Gardner Gawking

[neman2]

Daytime activity on Pan Am Southern seems to be ebbing significantly these days.

I've noticed the same, I wonder if because of all the bad publicity the T gets about raising fares when on time performance,etc. is not good they are pressuring Pan Am to keep their operations out of the commuting mix.

[jaymac]

There were all sortsa sights and sounds for 0345-0555/02-15-2019, starting off with some 0400 + and - garbles with a clear AY-4," followed in a bit by a broken D-3/FI-2 (with the 326) exchange involving West Main Street. At 0413, the 333 WLs were dark, as would -- unsurprisingly -- be the 334s and 335s in their turn, but more about which later. At 0422, AYPO with the 7727 would reach out to D-3, whatever D-3's immediate response might be being stomped on by a D-2/LA-5 exchange. At 0424, AYPO would again reach out to D-3, D-3 responding at 0426, and D-2 -- again -- being busy with an LA local. To wrap up AYPO, D-2 at 0458 would tell them they were going "all the way" to 309, meet POED, and then go to Meadowcroft.
Up Da Hil, the 345s were and would remain dark. There was general on Yard 4 and more than a few MT racks on the easterly end of Yard 2. What mighta been behind the Yard 2 racks? Dunno. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries? The brush-cutter was still on the House, but snow/ice covered the status of the stone on the Heywood, the new plow berms at the Main Street crossing being intact. An offering was predictably made, the predictable immediate reward coming during a straight shot down Da Hill at 0439, the time that D-3 called Form D G-303 to Q427 with CSXT ???? fulfilled, acknowledging that they would tie down at New Bond.
Further reward came at 0445 when the Stops on the 333 WLs went to Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding and KCIRs 7542 and 7535 plus general were sitting dark on 2. Never heard whether it was a late ED-8 or a short EDPO, but 4K feet seems to be the cutoff for stuff holding on 2 between 333 and 334, the not-much-earlier darkness at the 335s and 334s serving as unneeded proof to the randomness of observable phenomena.
0450 is 400's advertised departure, but the total of 3 flats, i bi, and the 1071 didn't do the dropping until 0456, noise -- both horn and bell -- having been made for the freight. During the interval there was a Zombiefied -- read Channel 2 -- exchange between AY-4 and D-3 at 0448, followed by a clear -- read Channel 1 -- exchange between AY-3 and D-3, AY-3 needing 15 minutes to half an hour to clear up. A little after 0458, D-3 would give AY-3 permission to reverse direction from where they stood and go west to CPF-AY, asking if they were going to East Wye, West Main -- however -- being the preferred destination, and advising they would go to the Camp, hold for Keolis 400, and that he would get them over as soon as the 400 went by. By 0507, the 333 WLs were still all at Stops and there was no white brightness to the east, so that was my destination.
After a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL showing -- surprise -- an unmodified Clear, hinting that the EB would be east on 1 ahead of the 402.
The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0524, NewBlue 326 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot, partially obscured by fellow dark East-Siders KCIRs 7594, 7523, 7620, and 7525 on the west end of non-BNSF covered hoppers.
The RVJ lot was crammed with RVJ vehicles, so the viewing of the EB staggers for Derby -- 1 Approach and 2 Stop -- came from Nashua Street at 0532, the Stop for 2 triggering a guess that 22K might be ahead. At 0533, somebody's marker got the word that it looked good, AY-4 was providing proof of their productivity, and a garbled D-3 reached out to the EGT with the 75??. mebbe what had been seen on East Side earlier. No further discussion was heard, so dunno for sure.
As transfer time got closer, the radio got busier. D-3 reached out to 22K with NS 9257. If there was a further immediate exchange, it went unheard, more about which later, D-3 next switching attention to AY-3 and asking if they wanted a cab, answer unheard. At 0549, 22K was OKd to continue east. More 22K convo occurred at 0551 when D-3 asked if he was on a better antenna, saying he could hear 22K better, and that he would check for them, presumably on yarding instructions. 0557 was when the 1-to-2-to-3 was broadcast, confirming that that was what the Train Master had said, that 1 was clear, and that there would be a cab to assist.
As so frequently happens, the last words belonged to those masters of the 3-step, AY-4.

While I'm always grateful to have my Zombie-Zone observations confirmed by outside sources, it seems counter both to productivity and to safety that D-3 should have to go hunting for a better antenna site for reliable communications with a train east of Derby -- or east or west of anywhere under D-3 control, for that matter.

Oh yeah, the 50-50 Diner was again bright and occupied, so they musta been on vacay or staycay.

[jwhite07]

An offering was predictably made, the predictable immediate reward coming during a straight shot down Da Hill at 0439, the time that D-3 called Form D G-303 to Q427 with CSXT ???? fulfilled, acknowledging that they would tie down at New Bond.

Same Q427 observed ~0415 at Temple Street MP X7.8. Cannot help with the head end numbers as (thankfully) not much of life's time lost as I approached the crossing just as the tail end cleared so barely a tap on the brakes was needed before the gates went up.

[jaymac]

jwhite07-
Congrats at not having gotten older in the crossing the crossing!

[jaymac]

For 0345-0540/02-19-2019, there was no shortage in the curiosity department, starting off with West Boylston center (6°) being colder than Gardner (12°), followed at 0401 by a broken D-3 reach-out to Q427, acknowledging something about Pine Hill Road. To continue to save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about Q427.
There was a 0407 partialized D-?/AYPO-with-the-7727 exchange for a Line 12, AYPO sounding a bit better than the D-?, followed at 0410 by an equally broken 241 to AYPO. To jump outta chronology, there would the 0430 time effective for Form D G-202 to POED with the 7797, a Line 12 for Pleasant Street, MP 310.13, possibly indicating that the earlier AYPO Line 12 had been for the same crossing, and a meet occurred after AYPO had gotten east of Pleasant Street. There will be more about the Branch later.
At 0414, the 333 WLs were at Stop, and at 0415, they were dark. Dunno what the possible EB was, but 22K's yarding transmissions would be heard at 0422, so pigs plus racks weren't the EB, and the 334s and 335s were dark, so it wasn't likely to have been a WB.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark. Yard 1 and the westerly part of the Extension had general that included MT centerbeams, Yard 2 had general -- mostly covered hoppers -- pretty much FP-FP, and Yard 4 mighta had stuff that was obscured. The House still had the brush-cutter, the Heywood's stone-status was under fresh snow, and that same fresh snow augmented the still-undisturbed plow berms at the Main Street crossing.
An offering was made, and a straight shot taken EB, 0441 being when AY-4 was heard working, and 0442 being when D-2 started another convo with AYPO and the 7727 involving sweeping out the points at 307 and mebbe keeping 307 on power. Further developments? As is the case in so much of life, dunno. At 0449, the 333 WLs came on with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, 0451 being when 400 gave themselves the OK to depart and 0452 being when a total of 4 flats and 1 bi plus the 1128 did the dropping. No noise be made to the east, that's where I went.
The 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, the 330 WLs being at Stop. At 0458, 400 gave themselves the OK to depart Fitchburg, and a couple later, the GL Controlled Siding WL showed a Medium Approach Medium. My own signals were in the giving vein, permitting the 0503 sighting of 400's vanishing markers -- thanks again, Ralph Fisher! -- just east of the similarly-red FG WLs at 0503. Another curiosity was a bit east in the FI-1/2 parking spot at 0505 and on the west end of a string of full-size covered hoppers -- NewBlue 7552.
Traffic lights were again cooperative, permitting a 0511 viewing of the EB staggers for Derby -- dark.
As frequently happens, AY-4 and 22K had become and would remain contrapuntal choristers, including what would be the window of time for 400 to transit the 40.2, that possible report going unheard.
Another unheard candidate for the curiosity supply was the silence to, from, or about AY-3. Other unheards included EDPO -- the mystery EB? -- and ED-9 and AY-5/287.

[jaymac]

For 0345-0554 (precision to be explained later) /02-22-2019, the routine continued to supply surprises. At 0352 and after advising he couldn't get the signal, D-3 would 241 AY-3 with the 7605 1 east to the Single for 1 train length at 312, followed at 0453 by another 241 from the Single to 2. At 0406, 22K with NS 4118 would get their yarding instructions -- 1 and overflow to 2 and overflow to 3 and racks to any other track and a cab to be called. The convo continued until 0409 with D-3 asking if the power could be wyed so the 1800 would then be the leader. Oh yeah -- part of the exchange was D-3 again involved in swapping antennas to improve mutual understanding.
At 0410 and again at 0412, D-3 would reach out to ED-9 with the 7635, 0413 being when both the 333 WLs were dark and ED-9 responded, D-3 advising he'd take them up 2 to 333 to hold for 400 and giving me a reason to hurry along. There would be an update in a few, but increasing distance killed the ED-9 part and Mount Wachusett killed the D-3 part.
The 334s and 335s were dark, and at 0422, a breaking D-3 would reach out to FI-2 with the 5?5, Mount Wachusett again complicating any understanding of their transactions.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark. There was pretty much FP-FP general -- including wrapped centerbeams -- plus a few racks on the easterly end of Yard 4 and mebbe a half-dozen rack loads on the easterly end of Yard 2. At 0432, D-3 would reach out again to AY-3, their cars going to West Main Street and a cab to be called.
The Sameoldsameold Ledger continued to contain the brush-cutter on the House, but the more recent snowfall continued to obscure the stone status of the Heywood, although the plow berms for the Main Street crossing remained intact. in more sameoldsameold, an offering was made and -- in a non-surprise -- AY-4's car countdowns would be heard, AY-4 and 22K again being contrapuntal choristers for the balance of the trip. At 0443, D-3 would reach out to -- surprise -- POAY about a cab, the Chief having advised D-3 that they'd go to Deerfield and to give a call from there.
The 0447 arrival showed the 333 WLs on with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, 0450 being when 400 OKd themselves to depart, and 0451 being when a total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 1131 did the dropping, and 0453 being -- as hoped -- noise was made to the east. At 0455, the rails down by the 333 ELs reflected brightiewhities, ED-9 with NewBlue 7635 and KCIR 7500 plus a total of 50 getting west on 1 at 0500. There were tanks up front, a good number of full-size covered hoppers, some boxes, more covered hoppers -- both full-size and LAFX shorties -- on the tail. In the middle was a surprise, at least to me -- 14 racks. Dunno if these had just come outta Ayer or had been overflowed earlier to Fitchburg. I'da thought that WB racks woulda been on 23K. Mebbe that marriage would happen at Deerfield or Mechanicville. It does seem like "287"" isn't gonna be heard in the near term. AY-5 may also be a casualty. In another couple, the Controlled Siding went back to Medium Clear, ED-9 still shunting, and I took that indication as an indication for me to be EB.
Further east, the 50 50 Diner was again dark, and the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL at Slow Clear. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0515, there was a NewBlue -- number not clear -- shoving tanks east on East Side. The window for the 40.2 report on the 400 had passed with naught being heard, but the topography wasn't favorable and 22K and AY-4 were both highly radioactive.
At 0521, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and 22K and AY-4 continued to provide a soundtrack. At 0546, D-3 rogered whatever AY-3 had just said, telling them to stand by and that he would get back to them. Never did hear the resolution of that, but a few seconds later, another sound was heard. Attentive and retentive readers will note that there has been no note of Q427 thus far. Fortunately, I had been on the "right" side of the Temple Street/Rte. 140/MP X7.8 crossing when the talker came on and sitting in my driveway at 0554 when the 7.8 announced there were no defects. Though only 8 minutes had vanished, they woulda felt like 80 on the "wrong" side.
Rte. 140 rush-hour drivers should be thankful for the new order of things even though the probably think it's just random good luck each day they don't get stopped.

[johnhenry]

Gardner at lunch time Friday Feb 22, looks like ED-9 highballed the yard cause it was same as before the sun came up. But P&W (4001, 4002), which had left their train south of Broadway, came in and, putting the 6 racks from 2 on top of the cars on 4, proceeded to push the whole thing west onto 2, leaving headroom for pulling their train down and filling two or more yard tracks. Saw the power come back east to get their train and then left. Oh yes, a sole engine (505? facing west) was parked on 1 at west end of 345. Berms on the Heywood still intact.

[jaymac]

0345-0600/02-25-2019 had its moments, some of which included a half moon and stars plus occasional snow squalls, all at the same time. At 0352, D-3 would answer 22K, most of the particulars lost, saying a cab was on the way. 22K being busy would occupy the airwaves until the end of listening, but curiously, naught would be heard to, from, or about AYPO, AY-3, or AY-4. On the subject of AY locals, does anyone know if AY-5 has been abolished?
0357 would be when D-3 would call Form D G301 to CSXT 3387 fulfilled since Q427 had called themselves west and clear of Burncoat. D-3 asked if they were tying down at New Bond and rogered whatever they said, the distance between 427 and me now having increased to too much for comprehension.
The 0415 arrival at 333 showed the WLs on and with a Clear on 1, so time got invested. KCIRs 7517, 7605, and 7535 got 106 -- yep: triple digits -- east at 0430. Included in the mix was 1 long and 1 short cut of shorties (Ciment Québec and plain wrappers), a solo utility-pole bulkhead, a good number of F/RBOXes, a cut of CPR boxes, a coupla sodium hydroxide tanks, a good number of scattered MT centerbeams, and a few company gons and hoppers. If the 333s having been on for at least 1/4 hour before the presumed EDPO had gotten east seems strangely long, the answer would come at 334, the ELs being at Stop, the 1 stagger at Approach and a dark WB with KCIR 7627, 2 unIDable trailers, token general, and then racks on 2. Mebbe ED-9? The dark WB was also the answer to why it had seemed like noise had been to the west by the EB.
The 335s were dark, as would be and would remain the 345s. There was general -- mostly covered hoppers with at least 1 black tank -- pretty much FP-FP on Yard 2. Yes, the brush cutter was still on the House, and yes and as observed on 02-24 by johnhenry, the Main Street crossing still had intact plow berms, and yes, an offering was made, but no, nobody but 22K would be occupying the airwaves while I was going down Da Hill. The 335 ELs were dark, and the dark WB was still in place, a trip to the platform showing that the racks extended to about the midpoint. The 333 WLs were predictably on at 0515 and with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, 402 being not too far away.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, and the 330 1 WL showing a Slow Clear, the GL and FG WLs being dark. At 0525, dark NewBlue 505 was sitting in the FI-1/2 parking spot on the westerly end of at least a few covered hoppers. At 0531, D-3 would 241 the 400 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY, 0518 being the 400's Ayer advertised. A T Service Alert showed the 400 15-20 late cuzza switch troubles. D-3 would reach out to ???? at 0535, saying there were correspondence problems at AY, so they should stop and check alignment before proceeding. Added info was that ???? would be running on 2 at North Leominster cuzza platform damage on the 1, hinting that ???? might be POED.
Oh yeah -- the 50 50 Diner was lit and occupied this ayem.

[jaymac]

The organizing factor for the report of 0340-0550/02-27-2019? Entropy.
At 0340, D-3 would OK AYPO on signal indication and then 241 AY-6 -- yes, six -- with the 7552 1 to 1 at Camp, more -- much more -- about the 7552, Camp, and 241s to follow.
Boston West is normally not given much space here, but a 0359 Form D M303 went out to LA-5 with the 381, a Line 8 formalizing their inability to move at Wedgemere. 0412 was the time effective for Form D M304, a Line 9 to LA-2 with the 345 at Tufts to run a restricted speed on 1 to LA-5, followed by a 0413 241 1 north to 1 at Tufts to do the tie-on. Cuzza increasing distance and increasing D-3 activity, never heard the conclusion.
0413 was also when the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334s. The 335 ELs, however were at Stop with an Approach on the 335 Single WL. KCIRs 7898 and 7643 plus NewBlue 3404 got 58 east of the 335 at 0428, non-Ciment-Québec-labeled shorties, full-size covered hoppers, various boxes, a coupla corrosive-placarded tanks, more LPG tanks, and MT centerbeams making up the presumed EDPO.
To rewind a bit, D-3 reached out to ED-9 at 0421. The power? The 7552, evidently no longer AY-6. There would be a 0x50 pickup off Freight Main East. In keeping with the entropy theme, D-3 would soon advise ED-9 that he had had an old e-mail, but would send an update to the Fitchburg Yard Office. At 0434, there would be a garbled D-3 exchange with Fi-2 -- the 505 -- that would lead to even more more about which later.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark for the brief duration of the viewing. There were FP-FP MT racks on Yard 4, pretty much FP-FP general on Yard 2, and a lesser number of probably-MT racks west of the switch on Yard 1. Yes, the brush-cutter was still on the House, and yes, the intact plow berms were still at the Main Street crossing.
At 0444, D-3 would 241 22K with NS 9817 2 east to 2 at CPF-AY. If that seems strange, it's just the start.
During the straight shot east, there would be a both-sides-broken 0450 D-3/FI-2 exchange about no signal on 1 for Freight Main West, followed at 0453 by a 1 east to 1 at FG 241 for ED-9, followed at 0455 by Signal Foreman Dearborn giving up his foul time at CPF-AY. For those sensing there might be signal troubles, you're right, more right than is happy to know.
At 0457, the presumed EDPO was sitting dark on 1 at 333 and facing WLs all at Stop, and both 22K and AY-4 were engaged in alternating yarding transmissions.
At 0500, a fuller understanding of signal issues began to emerge when a breaking D-3 advised the 400 that there was no code between 330 and GL and that they would run on the 2 to FG. Dunno how the Fitchburg passenger issue might been handled.
After a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were both clear, and the 330 and GL WLs were both at Stop. There was a 0510 2 east to 2 at FG for the 400, followed at 0514 by a garbled read back for a 241 at AY.
At 0516, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT. There was an obscured WB headlight further east on Freight Main West, but since it was an LED, it was probably ED-9 with the 7552.
In another few, there would be a D-3/ED-9 exchange in which it would develop that plans still included them doing the amended pickup, but after 402 had gotten east. At 0527, the EB staggers for Derby appeared dark from Nashua Street, the RVJ yard again being busy, and 400 would call out an Approach for CPF-Camp and then ask D-3 about a Stop for Camp. D-3 responded that Camp was probably lined right, but that there were correspondence issues, 0533 being when 400 got a 1 east to 1 at Camp 241. 0541 was when D-3 advised that "they" were trying to diagnose problems at AY and -- again -- to make sure things were lined right, 0544 being when 400 got 1 to 1 east at CPF-AY 241. The T Service Alert showed a 20-30 delay for 400 cuzza signals.
22K and AY-4 alternating there yarding transmissions was pretty much the only normal occurrences for the trip.

[jaymac]

For 0340-0625/03-01-2019, there was a good deal of audible and visible input.
From 0340 and up to 0400, there would be a series of exchanges between D-3 and AYPO with the 7898, sometimes clear and sometimes not. The train-info particulars -- both originating and read back -- were garbled, but AYPO would get the OK to move on signal indication at 0346 and the D-3 word that they were clear of CPF-AY at 0400.
At 0408, the 333 WLs were already on and with a Medium Clear for 1 cuz 22K with NSs 9703 and 9422 and UP 7924 -- apparently recently recrewed -- was about to get bright and on the move at 0410, 83 table and well positions -- 1 MT -- east of the 333 WLs at 0413. As always, may the Wizard of Wyeing smile upon photographers of a future 23K! Did I forget to mention racks? No -- there were 0 racks to mention. 22K will be mentioned again. In the meantime -- 0411, to be precise -- D-3 started a convo with the EGT about whether they were ready to head west. The EGT's transmission was strong enough to indicate that East Fitchburg might be their location. The C wasn't yet in the cab, and it would be at 0421 that D-3 would give the OK to head west, more later about the EGT.
The 334s and 335s were dark, and at 0427, D-3 would start a number of conversations with ED-8 -- yes, eight -- about shoving all the way in the clear at Moores and taking the power onto West Wye. More will follow about ED-8.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, but only -- as will be seen -- temporarily. Yard 4 had general, Yard 2 had racks, and Yard 1 and onto the Extension had more racks, no interior reflections being visible, and pretty much FP-FP for those tracks. In entries for the Sameoldsameold Ledger, the brush-cutter was still on the House, and intact plow berms were still at the Main Street crossing, snow cover obscuring the Heywood's stone status. There was more business with ED-8, advising them that 22K would be coming, then talking with AY-3 about accepting signal indication and would asking 0454 if they could get to East Wye quickly
An offering had been made at The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, but it was Loki-Mode Day today. The number of Shrine-goers ahead of me requesting hot offerings was enough to afford only the sight of WB covered hoppers at the Spuria lot/MP 340, so it was back to the Jade lot, part of radioactivity being D-3 advising 22K to hold at the tower until Keolis 400 was outta the way.
The east did get bright, and KCIRs 7727, 7835, 5968, and 7595 got 110 covered hoppers -- mostly BNSFs, but with a few AOKs and CEFXs -- west of the Jade at at 0505, pretty much the same time as D-3 confirmed Q427 was west of MP X!! and would tie down at MP X8.4. I could snark about Precision Railroading, but I won't except to mention that I won't.The 346.6 came on at 0507, giving a no defects, 6°, and 6406' at 0510. Did I mention that there were a significant number of flat wheels?
During the straight shot down Da Hill came sounds of AY-4 being busy, and at 0525, the 333 WLs were on with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding. After a few, nothing WB materialized, so the trip's second reversal of direction was made, the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 stagger at Approach, no headlights or markers visible to the east. The 333 WLs were unchanged a couple later, and the 333 ELs were at Stop, so dunno the cause, it still being a bit early for 402.
Further east, 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, again despite the lack of any visible shunting for the GL WLs.
The FG WLs were dark, and at 0548, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT. At 0550, 22K was advised that they were going under the bridge, the overture to their yarding. A couple later, the EB staggers for Derby seemed dark from Nashua Street, RVJ again busy.
In more Precision Railroading news, Q427's marker was just east of the Rtes. 12/140 UGB and the power -- CSXTs 964, 798, and 5395 -- was sitting dark and mebbe 1/2 to the west, waiting for the new crew.

[jaymac]

For 0340-0550/03-05-2019, things started off slow and with only occasional spurts of static. At 0405, AY-4's car countdown would be clearly IDable, followed in a couple by sounds of AYPO activity At 0411, there was a broken D-3/AY-3 exchange involving AY-3 going to the Camp through West Wye cuz AYPO -- more about which later -- was still picking up.
The 0414 arrival at 333 showed the WLs all at Stop cuzza a stopped and dark 22K on 1 with NSs 8182, 9360, and 9037. The 334 ELs and ! stagger were also all at Stop, 22K extending just a bit west of the all-Stops 335 ELs, the 335 Single WL at a predictable Stop and the Controlled Siding WL at Medium Approach Slow in anticipation of 400's move outta the facility.
At 0425, there was a garbled D-3/AYPO exchange, presumably for train info, "marker number" being the only clearly understood words.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would for my duration on-scene remain dark. There were a pair of MT centerbeams on the easterly end of Yard 2 and a tank and covered hopper on the Extension. The House still had the brush-cutter, but whether the preexisting plow berms had been disturbed before Main Street had gotten plowed again on 03-04, dunno.
0450 had some radioactivity -- D? with a garbled shoutout to AYPO, and -- just before my return to 333, 400 giving themselves the OK to depart, which they did in good style with a total of 4 flats and 1 bi pushed by the 1058. D-2 would give a Form D 203 to AYPO with the 7585 at Ayer, a Line 12 for Pleasant Street, MP 310.13, the time effective being lost to me.
By 0454, the 333 1 WL had gone to Medium Clear, and 22K proved that both its brightiewhities and radio were in working order, D-3 advising that he would -- his phrasing -- "creep" them down to FG until the passenger rush was over, getting them east cuz an EDPO would be on the way. 127 positions -- all occupied and mostly wells -- had gotten east of the WLs at 0503. At 0507, there was a garbled FI-2 (more about which later)/D-3 exchange about 4 cars and West Side, and at 0509 there was a garbled D-3 shoutout to Q427, naught about which later, and at 0510 there would be a garbled 241 to AYPO. During a refueling stop by the rotary River Street UGB, the marker got east, a presumed Approach being on the 330 2 WL.
The 330.8 WBs were both at Stop, as would be the 330 and GL WLs; the FG WLs would also be at Stops, 22K visibly in full "creep" compliance; and at 0520, a bright KCIR 5943 was on East Side.
0527 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and for the balance of the trip, AY-4 was the only IDable source of activity.

[jaymac]

0340-0545/03-07-2019 had its moments. To save suspense, anything to, from, or about either Q427 or 22K went unheard, and 427 wasn't seen at the usual West Boylston spots.
There would be a buncha 0400-and-later Yard Channel garbles, some from D-3, some car countdowns, and 1 from somebody one telling somebody else to hit the pin harder. Contributing in part to partial receptions was D-2 with a series of 241s for 307, evidently involving AYPO with the 7500 and ending at 0432, strongly suggesting that there was business to and/or from Nashua being handled at North Chelmsford.
At 0410, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334s and 335s. AY-4 had reached out to D-3 at 0415, but D-3 would begin a both-sides-audible convo with EDPO and the 7797 about taking the 2 at North Leominster with Keolis 400 having lifted the platform, causing my not-very-far-return to 335 to see the WLs now at Stop. The west did get both bright and loud, KCIRs 7797 and 7627 getting 38 east at 0424. There were Ciment Québec and other shorties, full-size covered hoppers, mini-bulkheads of structural steel, a pair of non-company gons, boxes, MT centerbeams, and an unplacarded tank. In the meantime, there was a 0420 D-3 shoutout to AY-3 with the 7595, no transaction discernible. 0427 was when a D-3/FI-2-with-the-5943 exchange took place, involving West Side and FG, the import of which will be seen later.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and would so remain during the duration. The yard was MT, but the brush-cutter continued to be on the House, and intact plow berms continued to be on the Main Street crossing.
Besides the final-to-me 241 to AYPO at 0432, D-2 next gave a breaking 241 west on 2 to POED with 7535, both Bleachery and Meadowcroft being mentioned. The 0449 arrival back at 333 showed the WLs with a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding and EDPO waiting for the 400 to get east so they could lift the North Leominster platform so -- in turn -- EDPO could follow them east, an event that will get more mention. 0452 was when the 400 did the dropping with a total of 4 flats and 1 bi plus the 1071. The 1 WL went to Medium Approach at 0454, and EDPO was on the move at 0458 and east at 0500. D-3 attempted more contact with AY-3 at 0458 and 0459, switched over to Yard Channel, and then back to Road at 0501. Never heard what might be happening, but more about other repeated attempts to contact will follow.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Stop, the 330 WLs showed Stop for 1 and Approach for 2, and the GL Controlled Siding and 1 WLs were both at Stop, as would be the FG WLs.
At 0512, D-3 advised EDPO that the North Leominster 2 platform had been raised and that they were good to Wagon Wheel and their cab. Zombie Zones being Zombie Zones, I hadn't heard the 400/D-3 exchange that platform had been raised. 0512 was also when the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, and a minute later D-3 asked 400 to call east and clear of Shirley station for the EB freight, 400 acknowledging. At 0515, 400 did call east and clear, repeated it twice, and got a D-3 acknowledgment after their 0518 attempt. Dunno if this was a Zombie-Zone issue or if D-3 mighta been busy on Yard Channel.
What was busy was RVJ, so the 0519 sighting of the EB staggers for Derby was from Nashua Street -- an Approach for 1 and a Medium Approach for 2. Since 400 was already east and clear of Shirley station, why were the staggers lit? The answer -- as well a why EDPO would not be EB on 1 on 1 -- came at 0524 in a D-3/FI-2 exchange. There were 3 MTs on the main at Derby, and FI-2 wanted to run around them.
A minute earlier, D-3 had confirmed with EDPO that their cab would be taking them back to Deerfield, and at 0539, there would be D-3 garble, "402" and "Derby" -- mebbe a hedzup about FI-2 -- being the sole bits of clarity.
Oh yeah -- an offering had been made at The Shrine of The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks. An Mt -- except for the House -- Gardner is a rare sight.

[jaymac]

0332-0540/03-09-2019 had a good number of surprises, starting off with a Saturday trip (Monday snow) and a series of payoffs for a random earlier-than-usual start. That 0332 was when the words were heard that it was OK for 22K to drop the 3 and try the handbrake. In a few, D-3 would give 22K with NS 9303 -- more about the 9303 later -- permission to reverse direction from where they stood and go east to Track 2 at CPF-AY, hinting that either racks or pigs had been set off, 22K had gone back to their train, and would haul east to shove the rest of the train into the yard, the words to start them back coming at 0350. Just to keep things puzzling, there had been some Yard Channel garble, as well, but naught intelligible or attributable.
The 0405 arrival at Wachusett showed the 333 WLs on with a Medium Clear for the 1. The west would get bright, and KCIRs 7545 and 7620 and OldPaint 315 would get 42 east at 0408. A half or so were MT centerbeams, a strong hint that this was an EDPO, later to be confirmed over the air. A mebbe-LPG tank, R/FBOXs, and NS and SOU boxes were other notables. The change from 1 to 2 hinted that there might be a WB, but the WLs went dark at 0412, so I went west, the 334s and 335s being dark in turn.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark, but not for too long as will be seen. The yard was pretty well crammed: FP-FP racks on 4, FP-FP general -- including lotsa covered hoppers -- on 2, and apparently-MT racks on 1 and the Extension. The day-later-than-usual Sameoldsameold Ledger entries continued to be the brush-cutter on the House and the intact plow berms on the Main Street crossing.
An offering was made to The Deity Of The CPF-345 Dunks, an exchange prolonged by not 1, but 2 hot-food worshippers ahead of me and producers of a mixed blessing. During the trip down Da Hill, D-3 called out to POED with the 76?? advising that there would be a pickup in Gardner, saying he would check with the Chief to find out specifically how much. EDPO was partially audible, changing in time my straight-shot plans to a diversion to 335. The less fortunate part of the mixed blessing was that the 335 ELs were at Stop and would go dark at 0443. To save suspense, POED mighta heard what they were gonna be doing at Gardner, but I never did.
D-3 had earlier -- 0441 -- reached out to EDPO with the 7545 (more about which later), saying something broken about Ayer Tower, and at 0447, the 333 ELs -- and by extension, the WLs -- were dark. Further east the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 and GL WLs all at Stop. No shunting was visible, so mebbe the GLs are back to constant-on.
While I was in the Kimball Street Zombie Zone, D-3 began a convo with Q426/427, power and location garbled, fulfilling Form D G301 at 0547. Better topography would provide surprises: They weren't clear of Burncoat, but tying down at MP X25.5 -- MCI Crossing -- close to what has been their time at New Bond. Other details included a later request for an update, needed since not everything at Barbers could be taken. 57x19 would be the car count, length and tonnage garbled.
OK -- back to chronology: The FG WLs were dark, and at 0505, dark KCIR 5943 was facing east in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and -- no surprise -- the EB staggers for Derby were likewise dark at 0512.
At 0518, D-3 would reach out to AY-5 -- not abolished! -- with NS 9303 -- hot off 22K, asking them to advise if there was anything at WL. D-3 would reach out to AY-5 3 more times and then shift to EDPO 2 times, then shift back to AY-5 twice more at 0529, then answering AY-5's transmission at 0530, 0531 being the time of a 241 for 2 east at the Willows to Freight Main 2. Dunno if this was a Zombie-Zone issue or if AY-5 and EDPO had gone to Yard Channel.
Oh yeah and outta chronological order, right around 0450 and with Q426/427 about to tie down at X25.5, AYPO -- power not heard -- and D-3 discussed coming down Track 3. Dunno what happened with them from then on.

[jaymac]

For 0340-0540/03-11-2019, communications remained an issue.
At 0340, D-3 would reach out to AYPO, and after a few seconds of dead air, D-3 would ask AY-3 with the 7593 if they were at 312. There would be some few spurts of static, followed at 0347 by an exchange with POED and the 7620, the info being 6x18, 1314 tons, and 1643', POED adding they wouldn't need a list at the Fitchburg Yard Office and D-3 giving the OK on signal indication. 0350 would produce another D-3 call to AYPO with the 7542, quickly followed by an exchange with Q427 with CSXT 3368 and the words that they were east and clear of Burncoat, Form D G301 being fulfilled at 0351. 0354 was when D-3 called out to AYPO again, switching almost immediately to AY-4, calling for AY-4 again at 0355, and then going back to AYPO at 0356. At 0358, AYPO would respond to D-3, wondering if they could depart Ayer, and advising among other things that they had 46x36 and getting a 0400 OK to depart their location.
At 0402, D-3 reached out to 22K with NS 2599, giving the OK to proceed east, 22K's response being garbled to me. Yarding instructions would be added at 0405, the racks to go east, and the power to return to the yard. There was also a repeat of the OK, D-3 saying he hadn't heard 22K's acknowledgment. The 0407 arrival at 333 showed the WLs already all at Stop cuz 22K was on the move EB on 2, the marker east at 0409 and the 333s dark at 0412. At 0408, D-3 had told AYPO to contact D-2 for a Line 12 at 312, more about which later.
The dark 333s had given me the OK to proceed west on non-signal indication, but a reversal to 333 happened at 0414 with the words "Good marker, 22K." The east did get bright, and POED with KCIRs 7620 and 7545 plus the previously-stated 24 were west of the 333 WLs on 1 at 0419. There were an MT centerbeam, FBOXs, full-size covered hoppers, and slurries in the mix. In the meantime -- time effective 0413 -- D-2 had issued Form D G202 to AYPO, a Line 12 for Pleasant Street, Mileage 310.13. Still? Again?
POED now west, an unusual event happened -- a WB straight shot. On the way, D-3 contacted AY-3 with the 7597 again, asking what their destination was after their Camp set-off, further developments -- including a 0424 additional exchange with 22K -- got Zombiefied, thanks to Mount Wachusett being betwixt my antenna and the Paxton antenna. At 0425, geometry had changed, and D-3's instructions for 22K to hold at Slab City were clear.
At 0428, there was another call to AYPO, this -- again -- from D-3, asking them to call him if there was nothing at 312, discussing poor reception, and saying to use a phone if there was radio trouble. Never heard 1 way or another about the actual 312 situation, but D-3 had discussed reception issues for 22K and AYPO.
Up Da Hill, there was a less-than Yard 4 of general that included MT bulkheads, the House's brush-cutter and the Main Street crossing's intact plow berms being constants. Post offering at the usual place, the 345 1 EL showed Clear, clearing the way for POED to soon highball Gardner.
On the straight-shot EB return and between AY-4 car countdowns and at 0442, D-3 advised 400 that there would be a change of plans -- 1 all the way to WL, not a surprise to me since 22K was holding at Slab City and AY-3 had earlier been on the Camp. 400 was on the move at 0450, the total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 1138 doing things like clockwork.
At 0456, D-3 would ask 400 to call east and clear of Shirley, and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, the 330 and GL WLs all at Stop. The FG WLs were dark, and at 0511, dark KCIR was facing east in the FI-1/2 parking spot.
At 0516, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and a minute later, 400 would call east and clear of Shirley, 0522 being when 22K got the OK east at Slab City, never being when I heard a 40.2 report for either 400 or 22K, not that I was in favorable topography for hearing the 40.2.
It may be a random result, and an AYPO v. POED comparison may be an apple v. clementine comparison, but 82 for AYPO and 24 -- with no Gardner pickup -- for POED does make it seem like the thumb continues on the PAR side of the PAR v. PAS balance.

Apologies to earlier readers: What had been IDd as "345 1 WL" has been corrected to 345 1 EL."

[jaymac]

For 0337-0525/03-13-2019, there were more sounds than sights of activity, 0337 being when 22K would let me know i wouldn't be seeing them by announcing that there were about 20 to go. 22K would be the most frequent contributor to radioactivity until AY-4 took over, more about which later. D-3 would advise POED with the 7655 at 0408 that there would be 24 MTs to pick up from West Main Street, prompting me to wonder if there were no ED-9 today, more -- again -- about which later.
0428 was also when the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334s and 335s. On the way up Da Hill and with garble provided by Mount Wachusett's intervening mass, D-3 gave a 241 to AY-5 for 1, but unknown if it was at EB or WB at WL or 312 or mebbe even AY.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were -- and would remain for the duration -- dark. There were almost FP-FP apparently-MT racks on Yard 4 and general from about midpoint west on Yard 2. The brush-cutter was still on the House, but -- wait for it; wait for it -- the Main Street plow berms had been run through.
Post-offering and at the 0437 point of the straight shot EB to 333, AY-4 became audible, 22K making a few contributions, but then going silent while AY-4 remained busy. At 0440, the 333 WLs were again dark, 400 still well enough west. At 0441, D-3 would call out to the 7500 -- yet another more about which later -- and advised they could reverse direction at CPF-Camp.
Further east, 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 were dark, and at 0453, a KCIR was in the FI-1/2 parking spot, its ID obscured by the covered hoppers between it and me.
At 0452 and again at 0453, D-3 would reach out to POED and then give a 241 east on 1 at CPF-Camp to the 7500. 2 minutes later, the 7655 -- so far POED -- would give a broken update and ask if there were any additions to their Summary, D-3 advising that there was a 25 for freight at BF39.70 -- Center Street, Shirley -- on 2 and that they should call themselves ED-9. 0525 would bring the words that there was a 0x20 pickup on Freight Main West, FI-2's relayed advice to D_3 about a switch being garbled.
What wasn't heard? Anything to, from, or about AY-3. EDPO, AYPO, or POAY, unless 1 of them might be the 7500. No, I'm not forgetting Q427, either. Naught was heard to, from, or, about that entity.