Eric & Pat’s September 2024 Trip Report: San Diego - Toledo - San Diego

[zephyr17]

For some reason, after leaving Elkhart, CL No. 29’s crew continued to use Channel 46 to communicate. (Usually, the radios are changed to Channel 34 in Elkhart.)

NS probably shifted its road channel limits, all railroads seem to do that periodically. It would be a significant rules violations not to be on the correct road channel. Did they stay on 46 all the way until they shifted to Amtrak's 13 right before CUS?

At 1:33 p.m. we heard the dispatcher advise SWC No. 4 about the wind warning and about the loose cattle near the tracks. (We were not able to pick up No. 4’s responses.)

That pretty much answers my previous question on how well the tuned antenna improves dispatcher reception .

Really good trip report, thanks.

 

[Eric in East County]

NS probably shifted its road channel limits, all railroads seem to do that periodically. It would be a significant rules violations not to be on the correct road channel. Did they stay on 46 all the way until they shifted to Amtrak's 13 right before CUS?

They did stay on Channel 47 through to Chicago Union Station.

With the future of the OTOL site (including its Amtrak Frequencies page) uncertain, it might become harder to keep informed as to what the current road channels are. (OTOL relied on updates from rail passengers with scanners to keep its frequencies lists current.)