Gardner Gawking

dhs12 wrote:What was the discussion about the Heywood last week? I thought it had been OOS quite a while.

The Heywood is so OOS that the XNG IDs have been removed from the signs on the crossbuck posts. The reception was broken, but I think "Heywood" was mentioned by the B&E to the Forman as a way of specifying the where of whatever was supposed to happen.

Copy. As always Thanks for your service jmac

0548-0740/08-23-2024 was -- as will be seen -- not a good 1 for early Fitchburg Keolis riders.
At 0548, the P&W St. Albans served up some breakage involving Barbers, probably acknowledging that 426 was E and clear, given that 426 would tell D-1 that they were E and clear of MP WOR1 at 0726, the reward for which was the B&E giving them an otherwise broken-to-me Line 4.
A breaking Keolis 404 was doing their brake test from 0606 on, and at 0616. the B&E told them he'd have them back out of Fitchburg station to Clear 330. Why? EDSA's marker on racks would be sitting across from the "6 Cars" sign at the platform on Track 1. Yes, 1 and not the usual 2. Why? Dunno, but 404, 406, 408, and even 403 got delay alerts of varying amounts. Guess 400 and 402 were either lucky or their alerts had been taken down when I checked.
Up Da Hill. the 345s were at Stop. There was what looked like a regulator by the Pratt yard, and the the Extension and 1 in the Yard had mixed general that included plural Cryo-Trans and new parent Lineage boxes, covered hoppers, and LPG and mebbe other tanks not W of the ambulance company. A few yards of stone had been added between the ties on the House and the MART fence, and 2 pickups -- 1 B&E and 1 unmarked -- were by the air compressor cabin.
Back E, there had been some B&E garble to EDSA, then the scene on 1 at the Fitchburg platform. In back of the Credit Union, NSs 6959, 7708, and 9961 sat on 1 facing a Stop while the FG 2 WL showed a Clear. Another B&E pickup -- a hy-railer and MOW given the tools in back -- headed into the Keolis Engineering lot, and NewBlues ???? (E) and 5974 sat semi-obscured by the West-Side T coaches. East Side had literally and figuratively tons of DS trashes, a solo rack still by the transload.
There were now 7 covered hoppers on the RVJ stub looking very much like a mobile art installation.
0719 was when the B&E OKd EDSA with the 6959 back to their train, so there had been some activity, but still no idea why they were on 1 instead of 2.
I know that topography can be a fickle determinant of reception, but the Old Colony was clear at 0731 when I was in a location where the B&E and D-1 aren't, telling the train about Middleboro Yard.

0605-0800/08-30-2024 was busy. There would be the expectable hash from the expectable sources., and at 0627 there was brief -- just "404" -- clarity, so mebbe getting outta NLeo a couple late. More Keolis lateness to follow.
At 0634, the 333 1 WL was at Clear and the CS at Medium Clear. The W was quiet so that's where I headed, just in time to see frequent flyers NSs 6959, 4002 (still in DC--AC paint), and 1007 plus general freight, 15 DS-occupied Republic trash positions, some more general, some Arrowheads, and then 49 racks get E of MP 334 at 0645. Later receptions while they were working what was probably the West Side would confirm that they were EDSA.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop. No MOW equipment and crews were visible. The Extension had 2 covered hoppers, and 2 in the yard had a few mixed general up to the W end of MART garage and then DS trash the rest of the way W. Dunno if to or from the P&W.
EB and at 0722, clear-ish EDSA receptions started coming in on Channel 1, mostly car countdowns and 3-steps. Things were dark and MT at the Fitchburg platform. The FG WLs were lit, but hard to read cuzza back-lit solar glare. Again, the West-Side T coaches blocked an ID of the E NewBlue, but 5974 was to the W. The only visible on the East Side was the solo rack by the transload.
Now comes the tale of 406. At 0726, the C told the E that it was OK to depart the Burg and at 0733 that it was OK depart North Leominster, both 3 minutes off the advertised. 1714, 2 flats, another bi, and the 1061 made up the consist. Dunno what happened, but there was an alert advising that 406 would be 5-15 late between W. Concord and BON.

Good trips and safe trips over the weekend!

0600-0805/09-06-2024 had no shortage of hash from the usual purveyors. 0623+ produced garble in the form of Channel 1 car countdowns from EDSA. The *whatever* was lined and locked normal, the derail as it should be. There was a broken discussion about a new crew and then hash.
At 0630, the 333 WLs were at Stop with naught visible W and naught audible E. Over at 334, the Controlled Siding and 1 WLs were at Stop and the 1 stagger at Approach, a wait of a few minutes producing -- again -- naught, and -- again -- more to follow about 334.
The 335s were dark, so the WB trip continued into increasing mist and fog which dried up at the summit.. The 345s were at Stop, and a regulator sat on what appeared to by 4 in the yard just E of the Pratt buildings. 2 in the yard had covered hoppers, coil cars and a Cryo-Trans from the E FP to Chair City Oil and then trashes to the ambulance company. The ties atop the House seemed undicturbed, but those on the old platform looked like they'd received some attention.
EB and post refueling stop, there was some Channel 1 discussion about air, probably from the 406 in the facility, given the time and later events.
At 0710, the 333s showed a Medium Clear for for the Controlled Siding, and in another few the B&E and Signal 78626 got into a breaking-to-me convo about 334, the B&E giving it away as long as he could have it back in 15 minutes for the outbound which probably meant the 403. The B&E mentioned needing the"station track." Dunno if that was for convenience or if the Controlled Siding has been officially renamed. Whether the truck might also be there for the earlier display on the 334s wasn't discussed.
The 330s had been dark, the same for the FG WLs which then went to a Limited Clear for 1 and Stop for 2 at 0724. East Side was MT except for the solo rack by the transload. West Side still had T coaches and racks, which mighta or mighta not had a marker on the W end. Guessing the aforementioned EDSA. Dunno if FI-1 would be repurposed as they had beenn on 09-05.
While stuck in traffic, I did get to hear and see the 406 get E of NLeo at 0733, A few later, 6 covered hoppers were at the RVJ stub.
Occasional hash resumed, the 0749 event producing just "M426." Dunno if to, from, or about.
Boston West clarity at 0804 and Road-side hash at 0805 closed out the trip, which was 1 week before Friday the 13th.

0555--0745/09-09-2024 was hash and garble until a 0614 "3-step," 6 later when EDSA's C asked for a 3-step release and the E acknowledged. That was the trip's only clarity. Due to the fickleness of timing, not even air test were heard outta Westminster.
At 0625 and EB at 0655. the 333 WLs showed a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding and the 334 WLs showed Stops and the WB staggers for 1 an Approach, probably default for EBs switching over from the Single to 2 at 335. Those WLs were dark on the WB leg of the trip, but not viewed on the EB leg.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop. The regulator was a tad E of where it had been on 09-06, and the yard was MT, suggesting a later EDPW which -- if we're lucky -- might get the Al LaPierre telephoto treatment. No changes were readily visible for the ties.
Back E, the 330s and GL WLs were dark, but the FG WLs at Stop for no visible or audible reason. The T coaches still occupied West Side, but East Side looked MT except for the solo rack by the transload and EF KCIR 7517 where the FI-1/2 power is often parked. Mebbe the NewBlue twins are out W for inspection. The RVJ yard was active, so didn't get a count on the copvered hoppers, but looked about the same.

0600-0800/09-19-2024 started and ended with P&W Road hash. Yard-Channel hash wouldn't get to me until 0623, and 5 later the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334s. The 335 ELs and WLs, however, were at Stop, and it looked like a Keolis job-briefing was going on in the lot.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop, the Extension and 1 had boxes and scrap gons W to the midpoint of Chair City Oil, bills in the E-most knuckle, and 2 had a mix of coil cars, LPG tanks, and covered hoppers to just W of the ambulance company. There was neither visible equipment nor visible disruption to the ties on the House and old platform.
EB at 0654, the B&E advised the EDSA at Wachusett -- Wow! How'd I miss them? Talk about random! -- that everything was going to Ayer and there'd be no set-offs on West Side. There was more, but Mount Wachusett was now doing the Mount Wachusett thing.
At 0659, EDSA was moving through the 333s, and 7 later, 406 called out a Medium Approach, presumably on the 334 2 WL.
At the Fitchburg platform lot, the 330 ELs went to Stop, the view of the GL WLs blocked by a construction container to the E. Things got increasingly louder and at 0711, NSs 6964, 1187, and 7525 got 33 mixed freight -- including U.S. Gypsum centerbeams -- and then 5 positions of Republic double-stacks and then 61 -- yes, sixty-one -- racks E by 0718 on the 1 -- yes, one -- Track . In the meantime, the B&E confabbed with the EDSA who'd by holding at NLeo for both IB and OB commuters. Dunno what might be happening that East Side isn't getting drops.
Couldn't see the FG WLs cuzza solar glare, but in addition to the T coaches on West Side, East Side had 2 NewBlues, W and W/F 3027 -- a new 1 for me -- and the 5??? obscured by the coaches. Also on the East and across from the old turntable was a solo rack, the long-term solo rack still by the transload.
406 OKd themselves outta NLeo at 0738, a bi control car, 3 flats and the 1031 being the consist. 5 covered hoppers were on the RVJ stub. Dunno how far W the EDSA mighta been, but they weren't visible from the RVJ lot. Also dunno the cause, but there was a 5-15 delay posted for the 406 from Ayer to BON. No cause was given, but the Fitchburg had given a broken Lines 2 and 3 to a TC + 1 at Lincoln. Naught but occasional hash for the balance.
Oh yeah -- throughout the trip, 6 or so skunks wouldn't be going home.

0550-0800/09-25-2024 was busy, especially with hash, the individual events going unnoted.
At 0618, the 333 WLs were dark, and 5 later, EDSA reached out to the B&E who said he'd get right back to them and to stand by. When things continued, EDSA said they'd gotten a Clear for 335 but a *broken* on the PTC. The B&E also broke in response, clearing up to say that if it happened again to give him a call. The 334s had been dark, but a fair-size Fitchburg DPW crew was on 5th Mass. Turnpike W of the gate.
The 335 ELs were at Stop, and an electrical contractor's truck was in the lot, along with a Bobcat --mini-excavator or other? wheeled or tracked? -- further W. 2 other pickups would pull in and there was a new blanked meter socket with conduit on the pole at the W side of the lot entrance. Whether this was related to the Keolis assembly of 08-19, dunno.
EDSA with NSs 6971, 4266, and 4551 --à la elephant --- pulled through slowly enough for occasional brake-shoe squeal with 12 slurries, 30 mixed freight, 72 positions of trash, and 51 racks, all E of the 335 ELs at 0641. There had been a broken 0639 EDSA transmission, probably calling out a signal. More EDSA will follow.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop. The yard was MT, no equipment was visible, and the ties were sameolesameole.
EB at 0704, the 333 Controlled Siding EL was at Medium Clear. Over by where the steam plant had been, standing racks and trashes were stopped on the 1 on the W and Cleghorn River Street UGBs.
Post refueling stop, there was am EDSA confab going on. suggesting there had been another penalty, EDSA wondering if this was typical. There was more, but road traffic was my 1st priority. Never saw where the power was, but it was W of the 330 WLs, not readable cuzza the backlight.
At the platform, the 330 ELs were at Stop, and the GL WLs blocked from view. The FG WLs -- temporarily -- were at Stop, and over at EFitch, there was no FI-1/2 power visible or audible. The T coaches were still on West Side, and East Side had a mix of shorties and trashes plus a solo rack, another solo rack by the transload.
The 406 called a Slow Approach for GL, changing it next to a Medium Clear. The B&E then gave out time-effective 0728 G307 to TC 1867 at 334, a Line 4 for 2 and the Controlled Siding between the 334 EL and 335. Related to the earlier activity at the 335 lot? Dunno. The B&E added he'd like it back about noon.
While I was waiting at the Main Street/ Rte. 13 light, 406 OKd themselves outta Nleo. Didn't get to see the rest of the consist, but the 1115 was going the pushing.
Things were busy at the RVJ lot so no good count of covered hoippers on the stub, but 403 was coming to a stop at the platform.
In a change from my last trips, there were no Service Alerts for the Fitchburg Line.

0700-0855/10-02-2024 was a bit active, though not in the usual ways, there being naught either by eye or clear ear to, from, or about EDSA.
D2 gave a broken time-effective 0716 Form D G209 to TC 1315 Line 4ing somewhere probably close to Nashua Yard, given additional breakage. It sounded like it mebbemighta got cancelled at 0756.
At 0726, there was unattributable breakage involving Lines 2, 5, and then 4, not a combo that had ever hit my ears.
0730 was when the 333 WLs were dark and the B&E breakingly asked 406 if *it* was close to the tracks cuz he had to be worried about trains close to it. At 0742, the B&E hedzupped the 403 about a fire, a time when 403 would be E of NLeo. Naught further got to me, but there were alerts for delays for 403 and 405 from Shirley to Wachusett and Concord-BON delays for IBs.
The 334s and 335s had been dark, and up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop, the yard MT, and ties aging in place on the House and old platform.
EB and at 0756, Form D G305 got brokenly cancelled, and 1 later, the 333 WLs were dark, and a boomed TC sat N of 1 by the the ELs, the possible recipient of the G305. There would be more B&E breakge about G310 getting cancelled at 0801, and then the B&E telling somebody -- the 333 TC? -- he'd have to wait for those guys -- 403? -- to turn at Wachusett before he could give them the track. While I was stopped in traffic, it sounded like 403 got W of the 330 WLs at 0806, and 6 later, FI-1 advised they'd be going East Side to OX. There was also the start of a broken transmission -- D2? -- to 426. Later receptions would hint at the ongoing Line 4 between WL and 312.
The 330 ELs were at Stop, the shunting provided by a racks on 2 between the GL WLs and 330 ELs. mebbe overflow MTs.
The FG WLs were at Stop, but I didn't get to see the ELs. At 0819, the T coaches were on West Side and only the 2 separate racks -- 1 W and the other by the transload -- visible on East Side, although there would be occasional FI-1 transmissions, but dunno where from.
There were 4 covered hoppers on the RVJ stub and only occasional hash for the rest of the trip, primarily Yard Channel.