Gardner Gawking

0240-0442/08-25-2021 made it seem -- given the increase in Dispatcher-side garble -- that Henri may have temporarily compromised the clarity of the PAR/S radio system even more. Things started off at 0241 with unattributable car countdowns. Next and at 0251 came some Dispatcher-side garble that resolved into a broken -- no clear Form D number or time effective -- Line 12 for Willow Road for the 7528, more about which later. At 0303, the garbles would shift over to Yard Channel.
OT -- Rte. 2 was open between Rtes. 13 and 12, and a message board advised of nighttime detours effective 08-29. Dunno if the earlier shutdowns had happened or had been PPD cuzza Henri.
0309 was when there were FI-2 car countdowns, the C telling the E at 0310 that there was already a marker and giving the E the number.
At 0314, the 333 WLs were at Stop, a dark elephant lineup of NSs 6945and 9817 and KCIR 7875 having done just that on the 1, covered hoppers immediately west. Over at 334, all signals were at Stop, racks from just east of the 334 1 stagger towards the westerly end of the platform. Guessing ED-8 cuzza the racks, but naught in confirmation would be heard to, from, or about. The 335 ELs and WLs were at Stop, and if there were low cars just west of the racks at 334, no marker was visible from the 335 lot.
There were some garbles on the way WB up Da Hill, some possibly from D-2.
The 345s were dark and the 4 had MT racks from the easterly end of Chair City Oil to the ambulance company, covered hoppers being visible up to just about the westerly FP.
The EB leg of the trip started off at 0346 with Dispatcher-side hash, some being IDable as public-safety encroachments. There'd also be some later AMTK contributions.to hash.
At 0353, the 333 WLs were still at Stop, the 6945 and followers still in place and no additions. At 0357 there would be D-3 breakage involving "lined and locked normal." Coulda been AY-3, but more likely AY-5, as later listenings would indicate . Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear, the 330 WLs and ELs dark, the GL WLs at Stop, and the FG WLs dark.
At 0407, KCIR 5976 -- yep, 6 and not 2 -- was dark, solo, and west-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot and a goodly number of Maersk DSes sat on East Side. Dunno WB or EB , but Ayer must be crowded.
At 0413, the EB staggers for Derby went from Approaches to dark -- 22K? -- and a company hoppers still sat on the RVJ stub. There would also be some POAY hash, more hash to follow, and more POAY attributions to follow that. 0422 would be when somebody got told something about -- as promised -- AY-5.
There would be some more Yard Channel hashes, but at 0439 and as I was parking, D-3 reached to the LGT with the 7528 with a 241 for 1 at CPF-WL east to Freight Main #1. The Line 12 for Willow Road had gotten to the 7528 ~50 minutes earlier, and the extra coupla minutes of waiting produced naught.
On the matter of naught, hope Henri was naught more than an inconvenience.

0245-0500/08-27-2021 started off with the automated Morse ID on the PVRR frequency, followed by the PW Road Channel and that followed by short servings of Yard Channel hash.
0303 provided some extended servings of Dispatcher-side garble, an observation about which will follow. The garbling shifted back to Yard Channel at 0307, followed at 0310 by exchanges of Dispatcher-side and Road-side hash.
OT again, but a message board to the west of the Rte. 2 WB advising of nighttime detours beginning 08-29 advises of similar nighttime detours, but starting on 09-06.
AMTK contributed to the hash at 0316, and at 0319, the 333 WLs were at Stop, no WB marker visible before the bend and no noise or headlights to the east. The lights stayed on, and over at 334 -- the WLs and 1 stagger all at Stop -- the reason became obvious -- MT racks however far east and west. Over at 335, the ELs and WLs were all at Stop, and unIDable power was a bit east of the EL. The 2 trailers were unIDable NSs, and the cars were now Maersk and other DSs, so guessing an ED-9. At 0334 came "POAY, back up" and then garble got heard. To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about POAY. Q426/7 would also be among the unheard, including X7.8 crossing noise as of 0610.
Most of the way up Da Hill and at 0341, D-3 would 241 ED-8 with the NS 6951 on the 2 at CPF-AY west to the 2. All the way up Da Hill the 345 ELs were at Stop, the 345 1 WL at Clear. The #2 had general from the easterly end of Chair City Oil to however far west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB, the easterly car -- an Interfor tented centerbeam -- had bills in the knuckle, so guessing they'd been left by ED-8. The yard was also crammed. 1 had general from west of the Yard Lead that included LPGs. There was more general on the 2 that included CRYO-TRANSes, and the 4 had apparently-MT racks.
At 0350 and changing antennas, D-3 had called out twice to 22K, advising he'd like to take them down to Fitchburg station for a tie-down. Some garble next followed. At 0353, D-3 reached out to 22K again, saying he couldn't copy them and asking them to try 1 more time. After a pause, he added they should give him a call when they got to Gardner because he could barely make them out. 22K by know had gotten into garble range for me, D-3 having asked if 0445 looked good.22K hadn't tripped the 346.6 by 0400, so I got EB.
It's absolutely no comfort that I am not alone in experiencing reception difficulties -- persistent reception difficulties.
There was occasional hash EB, D-3 reaching out at 0405 to the somebody calling him, but I was again entering Mount Wachusett's electromagnetic penumbra, so any further details got lost. At 0411, the 333 WLs showed a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, and D-3 produced some garble that included "ED-8" and "AY-3."
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 WLs and ELs dark, and the GL Controlled Siding WL at Medium Approach for the soon-to-approach 400.
There were some Yard Channel eruptions, and then at 0421, the FI-2 C told the E he could bring it to a stop, no rush. The FG WLs were dark, and to the east KCIR 5976 was shoving covered hoppers east on East Side at 0424, the FI-1/2 parking spot understandably MT.
The C would start car countdowns that would end with a far enough at 0427. Road traffic had permitted me to eyeball the scanner during this, and the FI-2 convos were on Channel 1, so mebbe they were the source of the earlier hashings, particularly on Dispatcher side.
At 0430, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, a company hopper still on the RVJ stub. FI-2 also opened a convo with D-3 about changing sides, D-3 advising that the 400 would have to get east first.
The final 29 minutes? just a few garbles. You know who hasn't;t been mentioned.

0245-0500/08-30-2021 started off eerily quiet, probable reasons to be revealed.
Again OT again -- At least at 0310, the Rte. 2 shutdown that was supposed to have gone into effect 1900/08-29 hadn't.
At 0317, the automated Morse ID on the PVRR frequency made its presence heard, the 333 WLs were all at Stop, and dark NSs 6952, 9822, and 7615 were in compliance, general to the west.
At 0322 "AY" and "4" emerged from some garble, probably part of "AYPO, 4 to go," given a later reception. The 334 signals were all at Stop, and DS trash containers were on the 1, so guessing an ED-8, though no racks were visible. Over at 335, the ELs and WLs were at Stop, no marker visible from the lot.
On the way WB, AMTK contributed a bit of garble at 0331, a minute later there being a spell of the Yard Channel variety.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop, and the yard was MT, so a short WB trip was made. General was visible from the Wilkins Road dogleg, as was unIDable -- from the all-red 346 WL, the GAAMHA lot, and the end of First Street -- power at the 346 ELs.
EB, there was some garble at 0404, and the 333 WLs were still all at Stop at 0407, the 6952 still in place. At 0411, D-3 answered FI-2, but loss of altitude meant full entry into the River Street ZombieZone, so further developments were lost.
Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2. The 330 WLs and ELs were dark, and the GL Controlled Siding WL showed a Medium Approach, so at least part of the route was in for the 400.
0421 was the start of a both-sides audible TC T617/D-3 exchange, leading to the 0422 cancellation of Form D 6309, a Line 4 for the #1 between FG and Derby. Everything was as it should be and there were no additions to the Restriction Summary. Guessing the TC was back at the Fitchburg engineering facility, given reception strength and clarity. No surprise, but among the unheards was a possible 241 at FG east to FMW. Mebbe the T617 had gone in at OX.
At 0427, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, and at 0432, the EB staggers for Derby were dark and a company hopper still on the RVJ stub.
0434 was when D-3 answered AY-3, asking if they were going to be able to clear up down there, then defaulting to garble mode. At 0438, a strong-sounding FI-2 called out to D-3, D-3 at 0440 answering AYPO and then going to AY-3, who asked if there could be a cab at the Pine Tree at 0530, D-3 saying he'd take care of it, 6 later being when D-3 asked AY-3 how long it would take then to get up to the Hill. 0447 was when Q427 called D-3, leading to the 0448 fulfillment of Form D G301 to CSXT 3317, 427 being west and clear of Burncoat by telemetry.
Further developments for FI-2 and AY-3? Dunno -- the last clarity to exit my scanner's speaker was at 0453 when Boston West wished somebody a good trip.
Others were missing, but given that the 1 had been Line 4d, FI-2 was mebbe at Lafarge and/or Keating, and 400 was on the way...

0245-0445/09-01-2021 started off with P&W Yard Channel garble, irony to follow.
Things were quiet until 0254 when Q426 called out to D-3 while I was in the center of West Boylston, meaning they could be anywhere from Burncoat to mebbe Campground, so I pulled over to copy, but got going again after a couple cuzza no D-3 response having been heard. Mebbe the call was them into DCS, but dunno, and to save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about 426/7.
The next noise -- Dispatcher-side hash -- came at 0306, reheated 5 later and responded to by Road-side hash. 0315 presented some garbled car countdowns, followed at 0316 by "Far enough there, POAY," that to be followed by some unattributable hash, "runaround" being the sole clarity.
At 0319, the 333 WLs were at Stop, and having done just that were dark NSs 6957, 9128, and 4194, followed by C&D tables, some occupied. 0322 would be the start of some hash, and over at 334, all the signals were at Stop and racks the dominant species. Guessing ED-8 and mebbe NERAIL will confirm later. The 335 ELs and WLs were at Stop, but no marker was visible from the 335 lot.
WB up Da Hill and at 0334, there would be hash involving BODO, followed by AMTK hash.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and the 4 was pretty much FP-FP with general -- gons east and CRYO-TRANes west, though they coulda been on the 1. The Extension and 1 had MT racks east, followed by LPGs and dunno what else. There mighta been some cars on 2, but not where I could see it. At 0343 and using what sounded like a more westerly antenna, D-3 answered a -- mebbe -- EDPO, confirming where they saw the fire next to the rail. SRY, but no further deets.
The EB trip was quiet until 0353 garbles , and at 0358, the 333 WLs were at Stop, nobody else having joined the 6957 and followers.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear, the 330 WLs and ELs dark, the GL WLs at Stop, and the FG WLs dark, and at 0413, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT.
There had been some Dispatcher-side hash at 0410, followed at 0415 by Boston West hash, followed at 0416 by D-3 reaching out to FI-2 to check how they were making out. After a pause, D-3 asked how many they had spotted, and FI-2 -- now within garble range -- seemed to give an extensive rundown, to which D-3 gave a roger and thank you. FI-2 as a sub for AY-5/AE-01 or mebbe even AY-3 or -4? Again, dunno.
At 0419, a company hopper was still on the RVJ stub and the EB staggers for Derby were at Approach. Mebbe a longish 22K holding at Slab City?
Very rare eruptions were features of the next 26 minutes, the final and ironic -- as promised -- eruption being PW Road at 0445.

0245-0450/09-03-2021 had 0250 CSX NA hash as the first proof of scanner function. There had been crossing noises heard inside Château-jaymaque of varying intensities either side of 0200 that suggested an EB, more about which later.
At 0301, D-3 answered FI-2 and gave them with the 5976 a 241 for 2 east to 2 at CPF-Derby. I'd gotten far enough north -- Sterling Center -- that the 5976 was now in garble range. There would be some Road-side hash at 0309, FI-2's C mebbe.
OT yet again -- The more easterly message board for the Rte. 2 nighttime detour between Rtes. 13 and 12 has disappeared, and the 1 right by Rte. 13 -- Exit 100 -- now advised that the start-date was now 09-12, not 09-05.
In more FI-2 news, at 0315, D-3 gave them permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to Derby. Guessing a runaround in progress.
At 0317, the 333 WLs were dark, and the 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark. There had been brief Dispatcher-side hash at 0325.
As a hint that The Deity Of Randomness would be generous, the 345 ELs were at Stop and racks sat on 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB. The marker for the racks was by the computer repair shop, and general sat on the 4 from the easterly FP to however far east. The 345 1 WL was at Clear, and though naught had been heard from the 346.6, the west got loud and then bright. NSs 6953, 7611, and 9660 hauled by with what looked like a stereotypical -- Brand X gons and coil cars among the boxes -- P&W setoff. At 0337, the 346.6 gave a no defects and 48°, but no axle count or length mebbe cuzza the decreasing speed, a stop being made just clear of the WLs at 0339.
At 0340, D-3 would answer Q426 and roger what they had said, evidence in support of the earlier EB guess. To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about Q426/7. Ditto for POAY/AYPO.
Silence was now being observed, so I went west. More racks were visible on 2 at the Wilkins Road dogleg, so guessing ED-9. At 0347, D-3 reached out to ED-8, advising that the Chief had indicated that the setoff should be left at the east end of the yard. At 0349 and over at Parkers, the 346 WL was at Stop, a marker on the racks on 1. 2 had a dimmed headlight for the WB, number board illegible cuzza the headlight. After several minutes and no increase in idle noise, I got myself EB.
With the PAS analog of The Centuries stopping at night, if 22K wasn't already east, it'd be mebbe 1-1/2 hours before they could be.
There may have been some more D-3/ED-8 convos, but there were definitely public-safety encroachments at 0351 and later.
EB and 0351 and in the electromagnetic lee of Mount Wachusett, there was brief Dispatcher-side hash.
At 0405, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs would be at Clear, the 330 WLs and ELs dark, and the GL WLs at Stop.
There had been garbled car countdowns and a clear "Far enough" at 0412. The FG WLs were dark, at at 0418, dark, solo, and west-facing KCIR 5976 was in the FI1/2 parking spot, possibly the source of the earlier car countdown.
At 0423 and thanks to only the most favorable indications on traffic lights, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, a company hopper still on the RVJ stub.
At 0425 and again at 0427, Keolis 400 reached out to D-3. Naught was heard either from him or from the 400 again, so guessing a light got put in.
There would be brief and isolated spurts of Yard Channel hash, and at 0441, D-3 answered AY-3, next advised they'd gotten stepped on, and then asked if they wanted the cab for the Pine Tree cab at 0500, rogering whatever they said.
Rare hash would close out the trip.

0240-0535/09-06-2021 provided quick proof of the occasional rewards of occasional randomness, the start time being a random 5 minutes early. There had been reasonably close crossing noise at 0229, but no power noise when I was going to my car. At 0253 and when I was about 5 minutes north of the Temple Street/Rte. 140/ MP X7.8 crossing, the talker announced he was checking train. 0258 was when the no defects came, There had been naught visible at any of the usual West Boylston vistas for WBs, so evidence was mounting that it had been Q426., although no acknowledgment got to me. At least I hadn't had the view of 10-mph axle after 10-mph axle for mebbe a mile of train.
0259 would be when D-3 would start giving occasionally broken yarding instructions to POAY -- a 7-car pickup and a power swap being clear, the power swap also being another data point in support of the 426 hypothesis. 10 later, D-3 would answer POAY and give the 7525 what brokenly seemed like a 241 for CPF-AY. 0309 would also be the start of an extended spell of naught coming outta the speaker.
At 0316, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual -- 334 ELs at Stop and 334 1 stagger and 335s dark -- to follow.
Up Da Hill, there were Stops on the 345 ELs and EB power by the old platform. At the Timpany Boulevard UGB, the 2 was MT, but the 1 held C&D containers. Dark, but crewed NS 6971, KCIR 7655, and NS 3608 sat facing a Clear on the 3435 1 WL east of more C&D wells, some singles and others DS, and although no racks were seen, guessing an ED-8, no audio during the trip to confirm or deny The gaps allowed a view of covered hoppers in the yard, mebbe 2 and 4.
Back east, the 333 WLs were dark at 0346. Further east, the 330.8 1 WB was at Clear and the 2 at Stop, usually a hint of something east, but the 330 WLs and ELs were dark, so dunno why the 330.8 2 WB was the way it was.
The GL WLs were at Stop, and the 2400 was due outta 333 at 0423.
The FG WLs were dark, and at 0359, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, they being the possible source of broken 0357 Dispatcher-side car countdowns, the 1st reception since 0309. 0359 also produced an unattributable "...anywhere. Whenever you're ready." Mebbe FI-2.
At 0405, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and a company hopper was still on the RVJ stub.
NECR hash was the next reception at 0413, followed at 0416 by hashed POAY car countdowns. POAY -- some times clearly and others less so -- would continue to provide audio input, closing out at 0434 with "POAY, another 35, 3-5," so the C musta been down towards the west end of the yard.
You know who hasn't been mentioned, and that's only cuz there was naught to, from, or about.

0245-0515/09-08-2021 was busy, starting at the start with D-2 -- yes, two -- calling out to PO- or B0-2. I didn't move for a few to encourage further receptions, but none came in the short term, so I got on the move.
At 0259, D-3 answered AY-3, and after confirming that the Milling switch was lined and locked normal, OKd them to head west. 0313 would be the start of a period of Yard Channel garbles, naught clear.
OT, but my arrival on Rte. 2 WB was in time to see some of the detour barricade trucks also WB -- presumably to their staging areas -- so the nighttime detour was actually happening.
At 0321, the 333 WLs were at Stop, dark and elephant-style NSs 6957, 4194, and 9628 -- mebbe ED-8 -- having done just that on 1. There were DS trash wells to the immediate west and covered hoppers over at 334, the ELs and 1 stagger at Stop.
At 0320, somebody told somebody else there was 89 on the marker, and a couple later mebbe-AY-3 said they were looking for West Main Street. The 335s were all at Stop, and no marker was visible from the 335 lot, although a short ramped utility tailer was.
At 0336, D-3 asked for an update, and then issued Q427 with CSXT 3125 Form D G303 form X25 to Burncoat, time effective 0338. To close out 427, there was X7.8 crossing noise at 0531, X6.0 crossing noise at 0541 and Burncoat crossing noise at 0551. Strangely, when I ghad gotten outta my car, there was neither crossing nor power noise to the east. Mebbe the increasing humidity is affecting sound across the Wachusett. Or mebbe all those years with the volume at 11 is catching up with me.
0338 had also been when D-2 reached out to PO- or BO-2 again, but whatever might have gotten received got preempted by D-3's activity with 427. At 0340, POAY reached out to D-3, asking if it was OK to make their move, adding the east end was tied up.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop. the yard was pretty much FP-FP on 4, CRYO-TRANSes , then covered hoppers, then LPGs, then more covered hoppers to the west. The easterly end of the 2 had 2 Brand X high-side gons and then 5 occupied and unplacarded trash containers.
Further west on 2 and by the easterly Royal Steam Heater building was a solo covered hopper, a hint of strangeness to come. The Timpany Boulevard UGB was MT, but there were even more CRYO-TRANSes by the Wilkins Road dogleg, and at 0359, the 346 WL was at Stop, but neither power nor marker visible on 2 to the east. There was naught visible over at First Street, nor was there any idling noise, so dunno what the situation might be.
Starting at 0349, there had been a number of public-safety encroachments, and at 0359, D-3 had answered AY-3 with the 7523, giving them permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed east towards CPF-AY, and at 0407, D-3 would reach out to 22K, advising they'd be waiting on both AY-3 and AYPO and adding that their yarding instructions were 1 to 2. 0410 produced more public-safety activity, and Boston West would contribute to the garble at 0416.
0420 produced the Diagnosis of the Day when somebody said to somebody else the following: "We got too much going on at Ayer today."
0421 was when the 333 Controlled Siding WL showed a Medium Clear and the mebbe-ED-8 still sat still on the 1.
Dispatcher-side garble was becoming frequent, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2. The 330 WLs and ELs were still dark, and the GL Controlled Siding was at Medium Approach.
At 0432, the 400 would call out a Slow Approach for the #1 at 330. The FG WLs would be dark, and at 0431, the 400 called out the Medium approach for GL and the FI-1/2 parking spot MT. I heard no call for the FGs, so guessing the 1 WL was Medium Clear.
AT 0439, a company hopper sat on the RVJ stub and the EB staggers for Derby were dark, going to Stop for the 1 and Approach for the 2 at 0440. That was also when D-3 asked POED if there was any chance of them stopping at the Willows, rogering their response.
0442 was when the 400 C gave the go, the 2 EB being dropped at 0444 by a flat control car and the 1134 as power. Retentive readers will remember that I normally qualify the consist, the the radio waves were busy, the 400 E calling out the Approach for Derby, then adding that they might be following somebody, somebody then adding that they were running tight on switches, and the 400 E responding with a no problems, they'd take them as they got them.
There would be occasional hash until 0505 when D-3 advised POED that they could start moving west. More POED activity came at 0511, D-3 OKing POED to hit the PTC "O" button. Sparse Yard Channel breakage would close out the trip.
My fingers are tired, as are your eyes.

0240-0445/09-10-2011 had some surprises, things being quiet until 0249 with brief Yard Channel garbles. Boston West joined in the garbling at 0257, followed by some Road-side garble at 0300. At 0303 and again at 0305, FI-2 -- mebbe the earlier Road-side garble -- reached out to D-3, wanting to change sides and D-3 OKing it on signal indication.
At 0313, the 333 WLs were dark, Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s to follow. Receptions were both broken and non-company -- Old Colony, and NECR -- until 0326 when D-3 241d BO-2 with NS 6975 2 west to 2 at CPF-AY.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop, as was the general -- including CRYO-TRANSes -- on the 1 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB. Dark NSs 6958, 1008, and 9659 sat by the old platform followed by covered hoppers, a pair of loaded racks, another covered hopper and Safe Harbors containers. The gaps showed general on 4 and 2 in the yard. Why stopped on 1 instead of 2? Dunno. There had been some public-safety encroachments possible overriding company activity.
At 0336, D-3 answered AY-3, rogered what they'd said, and OKd them on signal indication. At 0337 and the start the EB leg of the trip, D-3 answered Q427 and fulfilled 426's Form D G329 at 0338, asking next for the rest of their power lineup. CSXT 814 would get Form D G302 for X25 to Burncoat made effective at 0339, followed by a request for train length, followed by another request for a shout when into DCS. 0342 was when D-3 would answer somebody and then thank them, so mebbe that was for 427's shout. To close out 427, when I got outta my car, there was distant power and crossing noise from the far side of the reservoir. There would be crossing noise for X7.8 at 0527, for X6.0 at 0538, and for Burncoat at 0546.
At 0349, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0350 and 1 later, D-3 served up some receptions by calling out to BO-2, possible further developments now subject to the ZombieZone. Puzzling that Pony power was on a BO local. At least to me.
Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were dark -- yes, not lit -- as were the 330 WLs and ELs.The GL WLs were at Stop, and the FG WLs dark.
At 0408, FI-2 -- power obscured by trees -- was hauling cars outta East Side towards the FG ELs, doing car countdowns and calling out on Channel 1 to D-3 to get a switch.
At 0410, D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7541 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY, and at 0414, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, a company hopper continuing to rust-weld to the RVJ stub.
0432 would be when D-3 answered AYPO, advise he was ready to copy, roger, ask for the marker number, OK them to pull down to East Wye, and again OK them to accept signal indication.
At 0438, D-3 OKd AY-3 to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west towards CPF-AY. 1 later, D-3 reached out to FI-3 with NS 6952 to see how things were working out. This would be followed by 2 more attempted raisings of FI-3 at 0440. As of 0445, naught further got to me in my parked car, so I went inside.

20 years...

Edited for update-
CSXTs 814, 5481, and 3387 holding with 427 at New Bond at 0750. Train got almost to the Burger King building -- covered hoppers, coupla Irving centerbeams, boxes including a Big G, and then tanks with green placarding and a mebbe-buffer covered hopper.

0240-0500/09-13-2021 was busy. There had been Worcester Main crossing noises at 0210, 0216, and 0227, appropriate for Q426. To save suspense. naught further would be heard to, from, or about 426/7 except for a garbled D-3 0406 shoutout to the 426. Ditto AYPO/POAY, although that shouldn't be a surprise, given that at 0247 D-3 would reach out to the LGT, advising that AY-3 was doing their runaround at Spagna and that once they headed west, he'd take the LGT, AY-3 with the 7541 next getting a 241 for the Single west to 2 at 312.
At 0303, D-3 would garble something about "between 334 and 335" to somebody, later witnessed to be FI-2.
In even more OT news, the Rte. 2 WB message board by Exit 100 -- Rte. 13 -- now advised of nighttime detours starting 09-19.
At 0313, the 333 WLs were all at Stop, no markers to the immediate west or headlights/noise to the east. A view from the Wachusett station lot was made, and racks sat on 1 from the westerly end of the platform, the view of a possible marker blocked. Over at 334, the Controlled Siding EL and 1 stagger -- racks continuing to the west -- were at Stop and the 2 EL at Approach Medium, a Medium Clear on the 335 2 EL. A bit west of the 335 ELs, the cars on 1 were now double-stack and single-high trashes however far east of the State Road/ Rte. 2A UGB. Guessing that what would be ED-9 cars had been and would again be hauled west to free things points east for the LGT. In another few, NewBlue 5958 hauled west and came to a stop, FI-2 with the 5958 getting a 0338 241 for the 335 Single east to 1. It'd be a bit before they were WB, but not for me. And yes, the MT ramped utility trailer was still in the 335 lot.
The WB trip was quiet, and the 345s were at Stop, 22K on 1 with dark NSs 6958, 9660, and 7611 in full compliance. There was a mix of general on the 4 from the easterly FP to however far west of Royal Steam Heater.
The EB trip started off quiet except for 0352 Boston West garble, and back at 335, dark 5958 was still at idle east of the ELs at 0405, no surprise given the amount of brakes that would have to be released.
At 0413, the 333 WLs now showed a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, that quickly followed be some DS-side hash. 0415 would present a "Here we go. Looks like the commuter's coming," so most probably FI-2, and FI-2 would most likely be in Gardner before 22K was outta Gardner.
Things now returned to Quiet Mode, and further east, the 330.8 WBs continued to be dark, as were the 330 WLs and ELs, the GL WLs were at Stop, the 400's route not yet in.
The FG WLs were dark, and -- no surprise -- the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0426. 5 later, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, a company hopper still on the RVJ stub.
At 0439 and while I was in the electromagnetic shadow of Mount Wachusett, D-3 reached out to an equally broken ED-9. Whatever question was involved in ED-9's response got a "Nothing special" response for D-3. Didn't hear about possible Gardner pickups.
The 0444 garbler would be NECR, to be followed by 0450 D-3 clarity to the LGT, confirming that the LGT with the 7595 was in the clear at the Milling and that the switch was lined and locked normal. There would be a roger, a pause, and the a "I'll give them a call."
Quiet until the 0550 end of listening.

Edited for update -- Probable 427 X7.8 crossing noise 0756 and X6.0 0807.

0240-0455/09-15-2021was busy and surprising, The Deity Of Randomness starting things off at 0244 when D-3 called out to the -- his phrasing -- MTG to check to see if they'd lined the switch for Main Line movements, rogering whatever the response was and asking that they let him know. Not much later came "...including the switch lined and locked normal?" A roger followed.
0300 was the time for yarding instructions for AYPO with the 7489. They were to run in on IM-3, water to IM-1, with pickups on 11. There was also something about 23 -- yes, three -- K. Additionally, they were to call Q426, who was waiting down at MP X25 for them. The 0308 and 0310 Dispatcher-side hashes mebbe mighta been AYPO talking to 426 on 1. To save suspense, naught further clear would be heard to, from, or about AYPO/POAY or Q426/7. Or 22/23K, for that matter.
At 0314, the 333 WLs would be at Stop, as would be all at 334 and 335 with naught visible -- or audible -- for shunting. Yes, the ramped utility trailer was in the 335 lot. Part way WB up Da Hill, there would brief unIDable garble.
Up Da Hill was "interesting." The 345s were at Stop. There were MT racks on the 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB, changing to general and ending in a markerless and billless SSEX high-side gon by the westerly end of Chair City Oil.
2 and 4 in the yard had general, and couldn't see anything on the 1. The House? Crammed with track equipment, including 2 tampers. Also on the Timpany Boulevard UGB -- but on the 1 -- were loaded racks however far west that changed into general to the east up to mebbe the ambulance company. Visible scattered on the main and the yard were CRYO-TRANSes. Dunno how happy shippers, consignees, P&W and NS sales forces and officers might be about the big freeze in time-sensitive movements. The choreography to uncram the yard -- let alone get track equipment out on the road -- does seem daunting.
Further west, there was general visible on 2 at the Wilkins Road dogleg, no hints about what might be on the 1, and at 0349, the 346 WL was at Stop, naught visible to the immediate east, and at 0354, D-3 called out to the EGT to again check on progress, no response heard to any possible response.
The EB trip would be quiet until 0403 AMTK garble, followed at 0404 by broken D-3 authorization for the 7595 -- EGT? --to enter track 1, time of authorization 0405.
0406 would start a both-sides intelligible TC T 669/ D-3 convo, the Foreman looking to follow the 1st inbound to start his patrol. 0408 was when the 333 WLs were still at Stop and no shunters visibilityle. It was also when D-3 told T669 he'd be taken care of once they left the facility.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Stop, the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach and the 2 WL at Stop, the 330 ELs all at Stop, again with no visible shunting. The GL WLs were at Stop and the FG WLs dark, that and radio silence compounding the shunting puzzlement.
At 0422, NewBlue 5958 was dark, solo, and west-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and 2 later, D-3 renewed contact with TC T669 with Form D G304 with a Line 2 for CPF-335 to CPF-330 on the 2, Controlled Siding, and the 1 to CPF-330 and a Line 3 to pass Stop signals at 335, 334, and 333, time effective 0426.
At 0427, D-3 OKd somebody on signal indication, and at 0428, the RVJ yard was active, so there was no line of sight to the EB staggers for Derby, but a company hopper was visible on the stub from Nashua Street.
At 0437, there would be brief and unIDable garble, and at 0441, D-3 would answer -- again, his phrasing -- "...a train," responding with an "Alright" and "Roger that." Mount Wachusett again in play, there were extended D-3 garbles at 0444 and 0447, the later letting CPF-330" escape, so dunno if TC T669's G304 mighta gotten fulfilled and a new Form D was issued for points east.
The next few were -- at least for me -- quiet. Just guessing that since naught had been heard to, from, or about AY-3 that the crew mighta been repurposed as the EGT to get the 2nd half ready to be WB.

Just a guess, maybe MTG= maintenance or main tie gang ?

Possibly, but D-3 did use the MTG ID -- MT Grain? -- and Empty Grain Train ID while I was listening.
1 thing that was missing from all the equipment on the House was any work-area lighting, so guessing the track crew is daylight-only. At least I hope so for their sake. Mebbe the lighting coulda been left in place...

Empty Grain makes more sense.

0240-0506/09-21-2021 was another busy trip in which The Deity Of Randomness would be bountiful, starting out at 0244 when D-3 reached out to AY-3, naught further until 0245 when D-3 turned his attention to ED-8, saying they should call him at WL for a 241. In another couple, Q426 would reach out to D-3, say something hashed about Shrewsbury Street -- MP X6.0 -- and a hashing D-3 would say -- clearly -- he was out. D-3 would now answer ED-8, giving NS 6955 a 241 for the 2 at the CPF-WL to 2 east on the Freight Main.
0257 was when D-3 reached out to AY-3 again -- with a quick repeat. 2 later and with Mount Wachusett a factor, there was DS-side hash -- AY-3? -- followed in a bit by more DS-side hash, "ED-8" -- to or about, dunno -- being clear.
Quiet Mode was now to go into effect, and at 0312, the 333 WLs were at Stop, dark NSs 6964, 8080, and 8028 on the east end of general that had become loaded racks over at 334, where the ELs and 1 stagger were at Stop. Ditto for the 335 ELs and WLs. There was no marker visible from the 335 lot, and there was no ramped utility trailer visible in the 335 lot.
At 0323, AY-3 with the 7552 would reach out to D-3. They had 0x18 to move, but D-3 had FI-2, so he'd see if he could get them to clear up. The D-3 side of that convo included his acknowledgment that it would be a while and the inquiry about whether they'd be heading back west. AY-3 would get an OK on signal indication.
Mount Wachusett again a factor, and there was DS-side hash at 0326, 0329 producing D-3 clarity when he confirmed that FI-2 was in the clear and the switch lined and locked for normal movement, adding he'd get them back out as soon as he could.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WL at Clear. There were MT racks on 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB that continued east to a marker across from the easterly end of the MART garage. There was general in the yard visible on the easterly end of 2 and 4. Dunno about the 1. The House? MT -- probable relocation for the track equipment to be revealed later.
A bit to the west, there were tanks visible over at the Wilkins Road dogleg, and at 0348, the 346 WL was at Clear and dark power -- a probable KCIR -- sat to the east. A trip to First Street disclosed no ID, and at the start of the EB leg of the trip, D-3 reached out to EDPO, advising they'd be tying down at the Fitchburg platform. EDPO was marginally audible, but any thought that they might be the 333 EB got shelved at 0356 when the 346.6 came on, in more than ample time to get to the Jade lot.
The west got loud and bright, and to 0400, the 346.6 gave a no defects, total axle count of 557, 56°, and 8272'. The temp was in line with my car's thermometer, but I distrust odd-numbered axle counts and thus lengths, but not after KCIR 7620, NewBlue 7595, and KCIRs 7523 and 7626 got a monstah 128 onto the Single at 0405. Can't remember the last time I keyboarded "monstah." There were shorties, including Ciment Québecs; lotsa boxes, including 2 Big Gs and 1 Smurf; centerbeams, including MTs and Pro Lam, Collins, and unbranded loads; scattered LPGs; and 2 separated cuts of structural steel tables.
At 0407 and in a flurry of public safety encroachments, D-3 answered FI-2 and at 0408 gave the 5958 authorization to enter the 2 at the Old Ford Yard and proceed east to AY. So if FI-2 is doing trash, has AY-4 been trashed? It's been a bit since I've heard aught to, from, or about them.
As my EB progress continued, the 346.6 came on at 0412. Another EB or the WB at Parkers? Dunno. Mount Wachusett would again be obstructionist, 0415 and 0417 producing some DS-side garbles.
0419 would have a Medium Clear on the 333 Controlled Siding WL and the EB still on the 1, so EDPO would most definitely be trailing the 400. Further east, the 330.8 WBs and 330 WLs and ELs were dark, the GL controlled Siding at Medium Approach Medium, at the FG WLs dark.
At 0431, the the FI-1/2 parking spot was unsurprisingly MT, and 7 later with the RVJ lot active, there was no view of the EB staggers for Derby and company hopper status wasn't visible from Nashua Street.
At 0445 and a coupla more, there would be some hashes that suggested car countdowns. 0454 would be when D-3 in garble mode would answer Q426. To save suspense, naught would further be heard to from, or about 426/7. AYPO/POAY would also be an airwaves absentee.
0458 would be when an again breaking D-3 reached out to AY-3, asking if they wanted a 241 or would accept signal indication, any response or response to a response lost, except for a roger.
0505 would normally be when I would have shut off the scanner, but D-3 reached out to ED-8, his side of the convo advising that they should spot what they could, but to get all their cars off the main and the power up to Westford cuz ~0700 would be the start of dumping stone, leading to the supposition that the House's 09-15 track equipment was now 30+ miles east.

May 09-20 be uneventful...

0240-0441/09-20-2021 started off a couple later with the P&W Dispatcher St. Albans proving that the scanner was working, only brief, scattered, and unIDable eruptions offering further proof for a prolonged period.
OT -- It wasn't that traffic would be detoured off Rte. 2 WB at Exit 100/Rte. 13, but that Exit 100 itself would be closed. At least it was at 0305. At 0311, the PVRR frequency automated Morse ID provided a bit more proof of scanner function, silence again going into effect.
At 0312, the 333 WLs were dark. At 0313, there would be D-3 hash from which only "Form D G301" would emerge clearly. Coulda been Q426's Line 2, given later receptions. The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark. OT again, but belated thanks to Fitchburg DPW for regrading the unpaved portion of Curtis Road.
Part way WB up Da Hill and at 0321, D-3 gave AY-3 with the 7552 authority to enter the #1 and proceed west to CPF-WL.
The 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, 22K with dark NSs 6971, 9660, and 7611 having done just that with mostly-occupied wells and tables however far west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB. There were apparently MT racks in the yard on 1, something on 2 and mebbe 4.
EB and just west of the Rte. 2 EB crest, there was Yard Channel garble at 0336, followed immediately by D-3 answering Q426 and going into garble. Given -- again -- later receptions, this was probably acknowledging 426 into DCS. 2 later came "????, back 19, 19," followed by garbles.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were dark, and just west of them, and in yet another OT, the rotary/Cleghorn Cumby's had also gone dark, so no 24-hour food & fuel in that area now. The 330 WLs and ELs were dark, the GL WLs were at Stop, the FG WLs dark, and at 0357, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT.
Post refueling stop, there was 0404 garble that included "POAY," the POAY next reaching out to Q426 on Yard Channel and hash ensuing. D-3 would answer POAY, checking to see their work progress and ask if they were waiting for Q426, informing PAY after a pause that 426 was into DCS at 0330 and advising it'd be another hour-and-a-half, next asking if POAY was anywhere where a cab could get to them. There was more but garbled involving 0500 and Chelmsford. At 0409, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, a company hopper still on the RVJ stub.
0410 would be when AY-3 would be 241d 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY, and at 0426, they would get permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to CPF-AY.
At 0432, D-3 reached out to a Foreman about track equipment and West Main, saying there would be a Line 4 and then a Line 2. Form D G304 -- time effective 0434 -- would Line 4 the #1 for TC 1312 between the CPF-AY WL and CPF-WL, that followed by a request for how many on the "+ 1" for the later Line 2, answer unheard. 0435 would give permission to the Foreman to enter the interlocking limits.
0436 would be when D-3 asked POAY if they were coming down East Wye now, advising that they needed to go in at Moores or they could wait for 400 to pass and he could then take them in at Camp.\D-3 would call out to POAY x2, then answer whoever was calling. Naught further heard by 0441, I went inside.
Things have been busy at night.