Gardner Gawking

[jaymac]

0305-0505/06-08-2020 offered some conflicting evidence -- as will be seen -- of the the start of Phase 2 of the Commonwealth's reopening, 0305 also offering D-3's acknowledgment of AY-3 going to West Main with 0x10, followed at 0325 by D-3 asking if AY-3 would be headed for the Camp or West Wye, hash next being offered as D-3's acknowledgment and/or repetition.
Radio silence then went into effect. The 333 WLs were dark at 0340, the usual sequence of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s also in effect.
Radio silence remained in effect, and up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop and the yard MT and things remaining dark at The Shrine. Darkness was also in effect for the 346 WL and just east at 0405.
Radio silence remained a feature of the earlier part of the trip EB, and the 330 WLs were again dark at 0420. At 0423, a Zombie-Zoning D-3 reached out to Q427, the only intelligible bits being "marker clear by telemetry" and "fulfilled."
The 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2, a Slow Clear on the 330 1 WL. 7400 would be due outta Wachusett at 0450, and Saturday schedule seemed otherwise in effect. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0431, the FI-1/2 parking spot was again MT. The continuing MTness and the continuing absence of FI-2 from the airwaves prompted some wondering about FI-1/2 mebbe having been annulled.
The EB staggers for Derby were dark at 0438, and my tinnitus remained unrelieved by anything coming outta the scanner until 0450, when I pulled over to the side of the road to take notes on the D-3 side of a convo with AYPO. He rogered them and said he was ready to copy. The train info was taken down, but not repeated, the arming and testing of the marker was acknowledged, the marker number being a subject of inquiry. Also a subject of inquiry was whether a particular car was residue. A query was made whether direction had been reversed, and then the OK east on signal indication was given.
AY-4, 22K, POED, and EDPO were never subjects of reception.
So why did I pull over to take notes? On my way WB, a deer in Sterling had been kind enough to demonstrate to me again that street smarts persist in not being a feature of that species, so the burden for situational awareness falls totally on the driver species.

[jaymac]

0305-0505/06-10-2020 saw and heard a few changes in the usual pattern of things, starting at 0310 with an almost totally trashed Form D G2?? that included "head north, " followed by "haven't heard otherwise" and "I'll check with the Chief and get back to you." Hopefully, he did get back to them, but not -- clearly, at least -- to me.
At 0339, the 333 WLs were dark, as would be the 334 1 stagger, the 334 ELs at Stop. At 0334, there was more DS garble, only "BODO" escaping clearly, and in another couple the 335s were dark.
There was another spurt at 0350 of D 2 or 3 garble on the way up Da Hill, the 345 ELs at Stop and the 345 2 WL at Medium Clear. Yard 2 had a few CRYO-TRANS from Royal Steam Heater west, and a short trip west was undertaken. The 346 WL was given until 0405 to be anything other than dark, and quiet towards the west hinted that it would be at least 20 minutes before anything EB might appear, so I disappeared.
The EB trip was remarkably quiet, and the 333 WLs were dark at 0418. Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at a predictable Slow Clear and the GL and FG WLs dark.
0430 was when D-3 gave TC 1142 permission to foul the #1 between WL and 312 and was also when -- wait for it! -- OldPaint 306 sat dark on East Side and on the westerly end of covered hoppers.
At 0435, there was a spurt of D-3 garble, and at 0437, the EB staggers for Derby were dark. 0448 was when D-3 acknowledged that the 1142's foul time had been released, adding that he had a signal and that it was Clear.
Absent from my ears was anything to, from, or about AY-3, POAY, AYPO, Q426, Q427, or 22K, let alone AY-4. Just guessing that the Saturday-ish commuter scheduling has led the bean-counters to push back 22K so some Ayer locals -- 4 and 5, mebbe -- might be daylight-only.

[jaymac]

0310-0515/06-12-2020 actually had some activity, the first being a lockout-producing static eruption from NECR. PAR /S Yard Channel activity was also of the garble variety and only occasional, but at 0334, D-3 answered Q427, Mount Wachusett next hashing the remains of the convo. It seemed like Form D G323 was being fulfilled, and G301 for X25 to Burncoat was being issued, more about which later.
At 0340, the 333 WLs were dark, but the 334 ELs and ! stagger would be solid reds cuzza an EB with 2 units and mebbe 30 cars -- MT centerbeams, corn-product tanks, covered hoppers, and a few boxes -- that was E at 0345, more more about which later. EDPO or ED-8? Never heard.
The 335s were dark, hinting that there hadn't just been an EB/WB meet there, and the trip up Da Hill was quiet.
The 345 ELs were at Stop, the MT yard, and a Clear on the 345 1 WL, hinting that the recent EB had highballed Gardner.
It being Friday and time to reactivate the Sameoldsameold Ledger, this week's Phase 2 of Reopening entry being the persisting darkness at The Shrine Of The Deity Of the CPF 345 Dunks.
There had been some 0401 and 0404 D-2 or D-3 garble, but at 0408, D-3's garble was marginally clearer when he reached out to somebody with something about trying to keep it in 1 piece emerging. 0408 was also when the 346 WL was dark and the tracks east MT.
Things were quiet -- again -- EB down Da Hill and the 333s dark at 0421. Further east and after a refueling, the 330.8 WBs were both at Stop and the 330 WLs all at Stop. The GL WLs were dark, but the FG WLs were at Stop, NewBlue 7635 and KCIR ???? sitting dim on 1 west of the gym and mostly obscured by the substation hill. How do I know they were on 1? the FG 2 WL went to Limited Clear at 0440, 7400 soon to be a presence.
At 0442, OldPaint 306 was sitting dark in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and at 0449, the status of the EB staggers for Derby went unknown cuzza activity in the RVJ lot and intervening and fully-leafed trees along Nashua Street.
At 0509, D-3 would OK somebody to continue on signal indication and -- after a slight pause -- begin a breaking convo with Q427 with the CSXT 981. They were being shoved back to 2200 and D-3 wondered if there was any MP they could call clear of. Their answer and D-3's acknowledgment was for X15. The time adjustment would probably lead to further discussions, but my listening -- radio, at least -- ended at 0515. There was crossing noise at 0517, 0539, and 0550. I hadn't seen anyone earlier at Oakdale, so I'm guessing the 0517 was for Prescott Street/MP X11.2, followed by Temple Street/Rte. 140/MP X7.8 and Shrewsbury Street/MP X 6.0.
Anything -- even the expectables -- unmentioned went unheard.

Edited for update:
Assuming both prime mover noise and crossing noise ~0850 are valid indicators, 427 was getting west of Burncoat. Dunno the dents cuz I was out of doors and committing home hacking.

[jaymac]

0310-0455/06-15-2020 mighta been a shortish trip, but there were things of note. More-than-the-usual-of-late Yard Channel garble was a feature, naught intelligible until 0329 and "22K, 3 to a hitch." Dag -- 22K has returned to be a creature of the nighttime in Ayer! That Yard Channel clarity reverted to more servings of unattributable hash, and starting at 0340, the usual pattern of darkness for the 333 WLs, Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s was in effect.
The rest of WB trip was quiet, and the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop. There was a small number of racks -- for or from the PW? -- on the westerly end of Yard 4, and given the quiet, a trip slightly west didn't take place, even though there mebbe coulda been a WB holding there.
There were more occasions of static eruptions on the EB trip, but at 0401, it sure sounded like D-3 reached out to AY-X. As it turned out, he had, and AY-X would be an important player.
At 0401, the 333 WLs were dark, 7400 and then 1400 and the rest of the Saturday schedule still in the day's future. Further east the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2. Now began an AY-X C/E convo, subjects including car-count and when a signal would go on -- 8 cars being the answer. The 330 2 WL showed a predictable Slow Clear, and the GL WL was dark, as would be the FG WL, at least temporarily. In between those 2, there was a both-sides-semi-intelligible D-3/AY-X-with-the-354 convo, AY-X having 20x14 and wanting to stay on the 2, the permission to proceed on signal indication at FG being given.
At 0419, there was WB movement E of the FG ELs, power ID blocked by intervening trees. That was also the time that the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, but other parts of East Side had no shortage of shorties.
0426 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and 0433 would be when there was more Yard Channel hash. Hash also came a minute later when D-2 or-3 said something to POED about the wye -- NC or AY? Dunno, and naught further to, from, or about POED would be heard, at least by me.
0438 -- and in a usual ZombieZone -- a breaking D-3 was heard giving AY-X permission to reverse direction from where they stood. My earlier leap to a conclusion was that -- given that train info had been given and that 2 was the desired route -- AY-X would be headed up Da Hill to leave their cars there, but the new leap was to the conclusion that the 20x14 were going to West Side, mebbe for POED.
As mentioned earlier, 0455 was the end of listening, and with the usual caveats in effect, naught was heard to, from, or about any of the other expectable presences.

[jaymac]

0310-0500/06-17-2020 was more of sound than sight, starting at 0312 when the C or U told 22K there were 12 cars to a hitch. 22K's countdowns would constitute the early clarity of the trip and probably some of the early hash, too.
At 0320, D-3 had rogered whatever somebody had just said, and at 0334, another roger went out, this to the Loaded Grain Train. At 0339, D-3 advised the LGT that he'd just spoken to George at the Milling and that it'd be another couple. To save suspense, naught further to, from, or, or about the LGT would be heard by me throughout the balance of the trip.
At 0342, the 333 WLs were dark. On the way over to 334 (ELs at Stop and 1 stagger dark), the was a good helping of garble. Changing position and topography produced a 0347 cancellation of Form D G302, a Line 4 for the FG 1 EL-WL. Dunno if that mighta been affecting the LGT. The 335s were dark, and radio silence became the rule after getting on to Rte. 2 WB.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were all Stops, and in the otherwise MT yard, there was at least 1 rack on the westerly end of Yard 4. The same as on 06-15? Dunno.
The EB trip was quiet until 0408 garble that resolved into "Far enough, far enough," and at 0411, the 33 WLs were dark.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at the predictable Slow Clear. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0422, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT. The was no viewing of the EB staggers for Derby cuzza Roadeo-like activity in the RVJ lot.
There was some Road Channel garble at 0435, and at 0447, D-3 would answer Q427, fulfilling Form D G301 to CSXT 3024 -- east and clear of X25 -- at 0449. Form D G305 to CSXT 3459 for X25 to Burncoat was called correct at 0451. D-3 inquired about hazmat locations, loads x MTs, and length, rogering without repeating. Irony of ironies is that the side of the road just south of the Temple Street/Rte. 140/ MP X7.8 is where I had pulled over to take such accurate notes. Never heard a time into DCS, but condolences to those in Phase 2 rush-hour traffic. Also never heard Form D G303 and G304, so mebbe West End?
Add to the Never Heards is anything to, from or about any AY locals, EDPO, POED, or FI-2.

[jaymac]

0310-0505/06-19-2020 had -- as will be seen -- 1 surprise. Otherwise, it was heaping helpings of sameoldsameold, including frequent garbles that included all sortsa Yard Channel activity that was unIDable.
0340 was when the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence of Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s in full force.
Radio silence was again a feature of the WB trip up Da Hill, the 345 ELs both at Stop and the 345 1 WL at Clear, also the condition of the yard. The Sameoldsameold Ledger entries were the crumpled buckets still by the MART fence, the still-dark Shrine Of The Deity Of the CPF 345 Dunks, and the still-OOS Pleasant Street OHB. Being only slightly patient, I gave the 346 WL until 0405 to be anything other than dark, the quiet to the west suggesting that more-than-slight patience would have to be needed.
EB, there was garble on both the Dispatcher and Road sides of Channel 1 at 0411, but naught of meaning got to me until 0412 when D-3 cancelled Form D G301, a line 4 for -- again -- the 1 between the FG EL and WL. At 0418, the 333 WLs were dark, and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the again-predictable Slow Clear on the 330 2 WL.
The GL and FG Wls would be dark, but there was a Yard Channel discussion that including something about going to need a light. It would be at 0428 that -- surprise alert -- FI-X with the 354 would call out to D-3 on Channel 2, D-3 asking them to go to 1 and FI-X saying they'd need to come off FME, D-3 rogering and lighting the way, and NewBlue 354 letting everyone within hearing range know that this was 1 GP40 with a well-functioning prime mover. Having gotten sufficient headroom, the C told the E to back to a hitch at 0432, the same time that the FI-1/2 parking spot was again MT, prompting further musing about whether FI-1/2 was on hiatus.
At 0438, the RVJ lot was again active, so no view of the EB staggers for Derby was made.
At 0442, there would be more Dispatcher and Road hash from Channel 1, but only Boston West and PW hash would prove the scanner was still working for the balance of the trip, the AY locals, 22K, POED, EDPO, and Q426/7 being unheard by me..

[jaymac]

0315-0520/06-22-2020 provided a few data points for the ever-so-slow return to the status quo ante covid. With the exception of some sparse servings of Yard Channel hash, things were quiet.
At 0345, the 333 WLs were all at Stop, and to make things uniformly -- if intermittently -- red, a marker was vanishing -- hi, Ralph Fisher! -- WB.
The 334 ELs and 1 stagger were also all at Stop, but the marker was already vanished. The 335 ELs showed that they were also functioning as intended, Stops being displayed.
Things were quiet on the way WB, and high-altitude ground-fog and/or a low altitude cloud draped the summit and approaches of Da Hill. The 345 1 EL was at Clear, no surprise given the MTness of the yard. At 0401, there started some extended D-3 garble, "241" and "Gardner" escaping, possibly on a westerly antenna, musings to follow.
0412 was when NewBlue 7528, KCIRs 7645 and 7797, and NewBlue 5973 plus 45 got west of the Jade with placarded and unplacarded tanks, included a coupla LPGs; boxes; Irving, Delco, and unwrapped centerbeams; and covered hoppers, minus any shorties. 0416 was when the 346.6 came on, giving a 0419 no defects, 202 axles, 67°, and 2757'. Dag -- my power + car count = the 346.6 axle count?!? Dunno if we were both right, but we were both in concurrence.
Given that the Clear had now jumped to the 345 1 WL, there was weight added to the musings that D-3's 0401 hash had been to somebody EB mebbe at Tyters or further west. As will be seen, it wasn't to 22K.
Radio silence was in effect down Da Hill until 0429 when D-3 reached out to POAY. A minute late,r the 333 WLs were dark with D-3 reaching out to POAY with the 7620, and seconds after that, enough altitude had been lost to enter a ZombieZone, trashing the Form D 30? to the 7620, "Worcester" and "Barbers" escaping, and making it seem like it wouldn't be Q427 until it into CSX territory.
Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Stop for 1 and Clear for 2. At 0442, there was the start of prolonged Yard Channel garble that would later occasionally go clear. The 330 1 WL was at Slow Clear and the GL and FG WLs dark.
At 0447, NewBlue 354 was dark and facing west in the FI-1/2 parking spot, and at 0449 came the sounds of "AY-4, 1 more." Dag again -- on the air and in rhyme! But wait! There's more! At 0452, "22K" got heard. 0453 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark and 22K's E got told 2 more. So -- 22K and AY-4 both at work again at the same time!
A bit later, D-3 would give 22K permission to reverse direction from where they stood in the interlocking and proceed east, making it seem like San-Vel was in their short-term future.
At 0520, the last words would come from AY-4. Da for the 3rd time -- am I ever grasping for straws of normalcy!

Pre-submit POAY update -- 0628 crossing noise, mebbe Prescott Street or east.

[jaymac]

0250-0435/06-24-2020 was a -- apropos a PAR/S post -- period of frustration, only a few short static eruptions to initially prove the scanner was working. At 0325, the 333 WLs would be dark, followed -- per pattern -- by Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s. There was a lengthier static eruption west of the 335s, but that was on the PW Road Channel.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 345 1 WL -- again -- at Clear, the same -- again as on 06-22 -- applying to the yard. Radio silence -- for me, at least -- would be in effect for more than a bit, as will be seen. The only activity was PD Gardner spilling over onto Channel 1.
Down Da Hill, the 333 WLs maintained their darkness at 0352, and further east, the 550.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs both at Stop. The GL WLs were dark, but at 0359 and a couple later there was actual D-3 activity, even if garbled and on Yard Channel. The FG WLs were dark, and also dark at 0403 was NewBlue 354 -- solo, facing west, and on FME, 1 track north of the more usual FI-1/2 parking spot.
0408 presented the unattributable partial "back on the pin, and 0409 gave even more darkness, this for the EB staggers for Derby, as well as more unattributable partials that included a request for a 3-step. 0412, however, had provided more favorable topography, and -- rhyme alert -- the words "AY-4. a few more" exited the scanner's speaker. With topographically determined variability in clarity, AY-4 would be the frequent source of talk radio until 0429 when D-3 answered AY-3, confirming things were lined and locked for normal movement on the 1 at the Milling, adding that a cab would be sent to *garble*, presumably the Pine Tree.
In a break with pattern, a breaking Boston West got the last words something to a TC at 0435.

[jaymac]

(Readers are advised to fasten your glasses -- it's going to be a busy post.)

0305-0501(reason for the point of precision to follow)/06-26-2020 was pre-covid busy, as will be seen. 0308 had some Hash à la Yard Channel, but 0309 presented a generally clear D-3 reachout to 22K with NS 9776. They were OK to continue east from Slab City and were to yard on 2 with overflow to 1, the complications being not to tie on to the 2 trash cars on 2 and 1 being OOS from a garbled -- No Name? -- crossing. A fuller appreciation of those complications will also follow. Additionally, a cab would be called to help.
Yard Channel garble resumed, and at 0326 there was mebbe an "AY-5." At 0329, D-3 would reach out to AY-3, naught further -- probable thanks to Mount Wachusett having jumped between the Paxton and jaymac antennas -- to be heard, at least in the short term.
Probably pre-shove, 22K started a series of car countdowns at 0337 and would be a dominant airwaves presence. At 0338, the 333 WLs were dark, the usual sequence of Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 335s holding, as would 22K's radioactivity in various states of clarity, including at 0350 garble to, from, and/or about 22K and AY-3.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs were at Stop, and in even more observation of patterns, the 345 1 WL was at Clear, ditto the yard. While the Sameoldsameold Ledger entry would be The Shrine still not open for early-morning services, The Deity Of Said Shrine was in the giving vein today. At 0356, the 346.6 came on, and I returned to the Jade lot in time to hear some 0358 garbled Channel 1 activity on the Dispatcher side, followed by a no defects, 293 axles, 60°, and 4317', followed by EDPO's acknowledgment. The west got loud and then bright, KCIRs 7835 and 7489 getting 72 onto the Single at 0404. There were a coupla cuts of non-Ciment-Québec and non-Lafarge-branded shorties, a few full-size covered hoppers, many more FBOXs among the boxes than I'd seen a long time, several company hoppers, 1 LPG and several presumably paper-service hazmat tanks, and a solo MT centerbeam. While the 346.6 was only 2 off from my car's thermometer in the temperature count, she did seem out of concurrence in the Total Axles Department, especially with an odd number in the units place.
There was garblepalooza on the way EB with 0407 clarity when D-3 gave 22K permission to reverse direction from where they stood in the interlocking and proceed east, followed at 0408 when somebody told somebody else there were 3 to a stop, garble subsequently in force.
The 333 WLs were dark at 0415. and further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, but in a strong hint that new routes had been put in before I got to the 330 WLs, the 1 showed a Slow Clear, and the 2 was flipping from Stop to Approach. another strong hint, this 1 being that EDPO would be spending some time just clear of the FG 2 WL. Like the GL WLs, the FG WLs were still and temporarily dark, and also dark at 0427 was solo and west-facing NewBlue 354 in the FI-1/2 parking spot.
At 0429, 22K again emerged on the airwaves, the C advising the E that they were lined for the 1. At 0433, the EB staggers for Derby were dark and 22K's C advised the E that the derail was down. There would be more, but I had entered topography unfavorable for reception from Hill Yard. At 0442 and in a more favorable location came more 22K C/E sounds, these being that it looked like there was room on 3, so D-3 would be consulted. Anyone thinking that Mount Wachusett would not now interfere has greater optimism than exists in me. After 22K's reachout to D-3 there would be only garble, a 0448 D-3 return reachout to 22K being an exception that degenerated into a return to garble.
At 0449, my relative position had improved enough to hear D-3 advise 22K that -- after a consult with the Chief -- the cars could go to 3. But wait: There's more, and not always clear. There was something about the POAY/AYPO swap, mebbe a unit not having a radio, and then 22K going to the Camp to pick up 22 loaded racks to take to San-Vel. Given all that plus the impending Phase 2.2 Keolis rush-hour, EDPO might be rusting in place at FG.
0459 would bring a D-3 shoutout to Q427 Oking them on signal indication and permitting them to head west. There was now a garble intrusion and the end -- power ID lost -- of Form D G301 for MP X25 to Burncoat, made effective at 0501. Oh, the happy Phase 2.2 rush-hour drivers at crossings along the Worcester Main!

Edited for Q427 update: Crossing noise for Temple Street/Rte. 140/MP X7.8 at 065,8 followed at an appropriate interval for Shrewsbury Street/MP X6.0. D-3 musta given the OK to New Bond cuz there was more crossing noise, but none while I was outside for New Bond.

[jaymac]

0300-0455/06-29-2020 gave even more signs of a return to status quo ante covid, starting at 0300 with a garbled "POAY," garble that was followed by hash. 0311 brought a breaking D-3 shoutout to FI-presumably 2 -- more about which later -- that produced naught further immediately intelligible, thanks to entrance into a ZombieZone. 0321's contribution was "426, ahead 3," garble consuming anything further. 0325 was when D-3 called out to AY-5, naught intelligible further -- again -- immediately heard.
At 0335, the 333 WLs were 9-for-9 red, 22K holding dark on 1 with NSs 4117 and 4130 -- Dag! 2 re-dos! -- and single-high wells west. Yes, no racks -- If PW racks can come into Gardner on EDPO or ED-8, then the same could hold for San-Vel racks, simplifying things in and around Ayer when POAY, AYPO, Q426, and Q427 are complicating them.
Red unanimity was also in effect at 334 and the 335 EL, although no marker was visible to the east. The 345 Single was predictably at Stop, a Medium Approach Medium on the 335 Controlled Siding WL. One other blinking red that was not seen was for the antenna mast atop Mount Wachusett, the low cloud there replicated from the west of the Rte. 140 North offramp. There was a both-sides-breaking D-3/FI-2 exchange, FI-2 mebbe at Maki's or -- more likely -- at Otter River.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs maintained the motif of all red. This time, there were occupants of Yard 4, MT racks west and general that included SSEX gons, either new or newly repainted.
The EB trip was -- save static -- quiet. At 0335, the 333 WLs were still at Stop, 22K still sitting there. So -- why wasn't 22K holding at 330 or FG or Derby or Slab City or the Camp for the Hill Yard to clear up? The overture to the answer would come 0410 when D-3 called out to the Loaded Grain Train. I had originally thought that ZombieZone entry had kept me from hearing further details, but D-3 resumed his shoutouts to the LGT at 0413 and 0417, naught further intelligible to be heard by me.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0421, the FI-1/2 parking spot was predictably MT.
0423 was when D-3 again reached out to the LGT, both of us getting an answer this time. There was a discussion -- sometimes clearer than others -- that involved lineup of the 5 -- yes, five -- units, which marker would go with the 1st cut. 2 units -- led by the 7561 -- would go 1st. 1 marker would stay with the 2nd cut.
0427 -- in the meantime -- was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark. Dunno if the LGT was on FME or West Main, either possible, given signal strength.
0430 was when ED-9 with the 7643 called out to D-3, the convo -- again -- of variable clarity. There were mentions of AY-3, the LGT, and "I'll call a cab."
There was D-3 garble at 0445, "Form D" being the only clarity. Dunno if the was a fulfillment of 426's and/or issuance of 427's or mebbe somebody else's
AY-4? Just guessing they were tucked outta the way to keep Hill Yard as fluid as possible..

[jaymac]

0303-0455/07-01-2020 posed -- again -- more unanswered questions. The point of starting precision? The walk to the car was to the beat of somewhat distant exhaust, 0303 being when the vocal soloist announced that the 7.8 was not only working but also checking train. 0305 -- yes, 2 minutes later -- was when the no defects got announced and 427 acknowledged. 2 minutes from shunted to unshunted was taken as evidence of a shortish 427.
0309 was when D-3 reached out to FI-X, giving the 354 permission to reverse direction from where they stood at Derby and asking how many cars they had and if they were going to East End. More about FI-X will follow.
0314 presented some Yard Channel garble that sounded like 3 different voices were involved, and 0326 was when D-3 fulfilled Form D G301 to CXST 3108, the responsible parties being west and clear of Burncoat. Thanks and a good night were also issued, but naught about calling a cab, making it sound like the crew's job was a start at and return to New Bond.
0336 presented darkness on the 333 WLs, the usual sequence of Stops for the 334 ELs and darkness for the 334 1 stagger and 335s again in effect.
There was garble WB up Da Hill, and at 0348, D-3 told somebody something about the tower and that they should hold back.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, a shortish string of general sat on the westerly end of Yard 4, and a company Case loader sat between the House and MART fence.
Only occasional static eruptions broke the EB silence, and at 0405, the 333 WLs were dark.
0407 was the start of an AY-3/D-3 exchange that got pretty much hashed. What was remarkable was that AY-3 was even partially audible in West Fitchburg, much more about which later. D-3 acknowledged that there were dead batteries and that he'd pass it along.
0410 was FI-X's turn They were at FMW and would run around, a "roger that" being the response. A minute later, it was back to AY-3, advising that somebody -- transportation? maintainer? -- was 10 minutes away.
The 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop and the FG WLs at Stop, cars -- including shorties -- on 2 west of FG.
As I was driving under the OHB at FG the 1 WL went to what looked like a Medium Clear for the FI-X runaround, and at 0421, the FI-X parking spot was predictably MT. The renaming of the parking spot? Guessing that at least FI-2 has been abolished, given the number of times over the last coupla trips that "FI-X" has been heard.
But wait -- there's more: Further east on West Side was dark-except-for-number-boards power plus taillights on an east-facing vehicle. Had AY-3 been tasked to take at least a portion of the EGT west? Sure seemed like it.
At 0424, there was a both-sides-garbled FI-X/D-3 exchange, and at 0428, the EB staggers for Derby showed a Stop for 2, the 1 going from Approach to Clear. Whether the EB was the 1 D-3 had talked to at 0348 and whether they might be 22K or EDPO, dunno.
The balance of the trip featured more garbles, mebbe to FI-X also and mebbe to AY-3 with the words that the maintainer was 30 minutes out, making it seem like the earlier West Side taillights mebbe mighta been transportation's.

[jaymac]

0300-0505/07-03-2020 had some surprises, starting at 0300 when AY-3 was told that were on the pin, a series of garbled car countdowns soon starting. 0310 produced even more AY-3-related garble, D-3 asking their location and whether the cars were going to the West Main Street siding, then -- after whatever AY-3's response was -- saying they'd go into Moores and shove to West Wye.
Garblepalooza continued at 0326 with an offering from D-?.
0330 was when D-3 initiated a convo with AY-5, asking if AY-3 was pushing back to the Milling when the cab drove away. AY-5's response was unheard by me, and then D-3 served up some hash about being in the clear at San-Vel. 0330 was also when the 333 WLs were dark. At 0331, there was additional D-3 hash, this involving AY-3 and prolonged.
The 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 334 1 stagger and 335s dark, radio hash vanishing once I got onto Rte. 2 WB.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, and at 0346, D-3 called out to AY-5, no near-term further developments reaching my ears. With MT racks east and general west, Yard 4 was pretty much FP-FP. The company Case loader had mover on, and in Sameoldsameold Ledger entries, while the lights mighta been on at The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF 345 Dunks, nobody seemed to be conducting services and nobody was seen in the drive-through line. An additional entry is the detour signs still being in place for the still-OOS Pleasant Street OHB.
0356 was when the 346 WL was dark and also when D-3 gave a broken-to-me 241 to AY-3 with the 7620.
The EB trip had a few garbled outbursts, 0407 being when D-3 called out to AY-3, naught further heard. At 0412, the 333 WLs were still dark.
Further east and even though the truck-detour signs had still been in place on Rte. 2 EB, the Westminster Street/ Rtes. 2A/31 bridge project looked completed -- lane markers painted and signs and cones gone. Traffic flows as before in West Fitchburg if not in West Gardner.
Further east and after a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the predictable Slow Clear on the 330 2 WL, even though today was a 14XX schedule cuzza the holiday observance.
The GL WLs mighta been dark, but the 330 ELs were all at Stop cuz WB and dark KCIR 5948 and NewBlue 7552 plus racks were holding on 2. Guessing an ED-9, but hoonose? Cuzza the WB, the FG WLs was at Stop. The Limited Clear of the FG 1 WL seemed to show that -- for now at least -- the 1400 would be running 1 at least to Derby. Mebbe further, given some following developments.
At 0434, NewBlue 354 was dark, solo and facing west in the FI-X parking spot, and at 0440, the EB staggers for Derby were dark.
There was ongoing Yard Channel garble, some clarity coming at 0445 with "another 25," a call repeated at 0447, the source clear at 0449 with "AY-5, 15 to a hitch." 0450 presented a return to breakage with a Q426/D-3 convo, 426 still holding, mebbe at X25, and D-3 saying he'd contact POAY. Never heard the upshot of that, but POAY/AYPO activity in and around the wye might be a cause for routing to 1400 1 to AY or WL..
There were more car countdowns, and at 0457 and again at 0459, D-3 would answer the somebody who was calling. This was followed at 0501 when D-3 asked AY-5 if they could hear him on "this tower." followed by the request for AY-5 to call him on the phone. 1 of these years, PAR/S will address commo reliability.
Have a 4th that is both safe and happy!

[jaymac]

0303-0503/07-06-2020 had good number of moments, the reason for the opening and closing points of precision to be seen. 0303 was when D-3 asked not FI-X but FI-2 to please stand by, and 0305 was when he called out to FI-2 with the -- surprise! -- 7605, repeating after hearing them say it that the brush around San-Vel needed cutting, saying he'd pass it on, and adding more about the risk of ticks. Dag: FI-2 at San-Vel and with a 6-pack? FI-2 remained the source of radioactivity with a breaking 241 for 1 east at WL to Freight Main 2, and there will be more to emerge on both the FI-2 and the 7605 fronts.
Thick ground fog started in the South Nashua valley, but disappeared after a bit on Rte. 2 WB. At 0348, the 333 WLs were dark, and the usual sequence for Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s would hold.
There was 0348 garble that allowed only "Freight Main" to be clear, so mebbe FI-2? A few other eruptions occurred on the way up Da Hill, where the 345 ELs were at Stop and the 345 1 WL at Clear. The yard was clear, as well, except for 2 covered hoppers and a table with 5 trash containers on the Extension. Set-outs? Dunno.
In one more example of The Deity's ongoing generosity, the 346.6 came on at 0357, 0401 being the time of no defects, 320 total axles, 62°, and 7582'. 22K with NSs 1128, 9200, and 8174 plus 21 racks and a total 82 table and well positions -- a couple MT and another couple carrying trailer spines and even a few trailers among the single-high containers -- getting onto the Single at 0406. The exterior of The Shrine itself was lit up on the first official day of Phase 3, and there was someone serving himself at the pumps, but the rest of the operation didn't look open yet.
Things were generally quiet EB, and the 333 WLs were dark at 0417. At 0416, D-3 had started a 1-sided-to-me convo with AYPO, adding in a bit their power ID -- the 7605 -- and giving them now-breaking-to-me permission on signal indication. Dag -- that 7605 sure is versatile!
Further east, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and a Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Approach. Even if the 400 was outta Wachusett ahead of 22K, it seemed that 22K would be spending some time at FG. The North Nashua valley had gotten foggy to the point of getting misty, but it was obvious that the GL WLs were dark. At 0425, there was more D-3 garble that sounded like the repetition go train information, and in another couple, the FG WLs were also dark.
At 0429, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, prompting wondering about whether NewBlue 354 had been deemed transportation east so the FI-2 crew could recrew AYPO.
0401 presented "400, roger," this day being another mix of 4XX and 74XX offerings. Cuzza 0435 activity at RVJ, dunno the status of the EB staggers for Derby.
At 0457, there was D-3 garble to 22K, followed at 0500 by more more D-3 to somebody.
0502 presented clarity when Q427 called out to D-3, saying they were at New Bond, D-3 giving 0503 at the fulfillment time for Form D G301 to CSXT 909, acknowledging they were tying down, and exchanging wishes for a good rest of Monday.

[jaymac]

0305-0505/07-08-2020 had its prelude with crossing noise -- Temple Street/Rte. 140/MP X7.8? -- plus power noise heard inside my house ~ 0250. 0306 presented some Yard Channel garble, the first of many, and at 0309, D-3 advised AY-3 that somebody was in the clear and he'd take them right along.
The switch toggled back to Garble Mode until 0331 when AYPO advised they were tying the train down. 0336 was when D-3 241d AY-3 with the 7620 1 east to 1 at CPF-AY and also when the 333 WLs were dark. The 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 1stagger dark, another round of Garblepalooza erupting, only "another cab coming for us?" resolving into clarity.
The 335s were dark, and the WB trip up Da Hill quiet until 0351 and "4 to go, POED." Sure enough POED was hauling slowly WB on the Timpany Boulevard UGB. The car countdowns continued, the C advised that the switch and derail were locked as they should be, and he then called for a shove east back to the rest of the train, hitch-testing and 3-stepping protocols in observance. The pre-Gardner-lifting-rest-of-the-train included CHUX lidded gons, scattered Irving centerbeams, presumably-paper-service placarded tanks, covered hoppers, and FBOXs extending however far east of the Pearson Boulevard UGB. Racks were part of the lift. Dunno what else. Right about then, D-3 gave AY-3 permission to reverse direction from where they stood and proceed west at AY, asking if they would be going in West Wye and rogering whatever they said. As might be imagined, couldn't see anything else in the yard, but could see a regulator and tamper on the House. And yes, the 345 ELs and WLs were all at Stop.
A trip a bit west was taken. The power wasn't visible from the southerly approach to the still-OOS Pleasant Street OHB, and in this sidewalk superintendent's judgment, those prefixed initials will apply for a bit more than a bit more. The power itself was in back of LaChance Furniture, but a surplus of foliage kept the number boards indecipherable. Given the amount of C arithmetic necessary for the update, I was EB before POED could be WB.
The EB trip was quiet until 0414 when D-3 answered Q427 and -- things being as they should be -- fulfilled Form D G301 to CSXT 3326 -- also at 0414 -- and wished them a good day.
At 0420, the 330 WLs were dark, and further east the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, a Slow Approach on the 330 2 WL. The GL and FG WLs were dark, and at 0438, the FI-1/2 parking spot was MT, but a motionless number board was further east on East Side., followed by "you got nothing back there," source unknown.
0438 was when the EB staggers for Derby showed an Approach for 1 and a Stop for 2, 2 also showing a stationary EB marker, mebbe 22K holding at Slab City. Also at 0438, D-3 gave the 400 permission outta the layover.
There would be additional Yard Channel garble at 0444 that included D-3, a possible explanation coming at 0458 when D-3 advised 22K that AY-4 had been unable to clear 1 and that AYPO was still in the yard. 3 to 2 to 1 was the order, 400 was coming through Fitchburg, and 22K would wait for 400.
Radio silence -- for me, at least -- was in effect for the remaining few minutes.

[jaymac]

0300-0455/07-10-2020 started off slow, the first clarity at 0319 when D-3 advised AY-3 that 22K was clear of the east end and asked if they were ready to get into -- wait for it --- the Ford Plant, next asking for a call when they were ready to do their runaround at WL. The next to get to my ears was 0325 garble, "POED" and "marker" escaping into intelligibility.
The 333 WLs were dark at 0333, the usual sequence for Stops on the 334 ELs and darkness on the 334 1 stagger and 335s being as per usual.
There was 0341 garble, mebbe leading to 0343's D-3 question to AY-3 if they were ready for the light, followed by a roger to whatever got said.
Up Da Hill, the 345 EL and WLs were at Stop, a few shorties sat on the westerly end of Yard 4, and the regulator and tamper still sat on the House. The Sameoldsameold Ledger? Early ayem drivethru services were still not being conducted at The Shrine Of The Deity Of The CPF 345 Dunks.
On the EB trip, there was 0354 D-3 garble to AY-4 that involved trying to get AYPO taken care of, and at 0401, the 333 WLs were dark.
Further east, the 330.8 WBs were both at Clear and the 330 WLs at Stop. The GL Wls were dark, but a check was made of the 330 ELs cuzza the earlier POED garble -- all Stops.
The FG WLs were also dark, but the East Side still-life was unusual: OldPaint 316 was dark and solo on FME at 0416, and 1 track south were NewBlues 7534, 7518, and 7620, the 316 blocking whatever might be behind them. Mebbe they were POED. It looked like there might be racks another track to the south.
0423 was when the EB staggers for Derby were both at Approach. A check was made of the WBs visible from Lawrence Street to see if there might be a clue as to who was doing the shunting, but the Clear for 1 and Stop for 2 kept the puzzlement in place.
At 0433, D-3 started a convo with 22K, asking they were ready to come outta AY, next saying he'd give them the light at AY. They should get their cars off the Camp, but make sure they cleared AY cuz 400 was coming and when 400 cleared, he'd get them west to San-Vel.
The 0440 D-3 call to Q427 made me glad that I pulled over to the side of the road to get full deets. Form D G303 was issued to MEC 5948 for MP X 25 to Clinton East and made effective at 0442. D-3 further asked for a call when they were into a DCS and a call -- probably to his relief -- when they were on the siding at Clinton East and switches were lined and locked normal. Actually, those were only clear and not full deets -- Q427 with MEC power and short enough to tuck away on Clinton Siding? And would there be a meet or a wedding?
The 0453 convo was with AY-3 and the 7528. They had permission to reverse direction from where they stood on the #2. Were switches lined and locked normal and were they ready for the yard? The responses were rogered, a good Friday was wished, and D-3 would get them onto East Wye.
The 0455 end-of-listening reception was D-3 acknowledging 427 into DCS.