Track Warrants
"The Electronic Internet Newsletter of Western Railroading"P.O. Box 720301
San Jose, CA 95172
USA
Issue No. 13
Nov 30, 1995
Railfans and *especially* Alco fans have another new site to visit on the Web. Check out my home page at :
a href="http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/reay/cdnmlw.htm
John Reay, Bowmanville, ON, via misc.transport.rail.americas
A couple of weeks ago I saw a Santa Fe Warbonnet F45 or FP45 on the point of a south bound San Joaquin at Emeryville. It was coupled in front of one of the regular locomotives for that train. Unfortunatly I did not get the number of the unit. Does anyone know what was going on and what the unit was doing on that train...Thanks...
Larry Brickell, via misc.transport.rail.americas
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It was the 95 from the report I had, the "Swoopie" that was the power ran outta water so the ATSF 95 got the glory.
Bill Shippen, Flimsies!, via misc.transport.rail.americas
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Does anyone know how BN's test of a SD75 in suburban service in Chicago went? The following BN press release provides some information on the planned test, but since it was written before the test, it does not say how the test went. Did anyone see the test in operation?
CHICAGO, Sept. 26, 1995--Burlington Northern Railroad (BN), a subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, will test a SD75 locomotive on suburban commuter service trains between Chicago and Aurora beginning today to determine if this locomotive can increase train efficiency, reduce trip time and lower overall costs.
The 4300 hp SD75 locomotive will operate on commuter trains for a five-day testing period to compare its performance with the 3200 hp F-40 locomotives currently being used to power commuter trains on BN trackage. This test is being conducted in cooperation with Metra under the purchase of service agreement between Metra and BN.
"We're always looking at ways to enhance service and reduce costs. This is one of many ways we're exploring to provide our 50,000 daily passengers with the best possible commuter service," said Gordon Stenhjem, BN superintendent, suburban operations. BN operates 86 daily commuter trains between Chicago and Aurora at a 96 percent on-time performance rate.
Press Release via Paul L Schumann via misc.transport.rail.americas & Harry Wong
As of yesterday(11\25) the a Cal Northern at Hamilton City informed me that they would be running the beets to Woodland until early December and the Ham City beets would be running until Jan. 15th. Currently a crew goes on duty a Hamilton City at about 5 or 6 in the morning. This crew takes the empties to Corning where they wait for the Woodland empty beets crew to go on duty an where from 10:00 to 12:00am. (Time depends on a time estimate from the SP as to when the loads will arrive at Tehama) Just north of Corning the two crews combine their trains and the SP power takes the combined empties to Tehama. There they exchange the empties for the loads and head back to Wyo.(Junction w\Hamilton City Branch) At Wyo the Ham City crew is waiting to take the Ham City-bound loads. Here the train is again broken up into beets for Woodland and those for Hamilton City. The SP power stays with the Woodland loads, and continues south to Woodland. The Cal Northern power(2 GP15-1s) then takes the loads to the Holly Sugar plant at Hamilton City. After the Woodland loads have been exchanged for the empties, the train heads back north(railroad east) to about 5 miles north of Corning where they tie down the train for the night. The Hamilton City crew also ties down the train after delivering the loads. This is how things are currently being done. After the Woodland beets are done I can't say what they will be doing.
Mike Leland
Santa Claus Special
>This year the train will make one round trip between San Francisco and San Jose.
>>Wow, that's quite a reduction after the multiple runs last year. Any indication of why they're scaling its
>>service so far back?
+++
The problem lies with the inability to turn the 2472 in San Francisco. One leg of the wye at the old junction to Mission Bay is out of service due to I-280 highway construction. The next nearest wye is at Redwood City, about half way to San Jose, and after some bad experiences with backing the 2472 during the Gilroy Garlic Festival (about 140 miles worth), the 2472 gang doesn't feel comfortable with this 50 mile (RT) back-up move. There is a wye in San Jose. So, the plan is for the 2472 to make just a SFO-SJC-SFO round trip on December 16th. But please note, while everyone involved believes that the deal will go through with Caltrain to operate the Santa Claus special, it has not yet been "inked." This trip is not a sure thing!
Neil Carlson via: misc.transport.rail.americas
Tue, 21 Nov 1995 16:59:09---Conrail SD80MAC #4100 has arrived Conrail computers showing the following:
CR 004100 BUFFRONTI NY 11 20 1225 L R CN331 ALTOONA PA
Friday November 17, 1995---The Napa Valley Wine Train Derailed last night after someone broke a switchlock and the lens in the switch indicator. Two loco's and one car went "off roading", the pilot and front truck totally destroyed on lead unit and heavily damaged the 2nd units trucks, while almost over turning the car behind the 2nd unit. According to railroad officials, someone broke the switchlock and threw the switch half way. The lead loco's front truck took the siding while the rear truck continued on the main, the track rolled, and the lead loco dug in...
The train was returning from the dinner trip, traveling est. 15 mph when accident occured. Two minor injuries were reported.
Lewis Mezirka, iii via Newsgroups: misc.transport.rail.americas
Interesting news from a Nuclear Regulatory Commission bulletin:
On Sunday, October 1, a new Steam Generator for Catawba Nuclear Power Station was being transported by special railroad car (a Schnabel car) through Lima, Ohio. While the train was moving at approximately 3 mph, the car with its load derailed and tipped over on its side. The steam generator remained attached to its transport cradle and the rail car. No damage to the steam generator was immediately evident. The Schnabel car suffered minor damage. The steam geneator and schnabel car landed on soft soil which presumably cushioned the impact. As indicated by on-board accelerometers, the maximum "g" force during the wreck was 1-1/2 g.
from terwilli, via Harry Wong
A previous post indicated that the NYSW has sold their Alco C430s to a line in Arkansas. The rumor that they were headed for the Arkansas & Missouri has been around for a while. As of 11/15, both of the remaining NYSW C430s were out of service at the NYSW Utica, NY shops. The 3000 has been there for some time (since August?) out with spun main bearings. The 3006 has been shopped with a bad generator.
From what I have gathered talking with NYSW employees, the fate of the Alcos has yet to be determined. Most of the employees that I have spoken with seem to feel that the logical thing to do is to cannibalize the 3000 to save the 3006. The crews would just as soon see both of them go.
Other NYSW trivia: Rumors also still persist that NYSW is interested in selling/trading their B40-8s in an attempt to become all EMD. Saturday 11/18, NYSW ran a passenger extra from Binghamton to Syracuse and return for the SU football game. Power was E9s 2400/2402 northbound. Looked great! Southbound, the extra took the power from the 555 to return it to Binghamton, power was 4008/4002/CP5913/2400/2402.
Ian Clark, via Harry K. Wong
Good evening, Steve. Just a note to let you know I enjoy reading TW, and also enjoy contributing bits and pieces from Roseville to it...
Yesterday, 11/20/95, found the flangers in Roseville moved well out of the way, exposing 5 rotary snow plows to full view. Four have their F-unit power mates in place, while the fifth is sitting alone on its ready track. A mobile boom crane was situated next to it, and may have been doing truck work, since it appears the snowplows still have friction bearings. It was too dark to get numbers, power unit IDs and other REALLY important factoids, so maybe later in the week during the day that information can be garnered. Oh, yes, there are signs of impending life on the two road units usually stored with the snowplows: the ones with icicle breakers on top used to free up snowsheds and tunnels.
Dinosaur fans will be interested to know that GP-7 3873 and SD-7 1518 are MUd and working the east end of Roseville yard. There usually are two or even three sets of MUs on the east side, but apparently traffic has fallen off, and only one set (3873+1518) is at work this week, and even they don't show the signs of urgency usually exhibited.
There is a lot of railfan activity, usually reserved for Railfair weekend. Every time a coke drag heads east or a manifest heads out there are six to eight railfans festooned with cameras, scanners, and other camouflage outfits favored by undercover foamers who jump onto the right-of-way to get head-on shots. Dumb, and guaranteed to irritate workers trading time for dollars doing their jobs. Pictures, yes, but not at the risk of life and limb. Railfans, take due notice and govern yourselves accordingly...
Still lots of GE Dash-9s, and some SD-70Ms have ventured back again into the area on the I-5 Corridor pigs.
Finally, an obliging right-seater in one of the new Dash-9ACs put on a good show for the assembled railfans while hostling in the yard. Such a cloud of black [Alco?] dust! The air pollution folks would have had a hard time seeing their Ringelmann (sp?) smoke charts, much less get an accurate color match! (At least I wasn't downwind of that massive belch.)
"...and that's the rest of the story from Roseville!"
Tom Krummell
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3383-GP-9 0n the Ozol turn yesterday, Wed. ll/22/95.
Mike Pechner
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Sat, 25 Nov 1995 00:44:52--Good evening again from Roseville, "Mama don't take my Kodachrome away..." Simon and Garfunkel were visionaries, and for good reason: there is STILL one SD-9 in Kodachrome colors in Roseville--number 4420. It sits, cold and lifeless, near the engine shops along with brother SD-7 #1540 and sister SD-9s #4341 and 4411. The latter three are gray and battered, with Romanesque lettering on the flanks. 'Tis a shame, for not only is the Kodachrome a portent of things that could be but never were, but it's a comment on the repainting program for the chariots of old. Pretty soon, someone will take the Kodachrome away.
This evening (11/24/95) saw an out-of-the-ordinary mix of power on the point heading east with a long, slow mixed drag: a beat-up old tunnel motor ("beat-up"="not speed lettered and REALLY grimy") leading two more medium-grimed SD-40-T2 units and a lightly-grimed Dash-9 AC. From reading various items on the 'Net, it is my recollection that mixing AC and DC power is abnormal, and the DC power must have thermal protection on the traction motors. The drag headed east towards the Hill pretty slowly while, in the dark, a runby was made with the headlights of a van belonging to the contractor who picks up and delivers crews from and to the yard--Rezenberger or something like that (how Teutonic!). Anyway, when the 'bos saw the van with its lights shining on the slowly-moving train, they jumped off like fleas from a dog. Roseville's population increased by at least 15 in a short period, and those good ol' boys grumbled loud and long when they saw it wasn't the bulls out to pay them a visit.
On a slightly different note, the temperature is supposed to be 28-F in Truckee tonight. Any idea what the chill factor on an open-facing VCY hopper platform might be at, say, 30 MPH descending into Truckee from Norden? There HAS to be a better way to spend a late fall evening!
The old beady eyeball spotted only one foreign unit, a CSX SD-50, on the ready track tonight. Last night found a run-through SD-60M from Conrail getting ready to head to Portland, but it was obvious the Conrail unit had been on the property for a while because it was smoky blue, not anywhere near bright blue.
For those who *need* to know, here's a bit of trivia du jour: the panel tracks removed from points east are being torn down in the yards, with rail stacked in nice, neat bundles on the ground and ties taken somewhere out of sight. Near the RIP track next to the hump is a whole series of concrete castings which look suspiciously like bridge parts, laid on the ground. They have been observed heading east over the Hill on flatcars for the last month or so. Can anyone shed light on their origin, destination or purpose? They are too new to be riprap.
Last, the dearth of SD-70Ms has ended. There were 8, count 'em, 8 on the east end of Roseville Yard at 4:30 today (11/24/95). They were not, however, pure sets and were liberally interspersed with tunnel motors and even an occasional 4-axle Dash-8.
(Later) Sat, 25 Nov 1995--First, coming off the hill (westbound) was the Foster Farms grain train, with a CNW Dash-9AC on the point (the one with the green lightning stripe along the side), two UP SD-40s and an SP tunnel motor. You could certainly hear the CNW unit coming long before it was visible, and the hogger sure liked to use that horn. That was the first UP drag in a long while to take the shorter route, so there must be something on the Feather River route preventing that preferred route for such a long, heavy drag. It was surprising to see several REAL Western Pacific covered hoppers, even though they didn't have the feather on the side. They obviously hadn't seen a paint shop since Stockton for 15 or so years.
And heading east... we have 2 slightly begrimed Dash-9s (147, 221) and SP tunnel motor 5352 with "DRGW" neatly stenciled under the number. Again, another example of mixing AC and DC power.
Tom Krummell
UP serious mishap in Wyoming
Yesterday (Saturday, 11/18) a UP engineer was killed and a conductor seriously injured when one northbound (westbound) freight rear-ended another a few miles south of Laramie. The first train was stopped. The engineer, from Cheyenne, was killed when he jumped from the moving train before impact. The conductor, from Rawlins, suffered severe burns and was transported by helicopter to a burn center in Greeley, Colo.
Three engines and 13 cars were off the track. Laramie Fire Dept. ChiefRandy Vickers said the two trains erupted into a massive fire instantly. "Big old cars justscattered like matchwood. It's just a mess." (Quotes are from the Laramie Daily Boomerang). A subdivision south of Laramie was evacuated because of large amounts of smoke and because officials were not sure at first what the burning cars contained. U.S. 287 was closed inthe area.
Three fire departments responded. Mostly diesel fuel is burning. Lack of available water hindered their efforts, so they waited for the fire to burn out. Both trains originated in Chicago, one heading to LA and the other to Seattle. The photo on the front page of the Boomerang show double-stack cars scattered in every direction with a massive fireball.
Between Laramie and Hermosa tunnel the UP has three tracks. Tracks one and two, used most for eastbounds, angle southwest out of town and were not affected. Track three goes straight south, then turns southeast to meet tracks one and two near TieSiding, before the tunnel. Wait--one and two angle south_east_, not southwest, sorry.
I was trying to leave Laramie to take my boys to a hockey game in Denverabout 2:30 yesterday and noticed a lot of smoke south of town. At first the boys and I thought the cement plant south of town was polluting a lot more than usual, but soon we could see that this was different. Then the Highway Patrol had 287 closed just south of town. We could see a stopped train to our right, but were too far to be able to see the accident. It was a patrolman who told us it was a train wreck, saying the highway was closed due to toxic fumes (the paper said it was closed due to zero visibility, and radio said it was closed to allow firefighters room to work. We saw an ambulence coming back towards the Laramie hospital. We had to turn around and take I-80 to Cheyenne to take I-25 to Denver.Even from a truck stop just south of Cheyenne (about 50 miles away, over Sherman Hill) we could see the smoke coming from Laramie.
Coming home at 11:00 p.m. the Denver news said the 287 was still closed, so we again drove via Cheyenne. Between Cheyenne and Laramie on I-80 we passed a huge convoy of heavy earth moving equipment and other machines, all marked wide load with light flashing. When I first saw all the flashers I feared there was a problem on I-80, too, but then could tell the lights were moving, if somewhat slowly. I can only assume they were on the way to the crash site. Since it was by now around 2:00 a.m. and had to get the boys into bed, I couldn't investigate.
The newspaper said the fire might burn for days. However, looking out of my south windows from Laramie, there is no smoke to be seen now (9:30 a.m.). No cause is mentioned in the paper. The weather was great, warm, sunny,and clear. I'll try to drive out there later today and report more if I can. Amtrak's Pioneer goes through Laramie Mo-We-Fri both directions so wasnot affected.
Mike Griffith, via Newsgroups: misc.transport.rail.americas
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The loco's on the train that rearended another train near Laramie last Saturday were: UP9412-UP9154-UP6244. 9412 was on the point. The loco's are now at Cheyenne.
Mark., via Harry Wong
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I know that UP's SD90MAC #8000 was on its way to Pueblo, CO a few weeks ago, and now Conrail's first SD80MAC units are now on its way to Altoona, PA to be set up for service.
Raymond via Newsgroups: misc.transport.rail.americas
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U.P. ADDS KEARNEY LINE
According to the Omaha World Herald, Nov 18, 1995--Union Pacific Railroad said Friday it would spend between $22 million and $25 million to add a third main line through Kearney, Neb.
Construction would begin next spring between a crossing called Buda 4.5 miles east of downtown Kearney [MP 183.8 from Council Bluffs] to the Odessa crossing 11.5 miles to the west [MP 199.9].
The railroad said completion is set for the end of 1996. The heavy-duty rails and concrete ties will be built on the south side of the two existing main lines, which will remain in service.
The project will give the railroad 32 miles of triple track out of 108 miles from North Plaate to Gibbon, where the railroad splits into routes toward Omaha and Kansas City, Mo. An additional 16 miles of three-track mail line extends east from North Platte. Union Pacific said it is adding the third main line over the next several years to handle the traffic between North Platte and Gibbon, which averages 120 trains a day and is the coutry's busiest rail corridor.
Judging from yesterday's traffic, I think UP will need all the parking space it can find -- the eastbound main was full of parked coal trains awaiting passage thru CB yard and beyond.
Paul Marsh via: RAILROAD@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
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CN units on UP
CN units leased to UP as of 20:00 18Nov95.
Number Status Date Time CN 5000 Dp Texarkana,AR Nov18 1627 CN 5008 Ar Butler,WI Nov18 1648 CN 5017 Ar Yermo,CA Nov14 1904 CN 5030 Dp Otis,IA Nov18 1616 CN 5032 Dp Birdwood,NE Nov18 1333 CN 5038 at New Yard,TX ?? CN 5046 Ar Proviso,IL Nov18 0340 CN 5048 ?? CN 5054 Dp Wagoner,OK Nov18 1723 CN 5064 Ar Coffeyville,KS Nov18 1753 CN 5080 at Avaondale,LA (New Orleans) CN 5082 Ar South Omaha,NE Nov07 0045 CN 5105 Ar North Platte,NE Nov18 1143 CN 5129 Ar North Platte,NE Nov18 0130 CN 5139 Ar Atchison,KS Nov18 0410 CN 5179 Interchanged to DW&P Itasca,WI Nov16 0100 CN 5207 Ar Laredo,TX Nov16 1045 CN 5214 Dp Aikins,KS Nov18 1812 CN 5216 Ar Butler,WI Nov16 1100 CN 5217 Interchanged to GTW Proviso,IL Nov12 2015 CN 5220 Ar Butler,WI Nov14 1626 CN 5222 Ar East Clinton,IL Nov18 0303 CN 5224 Ar Pocatello,ID Nov17 2254 CN 9304 Dp Taylor,TX Nov18 1747 CN 9306 Dp Harviell,MO Nov18 1740 CN 9309 Dp Okay Jct,OK Nov18 1706 CN 9313 Dp Schwartz,LA Nov18 1838 CN 9314 Ar Salina,KS Nov18 0810 CN 9316 Ar Rays ??,TX (Denison) Nov17 0828 CN 9317 at Livonia,LA Nov18 2200
I'm sure the guy who's running the dynamic brakeless 5224 thru the Blue Mountains is thrilled...
BAD NEWS....The following addresses have had problems with transmission and are being deleted:
lmm@whserva.att.com; whserva.att.com: host not found
Regards Chickens:
How far will that device fling a chicken? Think of the implications for hockey and basketball games. Can you imagine what graduation would be like if (college) students ever got hold of these weapons? What do they call it-- a "Rooster Booster"? Is the damage to the windshield of the train a "wing-ding"? Where can I get one?
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Steve:
Noticed your incomplete Top Ten. It went back and forth for a week or so on Compuserve and then about a week later, the following was faxed to me by someone in the Santa Fe. Here you have the complete, final version. Thumbs up to Track Warrants from Altamont Press!
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Received and read issue # 12!!! Thanks for adding me to the list. I will forward this to a friend and give him instructions to subscribe to this, as he's interested...
I work for Amtrak as a conductor and I am very interested in what happens in this industry, and if I find out information from various sources I have, I will forward it to you for consideration...
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Hi,
The URL you submitted >url:http://web.aimnet.com/~stevesln/twar/twmenu.htm has been added to Yahoo! It will appear in Yahoo on the next update, which will likely occur within the next 24 hours. You can find your listing by looking through the "What's New" listing or by doing a keyword search after the next update.
We appreciate you taking the time to add your site to Yahoo. We rely on users like yourself to make Yahoo as complete and comprehensive as possible. In order to keep Yahoo accurate as well, please let us know of changes to your listing in the future.
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Hi Steve;
I have just recently found your Track Warrents news page and I see you are looking for western railway info. I have been following Canadian Pacific's railway for some time now and have gathered a few pictures that you might be interested in. For example, on the new AC4400CW's in British Columbia. I don't know how well they will send, but I would be more than welcome to try sending you a couple. Please let me know if you are interested.
NOTE: One of his photos is on the Web Page Version!
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VirtualCrossing Premiere Issue!January/February 1996
Attention model railroading enthusiasts, your answer to on-line model railroad information is here. Announcing VirtualCrossing, the on-line newsletter for model railroaders.
VirtualCrossing is a bi-monthly newsletter featuring building tips, layouts, product reviews, industry news, new products, prototype information, and links to hot model railroad-related internet sites. Each issue will be packed with useful information to help you with your latest projects.
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The URL for VirtualCrossing is:
Bill Miller, "Highball Galt 4730 West", via The Railroad List
Mail Car
Jack Quinton
Rob Carlson
thanks again
stephen noyes... kansas city crewbase...
Thanks again..
The Yahoo Team
Greg Sherwood, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada
http://www1.usa1.com/~jgamble/virtual/virtual.html
TRACK WARRANTS
TAKING STOCK
Railroad Stock Report for Wednesday, 29 November 1995
---------------------------------------------------------
Market Data from Tuesday, 28 November 1995
Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 5078.10, up 7.22 on Tuesday.
----------------
Big Board (NYSE)
----------------
Line Symbol High Low Close Previous P/E
=========================================================================
BNSF BNI 82.375 80.750 81.750 81.125 14
CSX CSX 89.250 87.625 88.750 88.000 13
Conrail CRR 69.625 68.750 69.250 69.625 12
Norfolk Southern NSC 78.000 76.500 78.000 76.500 14
Southern Pacific RSP 23.250 23.000 23.125 23.125 11
Union Pacific UNP 67.750 66.500 67.250 66.875 27
Canadian Pacific Ltd CP N 18.500 18.125 18.500 18.125 NA
Illinois Central IC 39.625 38.625 39.625 39.500 16
Kansas City Southern KSU 46.250 45.625 46.000 45.750 16
Florida East Coast FLA 68.875 68.375 68.500 68.625 24
Sea Container SCRA 17.500 17.250 17.250 17.625 13
XTRA XTR 44.125 43.000 43.750 43.375 13
Greenbrier GBX 11.000 10.750 11.000 10.875 12
Wabash Natl. Corp. WNC 28.500 28.000 28.250 28.500 24
Trinity Ind. TRN 29.375 29.125 29.250 29.375 14
Ameri. President APS 24.375 23.875 24.375 24.125 12
------
NASDAQ
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Line Symbol High Low Close Previous P/E
=========================================================================
J.B. Hunt JBHT 16.375 15.750 16.125 16.125 17
Wisconsin Central WCLX 56.500 55.750 56.000 56.000 23
RailTex RTEX 21.000 20.000 20.250 20.250 29
RailAmerica RAIL 3.875 3.625 3.750 3.781 NA
Providence & Worc PWRR 7.000 6.875 7.000 6.875 NA
Delaware Otsego DOCP 10.000 10.000 10.000 10.000 NA
Compiled by Jim Czarnecki
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This document was last updated Nov. 30, 1995.
Steve Sloan, Sloan Family Webmaster stevesln@sparta.sjsu.edu
TRACK WARRANTS
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