Via Rail Canadian radio frequencies

[Ispolkom]

I've become quite a fan of the OTOL Amtrak radio frequency charts. Is there one somewhere for Via Rail's Canadian?

Also, I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy the Canadian Trackside Guide. It seems more designed for the rail fan than the rail traveler, and the price ($34.95) seems a bit high.

 

[yarrow]

Also, I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy the Canadian Trackside Guide. It seems more designed for the rail fan than the rail traveler, and the price ($34.95) seems a bit high.

i have a "canadian rail travel guide" by daryl adair which has a great route guide for the canadian. also bill coo's scenic rail guide to canada (both the western and central volumes) are excellent. they were written when the canadian still followed the cpr route so you have to mix in his route guide to the super continental for a guide to today's canadian. got them used from amazon a few years ago for a very good price

 

[amtraknovi]

1330917918[/url]' post='351514']

1330910621[/url]' post='351499']Also, I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy the Canadian Trackside Guide. It seems more designed for the rail fan than the rail traveler, and the price ($34.95) seems a bit high.

i have a "canadian rail travel guide" by daryl adair which has a great route guide for the canadian. also bill coo's scenic rail guide to canada (both the western and central volumes) are excellent. they were written when the canadian still followed the cpr route so you have to mix in his route guide to the super continental for a guide to today's canadian. got them used from amazon a few years ago for a very good price

Thanks for mentioning those books. Taking the Canadian for first time next month.

From the original question, are scanners legal / ok to have on Via trains?

 

[PaTrainFan]

I'm still a neophyte when it comes to using a scanner but on my recent Amtrak trip found it to be addicting. In prep for my Canadian sojourn, can anyuone advise a source for Via frequencies? I tried Radio Reference but couldn't easily find the information there. Appreciate any guidance!

 

[zephyr17]

VIA OBS uses radio to communicate with each other, not the PA and intercom like Amtrak. That same channel is used by the SM to communicate with the engineer

CN has a nationwide "road channel"/train stand-by channel in Canada. RTC (dispatcher) communication is on a separate channel, much like CSX. The RTC Call In channels shifts by territory like US practice.

VIA OBS and head end communication:
160.200 (AAR channel 06)

CN nationwide train stand-by (road channel):
161.415 (CN channel 1, AAR channel 69)

Other CN channels used for RTC call-in that you may want to scan:
161.205 (CN 2, AAR 73)
160.935 (CN 3, AAR 55)
160.665 (CN 4, AAR 77)

Note that close to Toronto, the lines are now controlled and dispatched by GO Transit/Metrolinx, so they aren't on the CN channels any more. GO Transit is using NXDN digital transmission rather than analog. Unless your scanner had NXDN digital capability, you won't get anything except static bursts on your scanner on the GO frequencies, so I am not bothering to list them. The westbound Canadian will be on CN channels once it gets on the York Sub at Snider (you'll know because of the backup move to get on the York Sub from the Newmarket Sub). The Bala Sub shifts back to CN at Doncaster, the junction of the York Sub, so you are good from there on.

That is until the westbound gets on CP for directional running near Parry Sound for about 90 miles. CP's frequencies for that stretch are 161.325 road channel/train stand-by (CP 5, AAR 81) and 160.425 RTC Call In (CP 6, AAR 21).

 

[PaTrainFan]

VIA OBS uses radio to communicate with each other, not the PA and intercom like Amtrak. That same channel is used by the SM to communicate with the engineer

CN has a nationwide "road channel"/train stand-by channel in Canada. RTC (dispatcher) communication is on a separate channel, much like CSX. The RTC Call In channels shifts by territory like US practice.

VIA OBS and head end communication:
160.200 (AAR channel 06)

CN nationwide train stand-by (road channel):
161.415 (CN channel 1, AAR channel 69)

Other CN channels used for RTC call-in that you may want to scan:
161.205 (CN 2, AAR 73)
160.935 (CN 3, AAR 55)
160.665 (CN 4, AAR 77)

Note that close to Toronto, the lines are now controlled and dispatched by GO Transit/Metrolinx, so they aren't on the CN channels any more. GO Transit is using NXDN digital transmission rather than analog. Unless your scanner had NXDN digital capability, you won't get anything except static bursts on your scanner on the GO frequencies, so I am not bothering to list them. The westbound Canadian will be on CN channels once it gets on the York Sub at Snider (you'll know because of the backup move to get on the York Sub from the Newmarket Sub). The Bala Sub shifts back to CN at Doncaster, the junction of the York Sub, so you are good from there on.

That is until the westbound gets on CP for directional running near Parry Sound for about 90 miles. CP's frequencies for that stretch are 161.325 road channel/train stand-by (CP 5, AAR 81) and 160.425 RTC Call In (CP 6, AAR 21).

Thank you so much!