Gardner Gawking

0253-0551/10-07-2020 was busy, starting with the continuation of a D-3 convo to what would turn out to be FI-2, saying that there were 33 racks and 15 freight on the headpin. Next would come D-3's request to FI-2 about their guess for length. About 4100? More will follow.
0304 provided the D-3 side of a convo with TC T669 -- Yes, they did, then 669's contribution, and then 60, followed by the 0305 cancellation of Form D G301 for AY to WL. Next came an acknowledgment of being clear of the interlocking on the #2, saying he would talk to the 669 up at Camp. The next involved D-3 saying he would get ahold of a customer service agent, that followed by D-3 saying he'd call billing to see if they could do anything more. As long as it made sense to the convo principals... (As 0f 0630, there was a Service Alert advising that 402 would be delayed between Ayer and BON cuzza freight traffic. Mebbe an earlier SA for 400 had already been taken down.)
0313 was a both-sides-audible D-3/POED exchange advising that up at Fitchburg they were to pick up 15 freight and 33 racks -- untested -- from the #1 FM. 0315 was when AY-3 reached out to D-3, immediate developments being hashed.
At 0322, D-3 answered POED and then 241d the 7655 1 east to 1 at FG.
At 0322, the 333 WLs were at Stop. A few minutes' wait produced no EB coming to a halt, so it was over to the 334 --ELs an 1 stagger at Stops -- where BNSF covered hoppers were sitting. Over at the 335s, the 1 EL showed a Clear, and the 7517 plus however many others sat still on the EGT. Trees blocked the power view from the easterly side of the UGB, and the landscape company had placed barricades to the parking lot on the westerly side, so not only no power DS, but no accurate power count. And yes, the tie-handler was still in the 335 lot. Despite the Clear, the power was dimmed, and naught over the radio, so I was WB.
On my way WB and at 0359, there was another -- but hashed -- 241 for POED at FG, and at 0401, a breaking D-3 got in touch with the EGT, "go" being the only clarity.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for the Dead Track, not because the EGT was that fast, but because a presumed EDPO with KCIR 7620, NewBlue 7585, and KCIRs 7594 and and 5972 was holding on 2 with cars however far west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB.
The EB trip featured a diversion to the Spuria yard to catch the EGT coming up Da Hill. There had been a 0409 garbled 241 to TC T669 + 1 for Camp, and at 0410, AYPO with the 7627 would get a 241 for East Wye to 2. This would be followed by the D-3 side of a convo with AY-3. Their 5 MTs were to go to West Main, AYPO was doing their double. There was more about a cab to Moores to get the crew back to the trailer, that followed by other possibilities. At 0425, there was more with TC T669, acknowledging they were west and Clear on Camp on the #1 --OOS between Derby and Camp -- and cancelling Form D G30?. AY-4 was doing car countdowns, and the wait for the EGT caused some eyeballing of the Spuria yard -- still new precast bases and signal uprights and old equipment cases. At 0436 there would be a mutually-hashed AY-4/D-3 exchange about testing cars, and at 0441, D-3 would reach out to Q426 with CSXT 643?, cancelling Form D G323, 0444 being the time effective for Form D G 303 to CSXT 466 for X25 to Burncoat. The update got stepped on by Yard Channel activity, There was a request for time into DCS followed by a roger. To close out 427, crossing noise was heard from inside my home at 0639 and 0649, appropriate intervals for the X7.8 and X6.0.
Back to the too-long wait: Noise eventually did get heard, but it was EB noise, the power cited earlier plus 95 were east of the 340 at 0442. 10 high-cube trash wells were up front, followed by unplacarded and a coupla placarded tanks, full-size and shortie -- no Ciment Québecs -- covered hoppers, 1 MT centerbeam, boxes, some Brand X scrap gons, a few CHUX lidded gons. 95 seems a healthy midweek train.
The EGT musta made better progress up Da Hill than I thought it would cuz back down at 335, EDPO was just east at 0509 and the 1 was MT. Dag: road speed on the Single between 335 and 345! Wonder if this is all part of presenting a salable property?
Another diversion -- a straight shot home instead of the usual route -- presented the view of no UGB span over Rte. 2 WB just east of Rte. 12.
For the rest of the trip, there would be static spurts, followed at 0528 by D-3/POED hash, followed by more static spurts. At 0550, D-3 would reach out to AYPO, roger what they said, then ask for the update , and at 0551, OK them on signal indication at AY.

0252-0455/10-09-2020 was a partial return to the D-3 reception issues of 10-05, but with a coupla curveballs thrown in. Things started with a hashed answer to the 7528 later to get a 241 as AY-5 -- followed by D-3 telling AY-3 that once AY-5 was outta the way at the wye he'd get them going.
Even though I didn't want any, hash would occasionally be served for the next number of minutes, that followed at 0321 when D-3 asked AY-5 if they'd left the 7609 in Fitchburg, hash again returning. At 0324 and x2 at 0325, D-3 reached out again to AY-5, developments unknown. That was followed at 0327 by a both-sides audible convo with FI-2 -- they had to clear up in 15, then we head to Derby?, followed by a roger that. At 0329, D-3 would turn his attention to Q426, saying he was just checking, the rest devolving into even more hash.
At 0331, the 333 WLs were dark, followed by Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s, all this to atypical radio silence until I was up Da Hill and D-3 answered POED at 0343, with naught else heard.
The 345s were and would remain dark during the drivethrough. Yards 2 and 4 had general that included large numbers of CRYO-TRANSes on both track plus -- among the visibles -- a few covered hoppers and -- on the easterly end of 4 -- a short but articulated table with red 2-high placarded bins. Sameoldsameold Ledger? The not-yet frost-felled vegetation inside and outside the gauge of the Heywood. At 0352, D-3 had again contacted POED, telling them they'd pick up Gardner, adding something broken-to-me about Fitchburg.
The start of the EB trip was quiet, and the 333 WLs were dark at 0404. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs were at Stop. At 0410, D-3 again reached out to POED, advising he had no info about Gardner, but when they got there to let him know if there was anything physically there. I was now deep into a ZombieZone, so the rest was lost.
The GL WLs were dark, but cuz the 330 1 EL was Clear, I spent a few unrewarded minutes there. On my way over to the dark FG WLs and at 0417, D-3 again served up hash, this time to Q427. At 0421, D-3 answered Q427 -- hash again ensuing -- and the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, FI-2 presumably at or near Derby by now.
0426 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark -- FI-2 either off the main or well east -- and 4 company gons still sat on the RVJ stub, and at 0427, D-3 would 241 AY-5 with the 7825 Single west to 2 at 312.
0430 was when things got interesting. AYPO would reach out to 23 -- yes, three -- K, beginning a series of sometimes heard and other times hashed receptions that would also involve D-3. AYPO said they'd been told to stand pat until 23K made their move, 23K responding that their train hadn't been tested yet. At 0437, D-3 would tell AYPO it was OK to take East Wye and continue working, that repeated at 0440.
Was the 10-09 23K a quick turnaround of the 10-09 22K? Was the 10-09 22K elsewhere? Had the 10-08 22K been late and delayed what shoulda been the 10-08 23K? So many questions, but no answers...
Oh yeah, there was also naught heard to, from, or about EDPO or AY-4.
Oh yeah again, there was no crossing noise from 427 as of 0600, but the wind has its ways.

0300-0450/10-12-2020 started off quiet, only Boston West given 0301 and 0302 confirmation that my scanner was working. At 0319, there was some Yard Channel garble, and at 0312, D-3 answered FI-2, rogering what they had said and then OKing them on signal indication. Then began a protracted spell of Yard Channel garble, 0322 offering some clarity when AYmebbePO called out to 426, garbling something about tying on.
An extended period of radio-silence-for-me now followed. This being a sorta-holiday, Rte. 2 was open during what otherwise woulda been demolition closure, but 400 would be on normal schedule. 400's new normal starting 11-02 will be a 25-minute earlier departure, that holding also for 402, so new challenges for D-3.
At 0330, the 333 WLs were dark, and to continuing lack of receptions, the 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark. Yard 1 and part of the Extension had general, coil cars and company gons among the visibles. At 0348, D-3 reached out to somebody, but PD Gardner was also doing a license-and-reg check, so any immediate D-3 activities woulda been overridden.
On the way EB, there were a few unattributable car countdowns, and the 333 WLs were again dark at 0358. Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 WLs at Stop and the GL WLs dark. Just in case, a check of the 330 ELs was made. They were all at Stops, and a shortish 22K was sitting on 2. There were MT wells visible, and the tail was across from the platform awning.
The FG WLs were at Stop, and ahead of 22K's racks were 2 unIDable trailers, dimmed NS 9273 being the leader, and at 0415, dark, solo, and west-facing KCIR 5972 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot. 0411 was when AY-4 had started being IDable and would continue active. and 0421 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and 4 company gons still sat on the RVJ stub.
It seemed like AY-4 wasn't the only 1 busy, that confirmed when a series of airbrake pressure readings led to a diagnosis of communication issues, that in turn confirmed to me when somebody told 427 "they" would have to rearm down at New Bond, anyways, a thanks-for-the-help in response.
Given distance and topography, the expectable garbling took place until D-3's 0441 fulfillment of Form D G302 (11-11 musta been quiet) and issuance of Form D G301 to CSXT 5244 for X25 to Burncoat, time effective 0443. D-3 asked for train info. What got to me sounded like 49x13 and 4239 length, the tonnage lost. D-3 rogered without repeating and hedzupped that there was a ??? unit at New Bond and to asked for time into DCS. At 0448, D-3 would answer 427, then roger and thank-you, presumably for DCS entry.
AY-3? EDPO? POED? Dunno. Never heard aught.

A heads up about Pan Am radio channel use around Ayer. Most likely because of conflicts on the primary yard channel 161.40, I've heard activity recently on 161.31. This is in addition to 161.25 which is often used as an alternate in the San Vel (auto) yard.

neman2-
TNX!

0300-0505/10-14-2020 didn't start off promising, the first reception coming at 0325, a D-3 shoutout to AY-3, followed by mush, only "signal indication to 312" being clear.
Radio silence would be the mode through the 0333 darkness on the 333 WLs, Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s, all unrelieved by any receptions.
On my way WB up Da Hill, there was 0343 garble, possibly involving FI-2, and up Da Hill the 345s were all at Stop, racks on the 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB and however far west. There was general east that included MT centerbeams and tanks, the marker by the 345 ELs. The apparently MT yard and the actually MT centerbeams kinda produced the guess that it might be a POED, a guess confirmed at 0350 by "OK to set them up, PO."
A slight trip west was undertaken, and yes, the OOS Pleasant Street OHB was still just that. The MassHighways project page showing a 2021 predicted completion. The dimmed leader -- ID obscured by trees -- was by the Wilkins Road dogleg, Even further west, the 346 WL was at Stop. To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or, about POED.
The EB trip was quiet until 0413 and some D-3 garbles that possibly involved AYPO. At 0416, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach and the GL WLs dark. Given the short 22K of 10-12, a side trip was made to the platform where the 330 ELs were all at Stop and the 2 MT and no marker visible to the east.
At 0427, there was AY-4 garble, and next the FG WLs were dark.0430 was when KCIR 5972 sat dimmed, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and at 0432, the scanner would catch "clear for 40." Mebbe AY-4.
Post a refueling stop, the EB staggers for Derby showed an Approach for 1 and a Stop for 2, no marker visible. Another short 22K holding at Slab City? Dunno, naught being heard to, from, or about 22K. And yes, 4 company gons still say on the RVJ stub.
At 0442, there was D-3 garble involving AY-3, followed in a minute by lotsa Yard Channel garble. In the next minute, a D-3 call to AY-3 would be heard with only an OK on signal indication being clear, as well as hashed AY-4 activity. 0445 would produce some temporary clarity when D-3 told AY-3 that AY-4 was working the east end that and they knew AY-3 was coming and to give them a call.
At 0453, AY-4 called out to AY-3, but the variables of distance and topography ate any further clarity.
0458 was when D-3 answered Q426, wishing them -- surprise -- a good morning, repeating they were 24x19. D-3 asked for the power, but did not repeat it, further stating they were to bring it up to Greendale. Whether there was to be a tiedown or live recrew escaped me.
Garble again resumed, and at 0504, D-3 reached out to Keolis 400, garble mode again returning.
EDPO? Yet another dunno.

0300-0500/10-16-2020 was active, starting at 0304 with what sounded like somebody's car countdowns and followed at 0307 by D-3 asking mebbe-AY-3 the number of MTs? All 32? Roger that.
At 0309, D-3 told POAY to pick up 5x7 off Track 11, the same time as somebody acknowledging the OK on the roll-by and giving thanks for the help.
Given my location -- Rte. 140 near the 7.8 crossing -- and the 0309 time. Q427's CSXT crew might seem a reasonable guess, but that would be proven wrong by the 0314 time effective for Form D G301 to CSXT 3015 for Burncoat to X25, followed by the usual request to call when into DCS. To conserve suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about 426.
0315 would be when D-3 would ask LA-18 -- not a typo -- about the reason for those cripple cars, rogering the response. 2 later, a breaking D-3 would acknowledge a lined and locked normal and give the OK down to Camp, AY-3 being my guess.
At 0335, there would be some D-3 garble, and at 0337, the 333 WLs would be dark and the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 stagger dark. Part way over to the also-dark 335s and at 0343, a breaking D-3 would 241 FI-2 with the 5972 2 east to ? at Derby, and at 0347, Mount Wachusett would work its mischief by letting only garble escape from D-3. 0349 was when the electromagnetic eclipse was over temporarily and D-3 was heard telling POED that they'd be picking up at Gardner and that he would fax the paperwork to Fitchburg.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark during the drivethrough. Westerly Yard 1 had racks -- MTs? -- from about the easterly end of the Bull Run, Yard 2 looked to be FP-FP with MT racks, and general on Yard 4 was visible through the rack gaps. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entry continued to be undisturbed vegetation within and without the gauge of the Heywood.
The start of the EB trip featured 0403 D-3 breakage to LA-18 about bringing racks to Fitchburg, things a bit clearer at 0506 when he gave FI-2 permission to reverse direction from where they stood at CPF-Derby, asking if they would be going East Side and rogering that it was West Side.
At 0411, the 333 WLs were dark, and the eastward progression would produce a series of garbles. The 330.8 WBs were both at Clear, and next would come a broken 241 to AY-3 for east to 1 at CPF-AY. The 330 WLs were at Stop and the GL WLs dark. The Clear for 330 1 EL was a pretty good hint that POED was still east. The 2 was MT with no marker visible to the east.
The FG WLs were dark, and at 0426, FI-2 was not to be seen, but POED was, NewBlue 7552 plus another NewBlue sitting dim across from the yard office.
At 0443, the RVJ yard was busy, so there was no viewing of the EB staggers for Derby, but there were probably lit cuzza FI-2 and/or a holding 22K -- more about which later. At least 2 company gons were visible from Nashua Street. Simultaneously, there was a permission to reverse direction from where they stood on the #1 at CPF-AY to AY-3 with the 7528.
At 0441 and while I was in yet another Mount Wachusett shadow zone, D-3 reached out to POED, a question about current location being clear amidst the otherwise hash. Out of the electromagnetic shadow and at 0445, D-3 OKd 22K up to Ayer, adding AY-3 would be entering the yard from Moores, 22K should talk to AY-3, and he would give 22K the signal once AY-3 had cleared.
At 0455, there would be D-3 hash, mebbe to LA-18, and at 0500 came "22K, 40 to go."
AY-4? EDPO? Naught heard, unless 1 of them was masquerading as LA-18.

0255-0500/10-19-2020 was a mashup of 2 60's musical references -- "Strange Days" and "Sounds of Silence." Until part way up Da Hill -- as will be seen later -- things were quiet except for some hash on the PW Yard Channel.
At 0332, the 333 WLs were dark, the subsequent Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s all to silence, save for the sound of tires crushing acorns. Truly OT, but 1 sign of seasonal change might be the condensate clouds from catch basins, but 1 more dramatic 1 would be the storm-system-look-alike from the the Greif paper recycling plant across from the 333s.
Just E of the crest on Rte. 2 WB came "OK to take it ahead again." The scanner was actually working. The Stops on the 345 ELs and the racks creeping WB on 2 over the Timpany Boulevard UGB showed that at least Gardner was active. There were cars standing on 2 E of West Switch, the slurries, shorties, and Irving-wrapped centerbeams indicating a probable POED. The marker was down near the 345 ELs, and a short WB trip was undertaken, only to find the tree-obscured power in back of LaChance Furniture. Air and then conductor math would be on the menu for more than my ADHD could tolerate, so I was EB again, again to silence.
At 0402, the the 333 WLs were dark, and 0412 was when there was a hashed D-3 shoutout to AY-3, naught further to be heard to, from, or about those guys. Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, not a hint that 400 would be on 2 cuz the 330 WLs were at Stop and sitting and loaded wells were visible by the Bike Shop/Zeda's. The GL Wls were dark, but a swing by the platform was made in case there might be another yet unlikely WB. Not in the near-term cuz the 330 ELs were all at Stop
The FG WLs were also at Stop, and just east of the gym sat dimmed NS 1175 plus a coupla Pony trailers.
There had been earlier and continuing yarding receptions, unattributable thanks to scanner timing, and doing the old back-and-forth on East Side was KCIR 7852 on the westerly end at 0426. The FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, and 6-packs generally don't get FI-1/2 assignments, so dunno if an AY local had come west. Amongst the shorties was a wrapped centerbeam, mebbe Maki-bound.
2 things happened at 0431 -- The RVJ yard was busy -- precluding viewing of the EB staggers for Derby, but not the company gons on the stub -- and car countdowns for 426 were clear. In another few, there would be a hashed discussion of air not yet showing.
Naught intelligible and naught unintelligible would be heard until the 0505 end of listening. Strange days, indeed.

Edited for Q427 update -- 0739, 0749, and 0824 crossing noises at appropriate intervals for Temple, Burncoat, and New Bond Streets -- the last a probable live recrew.

0258-0510/10-21-2020 started off with "You got pressure? I'll push the button. I don't know what else I can do," followed by a pause, followed by "OK. set 'em up when you're ready." There would be more, but the variables of distance and topography, would hashify it. The usual suspects -- 426/7 and AYPO -- would be heard about later.
At 0306, D-3 reached out to AY-3, giving a clear thanks for whatever their garbled response was. Naught further would be heard -- at least by me -- to, from, or about AY-3. At 0307, the D-3 side of a convo with TC T617 would begin, leading to the 0308 cancellation of Form D G302 with its Line 4 for the 2 between Camp and AY, and 0319 would be when "POED" and then hash got heard.
The arrival at the 333 WLs was at 0336, and before discussing what was there, a discussion of the 40-minute interval to get there, longer than the norm, despite the Rte. 2 detour between Rtes. 13 and 12 having been lifted. Fog that was sometimes light and sometimes heavy as well as the recognition that I had already exceeded my BambiBurger quota had me at <MAS.
Back to topic: 22K with NSs 9468, 9613, and 4189, followed by racks and wells and mebbe even tables, was dimmed and holding on 1 facing a Medium Clear, A recrew mighta happened, and it seemed like they wouldn't soon be leaving. 0336 was also when D-3 started a convo with 426, fulfilling their garbled-to-me Form D and then giving out a time-effective 0338 Form D G302 to CSXT 3342 for X25 to Burncoat. The usual request for update and -- presumably -- time into DCS were hashed. More hash got served on the way over to the 334s -- ELs and 1 stagger all Stops and loaded wells west -- but it was silent running over to the 335s. The ELs and WLs were all at Stop, 22K's marker was east of the State Road/Rte 2A UGB, and yes, the tie-handler was still in the lot.
On my way up Da Hill and at 0358, D-2 reached out to AYPO, advising that there were no additions to the Speed Summary, and that in a change of plans there would be a live recrew at Western Ave. In a sort of an update of the old "Can you here me now?" cell phone ads, it sounded like D-2 changed antennas 3 times, asking twice if they could "hear me on this one?" At 0400, FI-2 would reach out to D-3 on Channel 1. No response was heard by me, but mebbe their reachout was enough to get a favorable signal.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and would remain dark during the drivethrough. MT racks were on Yard 1 and the Extension and general on the westerly end of Yard 4. More will follow.
What had been radio silence got broken on my way EB at 0413 by a series of unattributable car countdowns. At 0421, the 33 WLs were dark, 22K somewhere east. More unattributable car countdowns got heard, and further east, the 330.8 WBs were both Clear and a Slow Approach on the 330 1 WL. The GL WLs were dark, but a swing by the platform was made to see if 22K's marker might be seen. It wasn't, but the all-stops 330 ELs were.
The FG WLs were also dark, and 0435, dark, solo, and west-facing KCIR 5972 sat in the FI-1/2 parking spot. 0442 was when the EB staggers for Derby was dark -- 22K evidently well east -- and 4 company gons still sat on the stub.
At 0446, AY-4 would tell D-3 that Track 1 was clear, and next, D-3 would tell 22K that it would be Track 1 and 2. Mount Wachusett now becoming a factor, things began to garble, clarity including a hedzup about POED at the Willows and something about the Train Master.
A bit clearer was the next reception, D-3 to POED. There would be a 39-car pickup at Gardner Track 4 had 4 racks and 18 freight plus the racks on Track 1. POED's paperwork showed only 13 freight, so D-3 would fax new paperwork to Fitchburg.
Things were generally quiet until some 0504 car countdowns, followed by the C or U saying 22K was east and clear of AY, had a Restricting, and to back it up for ??. The balance of listening featured 22K car countdowns with a coupla AY-4 car countdowns thrown in.
As of 0630, no Q427 crossing noise had been heard, so they probably got to Burncoat ahead of my getting home.

The key and unifying theme for 0254-0455/10-23-2020? Thanks yet again, Ralph Fisher -- vanishing markers.
0254 was when D-3 reached out to Q427, getting garble in response. Naught further would be heard to or about 427, but 427 would be both seen and heard from, as you shall later see.
At 0305, D-3 would reach out to A?(?)5, giving them permission for 1 east to 1 at AY, speculation about the alphanumeric recipient to follow, and then things got generally quiet.
At 0326, the 333 WLs were all at Stop, and adding to the redness was 22K's EB marker. At 0330, there was Road-side Channel 1 garble followed by Dispatcher-side breakage, "Is that correct?", "How long do you think you're going to be out?" and "OK on signal indication" being the clear bits.
The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark, and at 0335 there would be some D-3 garble.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were and did remain dark during the drivethrough. Yard 2 looked pretty much FP-FP with general that included a good number of CRYO-TRANSes, and 4 boxes -- including 2 CSXTs -- sat on the Extension. The Sameoldsameold Ledger? The Heywood's vegetation might not have grown much, but it hasn't experienced anything other than foot traffic.
On the EB leg and at 0350 came the rhyme "AY 4, coupla more," followed by -- thanks to Mount Wachusett -- D-3 garble.
At 0357, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2. The 330 WLs were at Stop, and loaded wells were visible on 2 by the Bike Shop/Zeda's. The GL WLs were dark, but a check was made of the 330 ELs -- all Stops.
There had been some unattributable hash that seemed like yard work, and the FG WLs were at Stop, 22K's dimmed power tucked away east by the power substation embankment. 0416 was when KCIR 7643 stopped up by 22K's power and began shoving their racks back to FMW. Guessing they mighta been the earlier -- 0305 -- recipients of the 1-to-1-at- AY and might even be AY-5. The FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0419, FI-2 never reaching my ears.
0424 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and 4 company gons still occupied the the RVJ stub. There would be the start of yarding receptions -- some clear and some fuzzed -- that would feature AY-4 when clear.
At 0339, D-3 reached out to POED, the partial transcription being that they were to pick up 14 racks -- tested -- at Fitchburg and a lost-to-me number of freight at Gardner.
Next and at 0442 and while I was still climbing outta Oakdale came the sound that befitted the gloom and drizzle -- "B&M Detector Mileage 7.8. Checking train." I was third in line for the ever-so-slow transit of boxes that included a pair of Big Gs and a Smurf, centerbeams that included MTs and unbranded white wraps and Irvings, full-size covered hoppers, and a coupla mebbe-HazMat white tanks, 0448 being the time of the simultaneous vanishing of the marker, announcing of no defects, and lifting of the gates. The acknowledgment followed from Q 427 with CSXT 6220.
Things were quiet -- at fleast or me -- for the balance of the trip, naught heard to, from, or about AY-3 or EDPO.

0251-0450/10-26-2020 offered some surprises, among them that it would fall to Boston West and AMTK to offer early proof of scanner function, hashed 0319 car countdowns being the first PAR/S activity. At 0324, the 333 WLs were dark, and then the 334 ELs at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark, all to ongoing silence until well WB and hash at 0333 involving ???? Extra and 4 loads.
The 345s were and would remain dark during the drivethrough, and the yard had some puzzlements, Yard 1 had covered hoppers, a few boxes, a tank, a few CRYO-TRANSes and -- extending onto the Extension -- 2 loaded racks. Yard 2 had a long string of loaded racks spotted in such a way to block the view of what might be or might not be on Yard 4. Dunno if the loaded racks meant that GRWO/WOGR didn't run on 10-25 or if the racks were too-late arrivals. At 0341, D-3 b would answer AY-3, then asked if they were lined and locked and had checked for mainline movement, and next OKed them on signal indication.
On the way EB, there would be Dispatcher-side Channel 1 garble at 0349, and -- confluence of right place at right 0551 time -- the 7.8 giving a no defects. At 0353, there was Yard Channel garble, only "AY-3" intelligible. That would be the last heard to, from, or about those guys.
At 0357, the 333 WLs were dark, and -- to more silence -- the 330.8 WBs would show a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 WLs at Stop and loaded wells visible at the Bike Shop/Zeda's. The GL WLs were dark, but a check was made at the platform -- loaded wells as far as the wet gloom would allow to be seen and Stops on the the 330 ELs.
The FG WLs were at Stop, and dimmed NS 4189 plus however many trailers had done just that just a bit west of the gym. There had been earlier yarding receptions strong enough to be from Fitchburg, and at 0411, NewBlue 5963 was shoving covered hoppers east, getting a "clear for 50" and "lined for Freight Main West" from the C.
Post refueling stop and at 0423, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, 4 company gons still on the RVJ stub. 3 later -- and another confluence of right place and right time -- came the sounds of 400's air being good and the C back on board.
0429 would produce garble, only "AYPO" and "LO" being clear, making it seem like D-2 might be the originator.
At 0431, a clearer D-3 would ask Q427 if they were west and clear of Burncoat and ready to fulfill Form D G301 to CSXT 630, that fulfillment, a roger, and a have a good day all happening also at 0431. The P&W St. Albans Dispatcher would get involved with both WX-3 and the WX-3 recrew, but unless it mighta happened then, there would be naught heard to. from, or about AY-4, POED, or EDPO.

0255-0450/10-28-2020 was more of the recent same -- rain and initial silence -- the St. Albans Dispatcher -- on both the PW and NECR channels -- offering early proof of scanner function.
At 0311, there would be some Yard Channel hash, followed at 0316 by ??AY -- probably POAY as later receptions might indicate -- calling out to D-3, D-3 unheard by me. 0323 would offer more Yard Channel garble, only "set off" being clear.
At 0329, the 333 WLs would be dark, the progress to the 334 ELs -- Stops -- and dark 334 1 stagger and dark 335s getting garbled and occasional accompaniment, also a feature of the WB trip up Da Hill.
The 345s were and would remain dark during the brief drivethrough. The yard was MT, and -- although not noted earlier -- Chestnut at Main remained shut down for some sorta work, no reason why jumping out in a quick web search.
At 0346, there had been D-2 garble to DOBO or BODO, naught further to be heard by me, and occasional garble would produce itself on the early part EB leg of the trip that included somebody calling out to D-3 on Channel 1 ~0350, D-3 giving a hashed-to-me response that ended with a clear "D-3 out."
At 0356, the 333 WLs were again dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs both at Stop. There had been additional garbles, but "AY-4, take it ahead" was clear at 0403. Just in case there might be a WB on the way, a stop was made at the platform, but the 330 ELs were all at Stop and no marker visible to the east.
The GL WLs had been dark, but the FG WLs were at Stop, a 4 units shoving east in response to the 0408 "POED, Restricting." At 0413, the power -- W-E -- NewBlue 7552, KCIR 5972, NewBlue 3402, and KCIR 7595 came to a halt on East Side, the FI-1/2 parking spot looking MT. D-3 had been on Channel 1 with somebody while POED's C was calling out the Restricting, the end of D-3's transmission being that the somebody would be held at West Wye and then Moores.
At 0420, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, 4 company gons still on the RVJ stub, and 0422 was when a semi-broken AYPO/D-3 convo took places -- 24x40, tonnage and length hashed, CSXT marker, D-3 acknowledging without repeating, giving a here-we-go for East Wye, and wishing them a good rest of their day.
Next, it would be Q427's turn. Form D G-328 to CSXT 3294 was fulfilled at 0426, and Form D G301 to CSXT 475 for X25 to Burncoat was made effective at 0328. The update got to me as hash, as was any repetition or request for time into DCS, but D-3 quickly would give thanks and another request for a good rest of the day.
At 0432, AY-4 would be briefly audible doing car countdowns, but I never heard a transmission or acknowledgment about 1 being clear, so dunno about 22K or AY-3 for that matter, unless 1 of them was the recipient of the 0408 D-3 partial about West Wye and Moores.
0443 would be when D-3 would reach out to POED, naught further being heard. Whatever their heavy lifting in Fitchburg might be, they'd probably highball MT Gardner unless they had a set-off. Never heard. Never heard -- as a matter of fact -- anything else for the rest of the trip.

0255-0500/10-30-2020 was heavy on hash, garbles, and partials, the extended wind-driven rain of late mebbe compromising some antennas. There would be intermittent Yard Channel garble, only a clear "AY-4" escaping at 0304, that followed at 0322 by a D-3 partial "lined and locked normal."
What had been rain now began changing to snow, an alternation that would continue for the rest of the trip. The precipitation, strong wind, and mid-30s temps may have had more than a few folks on the ground pondering their career choices.
At 0327, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual follow-ons for Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s being as per usual. Amidst all the static, somebody got a "5 to go" at 0336, and 0337 featured an AY-3/D-3 convo, AY-3 initially clear, but then matching D-3's breakage. AY-3 would be set up for a 0530 cab at the Pine Tree, and the switch was lined and locked normal for movement on the #1, effective at said 0337.
Even with the weight of rain and wet snow on the Aubuchon flag, the NNE wind was doing an excellent job of keeping that flag horizontal.
Power was already well east of the Pearson Boulevard UGB, and occupied wells showed it was 22K creeping east, the marker getting onto the Single at 0343. It should be no surprise the the 345s were at Stop. The yard was occupied, a mix of MT racks and general on 1 and on 4, more MT racks plus a placarded tank on the east. Where gaps permitted, there was naught visible on 2, but hoonose? The Sameoldsameold Ledger entry continued to be the Heywood vegetation that seemed to have seen only pedestrian traffic. At 0358, the 345s were still at Stop. 15 minutes has lately been usually enough for an EB to be beyond the next block, so mebbe the speedo spread per johnpbarlow and newpylong has gotten east.
The trip EB had a few static spurts, and in case 22K mighta gotten back to road speed, a swing by the 335s was made -- dark at 0406. At 0408, it sounded like "AY-2" came outta the speaker, and at 0411, there was D-2 garble about set-offs on North Wye, more to follow, but probably to or about an NA local, as further receptions would hint at .
The 333 WLs were dark at 0413, and further east the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330 WLs showed and Approach for 2, all else -- including the ELs -- at Stop. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0427, OldPaint 316 was dark, solo, and west-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot. Dunno, but mebbe FI-2 having put the power away was the cause of the earlier Approach on the 330 2 WL. 0427 was also when a clear D-2 241d POED with the 7898 at 303 North to North Wye.
At 0434, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and 4 company gons still sat on the RVJ stub, and period of hash, garbles, and partial returned, interrupted at 0416 by a D-2 241 to POED for the Freight Main Single East to the Freight Main Single at 303 and again at 0451 by another 241 for the Single East to 2 at NC, that being the last clear reception.
EDPO, AYPO, POAY, 426, 427? Heard naught, not even X7.8 crossing as of 0605.

0300-0455-11-02-2020 had compromised reception as its key and unifying theme, starting at 0301 with somebody telling somebody else to back it up 25. At 0310, there would be more hash, "22K" emerging clearly, followed by an ongoing an intermittent series of 22K car countdowns, followed at 0319 by a hashed 22K question to D-3 about the auto facility, followed by no audible-to-me response. A period of extended Yard Channel hash would begin, differing voices involved and 22K as the only clear party.
At 0332, the 333 WLs were dark and FI-2 would call out to D-3, that happening again at 0334 when they told D-3 they wanted to go West Side to East Side. This would be the start of a prolonged period of radio silence-to-me. The 334 ELs would be ar Stop and the the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were also dark, and 6 -- mebbe 7 cuzza the curve -- MT racks sat on Yard 1 west of the Yard Lead Switch. What did I learn today? If you're in the right place at the right time with the right amount of darkness, a WB pickup on Rte. 2 already slowed for the Timpany Boulevard offramp just might look like a WB TC on patrol. OT, but whatever had caused the closure of Chestnut Street at Main seemed to be over.
The EB trip was quiet until the 0357 start of intermittent hash. The 333 WLs were dark at 0402, and further east. the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, the Slow Clear on the 330 1 WL showing the route was already in for 400 and the new 25-minutes-earlier schedule.
The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0416, KCIR 7817 sat dark, solo, and west-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot, Also dark, solo, and facing west was another wide cab, further east on East Side and unIDable.
A necessary refueling took place, the poor timing of which was shown by the 0423 post-refueling reception of garble that included "AYPO," "Westford," and "racks." 2 later came garble about taking it down the thoroughfare, and 3 later came the sight of dark EB staggers for Derby and 4 company gons still on the RVJ stub.
0437 would present some DS-side hash on Channel 1, and 10 later, AY-4 would call out to somebody, only "Shirley" being clear.
Then Boston West would answer -- his word-choice -- "somebody," providing less-than-comforting assurance that I was not alone in reception "issues."
At 0447, D-3 would reach out to AY-3, but just I was entering the sag just south of Temple Street/Rte. 140/ MP X7.8, so no clarity ensued.
In totally unnecessary maintenance of thematic integrity, more Dispatcher-Side-of Channel-1 hash closed out my listening displeasure at 0455.
426/427? Naught heard to, from, or about, including crossing noise as of 0550.

0252-0435/11-04-2020 was more of sounds than sights, starting at 0253 with garble on the Dispatcher side of Channel 1, and followed by more garbles, occasional and on the Yard Channel.
At 0313, D-3 would reach out to AY-3, confirming that the switch was lined and locked normal for movement on the #1, adding that he would check with POAY to make sure they weren't in the way so he could get AY-3 back in. An extended period of Yard Channel garble would follow, "AY-4" being somewhat clear along with some fragmented car countdowns. Naught further would be heard to, from, or about AY-3, so signal indications mebbe got them home.
0324 was when the 333 WLs were dark, and 0325 was when FI-2 called out to D-3, a repetition happening at 0326 FI-2 wanting to go West Side to East Side, and D-3 asking about Deerfields and racks, and FI-2 saying they had moved 10 racks to FMW.
Now came a period of radio silence , the 334 ELs being at Stops and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark. At 0332, a breaking somebody would reach out to D-3, naught to immediately follow, so mebbe it was FI-2 calling for an EB light at the FG WLs and getting it.
Radio silence would reestablish itself, and up Da Hill the 345s were dark and the yard MT during what was more a zipthrough than a drivethrough.
The EB leg of the trip started with some 0343 PD Gardner override, followed by occasional Yard Channel hash. The 333 WLs were dark at 0351, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2. The 330 1 WL was at Slow Approach, and the GL WLs were dark. A check was made at the platform -- no marker east on 2 and the 330 ELs all at Stop.
A clear "AY-4" followed by hash was heard at 0400, and the FG WLs were dark, NewBlue 503 sitting dark, solo, and west-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot at 0405.
Seconds later, a both-sides-breaking exchange took place between D-3 and LAED or LA-18, location of waters -- west end -- the clear reception. "Waters" would escape Yard Channel hash at 0409, and at 0411, the EB staggers for Derby would be dark, 4 company gons still on the RVJ stub. To save suspense, naught would be heard to, from, or about 22K. Mebbe they were already yarded, or more-mebbe they were speedo-snagged.
For the rest of the trip, the only clear reception would start at 0430 when D-3 called out to POAY, me hearing garble in response and D-3 then giving an OK on signal indication at East Wye.
Naught would be hear to, from, or about Q426/7, including any crossing noise as of 0530, but crossing noise had been heard during daylight hours the last coupla days.
As a hedzup, 2200-0500 travel restrictions for the Commonwealth go into effect at 0001/11-06-2020. Exemptions for commuting and essential working exist, but no exemption exists for Gardner Gawking, so things will get shoved back a coupla hours.