QB 52.32 wrote:The business in the Cryo Trans cars is now moving via CSX, as is the auto traffic.Tnx!
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
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Gardner Gawking
- Pan Am Southern (webssite: https://panamsouthern.com ) is jointly-owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern, but operated by Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Pittsburg & Shawmut dba Berkshire and Eastern,
Moderator: MEC407
CSX Q426 has been moving 6-12 P&W bound auto racks approximately every other day to Worcester for the past month or so. And last night (4/26/22), Q115 hauled 15 presumably empty auto racks from P&W west from Worcester to Selkirk. But maybe this is new NORAD Davisville business?
None seen recently per your reason, but there have also been earlier times when there were no racks there because either racks for the P&W had gone before I got there or racks from the P&W had already been picked up, my sampling window being miniscule.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
Understood, but your Gawkings have been confirmed by my own gawkings and gatherings, including, to Mr. Barlow's point, with racks for the P&W moving in typical volumes now on CSX last 10 of 14 days. Bears continued gawking.
0230-0420/04-29-2022 started off and stayed pretty much slow, 0232 P&W Dispatcher St. Albans first on Road and then Yard channel, followed at 0254 by Boston West.
Company receptions would start at 0254 with brief Road-side hash, 2 later the same for Yard Channel hash brevity.
At 0300, the 333 WLs were dark, the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 WB stagger and 335s dark in sequence.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, The Extension and 1 were pretty much FP-FP with mixed general, covered hoppers predominating and 2 and 4 -- at least on the E -- were MT. Ties still occupied the ground between the House and MART fence.
EB and at 0324, D-2 -- two -- reached out to BODO, but went into hash mode. More hash came at 0328, only "AY-3" being clear.
At 0330, the 333 WLS were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, all else up to and including the GL WLs dark.
The FG WLs and ELs, however, were at Stop. At 0346, KCIR 5972 was dark, solo and facing E in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the rest of the W end of East Side pretty much MT. Dunno whether burndown from a recent FI-2 move might still be in progress, but naught to, from, or about FI-2 had gotten outta the scanner's speaker.
0346 was also when a breaking D-3 reached out to Q426, in keeping with the distant XNG noise to the E I'd heard at 0228 was I was going to my car. Naught further was heard to, from, or about 426, but at 0349, the POAY E got told he was on the pin, hash to follow, as did a 0351 "POAY, far enough."
0352 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and also when 4 covered hoppers sat on the RVJ stub and also when D-3 called out to AY-3, rogered what they said, and OKed them to head down to *hashed, but probably 312, as will be seen in a bit.*
Quiet mode resumed until 0415 when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7575 from the Single W to 2 at CPF 312, the balance of listening time producing naught.
Company receptions would start at 0254 with brief Road-side hash, 2 later the same for Yard Channel hash brevity.
At 0300, the 333 WLs were dark, the 334 ELs at Stop and the 1 WB stagger and 335s dark in sequence.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, The Extension and 1 were pretty much FP-FP with mixed general, covered hoppers predominating and 2 and 4 -- at least on the E -- were MT. Ties still occupied the ground between the House and MART fence.
EB and at 0324, D-2 -- two -- reached out to BODO, but went into hash mode. More hash came at 0328, only "AY-3" being clear.
At 0330, the 333 WLS were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, all else up to and including the GL WLs dark.
The FG WLs and ELs, however, were at Stop. At 0346, KCIR 5972 was dark, solo and facing E in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the rest of the W end of East Side pretty much MT. Dunno whether burndown from a recent FI-2 move might still be in progress, but naught to, from, or about FI-2 had gotten outta the scanner's speaker.
0346 was also when a breaking D-3 reached out to Q426, in keeping with the distant XNG noise to the E I'd heard at 0228 was I was going to my car. Naught further was heard to, from, or about 426, but at 0349, the POAY E got told he was on the pin, hash to follow, as did a 0351 "POAY, far enough."
0352 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and also when 4 covered hoppers sat on the RVJ stub and also when D-3 called out to AY-3, rogered what they said, and OKed them to head down to *hashed, but probably 312, as will be seen in a bit.*
Quiet mode resumed until 0415 when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7575 from the Single W to 2 at CPF 312, the balance of listening time producing naught.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
0233-0425/05-02-2022 was busy with hash, the start being "POAY, back about *hash.*" That would be the last to, from, or about POAY/AYPO. The 0249 hash was on Dispatcher side, but 0251 would present clarity: D-3 told ED-9 with NS 6957 they were to pick up 1x6 from West Main Street and test them in the clear on the siding. More mentions of ED-9 will follow, and they could even have been part of the the 0254 resumption of Dispatcher-side hash.
At 0306, the 333 WLs were dark, but in a few, the 334 ELs and 1 WB stagger were solid red cuz 22K -- or mebbe I22K -- was rolling EB, the marker getting E of the EL at 0312, the same time that D-3 reached out to Q427 and asked if they were ready to fulfill *hash again for quite some time,* so I guess that 427's Form D also got issued. I'd heard pre-alertness XNG noises either side of 0001, so that would seem a quicker-than-normal-of-late turnaround for 426/7.
The 335s were dark, followed at 0319 by brief Yard Channel hash, followed at 0320 by D-3 answering ?H-1, an alphanumeric unknown to me.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and 2 in the yard was almost FP-FP with general that included MT centerbeams, unplacarded tanks, and lotsa covered hoppers. 4 also had covered hoppers and hoonose what else, and the ground between the House and the MART fence still had ties.
EB at 0333, there was Yard Channel hash, followed immediately by what coulda been a 241 to ED-9, who mighta had a ?, too, cuz D-3 repeated it as a 241 for 1 E at CPF-Camp to 1 and back to their train. Even more in re ED-9 will follow.
At 0340, the 333 WLs were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, the 330.8 WBs and all else up to and including the GL WLs dark.
The FG WLs, however, were at Stop, naught visible W or E and the FI-1/2 parking spot MT at 0353. A minute later, somebody told somebody else "Yeah, go ahead."
At 0359, 4 covered hoppers still sat on the RVJ stub, and the EB staggers for Derby were dark. 22K or I2K had seemed long enough that the staggers might still be on if they were holding at Slab City, but mebbe they'd gone to Camp. Yarding instructions had never been heard by me.
At 0402, there was an unattributable "far enough," occasional Yard Channel hash to follow. 0417 was when D-3 told ED-9 they were to tie down at Westminster and that there'd be a cab. Given that the FI-1/2 parking spot had been MT and that FI-2 gets trash duty, kinda wonder if FI-2 had also been repurposed as the 1st leg of ED-9.
As of the 0525 posting, no X7.8 XNG noise from Q427.
Edited for update: 0527 and 0537 XNG noises for X7.8 and X6.0.
At 0306, the 333 WLs were dark, but in a few, the 334 ELs and 1 WB stagger were solid red cuz 22K -- or mebbe I22K -- was rolling EB, the marker getting E of the EL at 0312, the same time that D-3 reached out to Q427 and asked if they were ready to fulfill *hash again for quite some time,* so I guess that 427's Form D also got issued. I'd heard pre-alertness XNG noises either side of 0001, so that would seem a quicker-than-normal-of-late turnaround for 426/7.
The 335s were dark, followed at 0319 by brief Yard Channel hash, followed at 0320 by D-3 answering ?H-1, an alphanumeric unknown to me.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and 2 in the yard was almost FP-FP with general that included MT centerbeams, unplacarded tanks, and lotsa covered hoppers. 4 also had covered hoppers and hoonose what else, and the ground between the House and the MART fence still had ties.
EB at 0333, there was Yard Channel hash, followed immediately by what coulda been a 241 to ED-9, who mighta had a ?, too, cuz D-3 repeated it as a 241 for 1 E at CPF-Camp to 1 and back to their train. Even more in re ED-9 will follow.
At 0340, the 333 WLs were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, the 330.8 WBs and all else up to and including the GL WLs dark.
The FG WLs, however, were at Stop, naught visible W or E and the FI-1/2 parking spot MT at 0353. A minute later, somebody told somebody else "Yeah, go ahead."
At 0359, 4 covered hoppers still sat on the RVJ stub, and the EB staggers for Derby were dark. 22K or I2K had seemed long enough that the staggers might still be on if they were holding at Slab City, but mebbe they'd gone to Camp. Yarding instructions had never been heard by me.
At 0402, there was an unattributable "far enough," occasional Yard Channel hash to follow. 0417 was when D-3 told ED-9 they were to tie down at Westminster and that there'd be a cab. Given that the FI-1/2 parking spot had been MT and that FI-2 gets trash duty, kinda wonder if FI-2 had also been repurposed as the 1st leg of ED-9.
As of the 0525 posting, no X7.8 XNG noise from Q427.
Edited for update: 0527 and 0537 XNG noises for X7.8 and X6.0.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
The crew-lift parked by the Timpany Boulevard UGB and mentioned in the 05-02 report?
See Steven Demboske's see below of 05-02. Seems late for either 04-01 or 4:20.
Edited to correct botched copy-and-paste of link. Here it is: http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=269249
See Steven Demboske's see below of 05-02. Seems late for either 04-01 or 4:20.
Edited to correct botched copy-and-paste of link. Here it is: http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=269249
Last edited by jaymac on Tue May 03, 2022 1:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
I see an Amtrak train, I believe you wanted this link--- http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... ex=0&key2=
Can anyone explain what is going on in that photo?
Can anyone explain what is going on in that photo?
0235-0437/05-04-2022 was productive -- eventually. 0242 produced Yard Channel hash, and 7 later, Road side produced more hash, followed in a minute by FI-2 and D-3 combining to produce garble.
At 0306, the 333 WLs were dark, Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger and 335s to follow, all to the sounds of radio silence until most of the way WB up Da Hill and 0316 AMTK hash.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WL at Clear as a 22K recrew neared completion. 4 in the yard would pretty much FP-FP with general, Brand X gons seeming to be the primary species with a shortie and some nonplacarded tanks thrown in. At 0326, the new 22K crew advised D-3 they were on board and asked for the OK to proceed E, next given by D-3. Next given by D-3 after that was a 1 E to 1 241 at CPF Derby to FI-2 with the 5972.
22K got on the move at 0328, NSs 6954, 7549, and 4399 getting 83 table and well positions -- ~3/4 occupied -- on to the Single at 0302. The ties still were in place between the House and the MART fence, and D-3 answered Q427, fulfilling Form D G301 at 0338 and issuing time-effective 0340 Form D G302 to CSXT 5301 for X25 to Burncoat. 0340 was also when the 345s went dark.
The Timpany Boulevard art project? The crew-lift was still in place and the likelihood of the likeness being Mr. M's got lessened after the addition of bib overalls, giving a distinct "American Gothic" resonance to the work in progress. There were no relevant Google hits for "Timpany Boulevard art project," but updates will follow.
There had been EB D-3 Yard Channel hash to AYPO followed at 0349 by D-3 Channel 1 hash to somebody with only"reverse direction" being clear.
At 0351, the 333 WLs were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, hinting mebbe that 22K might gonna be holding at the platform or FG. Wrong conclusion, as will be seen.
All else up to and including the FG WLs was dark, including the Cleghorn Cumby's at 0356. A 1-off? Hope so.
At 0404, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, a some full-size covered hoppers at the W end of East Side. 6 later, the EB staggers for Derby were dark with 4 covered hoppers still on the RVJ stub.
There would be intermittent hash incidents, and in a bit D-3 would OK somebody -- AY-3? -- down to 312 and ask how many MTs they had, 7 being the scratchy response.
0420 was the start of a mostly-clear D-3 side of a convo with AYPO. He advised he had a pig train coming -- FG -- and to let him know when they were in the clear..
At 0433, D-3 was more broken when he gave AY-3 permission to start *something,* Clarity returned with a both-sides clear AYPO/D-3 convo -- They were in the clear on the Thorofare and D-3 acknowledged. D-3 next contacted 22K. IM-1 to IM-3 for yarding, but they were to hold back at the Ayer passenger station for the commuter to get by and then D-3 would get them in the yard.
Edited to complete time/date group.
At 0306, the 333 WLs were dark, Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger and 335s to follow, all to the sounds of radio silence until most of the way WB up Da Hill and 0316 AMTK hash.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WL at Clear as a 22K recrew neared completion. 4 in the yard would pretty much FP-FP with general, Brand X gons seeming to be the primary species with a shortie and some nonplacarded tanks thrown in. At 0326, the new 22K crew advised D-3 they were on board and asked for the OK to proceed E, next given by D-3. Next given by D-3 after that was a 1 E to 1 241 at CPF Derby to FI-2 with the 5972.
22K got on the move at 0328, NSs 6954, 7549, and 4399 getting 83 table and well positions -- ~3/4 occupied -- on to the Single at 0302. The ties still were in place between the House and the MART fence, and D-3 answered Q427, fulfilling Form D G301 at 0338 and issuing time-effective 0340 Form D G302 to CSXT 5301 for X25 to Burncoat. 0340 was also when the 345s went dark.
The Timpany Boulevard art project? The crew-lift was still in place and the likelihood of the likeness being Mr. M's got lessened after the addition of bib overalls, giving a distinct "American Gothic" resonance to the work in progress. There were no relevant Google hits for "Timpany Boulevard art project," but updates will follow.
There had been EB D-3 Yard Channel hash to AYPO followed at 0349 by D-3 Channel 1 hash to somebody with only"reverse direction" being clear.
At 0351, the 333 WLs were dark, and further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, hinting mebbe that 22K might gonna be holding at the platform or FG. Wrong conclusion, as will be seen.
All else up to and including the FG WLs was dark, including the Cleghorn Cumby's at 0356. A 1-off? Hope so.
At 0404, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, a some full-size covered hoppers at the W end of East Side. 6 later, the EB staggers for Derby were dark with 4 covered hoppers still on the RVJ stub.
There would be intermittent hash incidents, and in a bit D-3 would OK somebody -- AY-3? -- down to 312 and ask how many MTs they had, 7 being the scratchy response.
0420 was the start of a mostly-clear D-3 side of a convo with AYPO. He advised he had a pig train coming -- FG -- and to let him know when they were in the clear..
At 0433, D-3 was more broken when he gave AY-3 permission to start *something,* Clarity returned with a both-sides clear AYPO/D-3 convo -- They were in the clear on the Thorofare and D-3 acknowledged. D-3 next contacted 22K. IM-1 to IM-3 for yarding, but they were to hold back at the Ayer passenger station for the commuter to get by and then D-3 would get them in the yard.
Edited to complete time/date group.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
0240-0430/05-06-2022 was a hashapalooza, starting at the start with POAY car countdowns. To save my fingers and your eyes, only the initial and more notable receptions of the hashifiers will be noted.
0259 was when D-3 contacted ED-8 and also when I was entering the electromagnetic penumbra of Mount Wachusett, so further developments -- except for a repeated reach-out at 0304 --didn't get to me.
At 0308, the FI-2 E got the word he was good for 40, the 1st of a few identifiable FI-2 receptions, and at 0311, the 333 WLs were dark, the 334 WLs to be at Stop and the 1 WB stagger and 335s dark in the usual sequence with ongoing radioactivity. At 0321, 22K got received, the E being told that it was 25 to a stop, making it seem like the shove on to East Wye was in the near term and that 22K and POAY would both be active in the yard. Q426/7? Naught heard to, from, or about, including XNG noise even as of posting time..
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and the yard MT. If ED-8 was already E, then it'd be up to FI-3 to bring in any PWs. Unless ED-8 had dropped on West Side and FI-1 would be coming W. Ties -- seemingly undiminished -- sat on the ground between the House and the MART fence.
The EB trip had hash from the earlier contributors, "AYPO" now being mentioned, and at 0340, the 333 WLs were dark, and D-3 issued hash that included "runaround." Further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, and the Cleghorn Cumby's again joined everything else up to and including the FGs in darkness.
At 0353, KCIR 5972 sat dark, solo, and E-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the cupboard at the W end of East Side looking pretty bare, but Yard Channel activity continuing.
Post refueling stop and with hash intermittent, the EB staggers for Derby were dark at 0405, 4 covered hoppers still on the RVJ stub.
At 0413, a 3-step for 22K got heard, and 13 later "AY-3" emerged from some hash, naught else by the end of listening.
0259 was when D-3 contacted ED-8 and also when I was entering the electromagnetic penumbra of Mount Wachusett, so further developments -- except for a repeated reach-out at 0304 --didn't get to me.
At 0308, the FI-2 E got the word he was good for 40, the 1st of a few identifiable FI-2 receptions, and at 0311, the 333 WLs were dark, the 334 WLs to be at Stop and the 1 WB stagger and 335s dark in the usual sequence with ongoing radioactivity. At 0321, 22K got received, the E being told that it was 25 to a stop, making it seem like the shove on to East Wye was in the near term and that 22K and POAY would both be active in the yard. Q426/7? Naught heard to, from, or about, including XNG noise even as of posting time..
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and the yard MT. If ED-8 was already E, then it'd be up to FI-3 to bring in any PWs. Unless ED-8 had dropped on West Side and FI-1 would be coming W. Ties -- seemingly undiminished -- sat on the ground between the House and the MART fence.
The EB trip had hash from the earlier contributors, "AYPO" now being mentioned, and at 0340, the 333 WLs were dark, and D-3 issued hash that included "runaround." Further E, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, and the Cleghorn Cumby's again joined everything else up to and including the FGs in darkness.
At 0353, KCIR 5972 sat dark, solo, and E-facing in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the cupboard at the W end of East Side looking pretty bare, but Yard Channel activity continuing.
Post refueling stop and with hash intermittent, the EB staggers for Derby were dark at 0405, 4 covered hoppers still on the RVJ stub.
At 0413, a 3-step for 22K got heard, and 13 later "AY-3" emerged from some hash, naught else by the end of listening.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
At 09:18 AYPO reported to D3 power 7535 and 7555, 11 loads 32 empties, 2800 ft. apparently ready to leave Ayer. In reference to my question about the artwork at Timpany, I see by Google Maps that the RR bridge passes over the roadway which wasn't obvious in the posted photo. I didn't get why they would paint a mural along the RR, now I see it is next to the sidewalk.
neman2-
tnx for AYPO update. As far as an art project update, a head has been over the S of the existing work, but not much more progress. Still no Google hits.
tnx for AYPO update. As far as an art project update, a head has been over the S of the existing work, but not much more progress. Still no Google hits.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."
0230-0425/05-09-2022 started off with D-3 asking ED-8 if it mattered which track they went down when they went E. In a few seconds, there was a scratchy "Freight Main East." ED-8 will be a repeated reception.
Things went into quiet mode until 0246 when D-3 gave FI-2 permission W to CPF-AY, making it sound like they had been at Arrowhead, the frequency of same making it seem like there had already been a transition to having joint-venture jobs handle joint-venture traffic.
Close on that came a now-semiclear D-3 giving someone with the 1642 --TC? -- permission to reverse direction and head E on the 1 between Paterson Road and CPF-Camp. 0248 provided Dispatcher hash, followed at 0252 by "ED-8 crew" being the sole clarity.
0257 offered up "ED-8, drop the 3, and come back *15 or 50*," strong enough to indicate they were at E Fitchburg, the C soon adding that they were in the clear by 2 cars on "this" end. Radio silence -- at least for me -- would now start.
At 0304, the 333 WLs were dark, the expectable Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger and 335s to follow.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and there had been no apparent art-project progress on the W abutment of the Timpany Boulevard UGB. The yard -- no surprise since ED-8 was E -- was crammed, the Extension and 1, 2, and 4 having a mix of general, again heavy on covered hoppers that included at least 2 shorties. There were also gons, a RailBox, and at least 2 tented centerbeams on the E end of 4. The tie stack between the House and the MART fence looked undiminished.
EB and at 0329, somebody told somebody else that there were 3 to a hitch, the rest of the countdown lost to decreasing elevation and increasing topographical obstructions. 3 later, the 333 WLs were dark. Brief hashes would occur on either side of the EB staggers for 330 -- Approaches -- and past the all-dark everything else up to and including the FG WLs.
At 0340 someone -- probably the ED-8 C -- had told the E that the air pressure was coming up on the rear and was at 42 and climbing. At 0347, KCIR 5972 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot. If they'd brought any trashes W, they were probably on West Side. That was also when ED-8 told D-3 they were down to 24 loaded autos and were ready to stretch them E. A breaking D-3 confirmed that they were lined and locked normal and OKd them to head down to Derby, adding something broken about pulling MTs.
Having a more direct route and more favorable aspects than I did, ED-8 was already crossing the Main Street/Rte. 13 UGB while I sat a red light at 0352.
The EB staggers at Derby were blocked from view by 1 or mebbe 2 more covered hoppers on the RVJ stub, but the marker continued EB at 0354, There was also enough new foliage that there was no view from Nashua Street.
At 0355, D-3 called out to Q426, and then a second time, adding CSXT 872, in sync with the to-the E power noise I'd heard going to my car. D-3, however, answered ED-8, who -- in broken and beeping mode -- said something about getting a penalty cuz the cab signal changed and gave him 3 seconds to respond. More to follow.
At 0358, D-3 again reached out to Q426, but switched immediately to FI-3 -- three. That would be the last heard to, from, or about either of those alphanumerics, naught at all for either POAY/AYPO or AY-3, for that matter.
At 0359, somebody said, "Roger, here we go," and a minute later, a generally clear ED-8 advised that the cab signal went from Clear to Medium Approach, giving them 3 seconds to go from 40 to 30, not possible with a freight train. D-3's response was hashed, and ED-8's response had only "1000' W of" for clarity, a breaking D-3 advising he'd say something to somebody.
At 0417, D-3 advised ED-8 when they got down to CPF-WL that he wanted to talk to them. 2 later, there was ED-8 hash to D-3 whose own hash included an "Alright, roger." At 0424, there was more hash with beeping, but naught in response from D-3 got to me by the end of 0425, so I went inside. Dunno whether the PTC problems were systemic or peculiar to ED-8.
Edited to add that among the things dark in Fitchburg pre-0400 was the Cleghorn Cumby's.
Things went into quiet mode until 0246 when D-3 gave FI-2 permission W to CPF-AY, making it sound like they had been at Arrowhead, the frequency of same making it seem like there had already been a transition to having joint-venture jobs handle joint-venture traffic.
Close on that came a now-semiclear D-3 giving someone with the 1642 --TC? -- permission to reverse direction and head E on the 1 between Paterson Road and CPF-Camp. 0248 provided Dispatcher hash, followed at 0252 by "ED-8 crew" being the sole clarity.
0257 offered up "ED-8, drop the 3, and come back *15 or 50*," strong enough to indicate they were at E Fitchburg, the C soon adding that they were in the clear by 2 cars on "this" end. Radio silence -- at least for me -- would now start.
At 0304, the 333 WLs were dark, the expectable Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger and 335s to follow.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and there had been no apparent art-project progress on the W abutment of the Timpany Boulevard UGB. The yard -- no surprise since ED-8 was E -- was crammed, the Extension and 1, 2, and 4 having a mix of general, again heavy on covered hoppers that included at least 2 shorties. There were also gons, a RailBox, and at least 2 tented centerbeams on the E end of 4. The tie stack between the House and the MART fence looked undiminished.
EB and at 0329, somebody told somebody else that there were 3 to a hitch, the rest of the countdown lost to decreasing elevation and increasing topographical obstructions. 3 later, the 333 WLs were dark. Brief hashes would occur on either side of the EB staggers for 330 -- Approaches -- and past the all-dark everything else up to and including the FG WLs.
At 0340 someone -- probably the ED-8 C -- had told the E that the air pressure was coming up on the rear and was at 42 and climbing. At 0347, KCIR 5972 was in the FI-1/2 parking spot. If they'd brought any trashes W, they were probably on West Side. That was also when ED-8 told D-3 they were down to 24 loaded autos and were ready to stretch them E. A breaking D-3 confirmed that they were lined and locked normal and OKd them to head down to Derby, adding something broken about pulling MTs.
Having a more direct route and more favorable aspects than I did, ED-8 was already crossing the Main Street/Rte. 13 UGB while I sat a red light at 0352.
The EB staggers at Derby were blocked from view by 1 or mebbe 2 more covered hoppers on the RVJ stub, but the marker continued EB at 0354, There was also enough new foliage that there was no view from Nashua Street.
At 0355, D-3 called out to Q426, and then a second time, adding CSXT 872, in sync with the to-the E power noise I'd heard going to my car. D-3, however, answered ED-8, who -- in broken and beeping mode -- said something about getting a penalty cuz the cab signal changed and gave him 3 seconds to respond. More to follow.
At 0358, D-3 again reached out to Q426, but switched immediately to FI-3 -- three. That would be the last heard to, from, or about either of those alphanumerics, naught at all for either POAY/AYPO or AY-3, for that matter.
At 0359, somebody said, "Roger, here we go," and a minute later, a generally clear ED-8 advised that the cab signal went from Clear to Medium Approach, giving them 3 seconds to go from 40 to 30, not possible with a freight train. D-3's response was hashed, and ED-8's response had only "1000' W of" for clarity, a breaking D-3 advising he'd say something to somebody.
At 0417, D-3 advised ED-8 when they got down to CPF-WL that he wanted to talk to them. 2 later, there was ED-8 hash to D-3 whose own hash included an "Alright, roger." At 0424, there was more hash with beeping, but naught in response from D-3 got to me by the end of 0425, so I went inside. Dunno whether the PTC problems were systemic or peculiar to ED-8.
Edited to add that among the things dark in Fitchburg pre-0400 was the Cleghorn Cumby's.
"A gray crossover is definitely not company transportation."