Tuesday, November 11, 2025

[Zephyrus52246]

Morning all,

Thank you to all the veterans out there on Veterans Day.  

Nothing accomplished train wise yesterday though some 1:1 issues resolved.  Today I need to look into why none of the East Yard turnouts are powered.  

Here's a pic of the cleaning train in action.  Lead by a boxcar with a masonite pad underneath, then a CMX cleaning car and then two Interline rail cleaners.  The CMX car had mineral spirits as it's liquid cleaner.  Ran it probably 10 times around the pike and it seemed to do a good job.  

Jeff

[Jim Donovan]

Good Morning;

Jeff, looks like you have track cleaning down to a science. I like the background buildings too! The cold air has definitely made its way down to Florida. Windy and in the 40's, for us that is chilly. Yesterday I put a lot of time in designing the lift bridge, today most likely more of the same. My better half is going on a trip to Europe with a group of woman in December and is getting worried given the air traffic control mess. It should be straightened out by then but she watches the news every day, kinda like watching a pot come to boil.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great day.

Jim

[deemery]

Hmm...   Jeff's train brings to mind a question I had on track cleaning car trains.  Should the loco pull (as Jeff shows) or push the track cleaner.  The argument against 'push' would be the risk of the track cleaning fluid getting into the wheels of the loco before it's had a chance to evaporate.

It's chilly here, 33 up from 31.  Cloudy, so definitely feeing like November.

Jim, the best advice for your wife & her group is "be prepared for a day delay."  Carry at least a change of underwear in your carry-on bag, along with prescriptions, etc.  Also some snacks/granola bars, etc.   Global Entry is a Pain in the Ass to get, but absolutely worth it clearing customs on the way home. 

dave

[KentuckySouthern]

Bright overcast and still snow covered mid 30s in MI.  More snow a possibility the closer to the big lake one gets. 

Similar track cleaning outfit as mine, I use CMX and 2 dry Centerline cars hauled by a P-1000 DL-109, heavy as a brick.  Mineral Spirits in the tank.  Push/pull? both take place at times.  With many grades it is imperative to have adequate loco power as the CMX does drag. 

The Doll also keeps a close eye on the news and actually believes some of it.   

[ReadingBob]

Afternoon all,

Nice track cleaning arrangement, Jeff! 

If I can get my fingers to thaw out, I'll spend some time at the workbench after lunch. It's a tad nippy here in Central Florida today.

Have a great one!

[Jim Donovan]

Thanks for advice Dave. We don't have Global Entry but have thought of getting it. We have friends who applied, he got it, she did not. When they asked why not they were told she had not declared an item costing more than $100 30 years ago and had been caught so she was disqualified. Amazing what the government remembers and what it forgets.

Jim