When I lived in Rochester, AT&T burried fibre-optic cables along the
Conrail line from Albany to the west. This was about 1990. Talking with
the workers plowing the cable, they said that they install a "Pre-Fab"
concrete repeater house about every 20 miles.
         They showed me the insides, with instruments that can measure
faults in the fibres by reflections from the flaws. This is done anywhere
in the 20 mile length of the cables. They also try to place the houses
near access roads for winter weather and also for available electric
power. They also have automatic power generators in case the
commercial power goes out.
         Therefore, the comments about heating and air conditioning are
also valid, as they maintain rather tight conditions inside the "house".
Unfortunately, that does not extend to the "Union Station".!
             Fred Cupp in Williamsport, PA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Denny" <erikd@...>
To: <dandh@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: [dandh] Re: Port Kent "Union" Station


>
> I don't know when, but AT&T has had one there for at least 15 years- more
> likely back to the early 90's or late 80's.
>
> ...erik
>
> On Tue, 15 Dec 2009, jws1591 wrote:
>
>> When was that fiber optic line on the railroad completed? I think it was
active before the one along the Northway and that one was at least ten years
ago.
>>
>> JW
        
--------------SNIP--------------------SNIP-----------------------SNIP--------

_______________________________________
No viruses found in this outgoing message
Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#936 (NHB-94) Bow coal loads finally ordered 1930 hrs at Binghamton
with Engines NS 9285-9288-9532 and 87 cars.

Gordy

Sent from my iPhone

Very funny Wally!!!

That may be that the equipment is related to the fiberoptic cables.  It seems
awfully big for that.  Nothing else I have seen around looks that big.

It was built after the end of June 1998 deluge.  Maybe that damaged the cables
there to the extent that they had to erect a relay station as part of the
repairs.

I don't know who built or owns the Port Kent Union Station.  I suspect the Town
(Chesterfield) built it and owns it.  Some of the property must at least still
belong to the Railroad as the station, by necessity, has to sit right next to
the tracks, so at least some of it must be on part of the railroad owned right
of way.

The present Port Kent Union Station (shelter) is the third one.  The first
post-D&H Port Kent Station was built in the early 1990s.  Sometime after 1990 as
I was there taking pictures in 1990 and there was no station.  It looked about
the same as the present station, but was larger.  I have some video of trains
passing it.

There was a large couple day rainstorm one weekend in early November 1996 and
the water rushing down the hillside behind the station broke up the concrete pad
and collapsed the station.  I don't think any of it washed into the Lake.  After
that the roof was lying off to the side for awhile.  That may have been when
land was washed away just north of the station closer to the ferry dock.

In the Spring of 1998 they finally re-built the Port Kent Union Station.  It was
the same size as the first one as it used the old roof.  Unfortunately it did
not last long enough for me to get a picture of it.  I was by it one day soon
after it was completed, but no trains were running, so I decided to wait to
photograph it with a train going by.  Bad decision.  The deluge at the end of
June 1998 washed the station and all the land it was sitting on into the Lake. 
It left the rails hanging in mid-air.

The latest station is smaller than the other two.

I would think that since it looks like they restored the land to how it looked
before it was washed away, that property lines would remain as they were, but
then I am no Lawyer.

My two cents worth.

      Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "Wally Day" <wallhd@...> wrote:

  So Bonnie scared the DMV road test inspector that much. Did he take early
retirement the next day?

  The equipment at Port Kent is somehow related to the fibreoptic cables which
are buried along the ROW. I suspect that the structures house relay equipment
and such. There are several at various locations along the ROW.

  One is on the west side of the tracks near the Margaret St grade crossing in
Plattsburgh and another is just across the road from the Ticonderoga station
site. When I was doing "trails and rails" programs between Rouses Point and
Ticonderoga earlier in the decade this one sometimes served as the backdrop for
a makeshift comfort station if you get my drift. I have seen others, but can't
quite remember their exact locations.

  There are at least two fibreoptic cable runs along (or in) the ROW on the North
End. Back in the late 1980's I was told that NYS was encouraging the
installation of these cables so as to help "preserve" the ROW. I never was able
to confirm that fact, but it made sense to me. Perhaps someone more "in the
know" could helps us out here.

  I'm not sure who built Port Kent "Union", nor am I sure who owns the
  property. The original D&H Port Kent Depot was more or less in the same spot so
the property was probably D&H owned at one time. That brings up another
interesting question: With regard to flood-damaged areas (such as this one at
Port Kent which more or less became part of Lake Champlain for a time in June
1998);  I wonder how property lines are reestablished when restoration takes
place? Amazing how questions such as this pop up from time to time.

  Help  eh ?

  Wally

    _____

  From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of rbw46
  Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 12:17 PM
  To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [dandh] Re: Port Kent "Union" Station

  Yes, I am thankful that Bonnie learned to drive in the North Country and got
the car out. Incidentally she took her driver's exam during a North Country Ice
Storm, and passed. The roads were so bad that the Examiner cancelled all other
tests that day after Bonnie's.

  Richard

  --- In dandh@yahoogroups. <mailto:dandh%40yahoogroups.com> com, Jack
  Klapprodt <klappjack@> wrote:

  What is the equipment in the background of the photo looking up the
  tracks?. Is it the HVAC for the station? LOL

  Jack Klapprodt

It is located near where my Wife's Aunt lives.

For those of you who don't know where my Wife's Aunt lives, the VACIS is located
off Dundee Road.  If you were heading west toward Massena on Route 37 going
through Fort Covington, you would take a right on Dundee Road headed to the
Canadian Border.  When you cross the tracks, the VACIS is located down the
tracks a bit to your right.  It is fairly new, newer than the one at Rouses
Point.  I don't know how old the picture used on Bing Maps is.  The picture may
have been taken before the VACIS was  built.  I just checked Google Maps and
their satellite picture does not show it either.

If you continued on north on Dundee Road after crossing the tracks you would
come to the US Border Protection Port of Entry on the left.  It is an older
building built in the early 1930's (during the Hoover Administration).  It is
not located right on the Canadian Border because just north of there the river
runs right next to the road and there was not any good place to build it right
on the border.  My Wife's relatives live between the Port of Entry and the
Canadian Border, so they have to go by and "report in" when they leave their
home.  Of course everyone working there knows them.

Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Jered Slusser <flmrc.org@...> wrote:

  I was just looking at Ft Covington on Bing maps - I don't see anything like
what they have at Rouses Point.  Where is the customs office / scanner located?

  - Jered

I can remember when they were laying the first fiber optic cable.  I think it
was 1988.  At the time I thought Guilford still owned the railroad and that they
had provided an easement (for the money, of course) to AT&T to lay the cable. 
Since then I have learned that this was after Guilford and during the
Susquehanna directed service.  The cable train was tied up one weekend on a
siding (no longer existing) behind the north east corner of the Air Force Base,
and I went and took some pictures of it.  I have them somewhere, just don't know
where right now.  The engine was in BN colors lettered "NYS&W" and the caboose
was NYS&W.  Since I thought Guilford still owned the D&H I figured that Guilford
or AT&T had contracted with Susquehanna to lay the cable.

There are AT&T signs along the right of way warning of the fiber optic cable.

    Richard

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Erik Denny <erikd@...> wrote:


  I don't know when, but AT&T has had one there for at least 15 years- more
likely back to the early 90's or late 80's.

  ...erik


  On Tue, 15 Dec 2009, jws1591 wrote:

  When was that fiber optic line on the railroad completed? I think it was active
before the one along the Northway and that one was at least ten years ago.

  JW

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "cleantrucks1" <cleantrucks1@> wrote:


  Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the
tracks.  There are several of them along the route.

  Al

Wally your father knew best, water is densest at 37 degrees, thats  why
warmer water or floating ice are at the surface. HBF

Slightly higher.. 4C or a whisker over 39F. This drives the 'overturns' of ponds
and lakes as water on the surface sinks.

This won't keep water from freezing in air brake systems, though.

Question.. do they still put isopropyl alcohol in the main air reservoirs to
fight the ice buildup? We used to bleed the air and dump a few gallons of alky
in the RS3s when it got really cold..

Willy
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: sl
   To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:08 PM
   Subject: [dandh] Re: Port Kent "Union" Station



   Water reaches max density at about 34 degrees F.

   Steve LaBonte

   --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "Wally Day" <wallhd@...> wrote:
   >
   > My favorite RR "depot" in email photos no less.!
   >
   >
   >
   > Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The
   > USCG said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at
   > Cumberland Head, 7 or 8 feet would have been more likely.
   >
   >
   >
   > My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was
   > just above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess)
   > then. I don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a
   > fact that the largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to late
   > autumn winds, especially from the south.
   >
   >
   >
   > Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive
   > right here in the North Country.
   >
   >
   >
   > Wally
   >
   >
   >
   > _____
   >
   > From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
   > rbw46
   > Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
   > To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
   > Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station
   >
   >
   >
   >
   >
   > For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
   > Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of
   > pictures I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the
   > Holidays.
   >
   > I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
   > likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.
   >
   > I was surprised to see it decorated.
   >
   > If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
   > there yesterday.
   >
   > http://i32.photobuc
   > <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
   > ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg
   >
   > http://i32.photobuc
   > <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
   > ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg
   >
   > Richard
   >
   >
   >
   >
   >
   > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
   >





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Water reaches max density at about 34 degrees F.

Steve LaBonte

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "Wally Day" <wallhd@...> wrote:
>
> My favorite RR "depot" in  email  photos no less.!
>
>
>
> Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The
> USCG said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at
> Cumberland Head, 7 or 8 feet  would have been more likely.
>
>
>
> My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was
> just above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess)
> then. I don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a
> fact that the largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to late
> autumn winds, especially from the south.
>
>
>
> Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive
> right here in the North Country.
>
>
>
> Wally
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> rbw46
> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
> To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station
>
>
>
>
>
> For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
> Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of
> pictures I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the
> Holidays.
>
> I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
> likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.
>
> I was surprised to see it decorated.
>
> If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
> there yesterday.
>
> http://i32.photobuc
> <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
> ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg
>
> http://i32.photobuc
> <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
> ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

That's VACIS with an 'I'. Stands for 'Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System'.

JW

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "rbw46" <rbw46@...> wrote:
>
> Back on November 23, 2009 I posted some pictures of a CSX train that I
happened upon at Fort Covington, NY at the border.  It was a southbound and did
have some containers on the end.  Not alot, but some.  The train did go through
the Border Services scanner at Fort Covington.  It looks similiar to the one at
Rouses Point.  I did not take a picture of it because at the time I came upon
the scene, the Border Protection person also showed up, and I wasn't sure how he
would feel about someone taking pictures of the VACUS.  I moved down the tracks
some out of view of the VACUS to photograph the train.
>
> Of course I couldn't tell how upgraded the VACUS was at Fort Covington.  The
containers obviously went through it.  But was it able to scan the containers,
or just the general freight.  That I can't answer.
>
> My Brother-In-Law (not a railfan, but he keeps an eye on things for me) lives
within sight of the tracks just north of Massena, and CSX has been doing quite a
bit of track work on the line this summer and fall.  In late fall from what he
was describing, they were installing lengths of new welded rail.
>
> Richard

In 1994 or 1995, can't remember exactly which, there was a washout a bit
north of the Port Kent grade crossing.  I recall son Eric and I going there
one evening to look at it and there were several AT & T staff there and they
were very concerned about their fibreoptic line being breached during the
restoration efforts. I seem to remember that the 2nd cable run was installed
sometime after that. The 2nd one is/was a joint venture between Primelink
(affiliated with locally owned Champlain Telephone Co) and another concern.



Wally



   _____

From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Erik
Denny
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 9:48 AM
To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [dandh] Re: Port Kent "Union" Station






I don't know when, but AT&T has had one there for at least 15 years- more
likely back to the early 90's or late 80's.

...erik

On Tue, 15 Dec 2009, jws1591 wrote:

> When was that fiber optic line on the railroad completed? I think it was
active before the one along the Northway and that one was at least ten years
ago.
>
> JW
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups. <mailto:dandh%40yahoogroups.com> com,
"cleantrucks1" <cleantrucks1@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the
tracks. There are several of them along the route.
> >
> > Al







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The containers are pretty regular on the CSX Montreal/St.Lawrence Subs.  It
seems like I seem them on an about every other day frequency.  Sometimes only a
handful, other times more than 50 to 60.  I can also attest to there being an
increase in track work out of Massena.  A welded rail train just went north out
of Massena the other day.

Scott

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "rbw46" <rbw46@...> wrote:
>
> Back on November 23, 2009 I posted some pictures of a CSX train that I
happened upon at Fort Covington, NY at the border.  It was a southbound and did
have some containers on the end.  Not alot, but some.  The train did go through
the Border Services scanner at Fort Covington.  It looks similiar to the one at
Rouses Point.  I did not take a picture of it because at the time I came upon
the scene, the Border Protection person also showed up, and I wasn't sure how he
would feel about someone taking pictures of the VACUS.  I moved down the tracks
some out of view of the VACUS to photograph the train.
>
> Of course I couldn't tell how upgraded the VACUS was at Fort Covington.  The
containers obviously went through it.  But was it able to scan the containers,
or just the general freight.  That I can't answer.
>
> My Brother-In-Law (not a railfan, but he keeps an eye on things for me) lives
within sight of the tracks just north of Massena, and CSX has been doing quite a
bit of track work on the line this summer and fall.  In late fall from what he
was describing, they were installing lengths of new welded rail.
>
> Richard
>
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "rbw46" <rbw46@> wrote:
>
> Today (November 22nd) about Noon I happened to see the southbound CSX train at
Fort Covington, NY coming across the border from Canada. At the end of the train
were several cars of Maersk containers. It was not that many, maybe about 10
cars. Most were Maersk. One was another company.
>
> Richard
>
>
> For those who might be interested, some photos of the CSX train I saw on
November 22nd showing the Container traffic:
>
> The locomotives, of course:
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0020.jpg
>
> The containers:
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0024.jpg
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0026.jpg
>
>
> Richard
>
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Aaron Keller <akeller_1979@> wrote:
>
>  I'm not sure if anyone has seen the final post on the following board, but it
points out a few interesting observations that haven't been discussed here:
>
>  http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2047945
>
>  I personally do not know the person who posted the information.
>
>  -Aaron
>

I was just looking at Ft Covington on Bing maps - I don't see anything like
what they have at Rouses Point.  Where is the customs office / scanner
located?

- Jered

On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM, rbw46 <rbw46@...> wrote:

>
>
> Back on November 23, 2009 I posted some pictures of a CSX train that I
> happened upon at Fort Covington, NY at the border. It was a southbound and
> did have some containers on the end. Not alot, but some. The train did go
> through the Border Services scanner at Fort Covington. It looks similiar to
> the one at Rouses Point. I did not take a picture of it because at the time
> I came upon the scene, the Border Protection person also showed up, and I
> wasn't sure how he would feel about someone taking pictures of the VACUS. I
> moved down the tracks some out of view of the VACUS to photograph the train.
>
> Of course I couldn't tell how upgraded the VACUS was at Fort Covington. The
> containers obviously went through it. But was it able to scan the
> containers, or just the general freight. That I can't answer.
>
> My Brother-In-Law (not a railfan, but he keeps an eye on things for me)
> lives within sight of the tracks just north of Massena, and CSX has been
> doing quite a bit of track work on the line this summer and fall. In late
> fall from what he was describing, they were installing lengths of new welded
> rail.
>
> Richard
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>, "rbw46" <rbw46@...>
> wrote:
>
> Today (November 22nd) about Noon I happened to see the southbound CSX train
> at Fort Covington, NY coming across the border from Canada. At the end of
> the train were several cars of Maersk containers. It was not that many,
> maybe about 10 cars. Most were Maersk. One was another company.
>
> Richard
>
> For those who might be interested, some photos of the CSX train I saw on
> November 22nd showing the Container traffic:
>
> The locomotives, of course:
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0020.jpg
>
> The containers:
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0024.jpg
>
> http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0026.jpg
>
> Richard
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>, Aaron Keller
> <akeller_1979@...> wrote:
>
> I'm not sure if anyone has seen the final post on the following board, but
> it points out a few interesting observations that haven't been discussed
> here:
>
> http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2047945
>
> I personally do not know the person who posted the information.
>
> -Aaron
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back on November 23, 2009 I posted some pictures of a CSX train that I happened
upon at Fort Covington, NY at the border.  It was a southbound and did have some
containers on the end.  Not alot, but some.  The train did go through the Border
Services scanner at Fort Covington.  It looks similiar to the one at Rouses
Point.  I did not take a picture of it because at the time I came upon the
scene, the Border Protection person also showed up, and I wasn't sure how he
would feel about someone taking pictures of the VACUS.  I moved down the tracks
some out of view of the VACUS to photograph the train.

Of course I couldn't tell how upgraded the VACUS was at Fort Covington.  The
containers obviously went through it.  But was it able to scan the containers,
or just the general freight.  That I can't answer.

My Brother-In-Law (not a railfan, but he keeps an eye on things for me) lives
within sight of the tracks just north of Massena, and CSX has been doing quite a
bit of track work on the line this summer and fall.  In late fall from what he
was describing, they were installing lengths of new welded rail.

Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "rbw46" <rbw46@...> wrote:

Today (November 22nd) about Noon I happened to see the southbound CSX train at
Fort Covington, NY coming across the border from Canada. At the end of the train
were several cars of Maersk containers. It was not that many, maybe about 10
cars. Most were Maersk. One was another company.

Richard


For those who might be interested, some photos of the CSX train I saw on
November 22nd showing the Container traffic:

The locomotives, of course:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0020.jpg

The containers:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0024.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/IMGP0026.jpg


Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Aaron Keller <akeller_1979@...> wrote:

  I'm not sure if anyone has seen the final post on the following board, but it
points out a few interesting observations that haven't been discussed here:

  http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2047945

  I personally do not know the person who posted the information.

  -Aaron

I don't know when, but AT&T has had one there for at least 15 years- more
likely back to the early 90's or late 80's.

...erik

On Tue, 15 Dec 2009, jws1591 wrote:

> When was that fiber optic line on the railroad completed? I think it was
active before the one along the Northway and that one was at least ten years
ago.
>
> JW
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "cleantrucks1" <cleantrucks1@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the
tracks.  There are several of them along the route.
> >
> > Al
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

that was 290 the crews were waiting for NOT 69, slip of the brain there!

maddogbill><>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Don't get your hopes up for CSX, Remember the CN Montreal-Atlanta stack
train deal? Or  the CP garbage train?

Jack  D&H MP 752, Buffalo Line MP 258  Sunbury Pa

I've heard from someone who will remain anonymous that as of a week or so ago,
negotiations are still in the works for the CSX traffic. That's all I'm going to
say about it right now.

  JR




________________________________
From: Aaron Keller <akeller_1979@...>
To: DandHRailroad@yahoogroups.com; dandh@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, December 15, 2009 2:20:01 AM
Subject: [dandh] CSX trains on the D&H

 
I'm not sure if anyone has seen the final post on the following board, but it
points out a few interesting observations that haven't been discussed here:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2047945

I personally do not know the person who posted the information.

-Aaron

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm not sure if anyone has seen the final post on the following board, but it
points out a few interesting observations that haven't been discussed here:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2047945

I personally do not know the person who posted the information.

-Aaron





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

When was that fiber optic line on the railroad completed? I think it was active
before the one along the Northway and that one was at least ten years ago.

JW

--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "cleantrucks1" <cleantrucks1@...> wrote:
>
>
> Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the
tracks.  There are several of them along the route.
>
> Al

D&H 253 that was tied at CPC 191 was recrewed about 1515. 1x5 intermodal ,
48 mixed freight and 22 intermodal platforms clear CN switch in time for Amtrak
69. Picked 2x5 intermodals from Farm tracks. Got clearance 1007 at 1634 , clear
runner at 1640.
     D&H 931 with NS 877, 9278 and 9041 with about 35 cars tied down at CPC
191 on main before 1820. Waiting for recrew as of 1900.
                                                     Walt from the Point
                                                  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12414629@N03/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ah-ha!!...Now we know where they got the prototype for the new 'train
stations' in Thurman and Corinth.



-----Original Message-----
From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
rbw46
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station




For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of
pictures I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the
Holidays.

I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.

I was surprised to see it decorated.

If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
there yesterday.

http://i32.photobuc
<http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg

http://i32.photobuc
<http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg

Richard







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So Bonnie scared the DMV road test inspector that much. Did he take early
retirement the next day ?



The equipment at Port Kent is somehow related to the fibreoptic cables which
are buried along the ROW. I suspect that the structures house relay
equipment and such. There are several at various locations along the ROW.
One is on the west side of the tracks near the Margaret St grade crossing in
Plattsburgh and another is just across the road from the Ticonderoga station
site. When I was doing "trails and rails" programs between Rouses Point and
Ticonderoga earlier in the decade this one sometimes served as the backdrop
for a makeshift comfort station if you get my drift. I have seen others, but
can't quite remember their exact locations.



There are at least two fibreoptic cable runs along (or in) the ROW on the
North End. Back in the late 1980's I was told that NYS was encouraging the
installation of these cables so as to help "preserve" the ROW. I never was
able to confirm that fact, but it made sense to me. Perhaps someone more "in
the know" could helps us out here.



I'm not sure who built Port Kent "Union", nor am I sure who owns the
property. The original D&H Port Kent Depot was more or less in the same spot
so the property was probably D&H owned at one time. That brings up another
interesting question: With regard to flood-damaged areas (such as this one
at Port Kent which more or less became part of Lake Champlain for a time in
June 1998);  I wonder how property lines are reestablished when restoration
takes place ? Amazing how questions such as this pop up from time to time.



Help  eh ?



Wally



   _____

From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
rbw46
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 12:17 PM
To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [dandh] Re: Port Kent "Union" Station





Yes, I am thankful that Bonnie learned to drive in the North Country and got
the car out. Incidentally she took her driver's exam during a North Country
Ice Storm, and passed. The roads were so bad that the Examiner cancelled all
other tests that day after Bonnie's.

Richard

--- In dandh@yahoogroups. <mailto:dandh%40yahoogroups.com> com, Jack
Klapprodt <klappjack@...> wrote:

What is the equipment in the background of the photo looking up the
tracks?. Is it the HVAC for the station? LOL

Jack Klapprodt


_,___



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks, Al

Jack Klapprodt

On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 3:37 PM, cleantrucks1 <cleantrucks1@...>wrote:

>
>
>
> Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the
> tracks. There are several of them along the route.
>
> Al
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Building is an access point for the fiber optic line that runs along the tracks.
There are several of them along the route.

Al
--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "rbw46" <rbw46@...> wrote:
>
> Jack you may be right.  I never thought of that.  I have always wondered what
that thing was ever since "they" (whoever "they" are) built it.
>
> Mother Nature seems to provide the HVAC for the Port Kent Station.  But not
always in the right order.  During the Summer, the "furnace" is usually on and
during the Winter the "air conditioning" is on, especially yesterday.  I think
someone set the thermostat to "sub-zero".  Actually during the Summer with a
breeze from the Lake, it is not usually too uncomfortable there.  So maybe
Mother Nature does sometimes run the Air Conditioning at the right time of year.
>
> That building was built in 1998 or 1999 after the last deluge at the end of
June 1998 that washed the previous Port Kent Station and the land it was sitting
on into Lake Champlain (and left the tracks hanging in mid-air).  I don't even
know who built it, CP Rail, or the Town, or someone else.  There are no "No
Trespassing" signs on it (not that I would want to) to indicate whose property
it is or what its function is.  Maybe it was built by Aliens from Outer Space. 
Sometimes you hear equipment running in there.  Maybe it actually is the HVAC
for the Port Kent Union Station.
>
> Do you have any idea Wally?  Is it something that you would know about through
the Fire Department?
>
> Yes, I am thankful that Bonnie learned to drive in the North Country and got
the car out.  Incidentally she took her driver's exam during a North Country Ice
Storm, and passed.  The roads were so bad that the Examiner cancelled all other
tests that day after Bonnie's.
>
>      Richard
>
>
> --- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Jack Klapprodt <klappjack@> wrote:
>
>  What is the equipment in the background of the photo looking up the
>  tracks?.  Is it the HVAC for the station? LOL
>
>  Jack Klapprodt
>
>
>  On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Wally Day <wallhd@> wrote:
>
>  My favorite RR "depot" in email photos no less.!
>
>  Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The USCG
said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at Cumberland
Head, 7 or 8 feet would have been more likely.
>
>  My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was
just above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess)
then. I don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a fact
that the largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to late autumn
winds, especially from the south.
>
>  Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive
right here in the North Country.
>
>  Wally
>
> _____
>
> From: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:
> dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of
> rbw46
> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
> To: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station
>
>
>  For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of pictures
I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the Holidays.
>
>  I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.
>
>  I was surprised to see it decorated.
>
>  If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
there yesterday.
>
>  http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
>  ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg
>
>  http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
>  ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg
>
>  Richard
>
>  --
>  John (Jack) Klapprodt
>  Apalachin, NY
>  (607)- 972-9337
>  klappjack@
>

...a few years ago, I recall seeing a guy pull his black Dodge pick'em'up truck
to within (less than) 3 feet of the railhead to eat lunch here.  I told him that
Amtrak was due soon and he was within the strike zone.  Typical guy thing, he
said, "I can move if he comes."  I assured him that he couldn't possibly move
that fast."  He didn't move until he was darned good and ready and that was 20
minutes, after he finished his lunch; boys'n'girls, can you say blockheaded
idiot?  Back then I didn't have a cell phone or I would have called the dogs of
war in on him.
     Fortunately for him, Amtrak was very late, (big surprise there), as he would
have to go into "E" upon seeing him.  I hate flat wheels on Amtrak!  Hate even
worse to see passenger injuries and spilled coffee!
Mad Dog Bill
still alive and barking...
Merry Christmas!
"If you think there is good in everybody,
you haven't met everybody"!

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: rbw46
   To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
   Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station



   For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of pictures
I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the Holidays.

   I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.

   I was surprised to see it decorated.

   If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
there yesterday.

   http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg

   http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg

   Richard





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

D&H 930 with NS 8333 and 5420 clear ROU at 2210. Scanned , no holds.
Tied down at Hayford road. Recrewed and out about 2330.
     D&H 931 with NS 8361 and 9805 was tied down at CPC 191. Recrewed
by the crew from  930. Got clearance 1004 at 2307. 3262 feet of train clear
runner at  2320 and DEL at 0013.
     D&H 252 with CP 8542 and 9805 got clearance 1001 from DEL to ROU
at 0032. Set out 4 at Lacolle and clear ROU at 0205. 66 loads , 22 empties at
9010 tons and 5100 feet scanned , no holds. Tied down at Hayford. Recrewed
and no away time. Met 253 at Fort Ti. Had 15 loads , 6 empties at 2140 tons
and 1295 feet for VTR to drop at Whitehall.
     D&H 253 with CP 9508 and 8888 was tied down at CPC 191 about 1100.
Not recrewed as of 1300.
                                                     Walt from the Point
                                                  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12414629@N03/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jack you may be right.  I never thought of that.  I have always wondered what
that thing was ever since "they" (whoever "they" are) built it.

Mother Nature seems to provide the HVAC for the Port Kent Station.  But not
always in the right order.  During the Summer, the "furnace" is usually on and
during the Winter the "air conditioning" is on, especially yesterday.  I think
someone set the thermostat to "sub-zero".  Actually during the Summer with a
breeze from the Lake, it is not usually too uncomfortable there.  So maybe
Mother Nature does sometimes run the Air Conditioning at the right time of year.

That building was built in 1998 or 1999 after the last deluge at the end of June
1998 that washed the previous Port Kent Station and the land it was sitting on
into Lake Champlain (and left the tracks hanging in mid-air).  I don't even know
who built it, CP Rail, or the Town, or someone else.  There are no "No
Trespassing" signs on it (not that I would want to) to indicate whose property
it is or what its function is.  Maybe it was built by Aliens from Outer Space. 
Sometimes you hear equipment running in there.  Maybe it actually is the HVAC
for the Port Kent Union Station.

Do you have any idea Wally?  Is it something that you would know about through
the Fire Department?

Yes, I am thankful that Bonnie learned to drive in the North Country and got the
car out.  Incidentally she took her driver's exam during a North Country Ice
Storm, and passed.  The roads were so bad that the Examiner cancelled all other
tests that day after Bonnie's.

      Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, Jack Klapprodt <klappjack@...> wrote:

  What is the equipment in the background of the photo looking up the
  tracks?.  Is it the HVAC for the station? LOL

  Jack Klapprodt


  On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Wally Day <wallhd@...> wrote:

  My favorite RR "depot" in email photos no less.!

  Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The USCG
said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at Cumberland
Head, 7 or 8 feet would have been more likely.

  My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was just
above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess) then. I
don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a fact that the
largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to late autumn winds,
especially from the south.

  Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive right
here in the North Country.

  Wally

_____

From: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:
dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of
rbw46
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
To: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station


  For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of pictures
I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the Holidays.

  I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.

  I was surprised to see it decorated.

  If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was there
yesterday.

  http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
  ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg

  http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
  ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg

  Richard

  --
  John (Jack) Klapprodt
  Apalachin, NY
  (607)- 972-9337
  klappjack@...

Thank you for the explanation.  Now I know more about what was going on and I
will file that information away for future reference (if I can remember where I
filed it when I need it again - an occupational hazard of getting older). 
Actually the Dispatcher did the logical thing, I just did not recognize it as
such at the time.  As GI Joe used to say when my Kids were younger and watched
him on TV "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle".

What threw me was that when I had a glimpse of 252 at Bluff it was still
switching the yard and it was close to the time Amtrak 68 was due in
Plattsburgh, and I knew that it had left Rouses Point "on time".  The engine was
on one of the yard tracks and not anywhere near the front of the train.  I
assumed (yes, I know what "assume" means) that 252 would not have time to hook
the engine back up to the train, pump up the air, and etc and be ready to depart
by the time 68 passed them.  So I figured that they would run 931 north after 68
passed them at Rockland while 252 was doing their preparations to depart.  If
252 had appeared ready, or even close to ready to depart CPC-163 when I saw
them, I would have expected them to follow 68 south.

My original plan was to be at Port Kent to see all 3 trains, then I would have
seen both freights, whichever came first.  But Mother Nature had other ideas. 
After getting stuck (where my wife saved me), the only "safe" place to park was
on the side of the road (fortunately the road is not busy there at this time of
year since the Port Kent ferry is not running), then with the bone chilling COLD
from the stiff wind, we decided after Amtrak 68 passed by to head back to South
Junction Road where it was less windy.  We figured from there we could see 931
and have an idea how close to ready to leave 252 was.  From what I saw of 252 on
the way to Port Kent I was not convinced that they would even be ready to depart
south once 931 passed them.  That 252 got their train back together and was
ready to depart so quickly was the biggest surprise for me.

  Richard


--- In dandh@yahoogroups.com, "Gordy Smith" <dhdispr@...> wrote:

  Hi Richard,

  252 only had to set off at Bluff Point, no pick up.  And with their work at
Whitehall, they would have been given the preference behind #68 to get them to
Saratoga.  Besides, when they get to Saratoga, Binghamton likes to have the
inbound crew do as much of the work to make up the outbound 252 as possible. 
#931 does no work between Saratoga and Rouses Point and usually just parks at
Rouses Point until #930's Canadian crew arrives to take it north.  So there's
usually no rush on #931 if there's a toss up on a meet.

  Gordy

What is the equipment in the background of the photo looking up the
tracks?.  Is it the HVAC for the station? LOL

Jack Klapprodt

On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM, Wally Day <wallhd@...> wrote:

>
>
> My favorite RR "depot" in email photos no less.!
>
> Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The
> USCG said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at
> Cumberland Head, 7 or 8 feet would have been more likely.
>
> My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was
> just above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess)
> then. I don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a
> fact that the largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to
> late
> autumn winds, especially from the south.
>
> Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive
> right here in the North Country.
>
> Wally
>
> _____
>
> From: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:
> dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of
> rbw46
> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
> To: dandh@yahoogroups.com <dandh%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station
>
>
> For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
> Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of
> pictures I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the
> Holidays.
>
> I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or
> more
> likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.
>
> I was surprised to see it decorated.
>
> If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
> there yesterday.
>
> http://i32.photobuc
> <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
> ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg
>
> http://i32.photobuc
> <http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
> ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg
>
> Richard
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
John (Jack) Klapprodt
Apalachin, NY
(607)- 972-9337
klappjack@...


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My favorite RR "depot" in  email  photos no less.!



Yesterday Lake Champlain was as rough as I've seen in quite a spell. The
USCG said that wave heights could be as much as 5 feet. From what I saw at
Cumberland Head, 7 or 8 feet  would have been more likely.



My father always said that the swells were higher when the temperature was
just above freezing because the "water was thicker' (more cohesive I guess)
then. I don't know about any scientific basis for that theory, but it is a
fact that the largest swells on the lake are usually seen during mid to late
autumn winds, especially from the south.



Thanks Richard for posting the shots. Good thing Bonnie learned to drive
right here in the North Country.



Wally



   _____

From: dandh@yahoogroups.com [mailto:dandh@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
rbw46
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:29 AM
To: dandh@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [dandh] Port Kent "Union" Station





For those of you who have been wondering just what the Port Kent "Union"
Station that Wally references actually looks like, here are a couple of
pictures I took yesterday (December 13th) showing it decorated for the
Holidays.

I assume that it was decorated for the passage of the Holiday Train, or more
likely due to the Toys for Tots Train stopping there last week.

I was surprised to see it decorated.

If you notice the flags, you will be able to tell how strong the wind was
there yesterday.

http://i32.photobuc
<http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg>
ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3377b.jpg

http://i32.photobuc
<http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg>
ket.com/albums/d18/RBW46/_IGP3378a.jpg

Richard





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]