Ventura County, California

[415dispatcher]

I am looking for good frequencies to monitor...i have the metrolink freq for the ventura sub...and 2 or 3 UP frequencies that are on the metrolink radios...what other UP frequencies can i listen to around hear?

Any hints on what amtrak frequencies to monitor?

I'm new at listening to railroad frequencies and it's like learning a new language...any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[seligman]

Amtrak, Metrolink, and UP use whatever radio frequencies for the railroad they're operating on.

If Amtrak is on Metrolink trackage, they use Metrolink frequencies.
If Metrolink is on Metrolink trackage, they use Metrolink frequencies.
If Amtrak/Metrolink is on UP trackage, they use UP frequencies.
and so on...

The dividing line is Moorpark. North of there is UP. South of there is Metrolink.

[DPD1]

I know the Leesdale uses 161.43 while they're in Gemco Yard, but I don't know if they ever do any work in Simi. If they do, they would probably use that while switching. Is UP farther west still 161.55? You might try that to hear farther up the line. There might be other ones you get in nearby areas, depending on reception. Maybe just search through the band a little.

[415dispatcher]

Thanks for the info, guys.

DPD1: what is the Leesdale? Is that a UP freight? And where is Gemco yard? you'll have to understand i don't really know anything about this stuff. So far i've only got the metrolink and amtrak schedules down pat cause i take my son to the tracks to watch them go by. I'm trying to figure out when the freights go by cause thats what he REALLY likes!

[ENGINEERCARL1]

In Simi Valley, 99% of your traffic is going to be on the Metrolink frequency, 160.545 MHz. You can also hear UP traffic on 161.550 MHz from their remote base stations on Sage Peak (Rocketdyne), South Mountain (Santa Paula), and/or Santa Ynez (Santa Barbara).

Depending on where you are in Simi Valley, and whether or not you have an external base-station type antenna installed, you might even hear some (relatively boring) traffic from MTA's Red Line subway on 160.425 MHz and 160.695 MHz. One of these is the "yard" (maintenance) frequency and one is the "road" frequency although I can't remember which is which.

Engineer Carl
(not a rail engineer...)

[DeeBotchery]

You also have a shortline railroad in Ventura with two frequencies...
160.455 VCRR-1 Dispatch/Road
161.355 VCRR-2 Police/Maintenance/Admin

From: UP: Ventura County Railroad Company VCRR #821

Ventura County Railroad Company VCRR #821
Nature of Firm

VCRR operates freight service from a connection with UP at Oxnard, CA to South Oxnard and Port Hueneme, CA (12 miles). Traffic includes produce, automobiles (imported), paper products and general commodities.


History

The company was incorporated May 11, 1911, as successor to the Bakersfield and Ventura Railroad. Passenger service ended in 1926. In August 1998, RailAmerica leased and started operating the line.


Company Information

Mailing Address Ventura County Railroad Company
333 Ponoma Street
P. O. Box 849
Port Hueneme, CA 93401

Phone 805-488-6586
Fax 805-488-6517
Web Site RailAmerica - Home
Contacts Pete Jespersen
General Manager

Company Affiliation RailAmerica, Inc.
Interchange Points Oxnard, CA
Agreement Type Handling Carrier
Information Exchange Method RMI

[DPD1]

Originally Posted by 415dispatcher

Thanks for the info, guys.

DPD1: what is the Leesdale? Is that a UP freight? And where is Gemco yard? you'll have to understand i don't really know anything about this stuff. So far i've only got the metrolink and amtrak schedules down pat cause i take my son to the tracks to watch them go by. I'm trying to figure out when the freights go by cause thats what he REALLY likes!

The Leesdale is a local that leaves Gemco around 12-1 each day. Gemco is the yard in Van Nuys next to the old GM plant land. They put the train together and move west. I'm honestly not sure how far they go... I think to Ventura. If you see a freight with older power coming that way around 2, that would probably be them. Then they come back in the afternoon. Unfortunately there was a lot more freight traffic in the SP days.

You should take him up to Tehachapi to see the loop. He would love that.

[karldotcom]

The Leesdale Local is now leaving in the evening from Van Nuys and heading toward Oxnard...and sometimes all the way up to Guadalupe if cars are going there. The Coast Line has seen a decline of trains in this economic slowdown, and they have had some track work going on up North with no trains a couple days a week.

The best way to track trains on the Coast Line is to subscribe to Headsupcoastfans Yahoo Group
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Friday morning there is a UP passenger special leaving downtown Los Angeles at 645am and heading up the Coast


A train called the "Oilcans" makes two roundtrips a week up the Coast Line, and when loaded, bring 990,000 gallons of oil to the refinery near the Port.

[DPD1]

I wondered if they still did the oil cans... When did they switch the leesdale? That's not because of the accident, is it?

[karldotcom]

They started with the Leesdale mid February 2009...I am not sure why...but the accident did cross my mind. Although, there would certainly be less traffic later on, especially if they run farther up to Guadalupe (with Amtrak done for the day)

I read somewhere there might be a 2nd oil cans train start running....which would mean more frequency....but I am not sure if the terminal up the Coast has enough storage tanks for that.

[DPD1]

Have you ever seen that marker for the crude pipeline at Burbank station? I know that did in the Tehachapi trains, but I don't remember it being put in, do you?

[EspeeGary]

Originally Posted by 415dispatcher

I am looking for good frequencies to monitor...i have the metrolink freq for the ventura sub...and 2 or 3 UP frequencies that are on the metrolink radios...what other UP frequencies can i listen to around hear?

Any hints on what amtrak frequencies to monitor?

I'm new at listening to railroad frequencies and it's like learning a new language...any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

From Burbank Junction to about Moorpark on the coast main the road frequency is 160.545 I hope this helps.