OT: General OT Thread #44 - The World is Still Turning

[Bdub]

Explain to me how they are safer because, on average, pipelines leak 200 gallons per day. (Source)

You can't mean a large amount of people died on the trains, because they're not a passenger trains.

I never said anything about death. I think its more effective to transfer oil by pipeline, and whats with all these derailments lately not to mention all food processing plants burning down across the country that mainstream media never covers.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I never said anything about death. I think its more effective to transfer oil by pipeline, and whats with all these derailments lately not to mention all food processing plants burning down across the country that mainstream media never covers.

But that’s not what you said…

Another train derailment in Wyndmere North dakota carrying fuel oil. Pipelines are safer.

I could explain why there are so many train derailments but it would venture into the political realm which:
1) really isn’t allowed here
2) would be wasted “breath” given the last sentence you wrote

 

[Sweetnut]

So how big was the biggest feet ever on a pro hockey player?

 

[Minnewildsota]

So how big was the biggest feet ever on a pro hockey player?

I don’t know but you know what they say about big feet…

Big skates

 

[57special]

Ugh, this snow. Wet underneath, making for a really heavy dig out. Next year I get a snowblower.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Ugh, this snow. Wet underneath, making for a really heavy dig out. Next year I get a snowblower.

My draw string broke this morning. I have never felt more defeated.

 

[57special]

My draw string broke this morning. I have never felt more defeated.

Oof….talk about bad timing

 

[Soldier13Fox]

No power since very early morning

 

[57special]

No power since very early morning

Large tree branch spanning the road. Snow is very heavy.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Large tree branch spanning the road. Snow is very heavy.

Super heavy. Was a chore moving it even with my snowblower.

Still no power. The beeping from my sump pump battery back up warning is a special kind of torture... one akin to the drop of water on your forehead every few seconds.

 

[TaLoN]

I love my S4!

Had a blizzard of heavy wet snow last night. When I was driving home at 1am, NONE of the roads were plowed AT ALL! My car is cruising through it like nothing... when on a 2 lane County road, there was a car stuck literally in the middle. I come to a stop directly behind them, get out and try to help them get going, but their car wouldn't budge. They gave up and called a tow truck, but even after I offered them a ride, they decided to stay, they didn't want to leave their car alone.

I bid them good luck, walked back to my car, got in and drove into even deeper snow to go around them, and my car went through it without even so much as a little slip of a tire...I can only imagine their reaction to seeing me drive away with such ease with how low to the ground my car is while plowing through snow quite a bit deeper than what had stranded them!

 

[MK9]

Woke up hoping we'd be well under what they were predicting. F***ing nope. Had to work this morning. Didn't have time to blow out the driveway. Threw the truck in 4WD and Dukes Of Hazarded it out of the garage. Culdesac hadn't been plowed either. Shockingly, made it out fine. Main roads were actually all pretty damn good en route to work. Jackasses hadn't plowed out the lot to the garage. We're a public utility so they're required to have us plowed out by 8 am. Didn't happen. Personal truck got through the lot into the garage just fine. Crappy ass work van. Nah. Stuck. Tow comes. They get me out. Go to the first job. LOT of cars in the ditch on the way. Everyone driving like absolute idiots. Most of the highways & main roads I didn't think were too bad. The residential side roads? Absolute crap show. Got stuck at the first job. 2 hours to dig the van out. Got nothing done. Work day was a total wash.

Got home and realized what an colossal mistake it was not being able to clear out the driveway. Now it's even more wet. And half the tiller on my blower is broke. Shear pin sheared off and is stuck in the rod. Snowblower was virtually useless. So...Dukes Of Hazarded the truck back in the garage again, lol. Hopefully the little I was able to clear out will allow what's left to melt through tomorrow.

The good news is, sounds like we're going to get to do it all over again Tuesday into Wednesday.

This is like the sh**iest groundhog day winter ever.

 

[Wabit]

My draw string broke this morning. I have never felt more defeated.

A hockey skate laces works fine (waxed preferably) as a replacement in a pinch. It's like usually like 4 screws to get the faceplate off. Tie the lace up in place of the broken string. Wind up the wheel. Tie off the old handle on the lace (or make a loop handle) when it's wound enough. Replace the faceplate and you're good to go. Yes, I've done this; 10 mins to change the string is better than an hour breaking my back shoveling.

Lots of yourube videos on showing how to replace the string for more detail.

 

[Minnewildsota]

A hockey skate laces works fine (waxed preferably) as a replacement in a pinch. It's like usually like 4 screws to get the faceplate off. Tie the lace up in place of the broken string. Wind up the wheel. Tie off the old handle on the lace (or make a loop handle) when it's wound enough. Replace the faceplate and you're good to go. Yes, I've done this; 10 mins to change the string is better than an hour breaking my back shoveling.

Lots of yourube videos on showing how to replace the string for more detail.

Well, it is a little Toro and I tried to get the screws off for the plating but they were rusted in. After shoveling for a bit, I'm not sure it would have even handled the snow given how GD heavy it was.

 

[Bdub]

But that’s not what you said…


I could explain why there are so many train derailments but it would venture into the political realm which:
1) really isn’t allowed here
2) would be wasted “breath” given the last sentence you wrote

Another big derailment in western montana today carrying off road fuel oil. Go line 5.

 

[Digitalbooya]

But that’s not what you said…


I could explain why there are so many train derailments but it would venture into the political realm which:
1) really isn’t allowed here
2) would be wasted “breath” given the last sentence you wrote

I do think it’s concerning the amount of train derailments and random fires at food plants. Some people think we are under attack. I’m not so sure on that yet.

One things for sure, the way the government handled the East Palestine derailment was a catastrophe. Looked like a damn nuke hit the town.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

I do think it’s concerning the amount of train derailments and random fires at food plants. Some people think we are under attack. I’m not so sure on that yet.

One things for sure, the way the government handled the East Palestine derailment was a catastrophe. Looked like a damn nuke hit the town.

And the pictures after the fact of chemical "storm clouds" were horrific

 

[Minnewildsota]

I do think it’s concerning the amount of train derailments and random fires at food plants. Some people think we are under attack. I’m not so sure on that yet.

One things for sure, the way the government handled the East Palestine derailment was a catastrophe. Looked like a damn nuke hit the town.

Oh, I agree that it’s concerning. Very concerning.

Might want to look into ECP brakes, and who rescinded the regulation regarding them. Because you know profits > people.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Oh, I agree that it’s concerning. Very concerning.

Might want to look into ECP brakes, and who rescinded the regulation regarding them. Because you know profits > people.

DOT Withdraws ECP Brake Rule - The Eno Center for Transportation

December 7, 2017 - The U.S. Department of Transportation on December 4 announced that it will withdraw a 2015 regulation requiring the use of electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on certain trains carrying flammable liquids, on the grounds that the safety benefits were inconclusive...

www.enotrans.org

From what I got from this article, it sounds like the railroads had issues with the rule. They wanted a review from a group of government entities and then it was reversed in 2017. It also looked like the rule that was in place prior was only there since 2015.

Maybe I am oblivious, but I don’t remember many train derailment coverage prior to 2015, or 2015-2017, or from 2017 through 2021. In fact, I think the only major one in the United States I can remember is East Palestine simply due to the aftermath. I do remember a passenger train derailment over in Europe I believe. I don’t remember which country, but it was probably 5-10 years ago.

Train Fatalities, Injuries, and Accidents by Type of Accident | Bureau of Transportation Statistics

KEY: R = revised. a Excludes highway-rail grade crossing accidents. b In 2002, 1,441 injures were due to a single derailment in North Dakota involving hazardous materials.

www.bts.gov

This site shows that train derailments have been roughly the same number per year since 2009 (range from 1600-2100 derailments per year)

 

[Minnewildsota]

DOT Withdraws ECP Brake Rule - The Eno Center for Transportation

December 7, 2017 - The U.S. Department of Transportation on December 4 announced that it will withdraw a 2015 regulation requiring the use of electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on certain trains carrying flammable liquids, on the grounds that the safety benefits were inconclusive...

www.enotrans.org

From what I got from this article, it sounds like the railroads had issues with the rule. They wanted a review from a group of government entities and then it was reversed in 2017. It also looked like the rule that was in place prior was only there since 2015.

Maybe I am oblivious, but I don’t remember many train derailment coverage prior to 2015, or 2015-2017, or from 2017 through 2021. In fact, I think the only major one in the United States I can remember is East Palestine simply due to the aftermath. I do remember a passenger train derailment over in Europe I believe. I don’t remember which country, but it was probably 5-10 years ago.

Train Fatalities, Injuries, and Accidents by Type of Accident | Bureau of Transportation Statistics

KEY: R = revised. a Excludes highway-rail grade crossing accidents. b In 2002, 1,441 injures were due to a single derailment in North Dakota involving hazardous materials.

www.bts.gov

This site shows that train derailments have been roughly the same number per year since 2009 (range from 1600-2100 derailments per year)

Personally, I don't give a shit if railroads have issues with the rule. Just like any safety regulation that gets put in place, companies will complain because it ultimately costs more. The benefit is, well, things are safer.

How the East Palestine derailment was handled, from beginning to end, was a complete cluster. Ultimately, those in charge should be prosecuted but they won't because this country has 2 judicial systems. One for the every day "man", and one for those with money/power.

/endrant

 

[Digitalbooya]

Personally, I don't give a shit if railroads have issues with the rule. Just like any safety regulation that gets put in place, companies will complain because it ultimately costs more. The benefit is, well, things are safer.

How the East Palestine derailment was handled, from beginning to end, was a complete cluster. Ultimately, those in charge should be prosecuted but they won't because this country has 2 judicial systems. One for the every day "man", and one for those with money/power.

/endrant

I guess my question is, with the regulation in place from 2015-2017 and the numbers not dramatically changing either way pre-during-and post reversal, are we sure it’s the brakes that are causing the issue? I admittedly know next to nothing on the subject. Maybe the time frame was too short to really see the safety effect of the safety regulation.

Amen to the second paragraph though. That’s been an issue for a long time.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I guess my question is, with the regulation in place from 2015-2017 and the numbers not dramatically changing either way pre-during-and post reversal, are we sure it’s the brakes that are causing the issue? I admittedly know next to nothing on the subject. Maybe the time frame was too short to really see the safety effect of the safety regulation.

Amen to the second paragraph though. That’s been an issue for a long time.

I'd have to read up again, but I *thought* there was a grace period to get trains up to code. Specifically "high danger" trains which was what the guidelines were directed towards. It's entirely possible 2015-2017 was in that grace period.

Essentially, the ECP brakes make all brakes lock up at the same time. Previous brakes were a domino effect. The brakes lock up first at the front and subsequently lock up each car afterwards.

The engine locks up. Car 2 locks up like a second later. car 3 locks up a second after that. So on and so forth. Given that specifically, personally, I can see how trains would get derailed. It's like hitting the front brakes on your bike, then hoping not to flip over the handle bars.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I'd have to read up again, but I *thought* there was a grace period to get trains up to code. Specifically "high danger" trains which was what the guidelines were directed towards. It's entirely possible 2015-2017 was in that grace period.

Essentially, the ECP brakes make all brakes lock up at the same time. Previous brakes were a domino effect. The brakes lock up first at the front and subsequently lock up each car afterwards.

The engine locks up. Car 2 locks up like a second later. car 3 locks up a second after that. So on and so forth. Given those specifically, personally, I can see how trains would get derailed. It's like hitting the front brakes on your bike, then hoping not to flip over the handle bars.

As someone who has broken their arm from grabbing the front brake of a bike too fast and flipping it, I totally relate to what you are saying.

 

[Avder]

This winter has been the worst since '09. Easily. and now that things are starting to melt it's just getting even messier out.

 

[57special]

This winter has been the worst since '09. Easily. and now that things are starting to melt it's just getting even messier out.

Flooding up there? I was in Fargo sandbagging for the 09 one.