Scanners, Radio and other such tech inquiries
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UserNameRequired
Lead Service Attendant
| Halpin-CP 1750 | 39 | 160.695 | BNSF |
| CP 1750-Galesburg | 51 | 160.875 | BNSF |
So, between Halpin (Albia, IA) and Galesburg IL we have "CP 1750". How does one figure out where/what CP 1750 is?
What route is this?
The "1750" is likely the mile post (location). CP is "control point", typically a switch at a siding, junction, etc.
First, as you travel keep an eye out for mile post (MP) markers and signal placards (the signal number is actually the MP). The fourth digit is the decimal mile so, a MP of 175.0 would be displayed as 1750 (no decimal)
Second, listening to the scanner to catch the engineer radioing the conductor to change channels. In your example above that would be either 39 or 51 depending on direction of travel. It is easy to miss those transmissions!
General Answer :CP 1750 means Control Point 1750. The 1750 almost certain refers to a milepost location, which is probably at or near MP 1750 or MP 175.0. Get your hands on an employee timetable and/or scout the subdivision.
Specific answer:
You got that off OTOL for the CZ. In this case, CP 1750 translates to MP 175.0. The road channel goes from channel 51 for the Galesburg terminal area, which is quite busy, and the distance on that channel is quite short. MP 175.0 is not far west of Galesburg, probably just past Cameron where the Junction with the former AT&SF mainline is and where the SW Chief peels off the former Burlington.
Scan both channels after leaving Galesburg westbound, and about 20 minutes or so before Galesburg eastbound. Or listen for "Roll to 39/roll to 51" from the crew.
Remember the OTOL frequencies are crowdsourced from scanner enthusiasts and are not always up to date based on who is riding and reporting. It is a good reference but not a perfect one, so be prepared to do a broad AAR channel scan to relocate the road channel if you lose it.
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UserNameRequired
Lead Service Attendant
Thanks! That helps, yes CZ.
Is there a phraseology standard manual for engineer/conductor? (like in the air we have the manuals Pilot/Controller Glossary, AIM Chap 4 Sec 2, JO 7110.65Z ATC)
Is there a phraseology standard manual for engineer/conductor? (like in the air we have the manuals Pilot/Controller Glossary, AIM Chap 4 Sec 2, JO 7110.65Z ATC)
Not specifically communications but, the closest might be the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR). It covers pretty much everthing related to operating trains including a section on "Railroad Radio and Communications Rules".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Code_of_Operating_Rules
You pretty much just have to become familiar with the lingo!
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Not generally. There are a few, like I understand use of the word "Stop" is now mandated, the traditional "That'll do" is now insufficient by itself and a rules violation. "That'll do. Stop" is more commonly heard than a simple "Stop" in my experience, though.
"Roll to" the new channel is fairly common. "Go to" is, too. Just "Roll channel" without mentioning channel number is not unknown. They know what it ought to be. On the other end just the channel number is heard, too.
Shortest exchange:
Engineer: "22"
Conductor: (click)
Colorful exchange:
Engineer: "Roll Deuces"
Conductor: "Rolling Deuces"
I don't know if use of the traditional "Highball" is mandated, but it is certainly used almost universally.
On leaving Salem:
Conductor: "Highball Salem on signal indication!"
Engineer: "Highball!"
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Even simpler, "Lets roll"!
When in a "restricting" (flashing red) situation, the train must remain at restricted speed until the next favorable signal - the train's leading wheels must reach the signal so, you will hear the term "leading wheels" over the air.
The more casual comment when calling the next signal while at restricted speed is, "Signal 2345, clear - when we get there!".
The more casual comment when calling the next signal while at restricted speed is, "Signal 2345, clear - when we get there!".
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A hard red is also a "restricting" indication on an intermediate/non absolute signal (one with a number plate on the mast) or an absolute with a "G" (for grade) plate. A hard red aspect is only a "stop" indication on an absolute signal without a "G" plate.
The differences between the meaning of what a seems to be simple, a hard red signal light, is a good illustration of the importance of the difference between signal "aspect" and "indication"
.
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Tod
Train Attendant
I've read scanners and GPS mentioned together quite a bit. I get the value of the scanner ... What's the value of the GPS? Doesn't your smartphone's map show you where you are?
No real value, it's just another toy. I like to stick it to the window with the suction cup mount so I can always glance at it to see where I am, and check the current speed. I leave it plugged in, and I don't have to run down my phone battery. I take it down at night so that I can close the curtains. When I get home, I like to download the trip data to my laptop to review the train's route and speeds; I don't think Google records that level of detail, or if it does, I don't know how to get at it.
The GPS has full maps in memory. If you're going to use your phone to track your progress, it's a good idea to download offline maps covering the full trip for areas where there's no cell coverage, and to possibly save data charges in areas that do have coverage. Amtrak's wifi is too slow and intermittent to load map data on the fly.
I use the GPS on my Samsung phone and it works just fine.
One word of warning. Google Maps tends to lose its mind when out of network coverage even if you have the areas you want downloaded. It'll hang, not lock, etc, etc. Get a wholly offline map app. I use Maps.me and it works great, even in the wilds of Northern Ontario where there isn't a cell signal within a hundred miles. All it needs is GPS, which isn't network dependent.
Our Garmin Nuvi 2797 GPS device is an older model intended to be used while driving. We like it because it has a nice large screen that is bright enough to read during the day. We rigged up a base for it so that it can sit securely on a fold down tray in coach, or on the little fold out table in a bedroom. By using it with an AC power adaptor, we can leave it on all day and not have to worry about recharging the battery. It has the capability to zoom in or out. (The closer in you zoom, the more details are displayed.) Since we bought it used, we’re not able to update it from the Garmin website. However, all of the important information we need is already loaded into it and the price was right. While underway, it provides us with the speed of our train and its direction of travel. It also displays the names of the small towns we’re passing through. (This is particularly useful at night when it’s too dark to see outside.) Depending on the zoom setting, it will also display the names of the little roads we’re crossing: Hummingbird Hill Lane, Rabbit Run, Blue Jay Way, Cactus Drive, etc.
Some people read a book or listen to music to help them pass the time on a longer train trip. In addition to our route maps and route guides, we have the GPS device and the scanner to keep us amused and to provide us with interesting or unusual bits of information to include in our trip reports.
I use a Garmin GPSMAP 64ST hand held (part of their "On the trail" series) with an external antenna hanging in the window (my scanner antenna is mounted on the window as well). I power it via USB and let it run continously during the entire trip. Topo maps are pre-loaded in the micro-SD card so, no cell service is needed. The GPS records a "tracklog" which allows me to review the trip (location, speed, time) at a later time. I also use the tracklog to "geotag" my photos during editing which, when I upload the images to Flickr it places them on a map. Unlike my phone, my cameras do not have GPS built-in. Having the location info imbedded in the image is nice when I have a shot from the train and now wondering where that was.
I also use my phone (Galaxy) for photos from the train and it geotags the images as well.
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Is there an android app that allows you to listen to the Amtrak radio traffic?
I have "Scanner Radio Pro" on my Galaxy.
That said, I always carry an actual scanner on the train with me.
- Scanner apps require cell service to receive the feed.
- Scanner feeds are provided by individuals who have set up a scanner somewhere and stream the audio on the internet. There are only feeds in places where someone has taken the time and provided the resources to do so (usually on their own dime) and to suit their own interests (not necessarily RR).
- Scanner feeds often have a delay between realtime and when the audio is streamed (up to minutes of delay).
- I suggest you download and install Scanner Radio (free version) and take a look at what is available. You can search by nearby (based on the phone's GPS), area, genre (railroad, etc.), source (including Bradcastify).
- Many locations (especially on train routes) do NOT have such coverage. For example, in Alpine, TX (Sunset Limited) there are NO feeds availble, not even public safety! I wouldn't have known we hit a cow in West Texas if it I didn't have my scanner on! With a scanner app you are going to miss a LOT!
An actual scanner is receiving radio transmissions in real time...as things happen (or don't!). You will hear both the engineer and conductor but generally, there is NOT a lot of radio chatter.
Amtrak scanner frequencies (by route) may be found here: On Track On Line - Amtrak Radio Frequencies
https://www.scannermasterblog.com/radio-scanner-versus-online-police-scanner/
Anyway, check out Scanner Radio or other apps available in Google Play and see if it would fit your needs.
Good Luck
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I've never seen a problem with any handheld electronics except when an inconsiderate person has the sound up without a headset/earpiece. Morons with cellphones on speaker are a much bigger problem.
Being a ham with a technician's license and thus a handheld with only the two bands, do Amtrak's frequencies fall into 2 meter or 70cm?
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They run from 160Mhz to 162Mhz Narrow band FM.
Bronzeman
Train Attendant
Almost any dual band HT will have receive coverage for AAR frequencies which are just below the 162 MHz NOAA weather channels
I use a Baofeng BF-F8HP which has no problem being tuned to railroad frequencies. In fact I use it when operating at Seashore as we use a railroad frequency for dispatching. I am also a ham (General class).
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Which scanner pro do u have as I see many
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