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  • Gardner Gawking

  • Pan Am Southern (webssite: https://panamsouthern.com ) is jointly-owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern, but operated by Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Pittsburg & Shawmut dba Berkshire and Eastern,
Pan Am Southern (webssite: https://panamsouthern.com ) is jointly-owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern, but operated by Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Pittsburg & Shawmut dba Berkshire and Eastern,

Moderator: MEC407

 #1516493  by jaymac
 
There was busyness for 0320-0520/08-09-2019, starting with a 0322 D-3 reach-out to AYPO with the 7489 that quickly devolved into garble, but sounded like a 241 at WL -- more about which later -- onto the Freight Main, followed in a minute by another garbled answering, pausing for their transmission, and rogering somebody.
At 0337, D-3 gave AY-3 with the 7898 -- more to follow -- authority to enter the #1 main at the Milling west to the Willows. 0351 was when the 333 WLs were dark, the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 stagger and 335s dark, and 0400 was when D-3 told AY-3 there should be a signal at WL since was the EBs that couldn't get a signal. D-3 gave the OK on signal indication, confirming that things were lined and locked normal.
The next sounds while going up Da Hill were both sides of a D-3/22K-with-the-NS-1028 convo. They were on the move, the PW racks had been left, and the 2 was lined and locked normal. Additionally, AY-4 would be clearing 1. AY-4 next got involved, advising that the 1 pad was clear, the set-offs to the west. D-3 advised 22K of that and then said AY-3 would be in the yard, too.
Both sides of the 345s were at Stop, and the 22K marker was still in sight at 0408. There was FP-FP general -- including an MT centerbeam -- on Yard 2 and 3 loaded racks on Yard Lead. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries included the untucked stone on the southerly Heywood, the brush-cutter on the House, and -- yes -- the tank and MT centerbeam on the Extension. At 0408, D-3 had asked AY-5 if they were getting ready to head for Fitchburg, but at 0410 announced a change of plans, the Chief saying they should tie down there -- dunno where -- and then got the marker number from them.
During the post-offering trip to 335, D-3 241d AY-3 1 at WL east to Freight Main. There would be further and occasionally garbled receptions revolving around 22K/AY-4/AY-3 choreography.
At 0422, the 333 WLs were already at Stop, and at 0427, D-3 would again 241 AY-3, this time 1 east to 1 at AY. The west got bright, D-3 told 22K he'd hold them west of the station for the 400, and NSs 1028, 9737, and 9407 got 16 racks and 92 well and table positions east at 0431. All slots were occupied, 1 even by a trailer. For the 335 Sameoldsameold Ledger, the tie-handler was still in the lot. At 0436, there was a garbled D-3 permission to reverse direction, probably to AY-3
Wachusett was bypassed, and further east, the 330.8 WBs and 330 and GL WLs were all at Stop, 22K running through on 1.
1 would continue the track of choice, the FG 1 WL at Clear until it dropped at 0444, and a minute later, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT.
D-3 would answer Q427 with CSXT 2512, repeat that they were west and clear of Burncoat, and call Form D G302 fulfilled at 0447, seeming to repeat that they were tied down at New Bond. AY-4 had and would continue to make themselves heard. At 0451, the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach, so mebbe the 22K cross-to-2 point was Derby.
In addition to AY-4's ongoing activity, there was some Mount-Wachusett-abetted D-3 garble at 0458, followed at 0510 by a garbled D-3 answer to the 400. Schedule says they should be east of North Leominster, but dunno. Never did hear yarding instructions for 22K.
 #1516505  by jaymac
 
Coulda misheard or mistranscribed...
 #1516718  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0545/08-12-2019, there was activity, starting with distant internal combustion noise, followed at 0326 by the 7.8 talker coming on. Talking continued at 0327 when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7561 1 at WL east to 1 Freight Main, a strong hint that the runaround was in process. My arrival at the Temple Street/Rte. 140/MP X7.8 crossing was too late to see 427's power -- import to be seen in a bit -- but about 30 cars went west before the gates went up and the 7.8 pronounced no defects at 0331.
At 0341, Mount Wachusett's intervention garbled D-3's answer to ????, as well as any immediate developments. There were numbers of unattributable car countdowns, and at 0352, the 333 WLs were dark and D-3 fulfilled Form D G301 to Q427, said he was glad they made it safely, and repeated that they were tying down at New Bond. The power? It sounded to me like CSXT 2958, however -- nod to jwhite07 -- improbable that might seem.
The 334 ELs were at Stop, the 1 stagger dark, but the 335 ELs were at Stop, signaling -- heh, heh -- my stopping at the 335 lot. 10 minutes went by without the west getting louder or brighter, so the 335 WLs were checked out, and they were also at Stop, so the WB trip continued. When most of the way up Da Hill, there came a broken 0421 possible Conn River Line 4, deets lost.
The 345s were and would -- at least temporarily -- remain dark. The yard was pretty much at capacity -- general on 2 and loaded racks on 4 and 1 onto Yard Lead. The southerly Heywood's untucked stone was the same, but the House's brush-cutter now had a tank for a roomie. Dunno if it was the Extension's long-termer, and the MT centerbeam wasn't visible.
Starting at 0429, there were a number of broken D-2 receptions involving AYPO with the 7275, a runaround, and a 7-car pickup.
The post-offering EB trip was to 335, where the ELs were still at Stop. The WLs showing a Stop for the Single and a Medium Approach Slow for the Controlled Siding, and from the roadway above the facility, the Single was MT. At 0446, AY-4 called Track 1 clear, and 0447, 400's equipment -- total of 4 flats and 1 bi plus the 2003 -- was east of the 333 ELs, the ELs staying lit after 400 woulda been east of the 333 ELs. So if there wasn't a relay fault, it looks like the 335s mighta been reset for constant-on. 0447 was when D-3 reached out to AY-3 again, followed by a both-sides breaking convo with a foreman about EDPO with the 7575 and a marker and possible foul-time at 346.
There were additional and garbled D-3 reach-outs to AY-3, and at 0458, the 333 WLs were dark. At 0501, D-3 would give 22K with NS 9787 their yarding instructions -- 1 to 2 to 3, racks to San-Vel, and power back to 2 -- adding that a cab would assist and 400 would go by first.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 WLs at Stop, and the GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0512, KCIR 5930 would be dark, solo, and facing east on West Side.
At 0518, a solo covered hopper was on the RVJ stub, and the EB staggers for Derby were at Approach, more about which in a bit.
AY-4 would continue to provide audio input, and at 0525 and after switching channels, D-3 gave 22K the OK to leave North Leominster, and confirmed the cab. The Approaches showed that 22K had been on the block, but west of the the Mains Street/Rte. 13 UGB.
More AY-4 was heard, the last D-3 being a badly broken 241 to EDPO and the 7575 at 0544.
 #1516923  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0525/08-14-2019, there was a mix of sameoldsameold and new stuff. 0322 was when the 7.8 announced no defects, and since I started listening too late to here it start, dunno the transit time, but -- as will be shortly seen -- it hadda be Q427.
Unattributable Yard Channel garble was pretty much the only radioactivity until D-3 fulfilled Form D G302 at 0348. Dunno the antenna, but my reception was from a usually-clear location. The CSXT power ID got lost, as did New Bond tie-down info, but at 0414, D-3 would OK 427 to leave the property and ask for them to advise when they were clear, but I never heard when that mighta been.
Back to chronological order: At 0350, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0354 -- the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 stagger having been dark -- Mount-Wachusett-compromised D-3 garbled something that included "leg of the wye." Unlike on 08-12, the 335s were dark. Panel or relay change? Dunno.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop, and a bit west of West Switch, EB KCIR 7605 and mebbe 2 trailers were sitting. The was a long string of general -- covered hoppers and tented centerbeams the most visible -- on Yard 4. From just west of the ambulance company to a bit east of New Switch were loaded racks, and -- to save suspense -- naught would be seen or heard to, from, or about 22K for the balance of the trip. Untucked stone on the southerly Heywood and the brush-cutter and tank on the House rounded out the visibles.
At 0408, D-3 would reach out to AYPO, wishing them a good rest of their day. However frustrating my wait for the Gardner EB to get EB would be, D-3 breakingly provided some semi-clear Conn River info. Involved were a foreman and all sorts of activity. There were 2 NBs, 1 an SPED, and also a freight parked at Greenfield, eventually producing a time-effective 0425 Form D G303, Line 4ing all main and yard tracks between East Northfield and CPR-35.
I had consumed all of both the solid part of my Shrine Of The Deity CPF-345 Dunks exchange and my patience by this point, and if the EB was going nowhere, then I was going EB. Naturally, just after I was east of the Pearson Boulevard interchange on Rte. 2 E, EDPO with the 7605 called D-3, giving a ??x20, 1391 ton, and 1510' update. There would be further discussion about the yard switch from 4 to 2 having been difficult to handle, presumably EDPO having dropped the covered hoppers and others on 4 and then backed 2 to the rest of their train. D-3 asked for a confirmation that all switches were lined and locked normal, any further convo lost cuzza increasing distance from EDPO and Mount Wachusett again being in the way of the Paxton antenna.
At 0438, the 333 WLs were again dark, and at 0440, a breaking D-3 OKd AY-6 on signal indication, followed at 0442 by a garbled-to-me 241 to AY-6. A minute later, D-3 reached out to FI-2, but they were in the middle of a car countdown, so reached out to D-3 at 0445 and again at 0446, IDing the latter transmission as on Channel 2. What happened instead was was a both-sides broken 400/D-3 exchange involving between the layover and Wachusett. There was no Service Alert for the 400, so dunno.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for1 and a Clear for 2, the 3301 WL at Slow Clear and the GL and FG WLs dark. FI-2's car countdowns had continued and, doing the old back-and-forth on East side at 0451 were OldPaint 509 and elephant-style teammate KCIR 5946. This was about the time that AY-4 became clearly attributable, as they would be for the balance of listening. 0500? That's when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and a solo covered hopper sat on the RVJ stob.
 #1517121  by jaymac
 
0320-0525/06-16-2019 presented surprises, starting at 0321 with a car countdown from 22K.What? Already yarding? This will not be -- as will be seen -- the end of 22K surprises. At 0322, D-3 gave AY-3 with the 7541 -- more about that piece of power later, as well -- permission to enter and occupy the #1 main at the Milling and proceed west to WL.
0342 would bring a sometimes both-sides-broken D-3/EGT convo, the EGT being ready to come off West Side and double their train, discussions about headroom (FG or GL?), the leader for a later 241 (7517), and car count (110?). The EGT asked if 1 of their units had been taken, and D-3 advised that AY-5 took the 7541.
At 0349, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequential pattern of the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 stagger and 335s dark being in effect, and at 0357, D-3 would 241 the EGT 1 east at FG to 1.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs and -- in a few -- the 346 WL were all at Stop, there being a WB on 2 by West Switch that would extend west to the invisible-to-me 346 ELs. The only thing visible in the yard was an MT centerbeam on the Extension. Dunno if it was the MT centerbeam of old. If with 22K already east you're wondering about PW racks, then you're doing the same thing I did. Mebbe EDPO or ED-8? The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the southerly Heywood's untucked stone, the House's brush-cutter and tank, and mebbe the Extension's MT centerbeam.
Post-offering, a trip a bit west was made, and 2 -- mebbe more -- unIDable GEs were by First Street. EDPO or ED-9? Dunno -- never heard. Mebbe they hint at future activity: There are 2 new "Road Closed" signs on Pleasant Street just south of the the still--OOS OHB.
At 0439, the 333 WLs were dark, and there was also D-3 garble, the tail-end of which was a wish for a safe trip to Worcester, so it was probably to Q427. There was naught further heard to, from, or about 427. 0444 was the start of a both-sides-broken 400/D-3 convo, involving trouble, D-3 authorizing a button to be pushed and further authorizing use of a phone to call Mechanical if that didn't work. It was too broken to determine, but PTC "issues?" At 0501, D-3 would repeat that 400 was on the move again, having gotten permission from Boston to "cut it out." The T Service Alert would show 400 at 0550 as being to 15 minutes delayed and "Now operating near schedule."
Back to sequence and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Clear. The GL WLs were dark, but the FG 1 WL was at Limited Clear, the delayed 400 in the picture and the EGT holding further east on West Side, the power obscured by trees. The FI-1/2 parking spot at 0456? Couldn't see anybody. This was just about the same time that it sounded like D-3 was hedzupping AY-3 about 22K being in the yard and was also about the same time that AY-4 became a clearly IDable presence.
At 0504, there was no good viewing angle for the EB staggers for Derby, but a solo covered hopper on the RVJ stub was visible from Nashua Street.
The rest of the trip would have -- as usual -- AY-4 providing the audio input.
 #1517382  by jaymac
 
For 0325-0515/08-19-2019, it was a still-life display except for the radio waves. Clarity came at 0531 with a Q427/D-3 convo, 427 with CSXT 3387 being west and clear of Burncoat and D-3 giving 0333 as the fulfillment time for Form D G301, asking if 427 would stay moving and then further asking if they would call west and clear of Barbers/New Bond, that happening at 0334. Also at 0334, D-3 reached out to LA-2 with the 7561, immediate deets broken, next advising that the Chief wanted to know if they could pull the MTs to Fitchburg, further advising that AY-3 would be coming out, but that he could run them -- LA-2 -- around them -- AY-3. To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about LA-2, and they definitely went unseen.
Expectable static would erupt, and at 0352, D-3 OKd AY-3 with the 7500 on signal indication, advising that AY-4 was in the yard and clearing 1 and that he'd hedzup AY-4 about AY-3 coming.
At 0354, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 1 stagger and 335s to follow, as would the 0402 sole clarities of "AY-4" and "West Wye."
Up Da Hill, darkness was maintained on the 345s, and there were rack loads on 1 from about the Bull Run east onto the Lead. The gaps between the easterly racks showed nothing on that stretch of 2 and 4, but the Extension still had the MT centerbeam, the House the tank and brush-cutter and the southerly Heywood the untucked stone.
During the post-offering straight shot EB, D-? told 2 separate somebodies to stand by at 0418, followed at 0422 by garble that allowed only "1 line, a Line" to be heard.
At 0425, the 333 WLs were still dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 WLs both at Stop and the GL and WLs dark,
At 0436, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, but at 0438, FI-2 was partially heard. 22K with NS 9934 and 75?? was holding on 2 a bit west of the North Leominster platform, and at 0447, the EB staggers for Derby showed a Clear for 1 and Approach for 2, a solo covered hopper still on the RVJ stub.
0454 was when a breaking AY-4 advised D-3 that Track 1 was clear, and at 0511, D-3 -- broken and from a spot where he is normally clear -- told 22K they'd follow once 400 was east. The yarding instructions followed and were even more broken, but included something about a hanging wire.
D-3's 0515 convo with FI-2 was clear, FI-2 to wait for 22K to get east so FI-2 could do their Camp-Derby runaround, eventually tying down on East Side.
 #1517617  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0515/08=21-2019, there were some puzzlements to leaven the usual order of things. Besides the expectable static, there was a clear, but scratchy D-3 shoutout to POED at 0328, followed at 0329 when D-3 advised AY-3 that AY-6 -- yes, six-- was the last train coming through North Leominster and that after that, he could get AY-3 out on Track 1, making it seem that AY-6 was a honorary AY-5.
POED with the 7323 was again a matter of interest for D-3 at 0346, garble ensuing, as it would in another shoutout to POED at 0349.
At 0351, it was clear that the 333 WLs were dark, and a couple later. Mount-Wachusett-abetted garble was again in effect, D-3 telling someone -- POED or EDPO? -- that the plan was to spot their loads on the main line cuz there'd be 13 racks coming. As usual, the 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 1 stagger dark. 0356 was when an again-breaking D-3 said something to POED about waiting for a signal, and in another couple, the 335s were dark. While WB up Da Hill more breakage came, this time a partially-heard 1-to-2 241 to AY-2 with the 7561.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 2 WL at Medium Clear with NSs 8033, 9654, and 2624 on 2 in back of Chair City Oil and almost ready to go back to the rest of a presumed 22K. On Yard 1 were rack loads -- mebbe 13 -- between the switches. Yard 2 had general -- including an ARMN reefer -- that extended east of the racks. 4 mighta had a few, but it woulda probably been kept open for the PW. There also were the untucked stone on the southerly Heywood, the tank and brush-cutter on the House, and the MT centerbeam on the Extension.
At 0415, a scratchy D-3, Q 427 with CSXT 3065 having called west and clear of Burncoat, fulfilled Form D G303, asking if they were tying down at New Bond and rogering whatever unheard-by-me response they gave. To wrap up 427, at 0458, D-3 would acknowledge they were off the property, strongly hinting at an intervening live recrew.
For those with an interest in the air plant, venting was going on. In other air plant news, just to its west was a Big G boom truck with either experienced ties or roadway timbers on the bed. Given the walking and unwinding that was likely to take place for a a possibly lengthy 22K -- 3 Ponies -- and the additional time for paperwork, I was EB for an untypical quiet leg of the trip.
At 0431, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop, the GL and FG WLs being dark. There had been and would continue to be -- thanks to topographical challenges -- garbling, and at 0443, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, but it looked like further east, somebody -- POED? -- might be on West Side.
At 0451, there was no good angle to see the EB staggers for Derby, but a solo covered hopper on the RVJ stub was visible from Nashua Street.
In addition to the earlier 0458 reception, there was a both-sides-clear-to-me Channel 2 reception, AY-4 advising D-3 that Track 1 was clear. Never heard yarding instructions, so dunno how long and how far west 22K would be holding or whether POED would hold for 22K to get east of at least 335.
 #1517911  by jaymac
 
For 0318-0520/08-23-2019, much activity. The 0318 point of precision? That's when D-3 answered AY-5 and asked if it was them or POED that he'd 241. 3 minutes of dead-to-me air ensued, D-3 then giving AY-5 the OK on signal indication.
There would be 4 minutes more of dead-to-me air followed by garble that involved D-3. Dunno if there was a relationship, but it had sounded like distant crossing noise when I was getting into my car, and at 0330, Q427 was still a bit east of the Oakdale/MP X10.2 OHB that I was crossing over. Given the differential in our speeds I would be well outta range of the 7.8 by the time 427 had gone 2.4 miles.
At 0343, there was a both-sides-garbled update, followed -- as I was gaining altitude -- by a now-clear D-3 advising that they would take it up to Gardner.
At 0348, the 333 WLs were dark, and a couple later there was more D-3 garble, first to 427 and then to POED. The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 stagger dark, as would be the 335s,
Up Da Hill, the 345s maintained the motif of darkness. Yards 2 and 4 had general, 4 also having -- as it would later emerge -- 9 racks. Yard 1 had general -- including at least 1 tented centerbeam -- from the Bull Run and east onto Yard Lead, the 2 easterly cars being loaded racks. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the southerly Heywood's untucked stone. The House's tank and brush-cutter, and the Extension's MT centerbeam. The boom truck that had been just west of the air plant was elsewhere, but a Case loader with a hook arm was in the lower lot.
The garblefest continued during the post-offering non-straight-shot EB, some clarity coming at 0415 when bits of a discussion involving AYPO and a light came through. Reception was better at 0416 when D-3 fulfilled Form D G 303 to CSXT 3409, 427 being west and clear of Burncoat, D-3 acknowledging that they would recrew and asking for an update of the west-and-clear of Barbers, that -- to save suspense -- to come at 0453.
AT 0421, the 335s were dark, but a few later the 334 1 stagger was now at Clear, not just a G/R Clear, but a G/G Clear. At 0425, AY-4 reached out to D-3, probably -- as a later reception would indicate -- to advise that Track 1 was clear. The rails to the east got bright, and POED with the 7518 plus 3 more unIDable GEs were east with 50 at 0427. There were slurries, covered hoppers, and a Smurf among the boxes, but the rear half were racks. Dunno if the general or racks were the principal source of earlier update info, West Side being the westerly annex of Hill Yard.
At 0432, the 333 WLs were dark, and at at 0436, D-3 reached out to 22K with NS 9830, OKing them to continue east of North Leominster. There would be a cab to assist, and the yarding instructions were 1 to 2, with the racks to go to 3 for the time being. It seemed AY-5 was pulling MTs at San-Vel, and D-3 would advise of any later changes to plans. None would be heard by me.
Further east and post-refueling-stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Clear, and the GL and FG WLs dark.
At 0443, D-3 had answered POED, advising that there would be 15 plus 9 racks on 4 and 20 on 2 for their Gardner work. There would be more from D-3, but I was in a Zombie Zone by then. At 0450, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, and at 0455, the there was no good view of the EB staggers for Derby, but a solo covered hopper was visible from Nashua Street on the RVJ stub.
For the balance of the trip, AY-4 would be an intermittent constant, and at 0520 came "22K, 12 to a stop" and "AY-4, pull it ahead," 22K sounding like they were getting close to their shove east at CPF-AY.
 #1518171  by jaymac
 
0325-0550/08-26-2019 had some noteworthy observations, not the least of which was the predawn late-August temperature range -- 41° to 46°.
The airwaves were generally quiet at the start, a 0337 "??PO" an exception, followed almost immediately by an extended D-3 convo with Q427, asking -- among other things -- if they could ID 426 east and clear of MP X25. That done, Form D G311 was called fulfilled, and next, 427's destination -- Still River or Pine Hill -- was asked, Form D G302 for CSXT 848 from MP X25 to -- instead -- Clinton West being made effective at at 0340.
AYPO and POED with the 7594 both called out to D-3, but were told to stand by so D-3 could get 427's hazardous positions, D-3 acknowledging that 427 was into DCS at 0342. EDPO again engaged D-3 at 0348 about 5 set-offs in Fitchburg, and to save suspense, naught further was heard to, from, or about AYPO, but the usual static outbursts in the usual places did occur, so hoonose.
At 0353, the 333 WLs were dark, and in a bit, the 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 stagger dark. At 0359, there was a both-sides broken D-3/POED exchange involving Freight Main West v. Freight Main East.
The 335s had been dark, and when most of my way up Da Hill, it sounded like Gardner was active. The 345 ELs and WLs were all at Stop, and 22K's marker -- across from the MART garage -- got on the move at 0410. There was a good string of loaded racks on Yard 1, but the rest of Gardner went unobserved because of a partial D-3/22K exchange involving 340, my immediate destination following the offering.
On my way to 340, D-3 241d POED 1 east to 1 at FG. Dunno if a speedo was in place, but it was 0442 when NSs 8033, 9654, and 2604 plus 20 racks and 96 well and table positions were east of 340. 1 slot was MT, and 1 of the tables had a trailer.
At 0438, D-3 had gotten 400's crew and equipment info, and at 0449, D-3 would answer 427, asking for the new crew info and then giving a Line 2 Addition for Clinton West to Burncoat, time effective 0450, asking for a call when west and clear of Burncoat. The forces of the universe were kind to me: There would no further audio or visual -- especially at the Temple Street/Rte. 140/ MP X7.8 crossing -- close encounters of the 427th kind.
At 0453, D-3 advised POED they'd be holding for 400 to get by. The 333 1 WL showed a Medium Clear, 22K still a bit west, and at 0458, D-3 advised them they'd be holding at North Leominster.
Further east, the 330.8 WLs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Approach for 22K cuzza POED still temporarily ahead in the yard. The GL WLs were dark, the dark FG WLs going to Stop and prompting a uie to the platform where POED had a Clear on the 330 1 EL. KCIR 7594, NewBlue 5936, KCIRs 7536 and 7622 and NewBlue 503 getting 27 -- yes, twenty-seven -- west at 0512. There were slurries, company gons, and a large percentage of RailBoxes. Dunno if a future EDPO would be a monstah, but that seemed like an overpowered WB. Mebbe power being cycled to the shops? Dunno. Also dunno if they'd be spending time on 2 between 333 and 334, D-3 having asked them at 0505 about train length and getting about 2500 including engines as an answer.
0518 was when NewBlue 512 was sitting dark, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and 0524 was when -- no surprise -- the EB staggers for Derby were dark and a solo covered hopper still sat on the RVJ stub. 0528 was when AY-4 would be clearly heard for the first time, nothing earlier or later to be heard to, from, or about AY-3, AY-5, or AY-6.
There was D-3 garble at 0535 and later, but Mount Wachusett was exerting is powers of interference.
 #1518449  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0535, there were lotsa garbles, and when things were clear, the news wasn't good about Q427 -- see the first Worcester Main Line post for 08-28-2019 -- or POED, "POED," "in emergency," and "????? River bridge" escaping the fuzz at 0325. There would be more fuzziness involving POED, some clarity to come at 0419 when D-2 -- yes, Two -- asked POED if they were on the move, what the issue was, and was it the same hose. At 0426, D-2 would check on POED's progress, and then at 0434 advise that BODO would pass them and that they would tie down at Atkinson.
Back to PAS: At 0350, the 333 WLs were dark, and in sequence, the 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark. Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop. A mix of racks and general -- including MT centerbeams -- sat on Yard 4, with rack loads on Yard 2. The southerly Heywood still had untucked stone, and the House still had the tank and brush-cutter. Yard 1. The Extension, and Yard Lead? MT. At 0405, not only were the 345 WLs at Stop, but an EB marker was just about to disappear. At 0406, D-3 would cancel TC T 617's Form D. 08-27 musta been busy cuz it was G338.
The post-offering trip EB was to 333 to see what was in front of the marker and what interaction it might have with the 400. On the way, D-3 would talk at 0415 with both LA-5 and AY-6, somebody's C mebbe not being qualified on MBTA property.
At 0423, the 335 ELs came on, and at 0427, an Approach for 335 was called, not by the expectable 22K, but by EDPO with the 7643. Fellow KCIRs 7655, 7594, and 5972 assisted in getting 76 east of 335 at 0432. There were full-size and shortie covered hoppers, MT centerbeams, a centerbeam with bundled ties, boxes that included a Big G and a Smurf pair, and a table or mini-bulkhead of sheet steel. Further east, the 333 Controlled Siding WL was at Medium Clear, and POED was holding west on 1, advising D-3 of that cuz a camper was parked in the 333 lot and crew didn't want a phone call about sleepers being disturbed. That being the case, would D-3 advise them when it was OK to move. D-3 advised at 0441 that FI-2 was at Plastican, so EDPO would hold for that track to be clear. EDPO thought that POED might be on the way, D-3 then advising them about Atkinson.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Approach. There had been all sortsa Zombiefication east of the westerly River Street UGB, AY-3, AY-4, and -- again -- AY-6 being somewhat audible. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and -- no surprise -- the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT. Also no surprise at 0501 were the EB staggers for Derby showing a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2. A solo covered hopper still sat on the RVJ stub.
The often-cited wisdom of trains not running on schedules, but on tracks has its exceptions
 #1518679  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0520/08-30-2019, most of the activity came from the NFM segment of the electromagnetic spectrum. Things were -- to me -- generally quiet until 0338 when D-3 started a convo with the foreman on TC LMIX-614, the ID -- at least last year -- for a Loram grinder and resulting in a time effective of 0342 for Form D G305 with 2 lines, a 4 for 2 between Camp and 330 and a 13 canceling Form D G301. The LMIX-614 said they were at Derby, but D-3 asked a number of times in his preamble if they could hear him "on this tower." To save space, willing readers may imagine my Radio Rant. To save suspense, there was naught further heard to, from or about and naught at all seen of the grinder.
At 0350, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence for the 334 ELs being at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s being dark being in effect.
On the way up Da Hill, there was a D-2/LA-5 exchange. Dunno where LA-5 was, but I could briefly hear them.
The 345s were dark, but the yard had been active. 4 had general -- including lotsa covered hoppers -- west, changing into at least 1 rack plus an ARMN reefer on the east. The easterly end of 2 had a dark, solo, and east-facing NewBlue 512 followed by a coupla wrapped centerbeams followed by a few boxes, the wraps hinting that FI-1 might gonna be working Maki's. At the midpoint of 1 were a few rack loads. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the southerly Heywood's untucked stone.
An offering was made, and mebbe D-3 reached out to POED at 0408, but it was broken and without immediate follow-up, but at 0415 just "POED 7545" and naught else was heard. At 0417, D-3 finished off his read-back of AYPO's info, 19x47, 3961 tons, and 4254' being clear, as well as hazmat and high-and-wide positions, and the marker -- a CSX -- being armed, and next giving the OK on signal indication at CPF-AY.
At 0429, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Clear and the GL and FG WLs dark. At 0446 the FI-1/2 parking spot was -- naturally -- MT, and at 0452, the EB staggers for Derby were dark and the RVJ stub MT.
In more D-2 news, at 0458, he would make effective a broken-to-me Line 13 to the 517 at MP 259, followed by a 10 MPH speedo for MP 256 to 256.6. Didn't hear if it for Single, Siding, or both.
More attentive readers will have noted no mention of AY local activity. None had gotten heard by me until 0500, when AY-4 told themselves to take it ahead for however many. At 0502, Q427 reached out to D-3, any immediate D-3 response being blocked to me by Mount Wachusett. At 0506, however, D-3 would reach out to 427 and -- they being west and clear of Burncoat -- would fulfill Form D G304 at 0507, asking if they were tying down at New Bond, nextacknowledging that the relief was already there -- Precision Scheduled Recrewing for sure! -- and asking that the new crew call west and clear of Barbers.
At 0519, D-2 would give AYPO with the 3402 at CPF-307 a broken-to-me Line 12, and at 0520, AY-4's 3-step would give the last words.
 #1518895  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0515/09-02-2019, there were those that apparently got Labor Day as a day off and those that didn't.
Things were generally quiet until 0336 when D-3 started convos with 22K and the NS 7552. There would be a time effective 0338 Form D G304, a Line 13 authorizing 22K to leave North Leominster, indicating a recrew. There were further -- and breaking -- exchanges about platform damage on 1 at North Leominster, and the word that the new crew had 1 rack that the earlier crew had picked up in Gardner. There was also an exchange about the yard, D-3 advising 22K that Q426 -- yes, six -- was about 1-1/2 hours away. The yarding instructions were 3-2-1, with the rack to go on South Track. A couple later, D-3 would tell 22K to hold cuzza a local at AY, but 22K advised they were already on the move and would pull down to Derby, D-3 saying to go to Catecunemaug instead. To save suspense, naught further intelligible would be heard to, from, or about 22K. In among the various D-3/22K activities, AY-4 would be heard.
0347 was when D-3 acknowledged that the aforementioned Q426 was into DCS, and 0348 was when the 333 WLs were dark, the Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s following pattern.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, a string of apparently MT racks -- no power and/or marker visible -- on the #2 between the switches. There were rack loads on Yard 1 and Yard Lead, 2 and/or 4 mebbe having something west of Chair City Oil. Untucked stone on the southerly Heywood and the tank and brush-cutter on the House rounded things out.
At 0428, D-3 answered LA-5 -- mebbe the local mentioned earlier to 22K and more about which later -- and OKd them on signal indication at CPF-AY, and at 0429, the 333 WLs were dark.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop. In between those 2 spots and in a Zombie Zone, D-3 was on the air, only "FI-2" and "cab" being clear. In a break with pattern, the GL WLs were at Stop, so a trip to the platform was made, and the 330 ELs were also all at Stop. The FG WLs, however, were dark a few later. Dunno if the GLs had been changed to constant-on or if there was relay trouble or if somebody had cleared during the interval between GL and FG.
At 0439, there had been sounds of FI-2 being busy, and at 0442, illuminated NewBlue 512 was on the west end of covered hoppers on East Side, and in another couple D-3 would 241 LA-5 with the 7561 Single west to 2 at 312. Dunno, but LA-5 coulda been the holiday AY-3 or AY-5. 0459 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and the RVJ stub remained MT. To save my fingers and your eyes, there'll be no further stub news until there is further stub news.
For the remainder of the trip, there were only unintelligible spurts of noise.
 #1519107  by jaymac
 
For 0320-0515/09-04-2019, Q426 would prove the 𝚨 and 𝛀 of the listening experience, 0322 being the time effective for Form D G302 to CSXT 969 at Burncoat for Burncoat to MP X25, with the request that 426 call when into DCS. This was the 2nd experience this week with 426 being the focus of conversation at a time when 427 more usually had been, prompting musing about whether scheduling had been adjusted to free up access to to Hill Yard for 22K, frequently held west for AYPO/POAY/426/427 Hill Yard activity.
There would be some garbling, a possible "POED" emerging, followed at 0342 by a POED car countdown, followed in another couple by POED calling out a Stop signal for CPF-FG, followed at 0347 by "Slow Approach." At 0349, there would be a broken 241 to AY-3 with the 7541 for 1 ? to 1 at WL.
0349 was when the 333 WLs were all at Stop, a dark and stopped 22K with NSs 1145, 9181, and 7643 on 1. There were no racks between the power and wells, and racks would not be visible in subsequent sightings of 22K. D-3 would call out a coupla times to 426, no response repetitions or acknowledgments heard, and at 0400, D-3 would give a breaking 241 to POED with the 7518 at FG. As might be guessed, the 334 ELs and 1 stagger were at Stop, as would be the 335 ELs and WLs, wells -- MTs -- extending however far west of the the ELs. For those keeping track, the tie-handler was still in the 335 lot and still in the process of being covered by weeds.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, racks on the #2 between the switches. Couldn't see internal reflections so dunno load status. Yard 1 had loaded racks west of the switch, and the easterly end of Yard 2 had a company gon and ADMX tank. Dunno if there might be more to the west obscured by the racks. Yard 4 had general that included MT centerbeams on the west. There were no changes for the southerly Heywood's untucked stone or the House's tank and brush-cutter. At 0417, D-3 rogered whatever AY-3 had said and then asked him many cars they had.
The post-offering EB leg had some garble, clarity coming at 0428 with "AY-3, start it back." At 0432, the 333 WLs were dark, 22K having moved east, and at 0436, FI-2 with the 5976 told D-3 they wanted to go West Side to East Side, D-3's response getting Zombiefied.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Stop and the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach. The GL WLs were at Stop, so a side trip to platform was made in case POED was coming, but the 330 ELs were also all at Stop, a stop being what 22K was coming to on 2 at 0439.
No surprise that the FG WLs were at Stop, 22K's power a bit west of the credit union. In a slight surprise, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0444. There was radioactivity in the yard, but neither FI-2 nor POED was visible from the street, and at 0450, there was no good angle on the EB staggers for Derby, but ay 0452 "AY-4" did get heard.
The rest of the trip featured garble until 0515 and a both-sides-audible D-3/426 exchange, D-3 asking when they entered DCS and 426 responding 0448. Let's see -- 0322 for the time effective on G302 and 0448 for time entered DCS. Mebbe another Precision Scheduled Recrew? Dunno. Also dunno whether 22K or 426 would get first dibs at the yard.
 #1519299  by jaymac
 
Friday the 13th came a week early -- 09-06-2019 -- for a buncha folks east of CPF-AY, deets to follow.
At 0322, D-3 scratchily reached out to what sounded like BO-2, more about which later. Expectable spurts of garble would follow, and although I had heard crossing noise when I was getting into my car, there would be neither sights nor further sounds of Q426 and/or Q427 as of the 0520 end of listening.
It mighta been broken, but the early info was coming from D-2 -- a partial 241 -- and then at 0347 "Plaistow" and a couple later something about tying down at Wells.
0347 was also when the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence of the 334 ELs at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark to follow.
At 0358, there was a broken D-3 241 followed by an equally broken D-3 shoutout to AY-3, further info unheard. The 345s were and would remain dark, and at 0405 D-3 acknowledged that someone -- AYPO as it would emerge -- had a CSX marker that was armed. Yard 1 and Yard Lead had rack loads and Yard 2 had general that included lotsa covered hoppers. There was naught visible on the easterly end of Yard 4, the racks obscuring any possible cars to the west. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the southerly Heywood's untucked stone and the House's tank and brush-cutter. D-3 renewed contact with AYPO and the 7605, asking for the train info and repeating 7605 and 7500, 29x59, the tonnage and length lost to me. D-3 had OKd them on signal indication at AY and WL, advising that there might be a problem at WL and to call. More -- much more -- will follow.
Things were generally quiet on the straight shot EB to 333, which was dark at 0423, the same time that D-3 advised 22K with the NS 41?4 that it was OK to continue east of North Leominster and that the yarding instructions were 1-2-3, and since someone was somewhere, the racks might go to 4 or South Track, with the power back to 2.
After I had entered a Zombie Zone, D-3 called out to somebody at 0426, and at 0429, it sounded like FI-2 had called out a signal. Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Approach and the GL Controlled Siding WL at Medium Approach. In another few the FG WLs were dark, so mebbe the GLs have been changed to constant-on.
At 0445, KCIR 5976 was dark and solo in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and 3 later, AY-4 did their first audible-to-me car countdown. followed by 22K being told they were in the clear, and 0451 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
At 0438, a garbled AYPO had called to D-3, followed at 0449 by another breaking shoutout. 0454 was a both-sides breaking exchange, D-3 advising AYPO that they would hold until a Keolis track foremen -- about 30 away -- could assess the situation, the start of the indication of the prematurity of Friday the 13th. in just bit, D-3 would acknowledge BO-2 was 15x 1 with "nothing special."
0513 was when D-3 reached out to the 400 and was also the time that I discovered a new Zombie Zone -- the intersection of Rtes. 140 and 70 in Boylston -- since the balance of the transmission was fully Zombiefied. 400's E advised her C that a piece of rail was missing at ??? crossing and they wouldn't be let through. AYPO musta cleared CPF-AY on 1 cuz 22K had their headroom on 2 to start their shove. The T Service alert at 0530 showed a 5-15 delay cuzza "freight interference" with updated to follow.
On the brighter side, the contrapuntal car countdowns of 22K and AY-4 closed out listening at 0520.
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