For 0355-0645/01-16-2020, there was some balance in the audio
v. visual input, starting with D-3's 0358 shoutout to AY-3 and the 7627 that rapidly devolved to the unintelligible. Things were clearer at 0404 when AY-3 got a Single-to-2 241 west at 312, more to follow for both AY-3 and 312. Next up and at 0407 was AYPO getting the word to accept signal indication at AY to get back to their train, additional info to follow. Things were breaking at 0438 when D-3 told someone they'd be holding for AYPO. Given that D-3 said they had about 1 hour and 20 minutes to go, it seemed like the unheard-by-me party was AY-3. The precip had gotten to be more of the white and wet variety, and plows and sanders -- occasionally only slightly staggered -- were out in force and sometimes enforcing 20 MPH MAS.
At 0441, the 333 WLs were dark, so I was WB in time to see 400 with a total of 3 flats and 1 bi plus the 1124 get east of the all-Stops 334 ELs at 0447. The 1 stagger was at Approach, but in another couple the 335s were dark, so there wasn't a WB on the Single. At 0451, D-3 reached out to FI-2, another more about which later, but naught intelligible followed. 0459 was when D-3 again reached out to AY-3, asking if they were blocking Wagon Wheel and then telling them to tie down at the Willows, a cab to be called.
Up Da Hill, the 345 ELs and WLs were at Stop, POED on the 2 and about to headpin to pick up the yard. The power was KCIRs 7655, 7797, and 7489 plus NewBlue 7651. If the lineup seems familiar, they were mentioned in Hayden Logan's daylight 01-15
http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=255006 , an indication that POED posed no threat to any land-speed record. Given that the caption mentioned 40 cars and that the marker was by Chair City Oil, 4 units might seem excessive, but mebbe a ferry move was in the works. There was a problem in the shove into the yard -- a short hose between the 3rd and 4th units parted, causing the effect that a parted hose should cause.
POED had some slurries west and a number of MT bulkheads plus a solo box carrying the marker on the east. What else mighta been between was blocked by intervening buildings. What was visible on Yard 2 were more MT bulkheads with coil cars east. No changes were visible for the Extension or southerly Heywood. Dunno when the snow had started, but it had not been run off the 1.
Before and after the offering of thanks was made, POED was busy and contact was lost only when distance and my being east of the crest ended reception. D-3 and AYPO with the 7898 brokenly exchanged update info, the total being 83 cars, D-3 advising AYPO that there might be signal issues at 312, so please to give a shout, and AYPO giving thanks for the hedzup.
The trip EB was at 20 MPH, probably cuzza plows ahead so I exited early, seeing the 335s dark at 0533, 402, doing their air a minute later. The 334 ELs would be at Stop and the 1 stagger dark, the 333 Controlled Siding WL showing a Medium Clear at 0541. 402 gave themselves the OK to depart, and a total of 4 flats and 1 bi plus the 1029 did the 0546 dropping, things going dark at 0548.
There would be the usual ZombieZone eruptions on the way EB, including a breaking transmission to AYPO about a signal maintainer. Never heard a clear 241.
After a refueling stop, the 330.8 WBs showed a Clear for 1 and Stop for 2, the 330 2 WL at Slow Clear and the GL and FG WLs dark, and at 0603, dark OldPaint 353 was facing west on the westerly end of covered hoppers on West Side, the same time as a badly-broken D-3 Form D. This was followed at 0609 by D-3 acknowledging TC T669 west and clear of WL.
At 0612, there was a hash about AY-4, sounding more like info was being sought about AY-4 and less like it was to or from AY-4.
0614 was when the EB staggers for Derby were dark, and naught intelligible of note was heard for the balance of the trip.