Frequencies

This is what you have come for! The frequencies! Well, here they are!!

First, a little review. This is covered in other sections, but is worth another look. 

The 'railroad band' exists in the VHF radio frequency band. North American railroads transmit on 97 frequencies ranging from 160.110 MHz to 161.565 MHz, separated into 15 KHz increments. Most railroad communications take place in this band. There are also some frequencies located in the UHF band, located in the 450 MHz range. 

For a good list of North America's railroad frequency allocations, visit the Railroad Radio site by clicking on the signal head!

As well, a train's EOT (End of Train) devices operate on two specifically designated frequencies: 452.9375MHz and 457.9375 MHz. As it was stated elsewhere in this website, these are handy for tracking trains that are out of sight (around a bend, in the distance, etc.) If a train is within about a kilometer, you can hear the squawks of the EOT system communicating with itself. The system sends out a transmission every 30 seconds or so.

Also note - Canadian Railroads don't use all of the allocated frequencies - each railroad is allocated specific channels by the AAR.



Canadian National Railway 

GExR
Goderich & Exeter Railway

St. Lawrence & Hudson Railway