BNSF Sioux City Sub - change in freq?

realgeo · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 03:57 PM

Good afternoon, everyone!

While working in Fremont yesterday, I noticed a complete LACK of train communication traffic on 161.3850, which should be the BNSF's Sioux City sub channel.

Can anyone confirm this and, if so, provide the new frequency?

I know that the Napier Sub (PJ, IA to Napier, MO) runs on this same channel, so I'm wondering if interference was an issue.

Thanks and 73s

IrvingtonVFD43 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:07 PM

Hey George. BNSF 7575, 161.3850 is alive and well. I heard a train calling out the POS at Yutan about 30 min ago.

The traffic over the Sioux City Sub is very light for the time being. Generally there is up to 10-15 trains during a 24hr period over that sub. The Sub is generally busy Mon-Wed, but pretty much die out the rest of the week.

The channel was changed last summer, as you mentioned, radio congestion. We were hearing Napier traffic clear up past Lyons during tropo openings last year, causing headaches for the dispatcher.

It is noteworthy to know that UP went back to the old frequency plan on the 19th of May.160.7400 from Fremont to Council Bluffs, including Blair Sub. Not sure about the Columbus Sub, though.

realgeo · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 11:00 PM

Hey, Rich!

I knew you'd know the answer! And, BTW - you meant to write BNSF 8585, right?? :*) 7575 would be 150 KHz. lower.

Like I said, whilst operating as Conductor on the Excursion and FDT trains yesterday, I had observed several north and southbound trains in the Fremont area, but never heard a peep on 161.385 once.

On my drive home late last night / early this morning, I was only hearing the Napier sub dispatcher on that channel, which led to my question about a possible change!

And, you're 100% right about the switch back to 160.740 - lots of traffic there. In Fremont, I heard quite a bit of traffic on 161.490, as well - it mostly pertained to trains headed westbound.

Thanks again and 73s!

Geo

realgeo · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:39 PM

Good evening!

Actually, RIch - your 7575 was CORRECT! Today, I did some listening to and from work and found the Sioux Line dispatcher on 161.235.

My question is: When did the switch from 8585 (161.385) occur? Almost had to be in the last 5 months becuase I remember listening to the Sioux Line on 161.385 in late January.

73s

IrvingtonVFD43 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:30 PM

The switch occurred this past January.

That Sioux Line channel gets very dead for long periods, especially if the dispatcher hands out a track warrant from RL Floyd to CTC North Wye Ashland or vice versa, which has been happening frequently.

In that case, the only time you will hear something is when the train is approaching a POS (Possible Open Switch) E.G., "BNSF 9999 North approach south siding switch Papa, 49 mph, out"., or if the dispatcher wants a "roll up".

realgeo · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 11:20 PM

Hey, Rich!

Interesting! Yeah - Papa and Elk sidings seem to be the main ones around Fremont, though most of the meets seem to happen on Papa!

Thanks for the info! I guess it's time to re-program my radios with the new channel!

73s

BNSFrailfan · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:57 PM

Was it me that gave you that new BNSF Channel Rich? Or did you give it to me? I can't remember. It's been along time.Oh Realgeo. Everything that Rich has stated is 100% completely true. He use to work that line.

realgeo · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 11:25 PM

Hey, Allan!

Yep - I know that Rich worked the "Sioux Line"!! That's a pretty scenic route - wouldn't it be "fun" to travel up and down it on a regular basis? :*) Heck, I'd give most anything to travel it once!

This past Sunday, one of the other Conductors at FEVR had a conversation with a BNSF Conductor while meeting them at our Diamond.

That Conductor mentioned that the Sioux Line was converted to 7575 around a month and a half ago, so that would align with what I was observing over the last two months.

OT: Rich - what do you know about a "connector" line between the Gretna line and the Sioux line that existed back in the early teens to 1920's? Supposedly, it left the Gretna line at Chalco Junction and connected up with the Sioux Line south of Yutan. It only existed for a few years and was a way for Passenger trains to avoid Ashland.

73's

IrvingtonVFD43 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realgeo

OT: Rich - what do you know about a "connector" line between the Gretna line and the Sioux line that existed back in the early teens to 1920's? Supposedly, it left the Gretna line at Chalco Junction and connected up with the Sioux Line south of Yutan. It only existed for a few years and was a way for Passenger trains to avoid Ashland.

73's

I'm not aware of any Burlington Route line that branched from Chalco to Yutan. Of course trying to visually trace it will be next to impossible due to residential/urban development.

I may have to look that up. That is a good indoor research project for a hot and humid weekend.

tajens · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:12 PM

I've canoed the Elkhorn and Platte rivers 30 years ago and remember the concrete bridge pilings. There wasn't much left then but you can still see some of it on Yahoo's satellite photos. Start at 245th and Pine Ridge Rd (south of Q street). You can see how the ROW ran northwest to southeast through the intersection. About 1500 to 2000 feet northwest there are 4 white dots. I think those are the pilings. You can follow the the tree lines, property lines, roads ect. and get a pretty good idea of where the tracks went. About a mile south of hwy 92 on the west side of the Platte river there are 4 more pilings.

Terry