Railroad Forums 

  • 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,
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

 #1569449  by jaymac
 
0250-0450/04-23-2021 was another trip of compromised receptions and -- as will be seen -- not just for me.
0255 was the start of intermittent Yard Channel garbles, most likely car countdowns, things getting temporarily clearer at 0322 with "? to a stop, AYPO," more about whom later.
Garbled countdowns were again the short-term mode, and at 0322, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334 1 stagger, the 334 ELs being at Stop, ditto for the 335 ELs at 0329. The west got bright, and 22K -- another more about whom later -- with NSs 6953, 6971, and ???? plus 51 all-occupied well and table positions got east of the ELs at 0332, 0333 being when "AY-5, far enough" got heard, naught else getting heard to, from, or about AY-5 or -- to save suspense -- AY-3, AY-4, AE-01, EDPO/POED, FI-3, or Q426/7. What did get heard was a once-only D-3 reach-out to BO-2 at 0335, the prelude for more garble.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and the yard MT. At the start of the EB leg of the trip at 0347 and while I was on the Pearson Boulevard rotary, D-3 reached out brokenly to 22K with no further immediate development. The steel for the Rte. 2 OHBs coulda contributed to reception difficulties.
At 0354, a breaking somebody would call out whatever the ELs for Derby were showing, a likely candidate being 22K. This would be the start of a spell of radio silence, at least for me.
At 0356, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and the 330 WLs and ELs all at Stop. In between the dark GL and FG WLs, somebody started getting heard doing car countdowns. 0409 was when the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT cuz KCIR 5948 was hauling a coupla covered hoppers WB outta East Side.
Post refueling stop, the sounds of FI-2 doing the old back and forth would continue while I was in range. 0421 was when the EB staggers foe Derby were dark and radio silence again went in effect for me.
At 0429, the silence got broken when D-3 answered FI-2 and next said that the Fitchburg radio was down and to give him a call on the phone. Things got radioactive again at 0433 when D-3 answered AYPO, advised he was ready to copy, rogered "all that," OKd them on signal indication down the East Wye, and then advised that there were no changes in speeds.
A spell of quiet got broken at 0446 when D-3 called out to 22K and them repeated it. 0448 was when D-3 told 22K it was OK to start pulling down. This -- again -- was repeated, D-3 then asking if they could hear him on "this tower." Naught further got to me by 0450, so dunno, and if you want to, re-cue the jaymac Radio Rant.
As of 0450, no X7.8 crossing noise, so dunno about Q426/7.
 #1569663  by jaymac
 
0256-0450/04-26-2021 started off with "POAY, drop my 3-step." 3 later there would be more to POAY, but garbled. Garble -- intermittently -- was plentiful, but to save suspense, naught attributable was heard to, from, or about AE-01, AY-3, AY-4, AY-5, ED-8/9, FI-3, or Q426/7, although ~2330/04-25 crossing noise had provoked semiconsciousness in me.
At 0328, the 333 WLs were dark, Stops for the 334 ELs, and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s to follow.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, Yard 4 had a tank and covered hoppers from the ambulance company west, and Yard 2 had 3 CRYO-TRANSes, an unplacarded tank and LVRR gon between 2 covered hoppers, and 5 stick-rail carrier loads from about the easterly FP to the westerly end of Chair City Oil.
The EB leg of the trip got reversed at 0348 when the 346.6 came on. The 345 1 WL had gone to Clear, and back by the Jade at 0351 came the no defects, 256 axles, 36°, and 6293' at 0351. 22K with NSs 6957, 9435, and ???? got 85 all-occupied table and well positions onto the Single at 0355.
MY EB trip continued with more garbles at 0359, and at 0400, D-3 responded to FI-2, saying they should come out of East Side down to OX and then garbling. More garble came at 0402 when D-2 reached out too LA-2, hopefully the principals having a greater understanding than I did.
At 0406, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Approach for 2. Approach was also what the 330 1 WL showed, mebbe cuzza FI-2. The 330 2 WL and ELs were all at Stop, and the GL and FG WLs at Stop.
At 0418, the FI-1/2 parking spot was predictably MT, and at 0419, a nearly clear FI-2/D-3 convo started. East Side was MT and they were taking the cars to West Side, D-3 now giving FI-2 with the 5948 permission to reverse direction on the #2 from where they stood and proceed west to CPF-FG, hedzupping that 22K was at Wachusett. Garble now followed so dunno if he was having FI-2 cross the road before 22K or they were to wait until 22K was east.
At 0424, the EB staggers for Derby were temporarily dark, and the only other sounds came at 0429 -- a garbled 3-step -- and at 0433 -- a spell of Dispatcher-side garbling on Channel 1, Mount Wachusett the probable cause.
 #1569867  by jaymac
 
0250-0440/04-28-2021 had been preceded with a bang, several of them actually, as brief thunder and lightning rolled through before the intermittent rain. Unlike on some other recent trips, there would be plentiful Yard Channel hash from the start, but little attributable. At 0305, D-3 reached out to AY-3 -- much more about whom to follow -- and asked if they were going to West Main Street, advised that West Main was currently clear, but hezupped that AE-01 was planning on bringing cars there. More followed, but garbled.
OT, but it seemed this trip that the specialité de la maison of a few outlets of Roadkill Buffet was Squashed Possum.
At 0324, the 333 ELs were dark and the stereotypical Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s were just that.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark. Yard 2 had racks --apparently MT --almost FP-FP, and Yard 4 had -- starting at the easterly FP -- an NS and RBOX box, 2 BNSF boxes, an MT centerbeam, and then covered hoppers and hoonose what else and how far west.
Gardner PD had been a bit radioactive, but intermittent Yard Channel hash resumed west of the the Rte. 2 EB crest.
At 0352, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed Clear and the 330 WLs and ELs all Stops. The GL and FG WLs were dark, but while I was sitting at the lights near FG at 0404 came "AYPO, far enough."
0406 was when KCIR 5948 sat dark, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot. There would some more AYPO activity starting at 0408, but garbled, the decreasing distance confounded by the increasing topographical challenges.
The EB staggers for Derby seemed dark at 0411, "seemed" cuz the activity in the RVJ yard prompted a Nashua Street viewing.
0418 was when D-3 reached out to Q427, confirmed they were west and clear of Burncoat,, and fulfilled Form D G302 to CSXT 3429 at 0419. Guessing it was a live recrew at New Bond cuzza the power noise to the west when I got outta my car at 0441.
D-3 reached out to AY-3 at 0420, D-3 rogered whatever AY-3 had to just told him and OKd them on the sign. At 0428, D-3 advised AY-3 that he had a Willows Road Line 12 when they were ready to copy, that coming with Form D G303 to the 7575 at CPF-312 for a Willows Road, MP BF 33.50, stop and protect, time effective 0432. Guessing also that AYPO not yet ready to leave town cuz no hedzup or actual Line 12 was given to them that I heard.
22K, FI-3, ED-8/9, EDPO/POED, AY-4, and/or AY-5? Dunno, naught intelligible having been heard to, from, or about.
 #1570102  by jaymac
 
0250-0445/0430-2021 was an unusually productive trip and not just of the expectable hash, something that has become a given. At 0256 -- the 1st clarity -- POAY advised D-3 that they had a car number for him. The Boylston-West Boylston sag would compromise further info.
At 0310, D-3 would tell someone that the electric lockbox at *garble* was OOS, and at 0316, now-AYPO would say something to somebody -- not Q426/7, as a later reception would show -- about setting in on 10.
At 0323, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence being in effect.
There were spurts of garble on the way up Da Hill, a probable source being the brightiewhities at the easterly end of the yard. The 345 ELs were at Stop and the 345 2 WL at Medium Clear, a string of trash double-stacks on 2 from west of West Switch changing into other general however far west.
At 0347, the FI-3 C gave the E the OK to take it ahead. While they were getting ready to come back to the train, a look was made, and Yard 4 had general -- an unplacarded tank, a coil car, and numerous CRYO-TRANSes among the boxes, plus covered hoppers among the readily visible. The easterly end of 2 had 3 covered hoppers, and at 0340, the C gave the E the OK to back it up with a good for 20, E-W NSs 6953 and 9637 plus KCIR 7835 shoving back to their train. Given the amount of time for walking, releasing, walking, and paperwork, I was EB well before FI-3. To save suspense, naught IDable to, from, or about, FI-3 would be heard for the balance of listening.
Radio inactivity was now the general mode -- at least for me -- on the start of the EB leg of the trip. The 333 WLs were dark at 0359, and further east, the 330.8 WBs would be at Clear, the 330 WLs and ELs all at Stop, and the GL and FG WLs dark. At 0412, KCIR 5948 was sitting dark, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the East Side looking pretty much MT, and at 0418, the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
0417 was when the X7.8 talker gave a no defects, Q427 with the 7786 acknowledging, 10 full minutes before I would do my own no-defects crossing of said crossing. Thank you, Deities of Randomness!
0431 had been when D-3 answered AE-01, giving NS 6945 permission to reverse direction from wherever it was that they were standing and proceed west to CPF-AY, advising that AYPO was ready to come right along. 0441 was AYPO's turn to get answered, D-3 advising he was ready to copy, then rogering and OKing them off East Wye on signal indication.
ED-8/9, EDPO/POED. AY-3, AY-4, and 22K were those for whom there were no clearly attributable receptions to, from, or about.
 #1570359  by jaymac
 
0255-0455/05-03-2021 started off less than strong on receptions, spaced garbles prevailing until somebody's 0324 "20 more feet," followed by a both-sides semi-clear D-3/???? convo that involved setting off 6x14 on the Thorofare.
0328 was when the 333 WLs were dark and also when D-3 initiated a convo with Q427, fulfilling Form D G316 and issuing Form D G301 to CSXT 790 for MP X25 to Burncoat, time effective 0330. A request to call clear of Burncoat followed, followed by a request for time into DCS, a roger and a thank you. Never did hear what coulda been an acknowledgment of time into DCS, but propagation seems to exist primarily for plants. When I got outta my car, there was distant power and crossing noise at 0445, 0529 being when noise for the X7.8 got heard, so mebbe for South Meadow, noise of that sort apparently propagating quite well across the Wachusett Reservoir .
No surprise that the 334 ELs were at Stops and the 334 1 EL and 335s were dark. At 0339, there would be a broken-to-me 241 to AY-3 with the 7489 -- more about whom later -- for 1 to 1 somewhere and in some direction.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and Yard 4 hosted -- from the easterly FP to Royal Steam Heater -- covered hoppers, a pair of coil cars, another pair of loaded stickrail carriers, and yet another pair of separated unplacarded tanks, an ADM logo on the westerly 1.
The EB trip was unusually quiet, the 333 WLs dark 0357, followed by Clears for the 330.8 WBs and Stops for the 330 WLs and ELs.
In between the dark GL and FG Wls there had been some strong, but distorted car countdowns, sounding -- except for subject matter -- like AMTK Dispatcher receptions. At 0409, D-3 reached out to AY-4, but that's when I entered the Summer Street Zombie Zone, so ?.
0410 was less topographically challenging, so D-3's permission to AY-3 to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to CPF-AY was clear. Also clear was the view of KCIR 5976 doing the back and forth on East Side with the assistance of the C, whose portable had been the source of the earlier strong distortions.
0417 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and also when D-3 did a Q&A with AY-5. Were they just about at the yard? What was the plan? AY-5's unheard-be me responses would get an alright, roger that.
Those for whom no clarity was received to, from, or about were FI-3, POAY/AYPO, ED-8/9, and 22K.
 #1570566  by jaymac
 
0255-0456/05-05-2021 had the usual garble problems compounded by 2 days of intermittently heavy rain, those rain-related problems seemingly focused on PAR/S, but not on AMTK, P&W, or CSXT. One of the "clearer" receptions would come at 0302 when D-3 called out to someone, rogered what got said, and then rogered what got added, 0325 offering AY-3's car countdowns.
At 0328, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual pattern to follow. AY-3's ID would be clear at 0339, mebbe for more car countdowns.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were temporarily dark, and Yard 2 had a total of 4 covered hoppers, 2 unplacarded tanks, and 1 CRYO-TRANS from Royal Steam Heater east. The trip EB got put on hold when the the 346.6 came on and the 345 1 WL went to Clear at 0347, 0348 being when the no defects, 118 axles, *lost* temperature, and 2821' got broadcast and 22K acknowledged. NS 6951 and 2 undecipherable stablemates got 37 table and well positions -- mostly occupied -- onto the Single at 0353, the shortest and most overpowered 22K I can recall seeing. 22K will close things out.
At 0403, the the 333 WLs were dark for at least a bit longer, and further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear, the 330 WLs and ELs all at Stop. and the GL and FG WLs dark. Ongoing garble had resumed for a few, and at 0417, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT.
Post refueling stop and at 0430, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and it would not be until 0444 that a "Roger that" got heard from D-3 to somebody about something.
I was about to turn the scanner off at 0456 when D-3 called out to 22K with yarding instructions -- 1 with overflow to 2 if needed, adding something broken about AY-4.
FI-3, POED/EDPO, ED-8/9, AE-01, AY-5, POAY/AYPO, Q426/7? Naught IDable heard to, from, or about, however much 1 or more mighta contributed to the earlier hash. As of the 0540 posting, there had been no X7.8 crossing noise, either.
 #1570761  by jaymac
 
0255-0445/05-07-2021 had some surprises. There was starting garble that The Deity Of Reception Randomness -- plus a coupla minutes and coupla hundred yards -- turned into 22K's E being advised they was good for 20. 22K would continue to be the sole IDable source of receptions among a supply of hash until "AYPO, OK to go" was heard at 0326.
At 0328, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0331, there was a broken 241 to the 7594, mebbe AYPO or even AY-4 cuz the AY-4 E got a good for 40 at 0334. And yes, the usual pattern of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s was observed. 0337 was when AYPO's E got a good for 30.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and between the easterly FP and the ambulance company, Yard 4 had covered hoppers, 2 unplacarded tanks, a coil car, an NS gon, and some high-side scrap gons.
The EB trip had 0350 unattributable car countdowns, but "22K" was clear at 0352. 0355 provided shards of a Form D, "Line 2" being clear, that followed in a bit by "call into DCS," so probably for Q427. There would be occasional spells of static, but naught clear as a DCS acknowledgment. Again, AY-4, POAY/AYPO, and Q426/7 in and/or around Hill Yard at the same time. Distant crossing noise had been heard at 0500, but naught for X7.8 as of the 0545 posting.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear, but the 330 WLs and ELs -- surprise -- would be every bit as dark as the GL and FG WLs.
Dunno if trouble or a reset.
At 0411, there was a broken 241 to AY-3 with the 7485 for CPF-AY, and at 0412, KCIR 5948 was dark, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, East Side looking pretty MT. More Dispatcher-side breakage happened at 0312 with a broken Form D G201 Line 4ing between CPF-BY and ?????, 0415 the time effective. 0419 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
OT, but in a sure and certain sign of warmer weather, progress along Rte. 13 and onto I-190 south had slowed by a trailered outboard.
At 0425, there was an "AYPO, far enough" followed quickly by by D-3 giving AY-3 permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to CPF-AY, there earlier 241 mebbe for CPF-WL or even 312. Unheard during listening would be AYPO getting the OK for East Wye.
Only short spurts of static would close out the listening period. FI-3. EDPO/POED, ED-8/9. AE-1 or AY-5? Dunno.
 #1570973  by jaymac
 
0255-0455/05-10-2021 was sparing with its servings of hash, surprising given the rain, yet more surprises to follow. The 1st proof of scanner functionality would come with 0304 hash, but that of the PW Road variety. Small, short, and sporadic spurts would occur, those possibly public safety/utility intrusions.
At 0328, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s to follow.
All my way WB up Da Hill and at 0341, D-3 would 241 AY-3 -- more about whom later -- with the 7489 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY. He'd ask them how many for West Main and roger their response. At 0342, D-3 reached out to FI-3, said he was ready to copy, hashed something, repeated the ready to copy, said he'd pass it along, asked how the rear end was doing, rogered, asked about *hash* pulled out on the Main, correct?, and called himself out. The 345s were dark, and Yard 4 from the easterly FP to Royal Steam Heater would have a mix of 5 covered hoppers, 2 placarded and 1 unplacarded tanks, 1 untented lumber centerbeam, 1 loaded stickrail carrier, 1 BNSF box, and 1 Smurf box. Yes, a company box from the west going to the PW via Gardner, FI-3 obviously already well east.
EB, there would be brief D-3 garble at 0350, and at 0359, the 333 WLs were dark. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and at 0404, there was another brief spurt of D_3 garble.
In the new normal, the 330 WLs and ELs were as dark, and in the old normal, the GL and FG WLs were dark, as would be the EB staggers for Derby at 0417.
At 0412, the FI-1/2 parking spot had been MT and D-3 advised FI-3 that *hash* was cancelled and to go in via Moores. To add to suspense, 22K, ED-8/9, POAY/AYPO, Q426/7, AE-01, AY-4, AY-5, and FI-2 would not be heard to, from, or about.
At 0426 would come "Are you looking for anybody in particular?", only some short hash to increase the suspense. At 0429, D-2 would add to suspense with a call to a foreman, naught further reaching my ears.
At 0434, D-3 would roger whatever AY-3 had just said, adding something broken about the Keolis 400 passenger stop. Yep, we're back to semi-normal -- normal start to the schedule on weekdays, suspended schedule on weekends. Please don't let the semi-normal become the new normal.
 #1571166  by jaymac
 
0255-0440/05-12-2021 had clear skies, but hashed receptions, opening at the opening with broken and unattributable car countdowns.
Reception clarity would come at 0316 when AY-3 reached out to D-3. I was then in the electromagnetic lee of Mount Wachusett, so dunno if there was an immediate response, but at 0318, D-3 reached out x2 to AY-3, then asked how many, got the unheard-by-me response, and next OKd them on signal indication.
A period of radio silence -- to me, at least -- now followed. At 0326, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s to follow.
Starting at 0333, occasional garbles would reappear, then at 0336 either "AY-3" -- already mentioned -- or "AY, 3" -- part of a countdown for POAY, who'll make a later entrance.
At 0337, D-Probably 2 would give POED a broken-to-me permission to reverse direction from wherever it was they stood, the following deets lost. Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and as a non-update, detour signs for work on the Pleasant Street OHB were still in place. Yard 2 had a mix of 2 full-size and 1 shortie covered hoppers, and 2 each placarded and unplacarded tanks from the easterly FP to Chair City Oil, and Yard 4 had at least 1 full size covered hopper on the easterly end.
The EB leg of the trip was generally quiet until a 0352 broken exchange between AY-4 and POAY that devolved into total hash as I lost altitude and acquired intervening land features.
At 0354, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0356, there was more breakage, only "241" being clear. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear, the 330s and GL and FG WLs dark.
0407 was when KCIR 5976 sat dark, solo, and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, East Side looking generally MT, and at 0411, there was a semi-solid D-3/AYPO exchange, AYPO advising that right now they were making the swap *garble*.
At 0413, the EB staggers for Derby were dark and D-3 gave permission to AY-3 with the 7620 to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to CPF-AY, making it seem like the runaround had been completed and providing the possible reason for the earlier broken 241.
At 0423, D-3 would reach out to FI-3 -- possibly amended to FI-2 -- and ask how they were doing. Their response brought D-3's response of "Fantastic," followed by his question about cars having been spotted. Only short spurts of static would be heard for the balance of the trip.
Naught attributable was heard to, from, or about 22K, AE-01, AY-5, ED-8/9, EDPO, or Q426/7 -- not even 426/7 power noise when I got outta my car at the end at the end of the trip or crossing noise by the 0535 posting.
 #1571313  by jaymac
 
0255-0450/05-14-2021 started off quiet, 0304 being when D-3 answered AY-3, rogered what they'd said, and OKd them on signal indication. Very sparse Yard Channel hash would follow until 0314 and a broken D-2 241 for CPF-BY. This would set off a number of generally unclear D-2 and D-3 receptions and a Battle for Boss of the Airwaves, 1 won in a flurry -- as will be seen -- by D-3.
At 0321, D-2 would tell somebody -- DOBO/BODO or foreman? -- to call clear of Plaistow, with more hashed D-2 to follow. 0327 was when the 333 WLs were dark, the usual pattern of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s to follow.
0338 provided more D-2 breakage when he'd told somebody -- probability to follow -- to take a look at the power *garble*. 0341 was when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7620 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY, and a minute later and as promised, D-2 241d POED with the 7605 1 west to 2 at CPF-BY.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and general was pretty much FP-FP on Yard 2, lotsa covered hoppers, a few boxes that included CRYO-TRANSes, a coupla loaded racks and some unplacarded tanks. The Extension had a mix of 3 covered hoppers and 2 placarded tanks, dunno if overflow or setouts.
On the EB leg of the trip, there was D-3 garble, followed at 0354 by initial D-2 garble about crossovers and power followed by a clear 241 to POED for 2 west to 2 at CPF-BY, making it seem like there might be correspondence problems there.
At 0357, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0401, there was more D-2 garble to POED. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and the 330 WLs and ELs and GL and FG WLs dark.
At 0409, there was D-3 garble to AY-3, and at 0410, KCIR 5976 was parked dark, solo, and west-facing on West Side.
22K with NSs 6951, 4174, and 1063 was sitting dimmed on 2 west of the North Leominster platform. At 0421, somebody called or confirmed 89 on the marker, and at 0422, the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach, and somebody said or confirmed there were no pickups on 11.
OT, but given the number of staged precast pit sections, the westerly end of Nashua Street might be in for some disruption.
At 0425, 22K called out to D-3, getting Form D G302, a Line 13 to leave North Leominster, time effective 0431. Whatever the yarding instructions might be was something I never heard. In more 0431 activity and clinching his win in Battle for Boss of the Airwaves, D-3 confirmed that Q427 was east and clear of MP X25, fulfilled Form D G329, and issued Form D G303, time effective 0433. An updated length was asked for, rogered, and then a request for time into DCS, that coming and acknowledged with thanks at 0442.
There mighta been some more short-term, but Boston West got busy, the next thing being a partial Yard Channel reception involving AYPO and D-3, AYPO being the stronger party.
AY-4, AE-01, AY-5, EDPO, FI-3? Dunno -- naught IDable heard to, from, or about.
 #1571522  by jaymac
 
0255-0455/05-17-2021 was light on receptions, but still had some notable items. The 1st serving to me of company hash would wait until 0324, that being both Yard Channel and brief.
The 333 WLs would be dark at 0327, the stereotypical sequential sightings unseasoned even by static eruptions. Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and -- BIG AND *PLEASANT* SURPRISE -- the detour signs for the Pleasant Street OHB project were gone, an investigation following. Yes the bridge was open, and a round trip was made. The lane-markings on the repaved approaches still have to be painted, the deck is concrete, and even at pre-0400, others would taking advantage of the newly-reopened roadway, showing that 6-1/2+ years of detour practice can quickly be overcome.
There was a plug-door box on Yard 2 or 4 by the easterly end of the Pratt yard, which also had a "For Lease" sign, if anyone's interested in setting up a gawkers perch. The easterly end of 4 had -- from Chair City Oil to the FP -- 3 loaded racks, a company gon, and then a Brand X gon among the 4 covered hoppers. In forestry notes for the southerly Heywood, no saplings were yet visible.
There had been some Boston West garble at 0350, proving that the scanner was still functioning, naught else heard EB until 0401 brief garble.
At 0404, the 333 WLs were dark, and following a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and the 330 WLs and ELs and GL and FG WLs dark, as were the EB staggers for Derby at 0429. 6 earlier, the FI-1/2 parking spot had been MT, and there were at least a few racks on East Side.
At 0431, there was D-? garble about Track 1, and at 0433, there was brief Road-side garble, followed at 0438 by mebbe"D-3" by mebbe D-3.
There was finally welcome D-3 clarity at 0442 with a hedzup to Keolis 400 about a 241 for Derby, that coming at 0447 , 1 east to 1 being the specifics. That the 400 would be on 1 hinted there might be activity or at least occupancy east of Derby on 2, but there had been and would be naught IDable to, from, or about even 1 of the usual presences.
Things closed out at 0455 with Boston West talking to possibly a foreman.

I'm all for setting records, but 72 hours w/o a post from somebody?
 #1571527  by johnhenry
 
OK, maybe you are looking for more sightings and I don't have that, but I do have conversation - here are some questions from a frequent reader who is also local so he can follow the twists and turns of the GG. One abbreviation I always wondered about is the "DCS". I kind of know this must be the track territory governed by form D's (in this case MP 25 to Burncoat on the Worcester "main"). But DCS? Direct Control System? Ha, that can't be right? Hardly "direct" if it takes radio conversation to operate the system? Maybe its 'Direct Conversation System"?
Also, to nit-pic or to learn -how can cars be on Gardner yard track 4 be up to a FP (facing point I assume) switch? Doesn't facing point refer to the end of the switch that ends in a single track. In that case, cars on the yard track would be up to the trailing point of the switch and no farther.
 #1571547  by gokeefe
 
Form D Control System. It's basically train orders (old school dispatching) by radio usually with no wayside or cab signals. The professionals can probably explain this better or correct any errors on my part.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 #1571561  by jaymac
 
by johnhenry » Mon May 17, 2021 8:28 am
...Also, to nit-pic or to learn -how can cars be on Gardner yard track 4 be up to a FP (facing point I assume) switch? Doesn't facing point refer to the end of the switch that ends in a single track. In that case, cars on the yard track would be up to the trailing point of the switch and no farther.
gokeefe covered the DCS side of your question. As far as "FP" goes, it's the fouling point -- marked by yellow paint on the rail web -- beyond which cars are not to be set on a switched track because a move on the track for which the switch is set could/would strike the standing cars.
 #1571705  by jaymac
 
0300-0445/05-19-2021 started off with garbled car countdowns, clearing up to "AYPO, far enough," and then returning to ongoing and intermittent garble. The Dispatcher side of Channel 1 would also contribute to the garble at 0313.
AYPO was again IDable at at 0316 and 0321, breakage resuming at 0326 with a shattered-to-me 241 to BO-2 or DO-2 for dunnowhereorinwhatdirection.
At 0329, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence to follow, as did garbled intermittent receptions up Da Hill to the dark 345s, the exception being a semi-clear 241 to AY-3 with the 7605 for 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY.
Yard 4 was FP-FP with a box, a covered hopper, and gons east to Chair City Oil and then 6 rack loads. At 0344, D-3 answered Q 427, fulfilling Form D G320 t0 426 with the CSXT 3066 at 0345 and advising he was ready to copy what musta been the update, his response being "Big train today." Now came Form D G301 to 427 with the CSXT 955 for X25 to Burncoat, time effective 0347, adding that he would show them into DCS at 0400.
On the EB leg of the trip, intermittent garble resumed west of the Rte. 2 EB crest, and at 0400, the 333 WLs were dark. Further east, the 330.8 WBs were at Clear and the 330 WLs and ELs and GL and FG WLs all dark. 0413 was when dark and west-facing NewBlue 5963 was on the westerly end of racks in the FI-1/2 parking spot. Because of activity in the RVJ lot, there was no line-of-sight viewing of the apparently dark EB staggers for Derby at 0419.
The garbles had gone until 0432 when D-3 answered AYPO, said he was ready to copy, rogered them, and OKd them to proceed east on signal indication. At 0437, D-3 would reach out to AY-3 and then tell AYPO to disregard cuz he was trying to reach AY-3. Guessing the ambient noise in AYPO's cab was close to redlining at that point. D-3 reached to to AY-3 again, established contact, but by that time I was in the depths of the West Boylston/Boylston sag on Temple Street/Rte. 140, so dunno...
Also dunno about AE-01, AY-4, AY-5, 22K, FI-3, ED-8/9, or POED/EDPO since naught IDable was heard to, from, or about.

Edited to add update of Temple Street/MP X7.8 crossing noise for 427 at 0543.
  • 1
  • 176
  • 177
  • 178
  • 179
  • 180
  • 213