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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,
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

 #1585059  by jaymac
 
0240-0445/11-17-2021 had more input, so the post will be a bit longer than 11-15's. Things started at the star with hash, "POAY" being clear.. The hash continued both intermittently and frequently, so car countdowns and more than 1 crew seemed likely.
There was a both-sides semiclear FI-2/D-3 exchange involving FI-2 wanting to go East Side to West. 0310 was when D-3 said FI-2 was being sent to Gardner to drop off "that" unit, FI-2 adding that the lead unit had kept on shutting down, D-3 saying he'd talk to the Chief. Given all the ZombieZones, never heard a followup, but speculations will follow.
At 0313, the 333 WLs were at Stop, no markers or headlights to the immediate west, and ditto for the east, the lack of noise suggesting a static situation.
Intermittent Yard Channel hash continued on the way over to the 334s -- the Controlled Siding at Stop, the 2 at Medium Approach, and the 1 WB stagger for 335 at Stop with general occupants a bit east and west to the 335s, the 2 WL at Medium Clear, showing things were lined for FI-2's trip west. A dark KCIR 7605 sat just clear of the ELs/MP with at least KCIR 5956 and OldPaint 3?? as trailers. Dunno what the train might be except decrewed, that condition supported by wet tire tracks either side of a puddle in the 335 lot. D-3 had reached out to AY-3 at 0315, but Mount Wachusett did the expectable.
Up Da Hill the 345s were dark. See Al LaPierre's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267084 of 11-16 to see that there hadn't been any apparent change to the westerly part of 1 in the yard since 11-15, but a solo rack load, a gon, covered hoppers and a clear-tented centerbeam had been added on the Extension and easterly part of 1. Tanks were visible on the 4, but dunno about the 2.
There had been Dispatcher-side hash at 0334, and more at 0346 and in the lee of Mount Wachusett. "They're shoving now" was clear, and a clear possibility for the "they" would come at 0349 with "22K, 5 more cars." Take it as a given that the 22K would be an intermittent presence for the balance of the trip.
At 0354, 335 was as it had been earlier, but at 0357, the 334s were now all at Stop, the 2 possibilities being being that FI-2's route had been taken away for 400, or that FI-2 had gotten west while I had been getting east. At 0413, the FI-1/2 parking spot would be MT, so guessing FI-2 was west. No surprise that the 333 WLs were all at Stop at 0400, the same time that a breaking D-3 said something to AY-3 about a signal and correspondence.
Further east, the EB staggers for the 330s were both at Approach and the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and GL and FG Wls dark.
At 0418, the RVJ yard was busy, so the EB staggers for Derby went unviewed, but the hoppers on the stub seemed unchanged.
For the balance of the trip, the only IDable receptions came from 22K, Bostons E and W, the PW, and CSX.
 #1585171  by jaymac
 
0240-0435/11-19-2021 had a mix of intermittent rain and hash, the hash starting at the start with a lost-but-for-IDs D-3 reachout to AY-3. At 0246, D-3 would reach out to Q426, any developments getting hashed. That would be the last even semiclarity to, from, or about Q426/7.
Amidst the ongoing hash -- car countdowns being in the mix -- came a 0258 Dispatche-sider serving of hash, again no clear developments.
At 0312, the 333 WLs were at Stop, as was a dark 22K or I2K on 1 with NSs 6952, 4479, and 9950. Everything at 334 and 335 was also at Stop, a marker a bit east of the State Road/Rte. 2A UGB. Part way the rest of the WB way up Da Hill, there was an "AY" that emerged from some small hashing. Guessing POAY since they would be frequently heard later.
All the way up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and as they had on 11-15 and 11-17, a few MT rail or structural steel carriers sat west of Royal Steam Heater and morphed into other general. 1 to the east and the Extension were clear and the 4 seemed to be, as well. From the east on 2, there were two unplacarded tanks, a covered hopper, and a number of LPG tanks. Dunno if the same as on 11-17.
The trip EB had a good amount of hashed Yard Channel activity that included a "far enough" x2, followed at 0346 by FI-2 calling out to D-3 x2. 2 later, 333 looked the same as it had at 0312.
At 0350, I was deep into the Westminster Street ZombieZone when FI-2 called out to D-3 again. Things did get hashed, but D-3 said something about going to Lafarge.
The EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and the 330.8 WBs 330 WL and ELs, and GL and FG WLs all dark. No surprise that the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0402.
The Yard Channel hash continued with card countdowns, POAY being the source. At 0408m the EB staggers for Derby were at Approach. Guessing that FI-2 was on 2 east of Derby and the route for 400 wasn't yet in. The RVJ stub hopper count remained unchanged.
Only brief static eruptions provided any audio input for the next and last 17 minutes.
 #1585313  by jaymac
 
0240-0505/11-22-2021 started off slow, but -- as the elapsed time indicates -- got busy. The first company reception -- brief Yard Channel Hash -- didn't get to me until 0300. 0305 provided a bit of drama when Sirius started posting tornado warnings that would expire at 0330. I saw none, but the crosswinds going up Da Hill would requiring some tacking.
At 0313, the 333 WLs were dark, and at 0315, a both-sides-audible D-3/EDPO chat started , he giving them with the 7541 a Form D G304 Line 12 at 335 for Walker Road -- BF37.50 -- time effective 0318 with the added hedzup about him talking them by Camp and AY. The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WB stagger for 335 stayed dark for a couple, so I headed west, hoping it might be a recent recrew getting under way. Loki was not yet in a giving vein, cuz cars were rolling through the 335 EL, the marker clearing at 0322. The aroma of hot brakes was heavy in the wet air, so they had probably come straight east.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the the 2 WL at Medium Clear, hinting an imminent WB. From the Yard Lead switch west on 1 there were 4 covered hoppers and then racks to mebbe the westerly FP. 2 had covered hoppers, a few double-stack hazmat tables, and other general. 4 had a coupla more racks and general on the east, the more westerly obscured.
OK -- what was doing the shunting? Curiosity being stronger than ADHD today, I went west, where at 0347 cars sat on the Single and east, obscuring all but the top light -- red -- of the 346 WL. 0348 would produce the sounds of ED-8 calling out to D-3 and asking if the cars were to go by the West End switch or by the crossover. D-3's response was hopefully clearer to them than it was to me, but it was back east. From the Emerald Street dogleg above the Timpany Boulevard UGB, number boards were visible. Loss of altitude put them behind the racks on 1 in the yard, so got no IDs. Dunno, but guessing that ED-8 had been just in back of EDPO until Gardner. and did all the drops.
0355 had been the start of the D-3 side of a convo with Q427 that would produce the 0355 fulfillment of Form D G309 to CSXT 3143. D-3 asked for the update and then issued time-effective 0357 Form D G305 to CSXT 3208 for X25 to Burncoat, asking if about 10 minutes would be OK. Never got anything further to, from, or about Q427 until crossing noises for X7.8 at 0444, for X6.0 at 0454, and for Burncoat Street at 0603.
EB and starting at 0402 came car countdowns for AYPO, those getting worse with my decrease in altitude. The 333 WLs were dark at 0407, and a minute later came D-3 answering somebody calling, any further developments eaten by the Westminster Street ZombieZone.
Further east, the EB staggers for Derby showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2. Post refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were dark, as were the GL WLs. The 330 1 WL, however, was at Clear and the 2 WL and all 3 EL at Stop. The rails got bright on the curve west of the platform, and 4 flats, 1 bi, and PTC-Test-Train-labeled 1130 were east at 0404 and making noise. Loki had gotten generous.
At 0427, FI-2 car countdowns would start getting heard. The FG WLs were at Stop. Temporarily stopped on East Side on the westerly end of covered hoppers was KCIR 5976, the same time as D-3 called out to AY??.
At 0408, D-3 called out to the LGT and then called out to ED-8. At 0431, D-3 again called out to the LGT and then changed to AY-5, asking AY-5 to change over to the MEC Yard Channel and try to contact the LGT. Naught further would be heard to, from, or about the LGT and AY-5.
At 0434, the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach and the RVJ stub MT.
0437 would produce a broken 241 to EDPO for 1 east to 1 at AY, the Camp 241 unheard by me. D-3 added that there was a crew on 2 312 hanging a marker. Minute later, D-3 would hedzup the 400 about 241s for Camp and AY, 400's broken response containing something that caused D-3 to say they could "push the button." PTC trouble after the PTC Test Train? That's pressing irony.
At 0447, D-3 would 241 400 1 east to 2 at Camp, hinting that there might be something on 2 west of Camp, but not long enough for a Stop on the 2 EB stagger for Derby.
At 0451 and 0452, there would be D-3 breakage to 400, quiet in place for the remaining 8.
 #1585452  by jaymac
 
0245-0445/11-24-2021 started off slow -- and except for AY-3 -- didn't get much better. There was 0254 CSX hash, but the 1st company activity was a 0258 D-3 shoutout to AY-3, immediate further developments being hashed by Mount Wachusett.
At 0304, D-2 contributed to the hash with a 1-to-1 241 to the 7517, other deets lost. At 0312, D-3 answered AY-3, breaking a bit, but clearing up to say that the 1st cut would go to East Side, suggesting the 11-22 LGT was being transformed into an EGT. 1 minute later, changes came. They would be going to Fitchburg, but would back in on West Side, 1 West being clear, and no, there was no recrew for them just now.
At 0316, the 333 WLs were dark, and Quiet Mode seemed in effect. The 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 1 stagger 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s dark.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop. Tanks were on the 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UGB, changing to racks by the easterly end of the Pratt yard and then to a marker- and bill-less covered hopper by the westerly end of Chair City Oil. The cars didn't go far enough to reach the furniture company west of Pleasant Street. The yard had covered hoppers and hoonose what else on 2 and 4, so it looked like 1in the yard had been left open for the PW's WBs.
Radio silence would get broken at 0342 and 0344 by some Dispatcher-side noise, and at 0352, the 333 WLs were dark.
Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach, the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and FG WLs dark, the FG WLs only temporarily, as AY-3 with KCIRs 7595 and 7727 would soon be hauling west of the WLs with a mix of BNSF and other covered hoppers.
At 0413, dark and west-facing KCIR 5976 was sitting on the westerly end of however many covered hoppers on East Side.
An AY-3/D-3 convo started at 0417. The had 1-1/2 hours left, and could they get a light ahead of Keolis, which was still 20 minutes away? D-3 mentioned rundown, but said he'd see what he could do. 0417 was alo when the EB staggers for Derby showed a Clear for 1 and Approach for 2, a strong hint that there might be something holding on 2 between Derby and Slab City.
At 0425, D-3 called AY-3. Rundown was still going on, and 400 was leaving Wachusett, so he would have to leave them there. My changing position again brought Mount Wachusett into play, so further developments were lost. As an aside, I'm glad I'm not a C facing waiting in 25° -- made worse by wind chill -- for another nearly 1/2 hour before the shove could start. Naught further would get heard to, from, or about AY-3.
Even though I'd heard 0221 and 0231 crossing noise -- the change in volume suggesting an EB -- Q426 would be among the several other usuals not generating anything outta my speaker.

May the only turkeys you encounter tomorrow be sliced and plated!
 #1585566  by jaymac
 
0240-0435/11-26-2011 was -- as will be seen -- not a good day to part of the Track Department.
The automated Morse ID on the PVRR frequency gave the first proof of scanner function at 0241. There would be some brief and intermittent hashings starting at 0244 that would clear up to an unattributable "Take it ahead about 8," that to be followed by car countdowns and a "Far enough," also unattributable.
At 0314, the 333 WLs were dark, the usuals -- Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s -- to follow, as would Yard Channel hash occasionally.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop with stopped general on the 2 at the Timpany Boulevard UHB. Further east, DS trash became the species with dark NS 6951 and obscured trailers tight by the 345 2 WL. Guessing a decrewed ED-8. There were covered hoppers visible on 1 in the yard through the gaps, but hoonose what else.
At 0331, D-3 had told somebody to standby, then 3 later told ???? that the Track Department was rerailing cars and using both tracks between Camp and AY, so whoever it was would be waiting. D-3's request about what time they were good to got rogered without repetition. As of 0445, there were no service alerts for 400 or later trains, so at least 1 track had probably gotten released. Hope the track Department crew had at least some time to sleep off their Thanksgiving dinners. Possible that at least some of the earlier Yard Channel hash was rerailing related.
The trip EB had the expectable occasional hash, and at 0346, the 333 WLs were dark. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and the 330 WLs and ELs and GL and FG WLs were dark. Also dark was KCIR 5976 at 0359 on East Side. Dunno if FI-2's crew had been repurposed to go east for rerailing, but the power hadn't. Don't even know if FI-2's crew was on.
At 0405, the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach, and at 0413, Q426 would call out to POAY, hash the response, 426 then stating they were on their way down now. Naught else would be heard to, from, or about 426/7 or POAY/AYPO.
A stop was made at the X7.8 crossing to eyeball the equipment seen earlier at the southwest corner, a RELAM Gradall. Dunno for what or where.
At 0429, D-3 reached out to LAED -- an ID I hadn't heard in more than a bit -- and asked them if they had all the power from the ???? train of yesterday, next asking if the 7561 was the leader. Any further developments didn't get to me by the 0435 end of listening. Always the possibility that LAED was part of the 0331 and 0334 convos.

Edited for updates:
D-3's 0429 question to LAED with the 7561 about whether they had they same units they did yesterday is probably related to Bob Sprague's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267208 of 11/25 showing the 7561 leading ED-8 with 3 BNSF trailers.
Also, WB crossing noises at 0700, 0711, and 0719 for X7.8, X6.0, and Burncoat, probably for 427.
 #1585669  by arthur d.
 
Any word on what was on the ground between Camp and AY on 11/26 Jay?
 #1585681  by jaymac
 
Not me. Hoping someone else might know. Seemed more inconvenience than hazardous.
 #1585773  by jaymac
 
0240-0435/11-29-2021 started off quiet, CSX hash at 0246. The RELAM Gradall at the X7.8 crossing seemed to have a small carbide-tooth brush-cutter attachment, guessing that might explain the improved visibility along that stretch of the Worcester Main.
0252 presented some company Road-side hash, soon followed by D-3 acknowledging TC T954 east and clear of FG. D-3 then turned his attention to AY-3, asking their engine number and then 241ing the 7557 1 east to 1 at AY, making it seem like AY-3 would soon be going back to the yard. 0302 presented some Road-side hash from or about FI-2.
At 0304, D-3 gave TC T954 Form D G303 with a Line 2 east on between Derby and Camp and a Line 3 for no trains or track cars ahead and permission to pass the Derby Stop signal. 1 minute later, FI-3 called D-3, advising that West Side was all jammed up and that they needed to go East Side, my entry into a ZombieZone eating any further immediate developments. 0309 was when D-3 acknowledged TC T954 was east and clear of Derby, fulfilling Form D G301 the same minute.
At 0311, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual pattern of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s in effect.
OT, but 1 break in the usual pattern of late was the slight accumulation of snow on the grass either side of the pavement of 5th Mass. Turnpike. That phenomenon still had yet to be processed by a pair of this year's deer crop who preferred to stay on the pavement despite the approaching LED headlights. Cue the usual caution of Sgt. Phil. Oh yeah and also OT, it's officially seasonal winter -- the slope lights for Mount Wachusett were on.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were on, and the 1 WL was at Clear, where just west sat dimmed NS 6954 and however many trailers. Next came a string of unplacarded tanks -- oil for Catania-Spagna? -- and a single covered hopper by the westerly end of Chair City Oil, followed by a few MT wells and then trash DS however far west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB, so guessing ED-8. The yard had a mix of racks and general on 1 and rack loads plus whatever else on 4, mebbe left by FI-3, mebbe who also had San-Vel racks. At 0328, D-3 had reached out to POED with the 7517 to check on status, garble then to follow. Naught further POED would reach me.
EB and at 0337, D-3 acknowledged TC T954 was east and clear of Camp, soon to add a question about whether he was ready to copy a Line 2 Addition, that being for 2 between AY and WL, time effective 0339, then giving a 241 for 2 east to 2 at AY, then garbling.
At 0345, the 333 WLs were dark, and a couple later, the junction of Westminster Street and State Road/Rte. 2A was generous with hash.
The EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach, and post-refueling-stop, the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and GL and FG WLs dark.
There had been a 0357 and hashed D-3 fulfillment, and at 0402 came some possibly FI-2 or FI-3 garble, that immediately followed by Q427 reaching out to D-3 who breakingly fulfilled 426's Form D at 0403, took a broken update, and then issued an also-broken Form D G303 to CSXT 474 for X25 to wherever at 0404, the same time the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT.
At 0410, the EB staggers for Derby showed a Stop for 1 -- FI-2 to the east? -- and Clear for 2.
At 0410, AYPO would reach out to D-3 on Channel 2, only hash to follow. That would be the story for the rest of the trip, Yard Channel hash closing things out at 0435.
 #1585900  by jaymac
 
0240-0440/12-01-2021 had its surprises. Boston West hash came at the start, followed immediately by D-3 answering FI-2 and then asking about what happened to the cab signals. Immediate further developments got stepped on by non-company hash, but at 0245, D-3 advised FI-2 that the Chief said it was OK to cut out the cab signals, followed at 0245 by another D-3 answering of FI-2, followed by the suggestion to try flipping the PTC breakers on and off. 0305 provided some Dispatcher-side hash followed by Road-side hash that allowed "GPS" and "cab signals" to enter clarity. There would be more garble at 0307 with "Roger. Stand by" escaping.
0311 was when the 333 WLs were dark, and 2 later, D-3 reached out to POAY and then went into hash mode. In between the 334s -- ELs at Stop and 1 WB stagger for 335 dark -- and the 335s -- also dark -- there was more Dispatcher-side hash.
While I continued WB and at 0313, D-3 advised AY-3 that they were OK to 312, but that he'd hold them for POAY to get by.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, a dark and presumed ED-8 sitting on the 2. Leader NS 6959 was by the Jade lot, UP 8358 and NS 9687 trailing , as were unplacarded tanks and 1 covered hopper west to Royal Steam Heater and then DS trashes however far west of the Timpany Boulevard UGB. There were rack loads on the Extension and 1 to the westerly end of Chair City Oil and then general. 2 and 4? Dunno. At 0327, D-3 had given POAY a broken 241 for the 2 at 312, power deets lost.
EB, there was 0342 Dispatcher-side hash followed in a bit by an "OK on signal indication." Coulda been D-2 cuz a minute later, a clearer D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7605 west to 2 at 312.
At 0350, the 333 WLs were dark, and a couple later and in ZombieZone came Dispatcher-side garble that included " set off" and "Thorofare," so mebbe POAY's yarding instructions. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and the 330 WLs and ELs dark.
At 0357, FI-2 called out to D-3 who told them that the signal was coming in, earlier issues seemingly resolved. The GL WLs were at Stop, FI-2 apparently swapping sides at FG, whose WLs would be dark by the time I got there. The FI-1/2 parking spot mighta been MT at 0404, but West Side wasn't, dimmed NSs6 958, 1187, and 697? sitting there, mebbe by themselves.
There was sparse garble on the way over to Nashua Street, the EB staggers for Derby unviewed at 0412 cuzza activity in the RVJ lot.
A few garbles would close out the trip, including some partial car countdown at 0430 and a bit later. Guessing mebbe POAY at the X25 end of the yard.
Oh yeah -- the RELAM Gradall was still at the X7.8 crossing.
 #1586071  by jaymac
 
0240-0505/12-03-2021 was a Lokifest. Things were quiet until 0245 when somebody in Jacksonville proved the scanner was working.
At 0300 somebody told somebody else it was OK to stop, and 0307 started a spell of garble in which Q426 called out to D-3, their exchanges signifying nothing to me, with only a possible "Line 13" escaping into clarity. To save suspense, that would be the last heard to, from, or about Q426/7.
At 0313, the 333 WLs were at Stop, and NSs 6965, 443, and 4379 had done just that on 1, DS trashes to the west, leading to the guess that they were ED-8. Over at 334, the ELs and 1 WB stagger for 335 were all at Stop, and DS trashes were still visible. On my way over to 335 and at 0322, D-3 reached out to ED-8 for a status check saying he had to get them down to Ayer cuz 22K was coming. ED-8 was loud and clear, so they were probably at East Fitchburg and most definitely not at Wachusett. The 335 ELs and WLs were all at Stop, and no marker was visible from the 335 lot.
At 0329, D-3 reached out to AY-3, saying he needed them to clear up, going into garble, then saying that he had 22K coming and that he had already gotten the cab.
Up Da Hill, the 335 ELs were at Stop, so it was the Pearson Boulevard offramp to catch 22K. the 1 WL at Clear. At 0335, the 346.6 came on with a no defects and 30°, but that was acknowledged by EDPO, meaning what was at 335 was probably an FI-3. A minute later, D-3 advised EDPO their rear was clear, and KCIR 7585, NewBlue 7542, and KCIR 7??? (Note to self -- Take legible notes.) came to a stop on 2 across from the MART garage at 0342, the same time the 346.6 came on again. 0344 was when the 346.6 gave another no defects, total axle count of 266., 30° again, and a length of 6422'. Noise got made, and NS 6951 and 2 UP trailers -- IDs to come -- got their tables and wells -- all positions occupied but 2 -- onto the Single at 0349.
EB and at 0353, there was some Dispatcher-side hash, mebbe D-2. At 0400, the 333 WLs were still at Stop, the presumed FI-3 still there, so I headed back to 335, the same time when D-3 reached out to NA-2, telling them something broken about AY-3 and then confirming that AY-3 was lined and locked normal.
The 335 ELs and WLs were at Stop, and at 0407, 22K called out a Stop for 335. D-3 would fix that and advise them that they would be holding at Slab City. 22K got on the move and the UPs -- 5144 and 6111 -- who would probably be making a CPF-NC appearance -- did their bit to get everything east of 335 on 2 at 0411. At 0411, 400 called out the Stop for 335, and at 0414 changed it to Medium Approach, 22K far enough east, 3 flats, 1 bi, and the 1129 getting east at 0416.
335 was bypassed, and the EB staggers for 330 were both at Stop, the 330.8 WBs dark, the 330 1 WL at Slow Approach, and the 330 2 WL and 330 ELs all at Stop., courtesy of MT racks on the 1 from just east of the 330 EL to beyond the platform. Yes, the 1 between the GL EL and 330 EL had become overflow.
There was a spell of Dispatcher-side/Road-side garble at 0432 that possible involved a AYPO update, and in another couple, the FG 1 WL showed a Limited Clear, 0436 being when the FI-1/2 paring spot was MT.
400 had beaten me to North Leominster and at 0441 gave themselves the OK to go. The RVJ lot was busy, so there was no eyeballing of the EB staggers for Derby, but with 22K ahead, 400 was probably gonna be on 1.
0448 offered a 22K car countdown a 0450 call of a Restricting and back for 20 hinting that the change of plans to keep 22K coming east and yarding instructions were yet another lost reception. 22 K's ongoing car countdowns would -- topography permitting -- continue until the 0505 end of listening.
Yes, Loki was busy, ED-8 and EDPO and 22K and a possible FI-3 plus MT racks by the Fitchburg platform as evidence.
Oh yeah, the RELAM Gradall was still at the X7.8 crossing.

Edited for update: Crossings noises at 0730 and 0741, appropriate interval and volume decrease for a probable Q427 at X7.8 and X6.0.
 #1586249  by jaymac
 
0245-0445/12-06-2021 was not among the better periods of time -- radio-wise -- for PAR/S, things starting off with the Road side of Channel 1 locking up with squelch tone. Road side would get locked out and occasionally put back in, each time with squelch tone until I was pretty well WB up Da Hill, suggesting Ayer as a possible source. There are enough units and TCs whose transmitters coulda self-keyed. Just after 0300, there was some Yard Channel hash, followed at 0306 by an unattributable "far enough."
At 0318, the 333 WLs were at Stop, an EB with dark NSs 6965, 4432, and 4379 à la elephants on 1 followed by DS trashes, even more DS trashes over at the all-Stops 334s. Mebbe ED-8, but -- as 12-03 showed -- mebbe not. The 335 ELs and WLs were at Stop, no marker visible from the 335 lot.
WB up Da Hill came some Yard Channel hash, and all the way Up Da Hill the 345s were dark. The Extension had both unplacarded and possibly liquid vinyl adhesive tanks, a pair of loaded racks, a coil car, covered hopper, clear-tented centerbeam and then covered hoppers mebbe to the westerly FP. Anything on 2 and/or 4 was blocked from view.
There were only a few Yard-Channel hashes EB, and at 0354, the 333 WLs were still at Stop and the EB still sitting.
The EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and at 0358, there was more Yard Channel hash, mebbe from D-3.
Post refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and the GL and FG WLs would all be dark. At 0413, dark and east-facing KCIR 5968 sat just west of a CSXT box on East Side.
0416 would offer more Yard Channel hash, and at 0419, the EB staggers for Derby would show and Approach for 1 and Clear for 2.
At 0424, D-3 would call out to AY-3 twice on Channel 1, immediate further developments hashed by Mount Wachusett's bulk. D-3 would again call out to AY-3 at 0429, and then at 0438, reached out to them again, saying the Road Channel was really messed up, that he could barely hear them, and that they had a cab coming at Ayer for 0500, and then to give him a call on the Yard Channel when they were lined and locked normal. Whether the 0438 Yard Channel hash was related to the closing request, dunno.
At 0443, D-3 would tell Q427 to call him on the Yard Channel since he couldn't hear them on the Road Channel. The subsequent hash was likely 426's fulfillment and 427's Form D.
Yet again, the RELAM Gradall was at the X7.8 crossing.

Edited for 2 updates:
1) Bruce Macdonald's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267335 shows that NS 6965 had been there a bit.
2) X7.8 crossing noise -- probable Q427 -- 0651

Re-edited for memory lapse:
The EB at 333 on 12-6 was the same 1 that was there on Friday, 12-03. That's some dwell-time.
 #1586386  by jaymac
 
0240-0425/12-08-2021 was the quickest trip in more than a bit, but that doesn't mean that things didn't happen.
Whatever the cause of the Road-side lockup on Channel 1 had been cured, CSX hash offering the 1st proof of scanner function at 0245. 3 later -- and as it would be on my return -- the RELAM Gradall was still by the X7.8 crossing, but sitting on a lowboy whose tractor had pretty much every imaginable flashing yellow light.
There would be D-2 garble at 0305, and at 0313, the 333 WLs were dark, meaning the former residents of the #1 between 335 and 333 had at last gotten east.
The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s dark. At 0323, there was a Dispatcher-side "OK for a stop," so there was some activity on the road.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and from the lower lot west, 2 in the yard had 3 MT racks. a pair of MT centerbeams, and then covered hoppers to the easterly part of the Pratt yard. If the 4 had any occupants, they were obscured.
EB and just west of the Rte. 2 EB crest came the 0336 sound of D-3 calling out to FI-2, rogering whatever they said, and next going into garble mode, only "tower" and "signal indication" being clear.
At 0343, the 333 WLs were dark. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach, and the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and the GL and FG WLs all dark.
At 0357, the FI-1/2 parking spot was predictably MT, and 5 later, the RVJ lot was active, so there was no eyeball of the EB staggers for Derby.
0410 provided a spell of Yard Channel garble with differing voices. The time woulda been right for a convo between POAY/AYPO and Q426, no surprise since there'd been X7.8 crossing noise audible inside my home at 0210. The rest of the trip had only non-company receptions.
Where anybody else mighta been is a guess beyond my pay grade.
 #1586530  by jaymac
 
0240-0430/12-10-2021 was sometimes plentiful with hash, some car countdowns, other hoonose what. The 1st clear reception wouldn't come until 0402 when D-3 reached out to AY-3, advised that he had called a cab for the Pine Tree at 0500, asked if that was right for them, and then rogered with thanks their response. That they weren't tying down at the yard was in sync with the Yard Channel hash.
The usual sights -- Approaches on the EB staggers for 330 and Derby and darkness elsewhere plus MTness at the FI-1/2 parking spot -- were there. Up Da Hill, there were scrap gons, MT centerbeams, LPG and other tanks, and covered hoppers from the Extension west to the 1 westerly FP and tanks and covered hoppers mebbe plus unknown others on 2 and mebbe on 4.

Note to self and other skeptics -- I am capable of a short post for a full trip.
 #1586780  by jaymac
 
0235-0420/12-13-2021 was another quick trip, but the reading won't be. 0239 was when things started with "14 to go, May have to double. Pull right up to the crossing. 10 to go." I'd heard faint crossing noise from inside my home at 0231. Given both the strong NW winds and the signal strength, I would guess guess that Q426 was about to be live recrewed, that guess getting more support at 0242 with "Doing a roll-by, District 3." To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from or about Q426.
Things would now be quiet for me until 0259 and some Dispatcher-side hash. At 0307, the 333 WLs were dark, and 2 later, there was D-2 hash, more from whom later. The usuals -- Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness fro the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s -- were there.
Most of the way WB up Da Hill came D-3's shoutout to AY-3, checking if things were lined and locked normal and then going into garble mode about the cab. The 345s were dark, and the yard looked pretty much the same as it had on 12-10, the same type of cars on the Extension and west to the "ACEM"-tagged covered hopper on the west. Ditto for the 2. Wonder when rust-welding kicks in...
The EB trip was quiet, and the 333 WLs were dark at -- wait for it -- 0333.
At 0337, FI-2 would start a convo with D-3, leading up to them wanting to go to East Side. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 would both be at Approach and the 330.8 WBs, 330 ELs and WLs, and GL WLs all dark.
There had been FI-2/FI-2 chatter that involved car countdowns and difficulties near the signal, so guessing PTC issues again. The FG WLs were dark, and FI-2's slow shove onto East Side with covered hoppers came to a halt at 0347, the power still west and obscured. There was more FI-2/FI-2 talk, and at 0351, FI-2 reached out to D-3 with a broken-to-me report of trouble around the interlocking, which D-3 rogered.
At 0353 -- the same time the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach -- FI-2/FI-2 talk resumed, the E advising that D-3 wanted him to cut it -- PTC? -- out and that they were back in action.
0358 was when D-3 told somebody to pull down to WL on 1 and wait for somebody else to go by. Next, D-2 reached out to POAY with the 7535 with a status check, then going into garble.
0406 was when D-3 reached out to FI-3 -- yes, three -- to check on their status, going into garble, and then rogering.
0413 was D-3's 241 to AY-4 with the 7528 for 1 FM at CPF WL to 1 west. Dunno whether AY-4 was the 0358 cause of waiting or the waiter.
There was more D-3 hash at 0417, plus a coupla spurts of Yard Channel hash closing out the 0420 end of listening.
 #1586945  by jaymac
 
0250-0445/12-15-2021 had as its prelude sleep-disrupting X7.8 crossing noise at 0021. Naught further, however, would be heard to, from, or about Q426/7. The 1st actual reception wouldn't be until CSX hash at 0259.
There would be brief Dispatcher-side hash at 0311 followed by an onset in Yard Channel hash, things close enough together to suggest car countdowns, an "AY" escaping clear, but there are too many possibilities to be sure which 1 might be involved.
Radio silence -- for me, at least -- would go into effect, and at 0322, the 333 WLs were dark, the usuals -- Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s -- to follow.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop, a tied-down LGT on 1, the power -- KCIRs 7797 and 7655, NewBlue 5946, and KCIR 7875 -- by the platform. In the yard, the gaps between the covered hoppers showed tanks on 1 and MT racks on 2. Same as before? Couldn't see enough to say.
EB and while west of the Rte. 2 crest at 0346 came the reception of D-3 answering AY-3, rogering and then OKing them on signal indication. He added a question about their plans for West Main Street, garbling something about cripples and derails, saying that because of the crews that there were TCs on South Track, so no room there. Some explanation would follow later. 0351 would be when D-3 would 241 AY-3 with the 7487 from the Single west to 2 at 312.
At 0350, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the EB staggers for 330 showed a Stop for 1 and an Approach for 2.
An OT hedzup for fellow early-morning refuelers -- the Cleghorn Cumby's was closed pre-0400.
The 330.8 WBs and the GL and FG WLs mighta been dark, but the 330 WLs and ELs were all at Stop.
At 0405, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, and post-refueling stop and at 0416, the view of the EB staggers for Derby didn't happen cuzza activity in the RVJ lot.
Radio silence would get broken at 0413 by AMTK hash, more hash to follow from Keolis Old Colony and P&W Yard Channel.
At 0428, D-3 called out again to AY-3, asking if they were ready at the light, saying he was keeping an eye on the time, and adding that there was signal trouble on 2 at CPF-AY. 0439 was another D-3/AY-3 convo, whatever they said prompting him to say he'd call the Train Master. 0442 was when D-3 said he'd talked to the TM, showed them in the clear, and he'd get them a cab.
Naught else of clarity got to me by 0445.

Edited for addition info -- per Al LaPierre's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267474 of 12-14, the LGT had been in place since pre-noon 12-14. Draw your own conclusions.
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