EMPIRE SERVICE |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
New York-Spuyten Duyvil |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Spuyten Duyvil-Poughkeepsie |
Metro-North |
56 |
160.950 |
Poughkeepsie-West of
Schenectady1 |
CSX CSX NC Dispatcher |
46 64 |
160.800/ 160.070 |
West of Schenectady-West of
Syracuse |
CSX CSX ND Dispatcher |
46 52 |
160.800/ 160.890 |
West of Syracuse-Depew |
CSX CSX NF Dispatcher |
46 86 |
160.800/ 161.400 |
Depew-Buffalo-Niagra Falls |
CSX CSX NG Dispatcher |
46 56 |
160.800/ 160.950 |
NOTE: NC territory is Poughkeepsie to CP-175 which is between Schenectady and Amsterdam stations.
NOTE: ND territory is from CP-175 to CP-296 a few miles west of Syracuse station.
|
|
MAPLE LEAF |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
New York-Spuyten Duyvil |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Spuyten Duyvil-Poughkeepsie |
Metro-North |
56 |
160.950 |
Poughkeepsie-West of
Schenectady |
CSX CSX NC Dispatcher |
46 64 |
160.800/ 160.070 |
West of Schenectady-West of
Syracuse |
CSX CSX ND Dispatcher |
46 52 |
160.800/ 160.890 |
West of Syracuse-Depew |
CSX CSX NF Dispatcher |
46 86 |
160.800/ 161.400 |
Depew-Buffalo-Niagra Falls |
CSX CSX NG Dispatcher |
46 56 |
160.800/ 160.950 |
Niagara Falls-Toronto |
CN |
55 & 87 |
160.935 & 161.415 |
NOTE: NC territory is Poughkeepsie to CP-175 which is between Schenectady and Amsterdam stations.
NOTE: ND territory is from CP-175 to CP-296 a few miles west of Syracuse station.
|
|
NORTHEAST CORRIDOR |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Boston-New Haven |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Springfield-New Haven |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
New Haven-New Rochelle |
Metro-North |
29 |
160.545 |
New Rochelle-New York area |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
New York Sunnyside Yard Switching |
Amtrak |
36 |
160.650 |
New York area-Morrisville PA |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Philadelphia 30th Street Station |
Amtrak |
21
36 |
160.425/ 160.650 |
Morrisville-Washington |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington Union Station-Virginia Ave |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-Richmond |
CSX (RF&P) |
96 |
161.550 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Richmond |
CSX (SCL) |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Richmond-Newport News |
CSX (C&O) |
08 |
160.230 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
14 |
160.320
|
|
KEYSTONE CORRIDOR |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Philadelphia 30th Street Station |
Amtrak |
21 36 54 |
160.425 160.650 160.920 |
Philadelphia-West Zoo
Interlocking |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
West Zoo Interlocking-Harrisburg |
Amtrak |
35 |
160.635 |
Zoo Interlocking |
Amtrak |
35 54 |
160.635 160.920 |
Zoo Interlocking |
Conrail (CSX/NS) |
46 |
160.800 |
NOTE: Usually will not hear a radio check when channels shifted at West Zoo.
|
|
LAKE SHORE LIMITED |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Boston-Back Bay |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Back Bay-Albany |
CSX |
46 |
160.800 |
New York-Spuyten Duyvil |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Spuyten Duyvil-Poughkeepsie |
Metro-North |
56 |
160.950 |
Poughkeepsie-West of
Schenectady |
CSX CSX NC Dispatcher |
46 64 |
160.800/ 160.070 |
West of Schenectady-West of
Syracuse |
CSX CSX ND Dispatcher |
46 52 |
160.800/ 160.890 |
West of Syracuse-Depew |
CSX CSX NF Dispatcher |
46 86 |
160.800/ 161.400 |
Depew-Buffalo |
CSX CSX NG Dispatcher |
46 56 |
160.800/ 160.950 |
Buffalo-Erie |
CSX CSX NH Dispatcher |
50 82 |
160.860/ 161.340 |
Erie-Cleveland |
CSX |
50 |
160.860 |
Cleveland-Berea |
NS |
64 |
161.070 |
Berea-CP 285/Toledo |
NS |
58 |
160.980 |
Toledo Terminal area |
NS |
64 |
161.070 |
Toledo-Chicago |
NS |
46 |
160.800 |
21st St.-Union Station |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
NOTE: NC territory is Poughkeepsie to CP-175 which is between Schenectady and Amsterdam stations.
NOTE: ND territory is from CP-175 to CP-296 a few miles west of Syracuse station.
|
|
PENNSYLVANIAN |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
New York-Morrisville PA |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Morrisville-Philadelphia 30th Street |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Philadelphia 30th Street Station |
Amtrak |
21 36 |
160.425/ 160.650 |
Philadelphia-Overbrook |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Overbrook-Harrisburg |
Amtrak |
38 |
160.680 |
Harrisburg-Pittsburgh |
Norfolk Southern |
46 |
160.800
|
|
CAPITOL LIMITED |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington-Weverton MD |
CSX (B&O) |
08 |
160.230 |
|
CSX (AU) dispatcher |
14 |
160.320 |
Weverton MD-Pittsburgh |
CSX (B&O) |
08 |
160.230 |
|
CSX (CM) dispatcher |
94 |
161.520 |
Pittsburgh-Rochester
PA |
Norfolk Southern (PRR) |
46 |
160.800 |
Rochester-Berea (CP 194) |
NS (PRR/NYC) |
64 |
161.070 |
Berea-CP 285 |
NS (NYC) |
58 |
160.980 |
Toledo Terminal |
NS (NYC) Amtrak |
64
|
161.070 160.305 |
Toledo-Chicago |
NS (NYC) |
39 46 |
160.695 160.800 |
21st St.-Union Station |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265
|
NOTE: Weverton MD is just east of Harpers Ferry WV
NOTE: CP Bloom is just east of the Pittsburgh Amtrak Station
NOTE: Rochester PA is near Beaver Falls
|
|
CARDINAL |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
New York Penn Sta.-Morrisville, PA |
Amtrak |
60 |
161.010 |
Philadelphia 30th Street Station |
Amtrak |
21/ 36 |
160.425/ 160.650 |
Morrisville-Washington |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Washington Union Station area |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington-Virginia Ave. |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-AF:Alexandria, VA |
CSX (RF&P) CSX dispatcher |
96 20 |
161.550 160.410 |
AF-Orange, VA |
NS (SOU) NS train-disp NS disp-train |
56 48 09 |
160.950 160.830 160.245 |
Orange-Clifton Forge |
BBRR |
23 |
160.455 |
Clifton Forge-Cincinnati |
CSX (C&O) |
08 |
160.230 |
Clifton Forge-Montgomery, WV |
CSX dispatcher |
14 |
160.320 |
Montgomery-Cinncinati |
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Cincinnati-Indianapolis |
CSX (B&O) |
08 |
160.230 |
Cincinnati-Hamilton |
CSX (CK) dispatcher |
66 |
161.100 |
Hamilton-Indianapolis |
CSX (CF) dispatcher |
14 |
160.320 |
Indianapolis-Crawfordsville |
CSX (PRR-I&F-P&E) CSX (IC) dispatcher |
46 30 |
160.800 160.560 |
Crawfordsville-Munster IN |
CSX CSX (RB) dispatcher |
84 12 |
161.370 160.290 |
Munster-Thornton Jct. |
CN CN (TD4) dispatcher |
32 28 |
160.590 160.530 |
Thornton Jct.-Chicago 81st St. |
UP (C&EI) |
20 |
160.410 |
Chicago 81st St.-74th St. |
Belt Railway |
26 |
160.500 |
74th St. (CP 518) |
Metra (C&WI) |
22 |
160.440 |
CP 518-21st St. |
NS (PRR) |
46 |
160.800 |
21st St.-Union Station |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265
|
NOTE:
Buckingham Branch Railroad
|
|
CRESCENT |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington-Virginia Ave. |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-AF: Alexandria, VA |
CSX (RF&P) |
96 |
161.550 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
AF: Alexandria, VA-Atlanta |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
|
NS train to disp |
48 |
160.830 |
|
NS disp to train |
09 |
160.245 |
Atlanta Station |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Atlanta-Austell, GA |
NS |
42 |
160.740 |
Austell-Birmingham,AL |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
Birmingham Station |
Amtrak |
84 |
161.370 |
Birmingham-New Orleans |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
New Orleans Station< |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440
|
|
|
NORTH CAROLINA SERVICE |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Selma NC-Charlotte NC |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
Selma NC-Raleigh (Boylan/Raleigh Tower) |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
Raleigh (Boylan/Raleigh Tower)-Cary (Fetner) |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
Cary (Fetner)-Charlotte NC |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
NS Dispatcher Links |
NS train to disp |
48 |
160.830 |
NS Dispatcher Links |
NS disp to train |
09 |
160.245
|
|
|
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Chicago Union Station |
Amtrak |
13 |
160.305 |
Chicago Union Station-Union Avenue |
Amtrak |
13 |
160.305 |
Union Avenue |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Union Avenue-Memphis Central Station |
CN/IC |
72 |
161.190 |
Memphis-Lakeview
MS |
CN/IC |
54 |
160.920 |
Lakeview-Jackson MS |
CN/IC |
72 |
161.190 |
Jackson-Fernwood Jct |
CN/IC |
54 |
160.920 |
Fernwood Jct-New Orleans |
CN/IC |
72 |
161.190 |
New Orleans NOUPT |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440
|
NOTE: Lakeview is about 15 miles south of Memphis, TN
NOTE: Fernwood Jct is about 6 miles south of McComb, MS
|
|
SILVER STAR |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington-Virginia Ave |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-Richmond |
CSX (RF&P) |
96 |
161.550 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Richmond-Charlie Baker |
CSX Road |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Charlie Baker |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
84 |
161.370 |
Wilson-Selma |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
84 |
161.370 |
Selma NC-Raleigh NC |
NS |
56 |
160.950 |
|
NS train to disp |
48 |
160.830 |
|
NS disp to train |
09 |
160.245 |
Raleigh-Marsten |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
94 |
161.520 |
Marsten-Hamlet |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
54 |
160.920 |
Hamlet-Central Junction |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Central Junction |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
84 |
161.370 |
Ogeechee River-Dinsmore |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
14 |
160.320 |
Jacksonville Terminal |
CSX Amtrak |
32 49 |
160.590 160.845 |
Dinsmore-St. Johns-Mango |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
94 |
161.520 |
Mango-Tampa-Mango |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
8 |
160.230 |
Mango-Auburndale |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
54 |
160.920 |
Auburndale-Miami |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
94 |
161.520
|
NOTE: Charlie Baker is near Rocky Mount, NC
NOTE: Marsten is 12 miles north of Hamlet
NOTE:Central Junction is 1 mile north of Savannah station
NOTE: Ogeechee River is 15 miles south of Savannah station
NOTE: Dinsmore is 5 miles north of Jacksonville station
NOTE: St. Johns is 9 miles south of Jacksonville station
NOTE: Mango is about 8 miles east of downtown Tampa
NOTE: Auburndale is about 2 miles north of Winter Haven and 11 miles east of Lakeland
NOTE: Auto Train also operates between Lorton, VA and Sanford FLReview:
Silver Meteor
|
|
SILVER METEOR-AUTO TRAIN |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22 54 |
160.440 160.920 |
Washington-Virginia Ave |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-Richmond |
CSX |
96 |
161.550 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Richmond-Charlie Baker |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Charlie Baker |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
84 |
161.370 |
Central Junction |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
84 |
161.370 |
Ogeechee River |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
14 |
160.320 |
Jacksonville Terminal |
CSX Amtrak |
32 49 |
160.590 160.845 |
Dinsmore-St. Johns |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
94 |
161.520 |
St. Johns-Auburndale |
CSX |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
54 |
160.920 |
Auburndale-Miami |
CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
94 |
161.520 |
Lorton VA (Auto Train Station) |
Amtrak/CSX |
66 |
161.100 |
Sanford FL (Auto-Train Station) |
Amtrak/CSX |
96 |
161.550
|
NOTE: Charlie Baker is near Rocky Mount NC
NOTE: Central Junction is 1 mile north of Savannah station
NOTE: Ogeechee River is 15 miles south of Savannah station
NOTE: Dinsmore is 5 miles north of Jacksonville station
NOTE: St. Johns is 9 miles south of Jacksonville station
NOTE: Auburndale is 7 miles north of Winter Haven
NOTE: Auto Train operates nonstop between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL.
Auto Train Introduction.
|
|
PALMETTO |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Washington Union Station |
Amtrak |
22
54 |
160.440
160.920 |
Washington, DC-Virginia Ave |
Amtrak |
54 |
160.920 |
Virginia Ave.-Richmond |
CSX (RF&P) |
96 |
161.550 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Richmond-Charlie
Baker |
CSX Road |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
20 |
160.410 |
Charlie Baker |
CSX Road |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CSX Dispatcher |
84 |
161.370
|
NOTE: Charlie Baker is near Rocky Mount, NC
|
|
CHICAGO-CARBONDALE |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Carbondale |
CN |
72 |
161.190
|
|
CHICAGO-ST. LOUIS-KANSAS CITY |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
21st St.-Joliet |
CN |
54 |
160.920 |
Joliet-Springfield, IL |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Springfield Station |
Amtrak/UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Springfield Station |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Isles-Hazel Dell |
NS |
22 |
160.440 |
Hazel Dell-Carlinville |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Carlinville-Wann |
UP |
30 |
160.560 |
Wann-WR Tower) |
KCS |
90 |
161.460 |
WR Tower-Q Tower |
UP |
30 |
160.560 |
Q Tower-Grand Ave. |
TRRA |
26 |
160.500 |
WR Tower-Grand Ave. |
TRRA |
26 |
160.500 |
St. Louis |
Amtrak |
13 |
160.305 |
Grand Ave.-River Jct |
UP |
74 |
161.220 |
River Jct.-Pleasant Hill, MO |
UP |
24 |
160.470 |
Pleasant Hill, MO-Rock Creek Jct. |
UP |
77 |
161.265 |
Rock Creek Jct.-Kansas City |
KCT |
60 |
161.010 |
Kansas City Terminal |
KCT |
60 |
161.010
|
|
CHICAGO-MILWAUKEE |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Milwaukee |
METRA & CP/Soo Line |
44 |
160.770
|
|
CHICAGO-QUINCY |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Aurora |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Aurora-Galesburg |
BNSF |
85 |
161.385 |
Galesburg Station |
BNSF |
51 |
160.875 |
Galesburg-Quincy |
BNSF |
47 |
160.815
|
|
CHICAGO-DETROIT-PONTIAC |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
21st St.-Porter, IN |
NS |
46 |
160.800 |
Porter, IN-Kalamazoo, MI |
Amtrak |
93 |
161.505 |
Kalamazoo-Gord |
Norfork Southern |
46 |
160.800 |
Gord-Baron |
CN |
32 |
160.590 |
Baron-Townline |
Norfolk Southern |
46 |
160.800 |
Townline-Vinewood |
Norfolk Southern |
64 |
161.070 |
Vinewood-Milwaukee Jct |
CN |
28 |
160.530 |
Milwaukee Jct |
CN |
32 |
160.590 |
|
CN dispatcher |
28 |
160.530
|
|
CHICAGO-PORT HURON |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
21st St.-Porter, IN |
NS |
46 |
160.800 |
Porter IN-Kalamazoo, MI |
Amtrak |
93 |
161.505 |
Kalamazoo-Gord |
Norfork Southern |
46 |
160.800 |
Gord-Battle Creek |
CN |
32 |
160.590 |
Battle Creek-Port Huron |
CN Road/Alt CN Dispatcher |
32 |
160.590 |
Battle Creek-Port Huron |
CN Dispatcher |
74 |
161.220
|
|
CHICAGO-GRAND RAPIDS |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
21st St.-Porter, IN |
NS |
46 |
160.800 |
Porter IN-Grand Rapids, MI |
CSX (C&O-PM) |
08 |
160.230 |
|
CSX dispatcher |
35 |
160.635
|
|
SUNSET LIMITED |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Segments east of New Orleans |
|
|
|
New Orleans Station (NOUPT) |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440 |
New Orleans-Huey P. Long
Bridge |
CN/IC |
72 |
161.190 |
East Bridge Jct.-West Bridge
Jct |
NOPB |
40 |
160.710 |
Huey P. Long Bridge-Lake
Charles |
BNSF |
12 |
160.290 |
Lake Charles-Beaumont TX |
UP |
17 |
160.365 |
Beaumont-Grayburg |
UP |
17 |
160.365 |
Grayburg-Gulf Coast Junction
Beaumont Sub |
UP |
51 |
160.875 |
Gulf Coast Junction Beaumont Sub-Houston Terminal |
UP |
44 |
160.770 |
Houston Terminal area and station |
UP |
44 |
160.770 |
Huston Terminal-San Antonio |
UP |
37 |
160.665 |
San Antonio city limits |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
San Antonio> |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440 |
San Antonio-Alpine |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Alpine-El Paso |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
El Paso-West El Paso |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
West El Paso-Razo,
AZ |
UP |
08 |
160.230 |
Raso-Tucson-Mobile, AZ |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Mobile-Araz |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
Araz-Hinda |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Hinda-Yuma, AZ |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Yuma-Thermal, CA |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
Thermal-Colton Tower |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Colton Tower-El Monte |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
El Monte-CP Mission |
SCAX |
87 |
161.415 |
El Monte-CP Mission |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
CP Mission-Los Angeles LAUS |
SCAX |
47 |
160.815 |
Los Angeles Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Other Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455
|
NOTE: Channel 40 used only briefly by westbound trains as they cross the bridge. Channel 72 is used by eastbound trains after entering the bridge, and channel 12 by westbound trains, with the switch point on the bridge.
NOTE: Grayburg is about 10 miles west of Beaumont
NOTE: Channel 96 used for about 12 miles in the El Paso area
NOTE: Mobile AZ 15 miles west of Maricopa
|
|
TEXAS EAGLE |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Chicago Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Joliet |
CN |
54 |
160.920 |
Joliet-Springfield, IL |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Springfield Station |
Amtrak/UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Springfield Station-Isles |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Isles-Hazel Dell) |
NS |
22 |
160.440 |
Hazel Dell-Carlinville |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Carlinville-Wann |
UP |
30 |
160.560 |
Wann-WR Tower |
KCS |
90 |
161.460 |
WR Tower-Q Tower |
UP |
30 |
160.560 |
Q Tower-Grand Ave. |
TRRA |
26 |
160.500 |
WR Tower-Grand Ave. |
TRRA |
26 |
160.500 |
St. Louis switching |
Amtrak |
13 |
160.305> |
Grand Ave -Poplar Bluff, MO |
UP |
91 |
161.475 |
Poplar Bluff MO-Jacksonville AR |
UP |
51 |
160.875 |
Jacksonville AR-Little
Rock-Ensign |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Ensign-Texarkana-Marshall
TX |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
Marshall-Longview-Big
Sandy |
UP |
90 |
161.460 |
Texarkana-Big Sandy
TX |
UP-Alternate Route |
96 |
161.550 |
Big Sandy-SP Junction
|
UP |
69 |
161.145 |
SP Junction-Fort Worth |
BNSF |
78 |
161.280 |
SP Junction-Fort Worth |
TRE-Alternate Route |
83 |
161.355 |
Fort Worth Terminal |
Amtrak |
72 |
161.190> |
Fort Worth-Temple |
BNSF |
30 |
160.560 |
Temple-Taylor |
UP |
24 |
160.470 |
Taylor-San Antonio |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
San Antonio Terminal |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
San Antonio Station |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440
|
Thu Service:
SUNSET LIMITED
|
San Antonio-Alpine |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Alpine-El Paso |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
El Paso-West El Paso |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
West El Paso>-Razo,
AZ |
UP |
08 |
160.230 |
Raso-Tucson-Wellton, AZ |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Wellton-Yuma, AZ |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
Yuma-Thermal, CA |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
Thermal-North Montclair) |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
North Montclair-El Monte |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
El Monte-CP Mission |
SCAX |
87 |
161.415 |
El Monte-CP Mission |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
CP Mission-Los Angeles LAUS |
SCAX |
47 |
160.815 |
Los Angeles Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Station Services |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455
|
NOTE: Ensign is 6 miles south of the Amtrak station in Little Rock
NOTE: Big Sandy is 23 miles west of LongView
NOTE: Channel 96 used for about 12 miles in the El Paso area
NOTE: Raso is 8 miles east of Wilcox AZ, and about 25 miles west of the New Mexico-Arizona state line
|
|
HEARTLAND FLYER |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Oklahoma City-Wayne, OK |
BNSF |
30 |
160.560 |
Wayne-Gainesville, TX |
BNSF |
85 |
161.385 |
Gainesville-Ft. Worth |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Fort Worth Terminal |
Amtrak |
72 |
161.190 |
Conductor and Engineer |
Amtrak |
72 |
161.190
|
|
SOUTHWEST CHIEF |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Union Station-21st St. |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Montgomery,
IL |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 or 161.385 |
Montgomery-Galesburg |
BNSF |
85 |
161.385 |
Galesburg Station |
BNSF |
51 |
160.875 |
Galesburg-Argyle,
Iowa |
BNSF |
18 |
160.380 |
Argyle, IA-Congo, MO |
BNSF |
30 |
160.560 |
Congo, MO-Kansas City Union Station |
BNSF/KCT |
60 |
161.010 |
Kansas City |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Kansas City Union Station-Holliday, MO |
BNSF |
65 |
161.085 |
Holliday-Topeka-East Emporia KS |
BNSF |
69 |
161.145 |
East Emporia-Ellinor) |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Ellinor-Hutchinson KS |
BNSF |
63 |
161.055 |
Hutchinson-Las Animas Jct |
BNSF |
23 |
160.455 |
Las Animas Jct-La Junta, CO |
BNSF |
72 |
161.190 |
La Junta CO-Lamy, NM |
BNSF |
32 |
160.590 |
Lamy-Isleta, NM |
NMDOT |
20 |
160.410 |
Isleta-Dalies |
BNSF |
32 |
160.590 |
Dalies-East Gallup |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
East Gallup-East Winslow, AZ |
BNSF |
72 |
161.190 |
East Winslow-West Seligman |
BNSF |
55 |
160.935 |
West Seligman-Needles, CA |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Needles-Minneola |
BNSF |
55 |
160.935 |
Minneola-Barstow |
BNSF |
65 |
161.085 |
Barstow Yardmaster |
BNSF |
32 |
160.590 |
Barstow-Lenwood |
BNSF |
65 |
161.085 |
Lenwood-Riverside |
BNSF |
72 |
161.190 |
Riverside-Soto/Redondo Jct |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Soto-Los Angeles (LAUS) |
SCAX |
47 |
160.815 |
AMTRAK Terminal |
Amtrak |
|
452.9000 |
Onboard Manager Western Region |
Amtrak |
13 |
160.305 |
Onboard Manager La Junta-Kingman |
Amtrak |
94 |
161.520 |
Onboard Manager Kingman-Los Angeles |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Los Angeles Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Other Channel |
BNSF |
27 |
160.515
|
NOTE: Montgomery IL is 2.6 miles west of Aurora
NOTE: Argyle IA is 14 miles west of Fort Madison
NOTE: Reported in use in the general area; not road frequency
NOTE: NMDOT trackage and frequency; will extend north to NM state line in late
April 2009
NOTE: Soto is at the "fly over" about 3 miles south of L.A. Union Station
|
|
EMPIRE BUILDER |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Chicago Union Station area |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Milwaukee |
METRA & CP/Soo Line |
44 |
160.770 |
Milwaukee-Mississippi River |
CP/Soo Line |
94 |
161.520 |
Mississippi River-St. Paul |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Mississippi River-St. Paul-Alternate |
BNSF |
39 |
160.690 |
Mississippi River-St. Paul-Alternate |
CP/Soo Line |
44 |
160.770 |
St. Paul-Switching |
MCRR BNSF |
30 66 |
160.560 161.100 |
St. Paul-Staples |
BNSF |
85 70 |
161.385 161.160 |
Staples-Fargo |
BNSF |
87 |
161.415 |
Fargo-Minot |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Minot-Bainville, MT |
BNSF |
54 |
160.920 |
Bainville MT-Havre |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Havre-West Glacier MT |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
West Glacier-Columbia Falls |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Columbia Falls-Sandpoint |
BNSF |
54 |
160.920 |
Sandpoint-Spokane,
WA |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Spokane Switching |
BNSF Amtrak |
54 62 |
160.920 161.040 |
Spokane-Latah
Jct |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Latah Jct-Snohomish |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Snohomish-Seattle |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160 |
Spokane-Latah
Jct |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Latah Jct-Pasco |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160 |
Pasco Terminal |
BNSF |
89 |
161.445 |
Pasco-Washougal |
BNSF |
87 |
161.415 |
Washougal-Portland, OR |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
Larger stations |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Portland Station |
Amtrak |
15 |
160.350 |
Portland Switching |
Amtrak |
62 |
161.040
|
NOTE: Spokane station services may use Channel 23.
NOTE: Latah Jct is a few miles west of Spokane.
NOTE: Channel 16/160.785 in Portland is used by handheld radios.
|
|
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Chicago Union Station |
Amtrak Road Yard Mechanical |
13 42 77 |
160.305 160.740 161.265 |
Chicago-Aurora |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Aurora-Galesburg |
BNSF |
85 |
161.385 |
Galesburg Station |
BNSF |
51 |
160.875 |
Galesburg-Halpin,
IA |
BNSF |
39 |
160.695 |
Halpin-Creston |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Creston |
BNSF |
53 |
160.905 |
Lincoln, NE |
BNSF |
87 |
161.415 |
Lincoln-E Heartwell |
BNSF |
54 |
160.920 |
E Heartwell-West Pinneo,
CO |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160 |
West Pinneo-East Denver |
BNSF |
66 |
161,100 |
East Denver-Denver Union Station |
UP |
39 |
160.695 |
Denver Union Station Switching |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Union Station General Operations |
DUS |
49 |
160.845 |
Denver-Prospect |
UP |
39 |
160.695 |
Prospect |
UP |
92 |
161.490 |
East Portal Moffat Tunnel |
UP |
23 |
160.455 |
East Portal Moffat Tunnel-Winter Park |
UP |
97 |
161.565 |
Winter Park-Glenwood Springs |
UP |
54 |
160.920 |
Glenwood Springs-Fruitvale |
UP |
23 |
160.455 |
Fruitvale-Spring Glen |
UP |
54 |
160.920 |
Spring Glen-Salt Lake City |
UP |
23 |
160.455 |
Salt Lake City Station |
UP |
66 |
161.100 |
Salt Lake City-Smelter |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Smelter-Alazon |
UP |
24 |
160.470 |
Alazon-Elko, NV |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Alazon-Elko, NV |
UP |
24 |
160.470 |
Elko-Weso, NV ) |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Elko-Weso, NV |
UP |
24 |
160.470 |
Weso-Vista, NV |
UP |
78 |
161.280 |
Vista-Bowman, CA |
UP |
14 |
160.320 |
Bowman-West Haggin |
UP |
51 |
160.875
|
West Haggin-Emeryville |
UP |
46 |
160.800
|
NOTE: Halpin is near Albia IA
NOTE: Mile Post 466.4 is about 9 miles west of Hastings, IA
NOTE: East Heartwell is about 20 miles west of Hastings NE
NOTE: West Pinneo is 20 miles east of Fort Morgan, CO
NOTE: West Haggin is about 1 mile east of Sacramento's Amtrak Station.
|
|
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR-Alternate Route |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Denver Union Station Switching |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Union Station General Operations |
DUS |
49 |
160.845 |
Denver Station-36th St Yard |
UP |
27 39 42 |
160.515/ 160.695/ 160.740 |
36TH St Yard--Borie, WY |
UP |
69 |
161.145 |
Borie-Green River, WY |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Green River-Salt Lake City |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
Salt Lake City Station |
UP |
66 |
161.100
|
NOTE: Borie is 10 miles miles west of Cheyenne, WY
|
|
COAST STARLIGHT |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Larger station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Los Angeles LAUS-CP Taylor |
SCAX (Metrolink) |
47 |
160.815 |
CP Taylor-CP Los Posas |
SCAX |
29 |
160.545 |
CP Los Posas-Goleta-San Luis Obispo |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Surf-Pismo |
UP Dispatcher's Link |
25 |
160.485 |
San Luis Obispo-Salinas |
UP |
51 |
160.875 |
Salinas-CP Lick |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
CP Lick-Santa Clara |
Caltrain |
47 |
160.815 |
Santa Clara-Oakland |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Oakland Yardmaster |
UP |
66 |
161.100 |
Oakland Coach Yard |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440 |
Oakland-West Haggin |
UP |
46 |
160.800 |
West Haggin |
UP (DS-57) |
51 |
160.875 |
Haggin-Dunsmuir |
UP (DS-64) |
80 |
161.310 |
West Haggin-Roseville-Binney
Jct. |
UP (DS-57) |
51 |
160.875 |
Dunsmuir-Klamath Falls |
UP |
45 |
160.785 |
Klamath Falls-Calimus) |
UP |
45 |
160.785 |
Calimus-Coalca, OR |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Coalca-Portland |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
Portland Switching |
Amtrak |
62 |
161.040 |
Portland Station |
Amtrak |
16 |
160.350 |
Portland-North Vancouver, WA |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
North Vancouver-Nisqually |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Nisqually-Tukwilla |
BNSF |
87 |
161.415 |
Tukwilla-Seattle |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160
|
NOTE: Oakland channel 42 to 46 change occurs at 10th Street, about 3 miles north of Oakland Jack London
station.
NOTE: West Haggin/Haggin is 1-2 mile east of Sacramento's Amtrak Station.
NOTE: Primary and Alternate routes meet at Binney Jct., about 1 mile north of
Marysville.
NOTE: Coalca is between Canby and Oregon City, about 10 miles south of
Portland
NOTE: Channel 16/160.350 is used by handheld radios only.
|
|
PACIFIC SURFLINERS |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
San Luis Obispo-Goleta-CP Los Posas |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Pismo-Surf, Dispatcher's Link |
UP |
25 |
160.485 |
CP Los Posas-CP Taylor |
SCAX (Metrolink) |
29 |
160.545 |
CP Taylor-Los Angeles LAUS |
SCAX |
47 |
160.815 |
>Los Angeles Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Los Angeles LAUS-Soto |
SCAX |
47 |
160.815 |
Soto-Fullerton |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Fullerton-San Diego |
SCAX |
30 |
160.560
|
|
|
SAN JOAQUINS |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Oakland Yardmaster |
UP |
66 |
161.100 |
Oakland Coach Yard |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440 |
Oakland Station |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Oakland-Port
Chicago |
UP |
46 |
160.800 |
Port Chicago-Bixler |
BNSF |
30 |
160.560 |
Bixler Stockton
Tower |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Stockton Tower-Atwater/Fluhr |
BNSF |
36 |
160.650 |
Atwater-Gregg |
BNSF |
85 |
161.385 |
Gregg-Bakersfield
Station |
BNSF |
55 |
160.935 |
Bakersfield Yard |
BNSF |
84 |
161.370 |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Sacramento-Tom Spur |
UP (DS-57) |
51 |
160.875 |
Tom Spur-Stockton
Tower |
UP (DS-56) |
96 |
161.550 |
Amtrak On-Board Managers |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440
|
NOTE: Channel 42 to 46 change occurs about 3 miles north of Oakland Jack London station, at 10th Street.
NOTE: Bixler (MP:1139.2) is 18 miles west of Stockton.
NOTE: At Atwater (MP:1064) channel change is just west of the west switch of Fluhr siding.
NOTE: Gregg is 13 miles west of Fresno station.
NOTE: Tom Spur is 1.5 miles south of Lodi siding.
|
|
CAPITOL CORRIDOR |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
San Jose-Santa Clara |
Caltrain |
47 |
160.815 |
Santa Clara-Oakland |
UP |
42 |
160.740 |
Oakland Yardmaster |
UP |
66 |
161.100 |
OaklandCoach Yard |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440 |
Oakland-West Haggin |
UP |
46 |
160.800 |
West Haggin-Auburn |
UP |
51 |
160.875 |
Amtrak On-Board Managers |
Amtrak |
22 |
160.440
|
NOTE: Channel 42 to 46 change occurs at 10th Street, about 3 miles north of Oakland's Jack London
station.
NOTE: West Haggin is about 1 mile east of Sacramento's Amtrak Station.
|
|
CASCADES INTERNATIONAL SERVICES |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Seattle Station |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455 |
Seattle |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160 |
Everett |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Everett-White Rock, B.C. |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
White Rock, B.C.-Vancouver BC |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Fraser River Bridge |
BNSF |
61 |
161.025 |
Colebrook BC |
BNSF |
39 |
160.695
|
|
CASCADES INTERSTATE SERVICES |
Segment |
Host |
Chan |
Frequency |
Eugene-Coalca, OR |
UP |
96 |
161.550 |
Coalca-Portland |
UP |
27 |
160.515 |
Portland Switching |
Amtrak |
62 |
161.040 |
Portland Station |
Amtrak |
16 |
160.350 |
Portland-North Vancouver, WA |
BNSF |
76 |
161.250 |
North Vancouver-Nisqually |
BNSF |
66 |
161.100 |
Nisqually-Tukwilla |
BNSF |
87 |
161.415 |
Tukwilla-Seattle |
BNSF |
70 |
161.160 |
Larger Stations |
Amtrak |
23 |
160.455
|
NOTE: Coalca is between Canby and Oregon City, about 10 miles south of Portland
NOTE: Channel 16/160.350 in Portland is used by handheld radios.
|
|
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROADS CHANNEL SYSTEM
The American Association of Railroads has assigned channel numbers to each of 96 radio frequencies in the 160-161 MegaHertz bands. These frequencies are used in the United States and Canada. Channels 7-96 are used in the U.S. for railroad operations. Channels 2-6 are used in Canada for rail operations only. In the U.S. channels 3-6 are used by railroads for truck operations.
TABLE CONVERSION CHANNELS TO MHz FREQUENCY |
Chan |
Frequency
|
Chan |
Frequency
|
Chan |
Frequency
|
Chan |
Frequency
|
02 |
159.810 |
26 |
160.500 |
50 |
160.860 |
74 |
161.220 |
03 |
159.930 |
27 |
160.515 |
51 |
160.875 |
75 |
161.235 |
04 |
160.050 |
28 |
160.530 |
52 |
160.890 |
76 |
161.250 |
05 |
160.185 |
29 |
160.545 |
53 |
160.905 |
77 |
161.265 |
06 |
160.200 |
30 |
160.560 |
54 |
160.920 |
78 |
161.280 |
07 |
160.215 |
31 |
160.575 |
55 |
160.935 |
79 |
161.295 |
08 |
160.230 |
32 |
160.590 |
56 |
160.950 |
80 |
161.310 |
09 |
160.245 |
33 |
160.605 |
57 |
160.965 |
81 |
161.325 |
10 |
160.260 |
34 |
160.620 |
58 |
160.980 |
82 |
161.340 |
11 |
160.275 |
35 |
160.635 |
59 |
160.995 |
83 |
161.355 |
12 |
160.290 |
36 |
160.650 |
60 |
161.010 |
84 |
161.370 |
13 |
160.305 |
37 |
160.665 |
61 |
161.025 |
85 |
161.385 |
14 |
160.320 |
38 |
160.680 |
62 |
161.040 |
86 |
161.400 |
15 |
160.335 |
39 |
160.695 |
63 |
161.055 |
87 |
161.415 |
16 |
160.350 |
40 |
160.710 |
64 |
161.070 |
88 |
161.430 |
17 |
160.365 |
41 |
160.725 |
65 |
161.085 |
89 |
161.445 |
18 |
160.380 |
42 |
160.740 |
66 |
161.100 |
90 |
161.460 |
19 |
160.395 |
43 |
160.755 |
67 |
161.115 |
91 |
161.475 |
20 |
160.410 |
44 |
160.770 |
68 |
161.130 |
92 |
161.490 |
21 |
160.425 |
45 |
160.785 |
69 |
161.145 |
93 |
161.505 |
22 |
160.440 |
46 |
160.800 |
70 |
161.160 |
94 |
161.520 |
23 |
160.455 |
47 |
160.815 |
71 |
161.175 |
95 |
161.535 |
24 |
160.470 |
48 |
160.830 |
72 |
161.190 |
96 |
161.550 |
25 |
160.485 |
49 |
160.845 |
73 |
161.205 |
97 |
161.565 |
NOTE: Railroads also use frequencies in the 4xx.xxx MegaHertz bands in: 45x.xxx, 46x.xxx, and 47x.xxx.
Railroad radios that synthesize the frequencies have a window with AAR channel number for transmitting and receiving. For example: 160.920 MHz, Channel 54. The window would show "5454",transmit channel 54 and receive channel 54.
Railroads also use 457.9375 MHz and 452.9375 frequencies to transmit EOT/end of train telemetry. EOT Devices, transmit the train's brake pressure and whether the EOT is moving every 40 seconds or if any change. NOTE: Norfolk Southern uses 161.115 MHz Channel 67.
EOT devices transmit at 2 watts, with transmission traveling 3 to 5 miles.
RAILWAY FAMILY RADIO SERVICES/RFRS is a private, two-way, very short-distance voice communications service for facilitating family and group activities. FCC license is not required. Amtrak On-Board Service personnel will be using this system on some trains. Frequencies will be taken from the following authorized list, with no prior frequency assignment.
RAILWAY FAMILY RADIO SERVICES |
Channel |
Frequency |
Channel |
Frequency |
1 |
462.5625 |
8 |
467.5625 |
2 |
462.5875 |
9 |
467.5875 |
3 |
462.6125 |
10 |
467.6125 |
4 |
462.6375 |
11 |
467.6375 |
5 |
462.6625 |
12 |
467.6625 |
6 |
462.6875 |
13 |
467.6875 |
7 |
462.7125 |
14 |
467.7125 |
USING RAILWAY RADIO
Conversations among the train crew members.
Conversations between dispatchers and train's engineers.
"Defect Detectors" will announce "no defects". Some provide speed, number of axles, or air temperature.
Scanner have the ability to scan a range of frequencies, set to scan the range 159.810 to 161.565 MHz.
Scanners that is capable of storing 100 channels of frequencies, enter all frequencies in their corresponding channels. Using the channel lock-out facility of most scanners to only scan the desired frequencies.
Preset all the local frequencies into one or two "banks" of your scanner and scan through all of them. Set "Priority Channel", to checked every second even if the scanner is locked on another active transmission.
For example: 3666, is transmitting on 160.650 Channel 36 and receiving on 161.100 Channel 66.
Use earphones when traveling on a passenger train which is required.
Scanner & Radios are governed by federal laws and regulations, and various state laws:
Summary Listing
Reference Laws, Rules and Regulations
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SELECTING RAILWAY RADIO
Capable of receiving in the 148-174 MHz and 450-470 MHz "UHF".
Pre-storable scanner channels to cover all frequencies.
A lock-out button to allow selected scanner channels to be locked out.
Priority system to allow selected scanner channels to be indicated high priority.
Search capability to allow for search for active frequencies range.
Delay button to holds current frequency for 1 or 2 seconds after a signal ends.
A button-controlled light for the frequency information window.
Keypad Lock to prevent accidental key presses.
Rechargeable batteries
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RAILWAY CHANNELS
Scanner Radios are available that have: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300 and even more pre-storable channels. These are internal channels that the user can select frequency, after which the frequency is permanently stored in that channel.
For railroad scanning: 20 channels is usually adequate, but 100 channels is much more flexible since then the 96 frequencies can be pre-set. 200 channels adds even more flexibility as the 96 frequencies can be pre-set, and other banks frequencies for particular areas can be pre-set.
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ANTENNAS
But often the antenna that comes with the scanner is hardly better than no antenna, particularly inside a steel vehicle or in an area of poor reception such as a city, valley, dense forest, and so on. The best way to improve the performance of your scanner is to improve the antenna you use.
Although convenient to use, rubber duckies and base station whips are short, not optimized for railroad frequencies and cannot be moved to the best position without moving the scanner. Longer antennas, adjustable whips, and a wall-mounted antenna can be a major improvement.
Rubber duckies are actually a coil of wire used to effectively lengthen the electronic length of an antenna without increasing it's physical length "loading coils" . The electronic length of an antenna is critical to it's performance, but only a variable length antenna is correct for many different frequency bands. So one important improvement over rubber duckies is an adjustable whip, usually with a small loading coil near the bottom. Antennas of this
type which will connect directly to scanners are available at Radio Shack and many electronic supply shops.
To tune an adjustable whip the following formula governs:
Correct length (inches) = 2,800 / frequency in MegaHertz Note: "/" means divide
Conrail's main frequency, roughly in the middle of the railroad band:
Example: length = 2800 / 160.800 = 17.4
A 17.4 inch antenna will optimize reception. Note that this is a "quarter-wave" antenna, which one quarter of the wavelength for that frequency. Quarter-wave 17.4 inch antenna will work across the entire Channel Range.
To improve performance by using a "ground plane". Without a ground an antenna cannot work well. Good ground planes are:
- Flat Metallic Objects
- Earth Grounding
handheld Scanner: the best position for scanner is on a metallic object such as an vehicle hood or roof, roadside guardrail, or pipeline standpipe. Obviously the scanner should be removed from any sort of leather case and the plastic case of the radio reduces the effect but doesn't eliminate it.
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RAILWAY FREQUENCIES
There are several sources for lists of frequencies used by North American railroads.
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AUTO TRAIN INTRODUTION
Auto Train is the o service in the United States, which enablingrail passengers to take along automibles, small van, or motorcycle when traveling the east coast. Passengers ride in either wide coach seats or private first-class sleeping compartments while their vehicles are safely carried in enclosed auto carriers.
DISCLAIMER: ATD LINES is not associated with Amtrak or the Auto Train Operations. The material contained herein is not an official publication of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
Lorton is about a half-hour drive south of Washington, DC, just off I-95. Sanford is about a half-hour drive north of Orlando, a short distance from I-4. Auto Train operates daily between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida. Auto Train can also handle trailers, travel trailers, boat trailers with boats, and trailers that handle jet skis and motorcycles, with conditions.
Contact Amtrak for details at the special Auto Train: 1-877-754-7495 or Amtrak: 1-800-872-7245. Remmber: passengers must have a car, van or motorcycle with them.
Auto Train is Amtrak's finest train, next to Coast Starlight, which empolyes the finest train attendants and best-maintained cars. The Auto Train is very popular and is often crowded, particularly during the winter and spring months. It's also used by quite a few families traveling to Disney World. Many people from Pennsylvania, New York and the New England states also use the Auto Train.
It's best to book several months ahead, as sleeping car reservations can be difficult to get on short notice.
Amtrak continues to consider other routes for Auto Train-type service, in particular Chicago to Florida and along the Coast Starlight Route.
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GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
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All Inquiries Submitted To: NRPC
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