Welcome to the big world of rail communications. Living right next to the CPR tracks in Bowmanville, I listen to the rail channels most of the time. Not just for enjoyment, but also for emergency reasons as well.

Bowmanville has seen it's share of rail accidents and derailments in it's past, so it is nice to hear the status of the trains as they pass between Oshawa and Newtonville.

Canadian Pacific Railway - CPR

Of the two rail lines that go through Bowmanville, CPR has the most interesting communications setup. They more or less have a two channel system for each subdivision, or a section of the subdivision.

The Trackside Radio System has radio base stations situated along the track to provide radio coverage over each territory, and consists of both a point-to-train system and a utility repeater system.

The point-to-train system is primarily used for communication between the RTC and train crews. Maintenance of way and supervisory personnel can also use the point-to-train system to call the RTC.

The utility system is used by maintenance and supervisory personnel to communicate with the RTC, the district office, and other console users. The utility repeater base station also provides extended range for mobile and hand-held radios.

Radio Usage for Train Crews - Point-to-Train System

The RTC will call the train crews on the train standby channel designated for the subdivision. Whenever another channel is used, ensure the radio is switched back to the train standby channel designated for the subdivision.

When the train crew needs to communicate with the RTC, they follow the following procedure:

• they switch to the RTC call-in channel designated for the subdivision Whenever another channel is used, ensure the radio is switched back to the train standby channel designated for the subdivision.
• they use the radio's keypad and enter the RTC call-in channel tower code of the nearest radio tower.
• they listen for two short beeps (this indicates that the call has reached the radio tower), followed by three rings indicating that the call has reached the RTC.
• then they switch their radio back to the train standby channel designated for the subdivision and then wait for the RTC to answer their call.

The following is for Emergency communications:

• they switch their radio to the RTC call-in channel designated for the subdivision.
• using their radio's keypad, enter 911N, where N is the first digit of the tower codes on that subdivision.
• they listen for two short beeps (this indicates the call has reached the radio tower), followed by two second continuous tone indicating that the call has reached the RTC.
• then they transmit "Emergency, Emergency, Emergency" on the RTC callin channel.
• then they switch back to the train standby channel designated for the subdivision and wait for the RTC to answer.

Radio Usage for Maintenance of Way and Supervisory Personnel

The RTC will call on the utility channel designated for the subdivision. Whenever another channel is used, they must ensure the radio is switched back to the utility channel designated for the subdivision. All local conversations should be conducted on the maintenance of way standby channel to keep the utility channel available for other uses.

To call the RTC, a console, use the extended repeater function or, make a telephone call:

• they switch to the utility channel designated for the subdivision.
• using their radio's keypad, they enter the utility channel tower code (including the *) of the nearest radio tower.
• (a) You should hear two short beeps, indicating they have reached the radio tower, followed by a dial tone.
  (b) If you hear two short beeps followed by a busy signal, this indicates that the line is busy. The will have to wait two minutes and then try again.
  (c) If you hear eight fast beeps, the radio tower is in failure mode.
  (d) If you do not hear two short beeps, or if you hear any tones other than described in 3a or 3b, they will have to try again.
• (a) To call the RTC assigned to the subdivision, they enter 919 on the keypad. You should hear two rings indicating their call has been placed in sequence with other calls made to the RTC. They will have to wait for the RTC to answer their call.
  (b) To call another console, enter the dial code, then on their keypad, they dial the console they want to call. Wait for the RTC or operator to answer.
  (c) when they want to use the extended repeater function, they enter the tower code (without the *) of the other radio tower they wish to connect. Listen for a short duration tone, indicating the other radio tower has connected, and then they commence their conversation. After they have finished their conversation, they MUST disconnect by entering # plus the three digits of the tower used.

System Radio Tones

OK (2 short beeps)................... call has reached radio tower
RINGBACK (3 short rings)............. call has reached RTC's console
EMERGENCY (2 sec. continuous)........ call has reached RTC's console
BUSY (busy signal)................... system is busy, try again
EXT RPTR CONNECT (1 sec. continuous). ext rptr is enabled for use
INVALID (9 short beeps).............. invalid destination called
CALL FAILED (hi-lo or bee-bop)....... radio site is inoperative
DIAL TONE (Dial tone)................ commence dialing

CPR Channel Assignments

Belleville Subdivision (#6517) runs from Smith Falls (MP 0) to Toronto Union Station (MP 211.5).

*1 Used where CP and CN tracks are 75 feet or less between outside rails of adjacent tracks. CN1 and CN3 are Primary and secondary channels.

Canadian National Railway - CNR

Unlike CP Rail, CNR uses a one channel system along their rail lines. Like CPR they do have a channel that the trains sit on and separate channels for the dispatchers.

CNR Channel Assignments

American Association of Railroads - AAR

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.

The following table converts from AAR channel number to the appropriate radio frequency (MHz).

Railroads also use some frequencies to transmit end of train telemetry. Some EOT devices, for example, transmit the train's brake pressure to the closest tenth of a pound and whether the EOT is moving or not every 40 seconds or whenever there is a change. AAR has allocated 457.9375 MHz and 452.9375 for EOT telemetry with the latter used at the head end to transmit control signals.

Since EOT devices transmit at two watts, the transmission will travel about 3 to 5 miles. Thus, by setting your scanner to scan these EOT frequencies, you get a warning whenever a train approaches. The problem with this strategy, of course, is that as soon as your scanner picks up anything on 457.9375 or 452.9375, it will lock on that channel. Thus, this strategy works best if your scanner makes it easy to change the channels that are scanned so that you can stop scanning 457.9375/452.9375 when you know a train is close.

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