno what transpired during that. The 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 1 WL at Restricting, the GL WLs both at Stop, and the FG WLs dark a couple later.
At 0529, the FI-1/2 parking spot was predictably MT, as was the old layover. West Side, however, had dark KCIRs 7622 and 7594 --see Bob Sprague's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=247646" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; of 12-18 at the Willows -- with half an EGT.
Around 0530, D-3 reached out to AY-6, but then AY-4 and 22K made their presences heard, D-3 next heard asking for a cripple report, getting that and train information, and talking about 312. Dunno if this was a continuation of the AY-6 convo or a different 1 with AY-3.
At 0535, D-3 would acknowledge Q427 west and clear of Burncoat and call Form D G-302 fulfilled, 0539 being when the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
As mentioned earlier, Yard Channel activity would conclude my listening.

0400-0605/12-21-2018 had an actual PAS-in-motion sighting, more about which later.
The 0405 radioactivity started off with static that resolved into D-2's 0410 time effective for Form D G-201 for the 7797 at 309, a Line 12 for School Street. Dunno if they were an AYPO or EDPO or mebbe even an AY or LA or NA local.
At 0423, D-3 would give ED-9 with the 7500 a 241 from 2 east to 2 at FG, and at 0426, ED-9 would start a number of car countdowns. At 0436, AY-4 would make themselves heard, including mebbe even something about 427. 0430 would show the 333 WLs dark, ditto for the 334 ELs and 1 stagger a couple later. At 0434, there would be a "Restricting. OK to back, 22K," initiating a series of alternating 22K and AY-4 car countdowns and other yarding transmissions.The 335 WLs ended their darkness at 0438, 400 east of same at 0441 with a total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 1058, the 335s back to dark a couple later. Continuing car countdowns would provide the soundtrack for the up=Da-Hill trip, fog and drizzle getting increasingly heavy.
The 345s were and would remain dark during drive-through time. There were 6 rack loads on the easterly end of Yard 4, an easterly rack plus general on Yard 2, and -- account the fog -- no idea what might or might not be on the Bull Run. The Sameoldsameld Ledger entries were still the House's brush-cutter and the Heywood's untucked stone.
On the way EB came the 0505 sounds of D-3 giving the 7500 permission to reverse direction from where they stood at FG, followed at 0510 by D-3 garble -- thanks yet again, Mount Wachusett! -- to somebodies somewhere.
Down Da Hill, the 335 EL and 333 ELs -- and by extension the 333 WLs -- were dark, but just east of the westerly River Street UGB, the 7500's number boards and brightiewhities were well lit. Yes, it was time for a uie and in time to see ED-9 drop the 1 WB stagger and get west of the Depot Street UGB with another -- but unIDable -- KCIR and 67 at 0521. There were shorties -- including the expectable LAFXs -- up front, unplacarded tanks, some boxes, some gons, and full-size covered hoppers that included BNSFs. Mebbe EGT remainders from the Milling? Mebbe -- again -- it was part of the 0510 garble, but never heard an ED-9 update or acknowledgment, though 402's completion of air would be heard at 0523.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, the 330 and GL WLs all at Stop, and the FG WLs dark. At 0533, an OldPaint 300 was solo and dark in the FI-1/2 parking spot -- probably the 353, but conditions didn't make a positive ID possible -- and the old layover was MT.
At 0538, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and only AY-4 now provided any audio input, listening ending before the 402 woulda transited the 40.2
A number of the other usual participants went unheard.

0400-0555/12-23-2018 -- Wait! A Sunday jaymac trip? Yes, cuzza prior 12-24 commitments. -- started off with a 0406 Q427/D-3 exchange, the 427 side being garbled and D-3 giving them the OK to depart -- presumably from Greendale -- any time they wanted. 427's Form D had probably been called fulfilled before I started listening.
A minute later, D-3 would begin a series of reach-outs tp POED with the 7517 that went unanswered, D-3 saying at 0415 that if they could hear him that there was a 15-car pickup on West Main, next telling POED at 0418 if they -- again -- could hear him to go to Channel 2. There was some Yard Channel garble in a couple, but no idea of the to and/or from. To save suspense, naught further was heard to, from, or about POED. Dunno if the radio trouble was peculiar to the 7517 or if Zombie Zones are multiplying.
At 0432, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334 ELs and 1 stagger, 335 ELs, and 345 ELs and WLs, the latters throughout my brief Gardner sojourn.
Up Da Hill, there were rack loads on Yard 1 and onto the Extension and on Yard 2. There was at least 1 rack on the easterly end of Yard 4 plus anything that mighta been obscured by the intervening loads, and a solo rack on the Bull Run. There were also no changes in status for either the House or the Heywood, but there was radioactivity -- a scratchy "23K" (more about which later) followed quickly by a time-effective-0448 Form D G-303, a Line 13 permitting NS 5162 to leave North Leominster, adding that they should pull down to Derby for a meet with 23K who was leaving Moores, giving yarding instructions, and advising that there would be a cab to help with set-offs.
After an offering of thanks was made to The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, a straight shot was made to 333, the WLs dark at 0504. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 and GL WLs all at Stop, and the FG WLs dark. 0515 was when OldPaint 353 was seen solo in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and the old layover -- save for a boom truck on the ground -- was MT.
To show the full extent of the the power and generosity of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, the Nashua Street diversion to view the EB staggers for Derby showed 4 red lights plus points-of-a-triangle white lights, 23K with NSs 9656, 2712, and 9010 going dim and coming to a temporary halt at 0522. Topography coulda been the famed confounding variable, but naught was heard outta the 40.2 for either 22K or 23K, although 22K -- sometimes Zombiefied, sometimes not -- would be heard yarding from 0540 on.
Wasn't ambitious enuf to wait for 2400.

0400-0605/12-26-2018 was an uneventful period. How uneventful? The only visible event was 400 -- more about which later -- and the expectable radioactives were inactive.
At 0432, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334 ELs and 1 stagger a couple later. The 335 ELs lit up at 0438, 400 with 4 flats, 1 bi, and the 2007 getting east at 0440 and the ELs going dark again at 0442.
Up Da Hill, there were racks -- MTs? -- on Yard 4 and general west of the Yard Lead switch on Yard 1, including a tented lumber centerbeam and a few mini-bulkheads of sheet steel. There coulda been a tank on the Bull Run, or mebbe it was the westerly end of what was on Yard 1. Santa brought no changes to the House or Heywood, the 345s remained dark throughout the drive-throughs of both Gardner and The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, and there wasn't even a hint of Zombie-Zone activity on the way EB.
Down Da Hill, the 335 ELs were dark, as were the 333 ELs at 0516. There coulda been something during my refueling stop. Dunno. The 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL a Slow Clear, and the GL Controlled Siding WL a Medium Approach Medium, the FG WLs being dark in a few. At 0529, 402 became audible from back at the facility, and at 0530, there was a badly broken "work train," but no idea who the origin was.
At 0532, 402 finished their air, OldPaint 353 sat dark on the westerly end of a full-size covered hopper in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and the old layover rails were MT, and 0539 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
At 0558, "Q427" and naught additional was audible. Coulda been on PAR or CSXT. Dunno. There was some Boston West activity about Wilmington signal trouble, but no Alerts had been posted.
Strange trip to have so much quiet, but my fingers and your eyes get a rest.

The week started with a Sunday 0400-0555/12-23-2018 report and will end with a Saturday 0350-0605/12-29-2018 report, the day's delay resulting from forecasts of early-Friday icing, 50 subsequent accidents reported just in Fitchburg.
The Yard Channel was active with static and car countdowns, including those of 22K. At 0408, there was a Zombiefied hedzup to AY-2 concerning POED, more about which later. At 0425 and 2+ hours ahead of 1400's 0630 Wachusett departure, the 333 WLs were all at Stop. Standing dark on 1 were KCIRs 7528 and 7655, NewBlue 3402, and KCIIR 7517 plus a whole buncha covered hoppers which would extend west of the 334 ELs and 1 stagger -- all at Stop -- but not far enough west for the LGT's marker to be visible from the 335 lot. The 335 ELs and WLs were all at Stop, so another EB seemed unlikely in the near term.
While at 333, it had seemed like a clear "345" got heard amidst the static, proof of that being the Stops on the 345 ELs, somebody doing a rack countdown, and standing racks visible both on 1 and 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB and however far west.. There was a Clear on the 345 1 WL, and tucked away on 1 behind the laundromat was a dimmed NS 7647, what the trailer/s might or might not be being unknown cuzza topography. 287 was the active presence in the yard, and it had been more than a bit since I had seen EB and WB racks at the same time and in the same place.
Absolutely an offering of thanks was made to the appropriate Deity, and to fulfill Friday practice, the entries for the Sameoldsameold Ledger were confirmed as the brush-cutter still on the House and the stone still untucked on the Heywood. I started heading west, but nothing was visible at the Wilkins Road dogleg. But WB brightiewhities were visible EB in back of LaChance Furniture, and NS 4046 -- solo -- was engaged in some back and forth, 287's C telling the E at 0505 that the switch was lined and locked normal and derail restored, Never did hear the update, so dunno length or tonnage, but solo?
Back down Da Hill, the 335 ELs were still at Stop, ditto the 333 WLs at 0522, nobody having pulled up on 2 by the LGT. The 333 ELs were also at Stop, so there was no near-term WB, despite the Clears on the 330.8 WBs. The 330 and GL WLs were all at Stop and the FG WLs dark, At 0534, dark OldPaint 353 was west of a black tank in the FI-1/2 parking spot and the old layover tracks remained MT, 0546 being when the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
There would be more bursts of static, the last clear items coming at 0549 when D-2 asked POED -- remember them? -- if the cab was there yet and then something to, from, or about AYPO that devolved into garble.

As the report for 0355-0625/12-31-2018 will indicate, the end of the year had no end of activity. There was Yard Channel breakage at 0355 from somebody saying they would be moving in an hour and somebody else saying that Track 4 was clear, followed at 0404 by a Zombiefied D-3 shoutout to 287. 0415 was when a breaking D-3 told a silent-to-me AY-3 to have them stand by a minute cuzza AYPO, more about both of whom later. followed at 0416 by a now-clear D-3 authorizing AY-3 with the 7561 to open the Main on 1 and head west after an inquiry about how many cars they had. At 0420, both sides of a D-3/287 were heard, both Zombiefied, thanks to a combination of Mount Wachusett for D-3 and distance for 287.There would also be occasional car countdowns, but naught clear enough to indicate location or source.
0426 was when the 333 WLs were seen to be dark, followed by the 334s and 335s. Since I had trailed a contract diesel supplier to Batherick Road and equally since it was too cold to wait for 400 -- especially if they were waiting for a top-off -- I continued WB. At 0434 D-3 would acknowledge that AY-3 was lined and locked normal, not sure if it was at the Milling or Flanagans.
Occasionally, a squirrel-like attention span has its rewards, today's being the 346.6 coming on at 0436 while I was still a couple east of the 345s which were at Stop. Whhen I got to Pearson Boulevard, part of the reason was what would later be IDd as POED working the yard. The 345 1 WL was at Clear, and at 0441, the 346.6 would give out a no defects, 20°, 2420' (more about which later) and train too slow. Just about the same time, D-3 would issue Form D G-302 to Q427 for MP X25 to Burncoat, no further sight or sound -- especially later at the Temple Street/Rte.140/MP X7.8 crossing -- occurring. Noise got made, the west got bright, and NewBlue 3404 and KCIRs 7627 and 7500 got 94 onto the Single at 0448. There were boxes (including TBOXs and a pair of Smurfs), full-size and shortie covered hoppers (including CEFXs and Ciment Québecs), and MT centerbeams. Its marker across from the platform, POED -- self -IDd during the Yard work -- had buttoned everything up and was getting ready to get ready to be WB, so a view was made of the yard, a new CWR rail set on Yard 4 and 1 mebbe more racks on the Extension, no changes for the House or Heywood. POED's update came at 0500, the 1x42 heard, but the rest lost -- naturally -- during my own exchange with an acolyte of The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, D-3 acknowledging and OKing them to proceed on signal indication.
POED was already on the move when I got to the Timpany Boulevard UGB, but had yet reached the Wilkins Road dogleg when I did. At 0507, D-3 would tell AY-3 to pull down to Moores and call when in the clear cuz AYPO was still making moves.
The well-predawn east got bright and KCIRs 7585, 7541, 7643, and 7620 triggered the 346.6 at 0510 for a 0514 no defects, 19°, 2452', and train too slow. The 1 load was an Irving centerbeam, there also TBOXs and other boxes, full-size covered hoppers, a pair of company hoppers, and slurries plus other unplacarded tanks. Dag! EDPO's 94 + power = 2420', but POED's 1x42 + power = 2452'??? And both are train too slow? Mebbe there are speedos. Dunno. Being in full squirrel mode, another swing by the yard wasn't made, so dunno what else mighta ben there, but the 345s had gone dark, so naught else was in the near term.
On my way down Da Hill, 402 would be doing their air, and at 0520, D-3 acknowledged AY-3 in the clear. At 0523, somebody would OK EDPO's marker, and at 0524, there was a D-3/AY-5 half-heard exchange that sounded like fuel readings, so mebbe 287 would be taken west by AY-5. Dunno.The 335 WLs were at Stop, so a stop was made at the 335 lot, 0529 being when D-3 told EDPO that the Grain Train -- another more about which later -- would be on their left.
402 with 2 bis sandwiching 2 flats plus MassDOT 1056 got east of 335 at 0532, and my desire to keep east of the 402 had me bypass 333.
In a few, and as I was going under the western River Street UGB, EDPO was going over it on 2. After my refueling, the 330.8 WBs were at Stop, as were they 330, GL and FG WLs, EDPO transiting FG and highballing Fitchburg. At 0551, KCIR 7655 as leader and NewBlue 3402 on the easterly end plus 2 other illegible KCIRs in between were sitting dark WB on toppa covered hoppers. mebbe the illegibles being 7655 and 7517, the now-juggled consist for the LGT. If there was anything in the FI-1/2 parking spot it was obscured, and the old layover tracks were MT. At 0556, the EB staggers for Derby showed an Approach for ! and Stop for 2.
D-3 would ask AYPO if they needed the signal at AY for headroom, then giving them to OK to proceed east at 0606, next asking if it was OK to drop the signal, rogering whatever they said, following that with the word to EDPO that as soon as 402 -- now at Shirley -- got by, they would get sent up 1. Mebbe by unheard-by-me prior instructions, EDPO was holding at Slab City, but never heard anything outta the 40.2 for either 402 or EDPO. Also never heard anything to, from, or about 28N or 22K or ED-8 or ED-9.
A good trip and a safe trip to all to the New Year!

0355-0600/01-02-2019 didn't bring much new to the New Year. From 0401 on, AY-4 was both clearly and brokenly on the job. There also were probably other actors -- candidate/s to be mentioned in a bit, but the varying variables of distance and topography -- well, you know the rest. There was a Zonbiefied-on-both-sides D-3/Q427 exchange, a Form D G-303 to CSXT 3151 for MP X25 to Burncoat, the time effective garbled, but right around 0420. And no: 10 +/- irreplaceable minutes of my life would not be later lost on the wrong side of the Temple Street/Rte. 140/ MP X7.8 crossing.
At 0422, D-Probably-2 reached out to POED -- more about which later -- and at 0423, a marker was seen EB -- on 1 it would emerge -- just east of the 333 WLs. Why on 1? Sitting dark on 2 were Ponies playing elephants -- 9974 and 2724 -- plus just enough racks to reach past the platform and not foul the 334 ELs, which were at Stop, the 1 stagger being at Approach. The 1st 400 of 2019 had 2 bis, then 2 flats, and then the 2010, all east of 335 at 0442.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark during the Gardner drive-through. Yard 4 had rack loads pretty much FP-FP, and the Extension had 4 rack loads. The House's brush-cutter and the Heywood's untucked stone had evidently resolved not to make any changes.
The expectable rite occurred next at The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks as a prelude to my being EB, reward coming -- somewhat -- in an again-Zonbiefied-on-both-sides exchange -- this time between D-3 and idunnowhom -- a Form D G305 to the 7528, a Line 13 -- details lost -- time effective 0508. Further east, the 335 ELs were dark, but the 333 WLs still at Stop, the 9974 and followers still shunting and the route not yet in for 402.
Even further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL a Slow Approach, and the GL Controlled Siding WL a Medium Approach. The darkness on the FG WLs was a hint that the earlier EB had gotten east of East Fitchburg, more -- possibly about which later.
At 0529, dark OldPaint 353 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and the old layover tracks were MT, but West Side wasn't. Sitting dark on toppa general were KCIR 7517 and NewBlue 3402, 1/'2 the earlier L/EGT power quartet. So they leave Fitch sometime on 12/31 with the EGT, go west. go east, and are poised to head west again on a mebbe-ED-9 with a holiday intervening? Impressive!
At 0535, D-2 told POED they'd be holding at Westford for AYPO -- mebbe the earlier Line 13 recipient -- to run around and them mebbe tying down. At 0541, the EB staggers for Derby were at Approach, hinting that the earlier EB might be holding east, FI-2 already tucked away.
Except for some static and garble, the rest of the trip was silent.

For 0350-0625/01-04-2019, there was ample activity, the radio variety being early garble with occasional and unattributable car countdowns. At 0421, the 333 WLs were all at Stop with naught visible from the lot, neither brightiewhities to the east nor a marker to the west, the Controlled Siding WL going to Medium Clear at 0422. What was visible in a couple was general on 2 by the platform facing Stops at the 334 ELs and 1 stagger. Included in the mix were slurries, leading to the conclusion that this was not an ED-9, but a POED, more about which later. The leader was a dimmed KCIR 7595 plus an unIDable littermate.
The 335 ELs were initially dark, but there was still activity, D-3 issuing time-effective-0431 Form D G303 to Q427 with CSXT 3151 from MP X25 to MP X20 and not Burncoat, a possible explanation to follow. At 0440, AY-4 -- clearly -- IDd themselves as part of the Yard Channel activity, the same time as the 400 with 2 bis sandwiching 2 flats plus the 1072 got east of 335. Just after that, the 335 Single WL was showing Approach, so some more lot-time was invested for a possible EB. The 335 ELs went dark at 0443, the same time as AYPO became an IDable member of the Yard Channel Choral Society by conducting 3-step business. 0445 bringing no brightness to the west, it was WB for me.
At 0452, D-3 entered into a colloquy with AYPO and the 7541, resulting in a 0453 241 from the east leg of the wye east to 2. Naught further would be heard concerning AYPO.
Remember the Approach on the 335 Single WL? The 345 ELs were at Stop with dimmed power to the west and -- at the Timpany Boulevard UGB -- pigs on 2 and racks on 1 however far west. The racks had NSs 9385 and 9655, the pigs having NS 7538 plus unknown trailer/s and a Medium Clear for the 345 2 WL. As far as the rest of the yard, it looked like there were at least 1 rack on the Extension, general on Yard 1, and rack loads on Yard 2. Yard 4? An obscured mystery. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the House's brush-cutter and the Heywood's untucked stone. It hasn't been mentioned recently, but the tie-handler has been maintaining its residence in the 335 lot.
By 0510, there had been no Line 13 or other hints of imminent EB activity, so I took the initiative to be EB, reward/punishment for same coming at 0514 with an almost-totally Zombiefied Line 4. Mebbe for Worcester Main west of MP X20? More speculation will follow. Down Da Hill, the 335 WLs were dark, the 334 ELs and 1 stagger continued at Stop cuzza the 7595. and at 0527, the the 7595's shunting showed that -- with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding -- the route had already been set for 402. At 0540, there would be a D-3/POED-with-the-7595 exchange, D-3 advising that 22K had unfortunately landed at Gardner and until a crew could bring 22K down, POED wouldn't be going up, 28N -- "the other 28N" -- also in town. Dunno if the other-other 28N was late from 01-03 or if the 1 in Gardner was an I8N.
Further east and after a refueling stop -- hunose what mighta been missed? -- the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL with a Slow Clear, and -- surprise -- the GL WLs were dark.
The FG WLs were dark, but naught visible was in the FI-1/2 parking spot at 0548, that locale obscured by NS 2724 sitting on the west end of racks on West Side and facing -- surprise again -- Stops on the FG ELs despite the WLs being dark mere minutes earlier. The old layover tracks mighta been MT, but there was a good amount of vehicular activity in the engineering facility, so mebbe that mighta been elated of the earlier Zombiefied Line 4.
There was an ongoing bulk-hauler convention at 0554 in the RVJ yard, so the view of the EB staggers for Derby was skipped, 0555 when 287 with the 2724 told D-3 they were ready to go. D-3's pre-transfer-time response being Zombiefied. Mebbe 22K would get east, and POED would get west. Dunno if POED had Gardner work. Mebbe 287 would leapfrog POED. Dunno. Just dunno.
AY-4 would continue to document their activities throughout the my listening portion of transfer time. No idea about 427 getting west of MP X20.

As will be seen, 0350-0605/01-07-2019 did have some items of interest. At 0352, D-3 would OK AY-3 into the yard on the east wye, advising that AYPO was working in the yard and knew they were coming. At 0353, D-3 would ask 28N with NS 9471 if they were at the Credit Union, response unheard by me, some D-3 garble then heard by me, followed by D-3 saying he would get back to them in a couple. 0359? That was when D-3 told 28N to tie it down and that he'd get them a cab.
The airwaves were either occupied by naught or by the indecipherable. 1 thing clearly missing was anything of clarity to, from, or about AY-4, a foreshadowing thought which should be held.
At 0420 and again, POED would reach out to D-3, D-3 responding, and POED -- by now far enough away to be garbled to me -- saying something about "10 cars." More about POED will follow.
At 0424, the 333 WLs were at Stop well ahead of 400's arrival. Why? Dimmed NSs 9676 and 4046 were holding on 2 with racks -- yes, racks and with 28N just west of FG -- extending only to the west end of the platform. The 334 ELs and 1 stagger were at Stop, but the 335 ELs were dark, but with 17° and a bit of time for 400 to get outta the facility, the decision was made to continue west.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop, dimmed EB power was on 1 followed by wells visible at the Timpany Boulevard UGB and however far west. Down by the platform were NS PlainOldPonies 7635 and 9806, FancyPaintPony 4003, and PlainOldPony 9663. The rest of the yard was a bit hard to read, but it looked liked racks to the south and general to the north with at least 1 rack on the Extension. Yep, the brush-cutter was still on the House and the untucked stone was still on the Heywood. What was on the 345 WLs? A Medium Clear for the 2. The paying of obeisance at The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks done, there was nothing heard about any imminent EB, so it was a straight shot down Da Hill.
At 0455, there was a Zombiefied 241 for the east wye, mebbe for AYPO. At 0457 came proof that impatience is not always best: EDPO called out to D-3 asking a garbled something about a stop in Gardner, response lost cuzza Mount Wachusett being between me and the Paxton antenna.
At 0501, the 333 WLs were still at Stop, the truncated racks still on 2. Mebbe the truncation happened at Gardner. Mebbe not. The 333 ELs were also at Stop, so POED had yet to get into the near term. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop. The GL WLs were at Stop, but the FG WLs were at Stop cuzza 28N, NS 9471 being trailed by stablemate 9819 plus however many racks.
Things were even more interesting interesting on the EL side of FG. On West Side were KCIRs 7528, 7595, 7893, and 7643 plus GMTX 406 and OldPaint 374. Dunno if a power move was taking place or -- particularly for the last two -- a move to different pastures was in the works. In other OldPaint news, 305 was now the occupant of the FI-1/2 parking spot at at 0523, the same time the old layover tracks continued MT.
At 0530, D-3 repeated the 12x48, 3072 tons, and 3224 ' update from EDPO with the 7528, asking if they were ready to roll, adding he'd get them up Da Hill. A minute later was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark. 0533? That's when a D-3/AY-5 colloquy commenced, D-3 asking if they had, 12x1, were facing west, and were ready to run around, the AY-5 response getting a 0533 OK to come out to 312. At 0540, D-3 would ask AY-5 where the cripple was, Track 5 being the response.
At 0543, the D-3 colloquy next shifted to Q427, the upshot being that they had tied down at the West Boylston cemetery -- MP X9 -- and were east and clear of MP X12. The marker was actually by the old West Boylston station site, a bit east of the Rtes. 12 & 140/MP X8.7 UGB, the power by the east end of the cemetery, not the best access spot.
In another few there was a Zombiefied D-3/AY-5 with NS 9655 exchange about WL, followed at 0600 by D-3 telling someone -- AY-5? -- he'd put them across as soon as 402 went by.
Attentive/retentive readers will note that there has been no report of AY-4. That would at 0605 with "Clear for 40, AY-4."
It sure did seem like Ayer will be busy once the EB Keolis rush cleared.

First of all, a reality check for all of us warriors who gawk. At the start of today's trip, the air temperature varied between 26° and 29°, initially with heavy rain and then with an accumulating mix. The Cs and Us and Foremen and Car Department folks -- all those not inside a cab -- really earn their pay. Those inside a cab do, also.
Puzzlements were on the 0450-0625/01-09-2019 menu, starting with at the end of breaking D-3/CSXT crew exchange concerning Greendale, a power swap (?), a train already tied down, and no crew on that tie-down. There would be an additional potential Worcester Main puzzlement at 0546 when D-3 said someone was clear of "our" territory.
At 0404, D-3 241d ! east to ! on the FML at WL for AY-3 and asked about the number of cars and whether they would be going back to the yard. There was no shortage of Yard Channel activity, but a definite shortage intelligible Yard Channel activity until 0410 when "FI-2" was clear, followed in a few by an FI-2 E/C convo about how many more MTs were to be picked up and mebbe transitioning to spotting loads. Dunno if Lafarge or Derby was involved, but my WB progress regressed my ability to hear the decision clearly.
At 0421, the 333 WLs were on with a Clear for the Controlled Siding and 400 nowhere near. At 0421, the 333 WLs also went dark. WB? EB? In a couple the 334s were dark, but in another couple, the 335 ELs and WLs were all at Stop and then -- again -- dark, suggesting a WB. Next and at 0430, 28N with NS 6968 called out an Approach on the #2 for Derby, followed by D-3's words to wait at Derby for AY-3 to clear up. To save suspense, naught further was heard to. from, or about either AY-3 or 28N.
Up Da Hill and despite the WB that had cleared 335, the 345 ELs were at Stop, as were the WLs. Why? Sitting on 2 just west of West Switch and providing not a whisker of headroom was general that extended west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB, more about the general to follow. The westerly end of Yard 2 had rack loads, the easterly end of Yard 4 had more racks, and the Extension had 2 racks. Beside cold rain, the House had the brush-cutter and the Heywood had untucked stone.
The offering of thanks having been made at The Shrine Of The CPF-345 Dunks, a WB trip was undertaken, 2 illegible units just west of the still -- yes, still -- OOS Pleasant Street OHB -- a train length of mebbe 1/4 mile -- seen at 0454, the same time as 287 called out a Stop for 345. From the Jade lot, 287's headlight -- magnified by the rain -- was seen. 287 repeated the Stop call, and next called D-3 at 0502. What was the next transmission heard? The 346.6 coming on at 0507, giving a no defects and 26°, but neither a train length nor a train too slow at 0514. Before the 346.6 had given her partial accounting, ED-9 with the 7595 reached out to D-3 about the signal, the C and E going to Channel 2 for their car countdown that would get them west of the talker and then for the shove back to the 1, presumably to allow 287 room to get to the Yard 4 racks..
Given the safe/slow progress of things, I headed a bit east where NS 4046 was obeying the Stops for the 345s. Couldn't read the trailer, but 4046 had been the trailer and 9876 had been the leader on the short 28N tied down on the 2 at Wachusett on 01-07.
Being just smart enough not to wait in the rain, a straight-shot EB was now undertaken, and 0521 was when a garbled Conn River Line 4 was given out from ? to East Northfield. 402 completed their air at 0527, and at 0529, the 333 WLs were dark.
Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL a Slow Approach, and the GL and FG WLs darkness.
At 0550, OldPaint 305 was solo in the FI-1/2 parking spot and the old layover tracks MT, although there was Engineering Facility activity, probably for platform and walkway treatment.
At 0553, AY-4 would be clearly IDable for the first time, and at 0557, the EB staggers for Derby were no different than the GL and FG WLs had been a few earlier. AY-4 would continue to be clear, but naught further was heard to from, or about ED-9 or 287 or any of the not-already-noted other expectables, but it was transfer time by then.
Remember when 400 and 402 provided the only activity?

0350-0645/01-11-2019 was -- as the trip-length might indicate -- busy.
0351 brought the words "22K, OK for 20. Tail-end by the trailer," 22K being a continuing radio presence until they weren't. At 0353, D-3 rogered whatever AY-3 had just said about West Main Street, rogering at 0404 that AY-3 was back in the Camp.
At 0422, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334s and 335s. AY-4 would emerge as an IDable from the Yard Channel garble right about then, remaining so throughout the balance to the trip.
The 345 ELs were at Stop, racks being on the 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB, the marker a bit east of West Switch. Yard 2 had general that included an MT mini-bulkhead, and the Extension had 4 rack loads. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries were -- yet again -- the brush-cutter on the House and the untucked stone on the Heywood. The 345 WLs? A Clear for the 1. An offering of thanks having been made at the nearest Shrine, a trip west was undertaken, the results being yet another EB Clear, this on the 346 WL, and dark power over by First Street.
A prompt to practice patience came at 0453 when 287 with NS 6968 -- leader on the 01-09 28N -- called out to D-3, D-3 responding at 0457, 287 advising they were set, and D-3 next advising that EDPO was going through Wrights and as soon as they cleared, 287 would then be set. At 0507, D-3 would call out to ED-9, naught further heard, but more about which later. 0515 was when the 346.6 came on and EDPO made noise for 287, KCIRs 7643, 7898, 7541, and 7545 getting their 40 a no defects, 11°, and 2613' at 0517. There were shorties on the pin, then a mix of full-size covered hoppers, company hoppers, boxes, some HCl tanks, a solo slurry, and a goodly number of MT centerbeams.
There would be at least a couple of garbled D-3 discussions about Conn River Line 4s as the east got bright and noisy at Parkers. NS 6968 and Pony-playing-elephant 9192 activated the 346.6 at 0519, 80 racks getting a no defects, 11°, and 7931' at 0528. My car thermometer was showing 6° "warmer," but that difference coulda been engine heat.
A straight shot was made down Da Hill, the 333 WLs showing a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding at 0542, and 402 on the move at 0545, a total of 4 flats and 1 bi plus the 1064 doing the 0546 dropping. At 0547, a Medium Approach for the 335 Single was called out, and at 0548, it sure sounded like the 402 made noise to the east, and at 0548, it sure looked like the east got bright well ahead of daybreak, KCIRs 7528 -- the by-radio leader of the 01-07 POED -- and 7595 getting 55 west of the 333s on 2 at 0554. Given the amount of unplacarded and probable-corn-products tanks, this was probably the ED-9 that D-3 had called out to a bit earlier. While the presumed ED-9 was getting west, the 333 1 WL went to Clear, Clears subsequently showing on the 330 1 WL. GL 1 WL, FG 1 WL and -- until EDPO dropped it it at 0620 -- the 1 EB stagger for Derby.
In non-EDPO news, the 330.8 WBs had shown a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, and at at 0613, the OldPaint 305 was sitting dark and solo on West Side and the old layover tracks remained MT.
Not that hearing naught means aught, but naught was heard from the 40.2 concerning either 402 or EDPO, although AY-4 radioactivity mighta preempted reception. Added to the Naught-Heard Column was anything to, from, or about Q426 or Q427.

0355-0615/01-14-2019 started off quiet, the first-heard transmission at 0416 from D-2 to AYPO, advising he was having trouble getting them a signal at 303 and might have to talk them by it. D-3 made his presence heard in a Zombiefied manner at 0419 with a shoutout to AY-3 with the 7535, the other clear words being "241 at WL." 0425 produced dark 333 WLs, and 0428 produced a D-3 241 to AY-3, the deets Zombiefied. The 334s and 335s were dark, that and the low-double-digits temperature prompting a continuation of the WB trip instead of a wait at 335 for 400.
At 0434, there was a both-sides-Zombiefied 22K-with-NS-9773/D-3 exchange that resulted in yarding instructions, 22K to become an enduring audio input, and at 0436, a broken 241 for AYPO was given by D-2, followed immediately by an exchange with LA-5. Dunno where LA-5 was, but I was on Rte. 2 WB by the Rte.140 NB exit, so that's unusual power propagation unless LA-5 was around NC.
The 346.6 gave a 3°, 1950', and train too slow at 0439, followed by what sounded like yarding noise just before the Stops on the 345 ELs were seen, ED-9 doing a self-ID as they worked the west end of the yard. Strangely enough, there was an EB on 1 at road speed whose power was already well east of the Jade lot when I got there, the marker not onto the single until 0444 and was much more than 1950', mebbe even a triple-digit monstah. Since the EB had cleared the 346.6 before I was in reception range, the 1950' musta been for a WB, a WB that had held on 2 at Parkers for the presumed EDPO. Definitely not ED-9, but mebbe a short POED or more-than-mebbe a long FI-2, more supposition about which to follow. ED-9 pulled the general -- including a goodly number of FURX gons -- thus leaving rack loads on Yard 1 west of the switch and 2 racks on the Extension. The brush-cutter and untucked stone situations remained a constant.
An offering of gratitude having been made, a trip west was made, but not before a 0450 and solitary D-3 shoutout to Q427, more and more about which later. The 346 WL was at the expectable Stop, and ED-9 musta been another short WB cuz its power was nowhere visible, being somewhere east of the still-OOS Pleasant Street OHB and the Timpany Boulevard UGB, and its marker by the Pratt's lot. Paperwork takes time, so I was EB, hearing neither an ED-9 update nor a D-3 acknowledgment.
While I was EB, D-3 24d 400 1 east to 1 at AY at 0522 and again at 0523, confirming I wasn't the only under the curse ofZombiefication. Dunno the cause of the 241, but mebbe AY-3 at WL? In another couple, the 335 ELs were at Stop and then went dark, a few ahead of 402's expectable exit from the facility, a solitary "EDPO" soon being heard. Next and at 0527 came a D-3/Q427 exchange about -- again -- the West Boylston cemetery -- MP X8.5 -- sounding like Burncoat would be attempted.
Further east, it seemed like the EB was staying well ahead of me. The 330.8 WBs were both at Stop, the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach, and the GL and FG WLs dark.
At 0537, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, something -- that along with the lack of anything heard to, from, or about FI-2 -- that gave support to the supposition that the earlier 1950' at the 346.6 mighta been FI-2 headed to Otter River. At 0543, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, EDPO apparently east and on signal indication.
As far as audio input, 22K was providing it, and a now IDable AY-4would alternating joined in. Visual input would come in the form of stopped cars on the Rtes. 12 & 140/MP X8.7 UGB, the dark power and lit transportation sitting TT east of an open gate for a roadway inside the cemetery at 0603. Dunno if this is now the preferred recrew/decrew spot. Equally dunno if there are arrangements with the town to keep access plowed during snow. Shrewsbury Street/MP X6.0 would seem more sense, but I'm a mere-mortal civilian.
Never hear a Q427 Line 13, but did hear those contrapuntal choristers AY-4 and 22K close out my listening experience at 0615.

0345-0605/01-16-2019 had some surprises. 0345 was when D-3 answered AYPO with the 7620 and then answered AY-3, OKing them on signal indication, then returning AYPO with thanks for the information, followed by a request to repeat the loads and tonnage, asking about 7620 and 7655, and saying words -- "Radio's not too good"" -- that validated my longterm assessments.
A visual surprise came 0354 -- Q427 (more about which later) was just about to pass over the Rtes. 12 & 140/MP X8.7 UGB as I was just about to pass under it. 0355 was when the surprise now returned to auditory -- D-3 called out again to AYPO, not with the 7620, but the 7517, rogering whatever they had said. In another couple, there would be a Zombiefied D-3 shoutout to FI-2, but naught intelligible. The quantity of garble seemed a bit diminished from the usual.
At 0414, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the signals at 334 and 335. There had been an AY-4/D-3 exchange on Channel 2, but increases in distance and topographic challenges had produced the expectable results, clarity emerging momentarily when D-3 advised ???? that AY-4 was in there on the east end, getting a never mind in response.
0423 was when D-3 called Form D G-303 to Q427 with CSXT 5476 fulfilled, acknowledging they would be going all the way to Worcester.
The 345 ELs and WLs were all at Stop, 287 with NSs 6962 and 8335 on the 2 by West Switch and the marker down by The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks and in the interlocking. At 0443, D-3 started talking with AY-3 about a change of plans, ???? being tied down on West Main Street, naught further being heard on that topic Couldn't see anything between the racks on the easterly end, and the view of the Extension was obscured, but the view of the brush-cutter and untucked stone wasn't. Thanks being given, a trip a bit west was made, Parkers MT at 0458, and the Stop on the 346 WL signaling -- heh, heh -- no near term EB, save for me.
A straight shot showed the 333 WLs dark at 0512, and post refueling, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0529, D-3 gave 22K -- with mebbe a CSXT leader -- their yarding instructions, 0530 was when dark and solo OldPaint 305 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and the old layover tracks were MT. Like the RVJ stub, until and unless there are occupants, the old layover will go united.
At 0537, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and a minute later D-3 would again call out to FI-2, repeat the call, and say "D-3 out" at 0538. 22K's yarding transmissions were heard, and at 0602 came another surprise -- just "287" was heard.