Gardner Gawking

0243-0430/12-17-2021 did provide a coupla strange sights, the first was my car's thermometer varying between mid 50s and low 60s in predawn mid-December, and the 2nd was an undecorated Christmas tree lying across 1 lane of Nashua Street by the North Leominster garage.
Back on topic: At 0243, D-3 reached out to AY-3 , saying he was checking in and then asking if they'd be able to make it back to the yard or if it'd be the Pine Tree. Whatever AY-3 said got the D-3 response that he'd be setting it up right now.
Things were quiet to me until 0302 and some PW Road-channel hash, that followed at 0304 by a semiclear FI-2/D-3 exchange, he giving them permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west to CPF Derby, next asking if it'd be Freight Main West, response and response to that response unheard by me.
At 0315, the 333 WLs were dark. On the way over to the 334s -- ELs at Stop and 1 WB stagger dark -- some Yard Channel hash started, car countdowns and mebbe with POAY involvement. The 335s were also dark, and in another few, a spell of radio silence went in effect for me.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark. Loaded racks were pretty much FP-FP on the 4 and the 2 had a mix of covered hoppers, LPG and unplacarded tanks, loaded scrap gons, and mebbe others. The Extension had a solo scrap gon, guessing a set-out.
At 0345, the 333 WLs were dark, the EB staggers for 330 both at Approach and the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and GL and FG WLs all dark.
At 0357, dark, solo, and west-facing KCIR 5948 sat on West Side, some D-3 hash getting to outta the speaker and breaking the spell of my radio silence.
At 0403, the aforementioned Christmas tree was occupying a lane of Nashua Street and the EB staggers fror Derby were dark.
0405 would present a brief Dispatcher-side/Road-side hash exchange, guessing intracrew.
Things would return to quiet until 0420 and the start in intermittent Yard Channel hash, some Boston West getting thrown in. Somebody got told "Far Enough" at 0428, naught further heard as of 0430.

0245-0440/12-20-2021 was about 40° colder than the same period of 12-17, that mebbe -- as will be seen -- contributing to an event of today, but definitely not making the remedy any more pleasant.
Things started off with POAY hash, "20 to go," "waters," and "pull the marker" among the clear bits. There would be more Yard Channel hash, clarity coming at 0255 with the words to POAY to drop the 3 and back it up 15 or coulda been 50, 0302 being when somebody said something about recharging air.
0319 was when the 333 WLs were dark, and a minute later, POAY called out to D-3 on Channel 2, next going into garble which would clear up enough to sound like a trouble report -- more about which later -- on a Brand X car.
The 334 WLs would be at Stop, the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s dark, and at 0328, D-3 would 241 FI-2 with the 5948 1 east to 2 at CPF Derby, a period of radio silence next to kick in.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and the yard pretty well occupied, as shown by Al LaPierre's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267544 and http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=267530 of 12-19. 4 and 2 had what WOGR brought up, 1 from west of the Yard Lead switch to mebbe the westerly foul point mebbe having more WOGRs or some more recently set-off EB generals.
The EB trip got the radio silence broken at 0344 broken when D-3 asked POAY where exactly their head end was. My entry into Mount Wachusett's electromagnetic shadow hashed the next few minutes, and at 0350, the 333 WLs were dark. A minute later, somebody would tell somebody else that things were all set, followed in another 2 by a non-sarcastic "perfect," guesses to follow.
The EB staggers for 330 would both be at Approach, darkness for all else up to and including the FG WLs. There had been some hash, "right at No Name" and "FI-2" being clear, the FI-1/2 parking spot being clearly MT at 0403.
At 0406, D-3 solved mysteries when he hedzupped Q426 that POAY had broken a knuckle, so it'd be a little while yet to get into the yard.
0409 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark, the rest of the trip being sparing, even of hash.

0355-0555/12-23-2021's gawk was pretty much -- as will be seen later -- set up by

atholrail
Wed Dec 22, 2021 3:09 pm
Ayer must be a mess, 1400hrs today around Fitch..
ED8 6965 and a big train of Ayer trash and rax canned at CPF 333.
FI1 5948 was grabbing 25 Ayer freight and 2 empty Arrowheads that were dropped on the main between CPF 330 and CPF 333.
Big cut of loaded San Vel rax dropped on tge main at CPF FG.

Clarity musta taken an early Christmas break cuz none got to me until a partial at 0418 involving the 5948 -- FI-1/2's current power -- and the #1 and CPF WL. Another partial followed in another 2 when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 75?? 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY. A 3rd partial would come at 0425 when POAY with the 7594 would call west and clear of somewhere that was nearby.
At 0426, the 333 WLs were at Stop, naught visible E or W, but the time was right for 400 to be EB around the bend. Take from that that that the 12-22 ED-8 had gotten east. At 0428, self-IDed AY-X with the 5948 got on the air with something about a Stop signal, naught further getting to me. The 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s dark. Another partial would come at 0438 when D-3 said something to FI-2 about Keolis and then something else about IM1 and IM2.
Things would be quiet the rest of the way WB up Da Hill to the dark 345s. 4 in the yard had MT racks from just W of the easterly FP up to around Royal Steam Heater and then a few scrap gons and covered hoppers close to the westerly FP. Gardner also had another gawker, waiting optimistically in the Jade lot.
The EB trip started with some public safety incursions at 0451, and the 333 WLs would be dark at 0459. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and the 330.8 WBs and GL WLs dark. The 330 WLs and ELs were all at Stop, the reason to be seen shortly.
At 0507, there was the start of some D-3 hash involving FI-2, mebbe FI-3, and a cab. Over at the FG WLs all was red, loaded racks on the 2 with west-facing KCIR 5948 on the easterly end by the Credit Union, making it seem like the racks noted by atholrail on 12-22 would be EB when a window permitted. And yes, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0517.
A minute later, there was an unattributable Yard Channel convo about airbrakes being off and not yet being set up.
Post refueling stop -- the Cleghorn Cumbie's was closed even just after 0500 -- there was D-3 garble to Q427, fulfilling their original order and then issuing Form D G301 to CSXT 98 for X25 to Burncoat, time effective 0528, the same time the RVJ lot was active, so no view of the EB staggers for Derby.
At 0529, 402 reached out to D-3 with some garble about "out of the yard," naught else getting to me. Dunno if or how it might be related, by the T Service Alert showed unto a 10 minute delay for 402. 5 later,. D-3 would reach out to AY-X, Mount Wachusett temporarily blocking any further receptions.
Only hash -- and that only rarely -- would get to me by the 0555 end of listening.

Let's all have a Happy and Healthy Christmas with visions of STB decisions dancing in our heads!

Edited for update: 427 crossing noise at 0710 and 0720 for X7.8 and X6.0

0240-0435/12-27-2021 had some surprises. CSXT tones started things off at 0241, company Yard Channel garble following at 0247 and again at 0302. Topography and distance sufficiently adjusted 2 later to produce "20 to go, POAY, 20." Car countdowns would follow, and at 0313, the 333 WLs were dark. The last coupla hundred yards to the 334s -- Stops for the ELs and darkness for the 1 WB stagger -- were "interesting." Treatment had been done, but had frozen over, so a hedzup for that and similar locations.
0318 was the start of a prolonged and garbled Yard Channel convo, the POAY voice and other party/parties involved and "crossover" and "tail-end pick-up" being the sole items of clarity. The 335s were also dark, car countdowns continuing, and 0326 -- most of the way WB up Da Hill -- producing another "POAY" and then the start of radio silence.
The 345s were dark, and from west of the Yard Lead switch, 1 had covered hoppers and other general, 2 having tanks and scrap gons on the east and hoonose what to the west. 4? Dunno. The Extension, however, did have occupants -- E-W dark NSs 9165, 4378, and 1099, hinting at EBs tied down. As of 0450, there was naught on NERAIL to provide info.
EB, there was 0343 PW Road Channel hash, followed immediately by company Yard Channel hash, which would intermittently continue.
At 0347, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach and the 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, GL and FG WLs, and -- at 0407 -- the EB staggers for Derby all dark. At 0357, mebbe-POAY had said 15 to a hitch, and at 0402, the FI-1/2 parking spot had been MT.
The balance of the trip had only rare hash.

0235-0445/12-30-2021, started off quiet, and the ground fog was an apt visual for the lack of radio clarity that would later occur. There was 0242 automated Morse on the PVRR frequency and non-company hash at 0308, the same time the 333 WLs were all at Stop. There were neither markers nor headlights visible E or W and no noise, either, so I was WB.
At 0312, there was FI-2 hash, much more about whom later. Over at 334, all WB signals were at Stop, the racks on 1 not giving up any interior reflections.
0315 started alternating Dispatcher-side and Road-side hash that would eventually resolve itself into a partial reception of a WB Form D for TC T954 at the Willows, time effective 0319. The 335s were all at Stop with naught visible on the State Road/Rte. 2A UGB, so the cut of cars on 1 was relatively short, a thought to be held for later.
At 0329, D-3 told FI-2 to go ahead and next asked how many were on the ground, then confirmed that the main was clear, everything was upright, and that there were no injuries. D-3 would take a car ID that had an "X" in it, so mebbe FI-2 might be at the old or new auto yard.
All the way up Da Hill, the 345s were dark. From the easterly FP, 2 in the yard had a mix of general that extended to the easterly end of the Pratt yard. At 0335, D-3 OKd Q426 up to 25, which matched time-wise with the X7.8 crossing noise I'd heard right around 0200.
As far as what might be shunting the 345s, there were covered hoppers visible at LaChance Furniture and DS trash at the Wilkins Road dogleg, so mebbe an ED-9. At 0342, the 346 WL was at Stop and a dark and illegible GE leader sat down by the EL. I'll leave it to others to posit why a short cut of probably-MT racks was sitting on the 1 at 334 and a definitely short WB was sitting east and clear of 346.
D-3 would offer up some hash to ED-8 at 0346 involving racks and the Camp, and in other Camp news, would acknowledge TC T 954 west and clear of Camp on 1 at 0349. Further EB, there was more hash at 0353, followed by D-3 saying he couldn't quite read what was being said. I know the feeling.
0357 was when D-3 gave a Line 2 Addition for Derby to FG for whatever TC T954's Form D's number was and also the time when the all Stops on the 333 WLs had changed to a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding. 0359 was another D-3 reachout to FI-2, naught immediately developing cuz at 0400, D-3 engaged in a garbled exchange with TC T954.
Further east, the EB staggers for 330 showed a Medium Approach for 1 and an Approach for 2. The 330.8 WBs were dark, and the 330 1 WL showed a Slow Clear, the 2 WL and ELs at Stop. The GL WLs were dark, but the FG WLs had a Limited Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, loaded racks sitting on 2 in back of the gym and however far W.
At 0409, D-3 had again reached out to FI-2, further developments not getting to me. I wasn't surprised that the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT at 0413, but I was surprised by the amount of DS trashes on East Side. EB and/or WB? Dunno.
At 0420, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and at 0421, there was TC T954/D-3 breakage about FG.
There would be an extended and broken D-3/? exchange at 0426, Boston East being the next reception at 0430.
0436 was when D-3 asked ED-8 if the tracks were clear at the passenger station, a repetition of ED-8's reply unheard by me.
0443 would present more D-3 hash, seeming to involve a Form D, naught else decipherable as of the 0445 end of listening.

0240-0445/01-03-2022 had its surprises. Things started at 0241 with D-3 answering FI-3 -- yes, three -- then going into garble mode and concluding with a roger. Things would be relatively quiet until a brief and hashed alternation of Channel 1 sides at 0258.
At 0312, D-3 served up some hash to Q426, which was a good fit with the X7.8 crossing noise I'd heard at 0111. Conserving suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about 426/7.
That was the same time the 333 WLs were all at Stop, the 1 occupied by occupied wells to the east and then racks to just west of the westerly end of the platform. The 334s were all at Stop. Power was sitting to the east by Great Northern Dunnage Company a bit-plus west of the EB staggers for 330. Having already seen Al LaPierre's NERAIL South Royalston shot of a similar 22K taken at 1110/0102, a mistaken conclusion was made, as will be seen. The PermaLink feature wasn't cooperating, so that's why there's no link.
Things went into quiet mode, the 335s were dark, and up Da Hill, so were the 345s. The 4 was pretty much FP-FP with general that included covered hoppers and corrosive-placarded tanks plus 1 -- one -- loaded rack. The easterly end of the 2 had a CN hopper, 2 tented centerbeams, and 3 covered hoppers. Radio silence did get broken, but only by public safety incursions.
EB at 0349 came the breaking D-2 side of a convo with PH-1 and the 509 that would produce Form D G2?? to the 509 at CPF 256, a Line 2 for between ?? and Emery, time effective 0356. There was more, but even more garbled.
At 0351, the 333 WLs had been at Stop, the wells and racks still sitting still. At 0354, 22K with NS 6965 -- different power than in the photo mentioned earlier -- advised D-3 that they were ready to head east, D-3 OKing that.
Further east, the EB staggers for 330 showed a Clear for 1 and an Approach for 2, the 330.8 WBs a Stop for 1 and a Clear for 2, the 330 1 WL a Clear and the 2 WL a Stop, the same for the 330 ELs. 22K not yet far enough east, the GL WLs were dark. The FG 1 WL showed a Clear and the 2 a Stop, MT racks from the Credit Union west. Dunno whether different or the same from 12-31.
At 0408, couldn't see any power in the FI-1/2 parking spot, but the view was blocked by DS trashes -- yes, even more than had been there on 12-31.
The EB staggers for Derby showed an Approach for 2 and a Limited Clear for 1, that getting dropped at 0415 by NS 6956, 2 other Ponies, all-occupied wells, and loaded racks that were east of the staggers at 0417.
0424 would produce some Dispatcher-side hash followed at 0424 by Yard Channel garble that would include set and release discussions.
0429 was when D-3 OKd 22K to take Ayer, 0440 producing more garble surrounding a clear "22K." Things would close out at 0445 with ongoing 22K car countdowns, including mentions to the Wye and a switch.

0655-0900/01-06-2022 had a later than usual start cuzza slick roads, the trip itself delayed a day cuzza the selfsame cause. At 0700, a breaking D-2 reached out to AYPO saying something about getting to the yard where they would be relieved, more to follow.
0715 would be when TC T954 reached out to D-3, who said to stand by. 0723 was when D-2 started a convo with a hashed TC at N23 that would lead to time-effective Form D G202 with a Line 4 for N22 to N23, and the hedzup that there might be a local coming. 0728 was also when the Medium Clear on the 333 Controlled Siding WL got dropped by the 406 with 4 flats, 1 bi, and the 2001. 2 later, D-3 said something to AY-3 with the 7528, no further developments heard by me.
The 334 ELs were at Stop, and the 1 WB stagger for 335 and the 335s dark.
At 0739, D-3 renewed contact with TC T 954 and issued time-effective 0741 Form D G304 with a Line 2 for 1 WB from CPF WL to CPF Derby and a Line 3 for Keolis 403 being ahead and permission to pass Stop signals at AY and Camp with now-breaking additions about getting on the iron at WL and hoonose what else.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, and the Extension and 1 were pretty well full with 2 racks on the east LPG tanks, gons, and covered hoppers. Anything that might be on 2 and/or 4 was blocked from view.
EB, a breaking D-3 acknowledged TC T954 was west and clear of mebbe WL and 5 later gave a breaking somebody broken permission to foul the 1 between Derby and FG.
At 0800, the 333 WLs were at Stop, 403 working their way west and coming to a 0801 stop at the platform. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were either dark or solar glare and bad angle made them look that way. Both the 330.8 WBs and FG WLs were dark, the 330 FG WLs and ELs and FG WLs all at Stop cuzza racks -- again -- on the 2 from the Credit Union West.
At 0824, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, but East Side and West Side continued as rack and DS trash overflow. 0827 was the time of a both-sides-breaking call and acknowledgment of TC T 954 being west and Clear of AY. The EB staggers for Derby were dark at 0832, also when TC T954 called west and clear of Camp.
Sparse hash became the mode, until 0840 with the D-3 side of a convo with 427 that fulfilled Form D G303, probably at Burncoat, since I'd heard X6.0 and X7.8 crossing noise at 0210 and 0220.
The reminder of receptions -- broken -- were generated by D-2, 0840 to Signal 1169 and then in another few to AYPO about bringing their train up to Lowell Tower, now going into hash mode "recrew at North Chelmsford" and "same taxi" being the only clarity.

0240-0440/01/12-2022 started off with D-3 garble to someone about the Wreck Train and waiting all night. 0255 produced more garble to somebody about the Wreck Train going by them on 2.
There was some-both-sides-of-Channel-1 hash at 0302, and 1 later, D-3 told POAY he'd have a 241 when then were stopped, that coming at 0308 for the Single to 2 at 312. Yarding instructions would follow, the pickup involving kicking out 4 local cars, the paperwork in the knuckle. Given that D-1 temperatures had moved to D-3, dunno if the C was calculating his time remaining to RRA.
0312 was when the 333 WLs were at Stop, dark NSs 6953, 4308, and 1209 having done that on 1 in elephant arrangement, racks to the rear. and racks also at and west of the all-Stops 334s. At 0320, there was some D-3 hash, and over at the also-all-Stops 335s, there was no marker visible to the east.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were at Stop, shunting provided by 4 loaded racks on the 2 by Chair City Oil. The yard was pretty well full, more loaded racks on the Extension and 1 and however far west, and general on 2 and probably 4. At 0338, D-3 rogered whatever AY-3 had just said, adding that he'd get them going when the either Work or Wreck Train was in the clear, and the next minute gave somebody permission to reverse direction from where they stood on the #1 at CPF Camp.Thefre was was also a TSR of 20 for the 2 -- couldn't hear the limits -- and work of a live recrew at FG. The Wreck Train? Mebbe. Naught further would be heard to, from, or about the Wreck Train.
Just so it's on record, my car's thermometer showed 6° at Gardner.
The EB trip started off quiet, the 333 WLs dark at 0354 and the same time that TC T 954 called east and clear of FG. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, the 330.8 WB at a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, and the 330 WLs and ELs at Stop. The GL and FG WLs were dark, there being no racks west of the FG WLs for a positive change.
In yet another OT hedzup for fellow early-AM refuelers, the Cleghorn Cumbie's had yet again reopened, however temporarily.
At 0402, TC T954 said he was stopped at Derby, D-3 replying that he had a WB to get by and then he would take him, that being followed at 0404 by D-3 garble to AY-3 and then a "POAY" at 0405.
Even further east, there was a mebbe-single unit on West Side east of the FG WLs, number board obscured by branches and no obvious Wreck Train trailing, and at 0407, dark, solo, and east-facing KCIR 5976 sat in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the rest of the yard looking less like an overflow facility than it recently had, for another positive change.
There were unattributable car countdowns at 0409, and at 0410, AY-Relief told themselves to back it up for 20, 3 later POAY saying there were 6 to go.
At 0414, the EB staggers for Derby were at Stop, no markers of TC taillights visible to the east, a minute later giving out a broken-to-me 241 to AY-3 with the 7622 for WL.
0422 was the time effective for Form D G3030 to TC T954 at Derby, the Line w for Derby west on 2 to WL and the Line advising no train or TCs ahead plus the OK to pass Stop signals at Derby, Camp, and AY, 0426 being when T954 called east and clear of Derby.
A period of company and non-company hash would follow, things clearing up a bit at 0440 when D-3 asked AY-3 about the number of cars for West Main, rogering their response, and then adding he'd try to remember whatever the added that was in the future.

0245-0450/01-13-2022 started off at 0246 when Q426 with the CSXT 3419 reached out to D-3 on Channel 1. The rest of the lineup was CSXT 403, and Form D G301 for Burncoat to MP X25 was made effective at at 0249. The usual request for time into DCS was made, and although neither the call nor acknowledgment would get heard, D-3 asked 426 if the other C had gotten there, 426's response being that they were just now doing their roll-by.
The hash over the next few would be non-company, 0312 involving Yard Channel hash with "AY" the sole clarity. POAY would be heard intermittently doing car countdowns from 0326 and on, so it coulda been them.
At 0322, the 333 WLs were at Stop, dark NSs 6951, 9548, and 1047 in full compliance on 1. To the W were DS trashes that became racks however far E and W of the all-Stops 334s. The 335 were also all at Stop, no marker visible to the E.
WB, the POAY countdowns stopped, and up Da Hill, the 345s were all at Stop, the 2 occupied by loaded racks from New Switch W to the Pratt buildings, general from there however far W of the Timpany Boulevard UGB. The yard seemed crammed, the view showing 1, 2, and 4 having a mix of corrosive and LPG tanks, MT racks, and MT centerbeams among the visibles. Whether it's a PAS WB and/or the PW Switcher that shuffles that deck, it'll take time.
The EB trip was quiet until 0354 AMTK hash and 0359 garble. At 0400, the 333 WL CS showed a Medium Clear, the 6951 and followers still there.
Further E, the EB staggers for 330 showed a Medium Approach for 1 and Stop for 2. Post refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs were both at Stop, the 330 1 WL at Slow Clear, and the rest of the 330s at Stop, The GL and FG WLs were dark among ongoing radio silence, and the FI-1/2 parking spot MT at 0418, the rest of East Side looking like pre-overflow normal.
0425 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and it wouldn't be until 0433 that Boston West garble broke the silence.
D-3 broke company silence at 0442 when he called out to 22K, asked something broken about power, and then hedzupped that 400 was coming through Derby. At 0444, D-3 answered somebody calling, next asking about things being lined and locked normal and then wishing them a good day. Didn't hear if the Milling or San-Vel was involved.
The end of listening closed out at 0450 with broken car countdowns.

0238-0440/01-20-2022 was a bit busy, starting at the start when Q426 with CSXT 3190 reached out to D-3 and announced the roll-by was done, D-3 acknowledging. That was the last I'd hear to, from, or about 426. 4 later, D-3 reached out to AY-3 and asked if *somebody lost-to-me* had told them the plans for Ayer, D-3 rogering whatever AY-3's response was.
Sparse and unIDable hash would next become the order of things.
0313 was when the 333 WLs were at Stop, racks on 1 and west to the platform, but not west to the all-Stops 334s. 0313 was also when when D-3 gave a broken-to-me 241 to FI-2 with the 5948, something about tying on to follow. Also to follow will be more, both for FI-2 and the racks. The 335s were dark.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, the yard with occupants. From E-W, 4 had a coupla racks and then covered hoppers, the westerly end looking like it had gray NS gons. 2 had tented centerbeams, a few nonplacarded tanks, and then covered hoppers. The Extension was were things got interesting -- E-W KCIR 5956 and NSs 6971, 1838, 1846, a tank and 2 covered hoppers w/o marker trailing. Mebbe SD70ACCs had already made it this far east, but this was my first sighting, as was 4 units, 3 cars, and no marker on the Extension.
Radio silence continued to be observed on my EB leg of the trip until a broken FI-2/D-3 exchange that cleared up enough to hear a 241 for 1 W to 1 at CPF 333. At 0357, the 333 WLs were at Stop and -- thanks you, Deity Of The CPF 333 Dunks -- KCIR 5948 was creeping west of those CPF 333 WLs towards those racks. Not even gonna guess why racks mighta been left at Wachusett.
Further east, the EB staggers for 330 showed an Approach for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330.8 WBs a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330 WLs and ELs all Stops, and the GL and FG Wls dark.
At 0410, the FI-1/2 parking spot was -- naturally -- MT, and the yard continued to look like pre-overflow "normal."
3 later, a breaking FI-2 reached out to D-3 and got permission to reverse direction from where they stood at Wachusett and proceed east to CPF 333. Dunno whether the signal cleared, but never heard a 241. D-3 did add some breakage about having to shove clear of FG.
At 0415, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and except for a spell of hash at the end of listening, the rest of the trip was radio silence.
The snow had started and changed to mixed at lower elevations, much lower temps to follow. Let's all be careful out there. The last coupla hundred yards to the 334s were a poorly-maintained bobsled run.

0238-0440/01-22-2022 provided more questions than answers, as frequently happens. 0238 was when Q426 advised D-3 they were waiting at X25 for POAY, D-3 advising that POAY was at the Willows and wouldn't be too long. Yes, the topography was favorable, but it was reassuring to know I could get a clear reception from power at X25 when I was relatively close to X7.8. To save suspense, naught further would be heard to, from, or about 426, but POAY would later become the predominant IDable occupant of the airwaves.
At 0257, D-3 reached out to ED-8, asking if they thought they could leave before POAY, otherwise they'd have to wait, and the rest devolving into hash.
At 0309, the 333 WLs were dark, and in a few the 334 ELs were at Stop and the the 1 WB stagger dark. At 0316, there was Road-side and Dispatcher-side hash, only "Main Line" and "Camp" being clear.
The next minute, however, got clear with an LOED (yes, L)/D-3 convo about LOED having bells going off and coming to a stop around 330. Naught further would get to me on that matter, and the 335s would be dark.
Up Da Hill the 345 1 EL was at Slow Clear, all else being at Stop. I've seen the 1 EL at Medium Clear, so mebbe the Slow Clear was cuzza a WB to the W. Dunno. The Yard was pretty much FP-FP full. the Extension and 1 having a coupla racks, tented centerbeams, corrosive tanks, and other general, 2 and 4 having mixed racks and general. Guessing the Extension and 1 mighta been from the aforementioned ED-8. There was general visible by LaChance Furniture, and at 0336, the 346 WL was at Stop with dark illegible power down by First Street. Oh yeah, -4° was showing on the car thermometer. Thanks, D-1.
The EB view in the sideview mirror showed the 345 1 WL still at Slow Clear, so if there had been an earlier WB, it was a slow one. There were hashed car countdowns, "No Name" being clear, so POAY musta gotten to the yard. At 0350, the 333 WLs were at Stop, but went dark the next minute. There was no power noise to suggest a recent and upgrade WB, but signals to the E kinda would rule out an EB as well, so another dunno.
Further east, Yard Channel activity would increase, as would POAY's IDs. The EB staggers for 330 were at Approach, but the 330.8 WBs were dark. The 330 WLs and ELs were all at Stop, and unmarkered -- at least on the W end -- DS trashes sat on 2 at the easterly end of the station platform, extending however far E. The FG WLs were at Stop, naught visible by the Credit Union and gym.
At 0408, dark, solo, and E-facing KCIR 5956 sat in the FI-1/2 parking spot, East Side looking "normal," and 6 later, the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
At 0425, a breaking D-3 told somebody that they were just supposed to pick up*coulda been 16 or 60* racks, but that there were also 26 Deerfields. Whatever the somebody said in response prompted D-3's "Stand by for a minute," the next 15 of those producing only occasional Yard Channel hash. Again, dunno.

0240-0500/01-24-2022 was more active than has been typical of late. The 1st company reception came at 0252 when D-3 talked to AY-3, OKd them down East Wye on signal indication, and then asked for the leader, confirming it as the 7523. In another few, there was Road-side garble, and at 0259, D-3 would OK AY-3 to cut out the PTC and continue E.
0306 would be the start of some Yard Channel breakage, "3-step" being clear.
At 0312, the 333 WLs were all at Stop, racks and DS trash creeping WB on the 1, and it sounding in a few like ED-8 was being told it was another 20.
Over at 334, it was all Stops, including the racks, and at 0319, D-3 said something to FI-2 about the commuter rush. Back at 333, dim NS 6950 and stablemates 9567 and 4480 were sitting on the 1 clear of the 330 WL. Why might ED-8 be shoving WB at 333? Dunno. Over at 335, the ELs and WLs were at Stop, no marker visible to the E, and at 0320 "AY-4" emerged clear from some garble.
WB up Da Hill and at 0341 came some D-3 garble, sounding like it might involve ED-1 and "just checking in."
The 345s were all at Stop, 22K with NSs 6959, 9434, and 1092 sitting on 1 by the platform. The Extension had mixed loaded racks and general -- probably from ED-8 -- and there wasn't a good view of any other possible yard occupants.
EB and west of the the Rte. 2 crest came some D-3 breakage to FI-2. He'd just talked to POAY and *lost* was pretty much filled, the rest being totally lost cuzza Mount Wachusett's bulk. 0359 Yard Channel hash would allow only "POAY" into clarity.
At 0402, somebody said they were coming to FG in a little bit and that there was plenty of room to make a cut, and 1 later, the 333 Controlled Siding WL was at Medium Clear, ED-8 still waiting. Further east, the EB staggers for Derby showed a Medium Approach for 1 and an Approach for 2.
Post refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs, the 330 WLs and ELs, and the GL and FG WLs were all dark, all amid occasional partial receptions.At 0424, the FI-1/2 parking spot mighta been MT, but East Side was hosting (W-E) a sitting NewBlue 7561 and NS 6954, ????, and 7???, followed by general, confirmation as ED-9 to follow.
At 0430, the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and 1 later, FI02 started activity that would come to a close at the close of listening.
At 0433, AY-3 reached out to D-3, advising that they'd tie down there and that the MTs were on the loop, adding something about Catania, the Pine Tree also getting mentioned.
Amidst FI-2 activity, D-3 reached out at 0436 to ED-8 at Wachusett, the mountain of the same name next blocking any further immediate receptions. 2 later and with the antenna triangle rearranged, D-3 acknowledged AY-3 having lined and locked normal and said a cab had been called.
FI-2 continued their contributions for the next bit, and at 0500, something was said to, from, or about 426, and then D-3 gave ED-9 with the 7561 permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed W on the 2 to 330, ED-9's repetition being heard, despite less-than-favorable topography.
Dunno if it's cuzza the approach of the equinox improving propagation, but reception does seem to have improved.

0240-0445/01-26-2020 was on the slow side, the 1st company reception -- Yard Channel hash -- not coming until 0257, the next hash at 0301 and that of the AMTK variety.
At 0310, D-3 would tell somebody to stand by, Mount Wachusett next doing its usual and breaking up a time effective 0311 Line 2 Addition to Form D G326 for MP X24 to MP X25. There was also an unspecified Line 13, probably part of the original issue. Dunno who had needed the head room on the W end of Hill Yard, but -- as will be seen soon -- it wasn't 22K.
0313 was when the 333 WLs were at Stop, and dark NSs 6965, 1047, and 9546 plus tables and wells sat on 1 to the west. Wells continued W of the all-Stops 334s. The 335s were also all at Stop, and a marker was visible just east of the State Road/Rte. 2A UGB. At 0323, there was a both-sides-breaking D-3/FI-2 convo, "switch" being the sole clarity other than IDs.
The trip WB was quiet, and the 345s were all at Stop. The yard was pretty much FP-FP with general on 2 and 4, some of 2's visibles being covered hoppers, coil cars, placarded and nonplacarded tanks, and MT centerbeams. A short trip W was taken, naught visible at LaChance Furniture, at the Wilkins Road dogleg, or even at 346, the WL at Stop at 0346. Dunno if relay or other troubles or a reset.
The WB trip was quiet until 0355 when D-2 called out to NA-2, my decrease in elevation breaking most of the rest except for D-2's "clear of."
At 0359, the 333 WLs now showed a Medium Clear for the Controlled Siding, 22K still supplying the shunting. Further east, the EB staggers for 330 showed a Medium Approach for 1 and an Approach for 2. The 330.8 WBs, 330 WLs and ELs, and GL WLs were all dark. There being naught on the 2 by the station platform or by the Credit Union/gym, the FG WLs were also dark.
At 0413, dark, solo, and and W-facing KCIR 5956 sat in the FI-1/2 parking spot, the East Side maintaining its appearance of "normal." 6 later, the EB staggers for Derby were also dark.
At 0421 and again at 0425, there would be garbled Yard Channel convos, no deets getting to me, this being the pattern for the next 20 until the end of listening.

Edited for addition -- 1047 and 1058 WB crossing noise for X7.8 and X6.0. Dunno if from Q427, but if so, seems like 1 of the longer 426/7 PAR dwell-times.

0245-0435/01-28-2020 provided a surplus of hash, both on Chs. 1 and 2, so only the more notable hash will go reported.
There was Road-side hash at 0256 followed by D-3's request to OC or OZ-20 to stand by a minute, next giving them -- with the 7585 -- permission to proceed west to CPF AY. A now-breaking D-3 would next turn his attention to AYPO who -- clearly -- gave their train info -- the 7609 and 7561 with 6x37 for 43, a CSXT marker, 1985 tons and 3871' with 0 hazmat. AYPO would make later appearances, but naught would be heard to, from, or about Q426/7.
Amidst some 0310 garble ''all set on the derail" emerged.
0314 was when the 333 WLs were all at Stop, naught visible or audible E or W. The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WB stagger dark, so the guess was made that there had been an earlier EB. The 335s were dark, and Yard Channel hash would continue.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark and the yard crammed. The Extension and 1 had covered hoppers, a table with Clean Harbors containers, a tented centerbeam and a coupla racks, among others. The racks on 2 looked MT, an MT centerbeam to the E adding some evidence, and the racks on 4 -- hoonose?
EB and just W of the Rte. 2 crest, D-3 reached out to AYPO with a hedzup about a probable 241 for CPF WL. Just after that AY-4 reached out at 0343 to the AY-Extra. I was losing elevation, so any =immediate receptions didn't happen. There would be more later, and I'm guessing that OC or OZ-20 mebbe might be the crew ID for the AY-X.
At 0348, the 333 WLs were still at Stop, naught else visible or audible. The 333 ELs were also at Stop and signals to the east suggested naught to the east. 0355 would be possibly the broken 241 to AYPO.
The EB staggers for 330 were both at Approach, but the 330 WLs and ELs and the GL and FG WLs were dark. At 0404, the FI-1/2 parking spot would be MT, and East Side would maintain its "normal" appearance.
At 0408, D-3 would reach out to FI-2 at San-Vel, advising that the Chief had asked for a check-in. He took their report, next asking if they were ready for their run-around at 312, remembering that they be taking cars to Westford and saying they'd be following AYPO on 1. A minute later, the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach, so mebbe somebody holding a bit E?
At 0413, D-3 would ask FI-2 what their power was -- response and possible repetition unheard by me -- and then say to leave the power at Graniteville and that there'd be a cab there. Next, AY-4 would reach out to D-3 on Channel 2, further reception compromised by increases in distances and topography.
In non-D-3 garble news, at 0420, a breaking D-2 gave somebody foul time on the Freight Main.
0424 was D-3 responded to the somebody calling, next advising them to stand by, that followed by words to OC or OZ-20 that it was OK on the east leg of the wye cuz AY-4 was on the west end.
More hash closed things out, also closing out my recent optimism about the approaching equinox improving propagation, but I'll try to be optimistic about the approaching bomb cyclone.

0240-0450/01-31-2022 was -- as will be seen -- "instructive" in the ways of railroading as it is practiced in some organizations. 0240 was when "POAY" -- the only mention -- emerged clear from some hash, and 0243 was when the only mention of 427 got to me, that from a breaking P&W Dispatcher. Dunno if the 427 was early from 01-31 or delayed from 01-30. There had been crossing noise at 0147 which coulda been for the X6.0.
0306 was the start of an AY-5/D-3 exchange of varying clarity. There were pressure troubles on the rear. Was that from the marker, or were they using a gauge? The marker might be giving the right number, but that could be the wrong number if they knew what D-3 meant.
5 later, the 333 WLs were at Stop and an immobile marker sat down E of the ELs. The 334 ELs were at Stop and the 1 WB stagger and 335s dark. Things had become quiet except for 0318 Yard Channel hash and 0325 AMTK hash.
Up Da Hill, the 345s were dark, The Extension and 1 had a coupla general, loaded racks to mebbe the ambulance company, and then covered hoppers west. 2 had racks east and dunno what else, and the view of 4 was blocked. 1 thing to keep in mind for future developments was that the temperature in Gardner was -1° and not significantly warmer anywhere else.
EB but still W of the Rte. 2 crest, a broken exchange between AY-5 and D-3 restarted at 0338. AY-5 still couldn't get enough air on the rear and being told to stand by.
When things resumed, they said they could get 89 on the front, the rear pressure lost cuzza my decreasing elevation. More would get heard about them checking all units and not hearing any leakage.
At 0349, the 333 WLs were still at Stop and the marker still east. A coupla hundred yards east to Rtes 2A/31 split sat inspection lights, mebbe 2 or possibly 3 units' worth.
The D-3/AY-5 convo resumed, among other suggestions being that AY-5 make a cut after 6 cars and do a test. AY-5 suggesting that it might be quicker just to get another marker. After a bit, D-3 said the Chief said they could head to Fitchburg to get a marker cuz there were none left in Ayer, AY-5 saying the AY-5 C could guarantee that there were markers in Ayer. There was a discussion about the 3rd unit not having PTC, and AY-5 saying they'd headpin the 6965 and leave the other 2 units with the cars. There would be occasional other garble, the last semiclarity for about AY-5 coming at 0427 with a broken permission for the 6965 to reverse direction from wherever they stood. It did seem to this mere mortal civilian that circumstances were being made more difficult than they needed to be in already trying circumstances, at least for the people not sitting in an office..
There was probably more, but my 1st refueling attempt was unsuccessful and the same company's outlet a few miles to the east better, so there were 2 stretches when I couldn't listen..
Other observations were Approaches on the EB staggers for 330 and -- at 0422 -- for Derby, all else in between dark. At 0409, dark, solo, and E-facing NewBlue 5958 sat on West Side, the visible parts of the yard not seeming to be in overflow mode.
Only occasional garble -- some non-company -- would fill out the balance of the trip.