Frequencies On-board

[BobWeaver]

Hi all -

Quick question: what is the on-board radio frequency that Amtrak trains use in the Folkston, GA area? This would include the AutoTrain, the Silver Meteor, as well as the Silver Star.

I already have the road and dispatcher frequencies for the area, but don't the conductors and engineers talk to each other on another frequency? That's the one I'm looking for. Thanks.

Cary

Aiken, SC

 

[AmtrakWPK]

They generally use Road for that. The engineer calls out the signals and the conductor acknowledges, or repeats, what the engineer has called out. The conductor keeps track of areas of track that have temporary speed reductions, calling those out to the engineer prior to arriving at the reduced speed section. They do all of that on Road. Usually the only time the engineer switches off of Road is when the dispatcher calls and tells the engineer to switch to Dispatch so the dispatcher can transmit information to the engineer about a grade crossing device that is malfunctioning, or a section of track that is being worked on, or things like that. Otherwise the engineer stays on Road.

 

[printman2000]

They generally use Road for that. The engineer calls out the signals and the conductor acknowledges, or repeats, what the engineer has called out. The conductor keeps track of areas of track that have temporary speed reductions, calling those out to the engineer prior to arriving at the reduced speed section. They do all of that on Road. Usually the only time the engineer switches off of Road is when the dispatcher calls and tells the engineer to switch to Dispatch so the dispatcher can transmit information to the engineer about a grade crossing device that is malfunctioning, or a section of track that is being worked on, or things like that. Otherwise the engineer stays on Road.

So the conductor (on Amtrak) has to deal with passengers AND all the railroad stuff like speed restrictions? Is the engineer alone in the cab?

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Yep. You have a conductor,and an assistant conductor on at least some trains. They are indeed quite busy, going through all the ticketing paperwork, as well as dealing with passenger concerns and anything else that crops up like on-board upgrades, ticketing for passengers getting on the train at unstaffed stations, and then operationally, keeping track (no pun intended) of slow orders and other operating details, and making sure the engineer is observing them, acknowledging each signal that the engineer calls out, etc. They also copy down all new slow orders and other things that the engineer receives from the dispatchers along the way. Conductors can be very busy people if they are diligent.

There are usually (I think) two engineers on Silver Service. Bat51 or OBS can tell us more about that staffing. Listening to Road from here at home, with a fairly decent antenna and a good receiver, I can follow a train for something close to 40 miles, and I frequently hear two different voices coming from the "front office". By saying the conductor calls out the slow orders, that is just a reminder, as the engineers have a copy of all that info in the cab as well. The conductors and engineers must have a current printout of all existing train orders before the train is allowed to depart. I once heard a train recalled to it's origination station (it had just left the "barn") when the dispatcher realized that the information the train crew was departing with was several hours old. He really chewed them out on the radio for the fact that they had not printed out the most recent information before departing, and rescinded their permission to enter the main.

 

[BobWeaver]

Thanks for your responses. I'm visiting the St. Simon's Island area for the weekend with my family, and instead of watching a golf tournament today, I'm watching trains (Folkston is about an hour from here). Number 98 (NB Silver Meteor) cruised through Folkston yesterday evening, and I heard another voice acknowledging the engineer's radio call of an approach limited signal over the radio, so I take it that that was the conductor.

Keep it safe out there.

Cary

 

[AmtrakWPK]

If you were within a mile or so of the train, or had a good antenna, you were hearing the conductor repeat the signal call from the cab. The conductor only has a hand-held radio, with a stubby antenna, and he/she is inside an aluminum and steel car, which tends to limit the transmitted signal somewhat. The engineer you will hear for a good long distance, as I think the cab radio has a 100 watt transmitter, and the antenna is probably on the top of the engine, which is a great transmitting location.

 

[AKA]

Will a simple FRS radio do the trick? Just to hear the on board radio traffic. :huh:

 

[AmtrakWPK]

No. FRS is not the same frequencies. Sorry.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

You would need a scanner or radio transciever like some 2 meter units that will at least recieve in 160/161 Mhz for railroad radio.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Unless you actually have a valid ham radio license, I wouldn't carry a 2 meter transceiver around. In these days of terrorist fears it could be a real problem if they suddenly decided to ask for your amateur radio license for that transceiver and then find out you don't have one. And it's not like the license is that difficult to get since as of next Friday there isn't even a Morse Code requirement any more, just a multiple-choice exam on rules and regs, propagation, and electronics. If 6 and 8 year-olds can get that license, it ain't that hard, but don't be carrying around a ham transceiver without a ham license.....

 

[Steam Chaser]

Will a simple FRS radio do the trick? Just to hear the on board radio traffic.

The Simplest Of Radio Scanner Will do.. Just go to Radio Shack and get the Cheapest, (literally) Radio they sell,Will more than do the job, a hend Held of course,, Larry

 

[Ryan]

Hopefully he's figured out that in the last 6 years!

 

[The Davy Crockett]

Hopefully he's figured out that in the last 6 years!

Hopefully! This, plus several others, makes me wonder if it is 'old thread' week here at AU. :huh: