UP Line Questions...

btritch · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 02:15 AM

I have a couple of questions maybe somebody can help me with, So here goes:

I have noticed lately that UP has began some updates on their rail line in the Northeast Arkansas Area, They have began changing the old crossing lights and signals to new LED ones, They've began running power underground now instead of by air, However, The two things I haven't figured out yet are these:

1) At every other crossing or every so many feet, etc. There is a Blue Flashing Light (not always on) and a horn/siren. what are these for?

2) There are antenna's going up at every crossing, They look like a flag looking thing, Rectangle and bigger on the mount side then the other and they point north, Some crossings even have two. If you need some pics I can get them, But I have noticed them on the same frequency on the radio..

Can anyone tell me what these are? Do I need pics?
I'm curious, Was hoping somebody could tell me what they were,, Thanks for the help!

burner50 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 11:06 AM

many if not all signal shanty's have the blue lights / horn on them. I'm not sure what they're used for. Probably protection for signal maintainers working in the area as on the RR, a blue light / flag is used for workman protection... sorta like Lock out/Tag out.

btritch · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 12:35 PM

What's with the new antenna's going up, What are they for? Any Suggestions?

seligman · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 04:50 PM

The blue lights/sirens were explained to me once. My failing memory says it's a warning system for MOW workers fouling the tracks. Sorry I can't remember for sure.

Scan all of the AAR channels in your area for data packets sent by the grade crossing box. If it's what I think, the packets are not continuous, they broadcast "health" data every few hours, so you might have to listen for awhile. UP has this technology up and running in other parts of the system.

I've also seen setups where a hyrail truck can activate the crossing gates over the radio without stopping. It uses a dedicated AAR channel and you'll hear an automated voice (like a detector) say "crossing gates activated" (or deactivated).

btritch · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 09:18 PM

AAR Channels?

Also, What Kind Of "health" Data? Track conditions?

franks_ham · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 09:38 PM

AAR is the American Association of Railroads. The Frequency Assignment Plan (FAP) that the AAR and FCC came up with is what the railroads use.

Most radio's will show "14 14" or "96 96" for the channel number, and in the rare repeater cases, "14 30" "22 40" etc.

Those antennas your seeing are probably related closely to ATCS.

Regards,

-Frank C.

btritch · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 10:19 PM

ATCS?
I'm railroad code illiterate, Sorry.

Btw, Would you hear those repeaters etc. on the regular radio frequencies such as 160.320?

franks_ham · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 11:27 PM

ATCS is an invaluable tool for railfans. Look at the page here http://atcsmon.com .

As far as the repeaters go, I'm not sure of exact locations of the railroad repeaters, since most operations are on simplex, i.e. 160.320Mhz (which btw, is AAR 14 14)

If you have an Altamont Timetable for your area, It'll list the whole area's frequencies and who uses them and what specific sub-feature (Yard, etc) your listening too.

Regards,

-Frank C.

btritch · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks_ham

ATCS is an invaluable tool for railfans. Look at the page here http://atcsmon.com .

As far as the repeaters go, I'm not sure of exact locations of the railroad repeaters, since most operations are on simplex, i.e. 160.320Mhz (which btw, is AAR 14 14)

If you have an Altamont Timetable for your area, It'll list the whole area's frequencies and who uses them and what specific sub-feature (Yard, etc) your listening too.

Regards,

-Frank C.

I'm not sure of a timetable but I'm on the line that runs From Jonesboro To Brinkley To Greenway, Union Pacific Line, Local Frequency 160 320. If that helps.

franks_ham · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 11:56 PM

Brian,

Check out Altamont Press they have a California, Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, Texas, Kansas City Timetables. All are very handy to have even if you hardly use the rest. You never know when your going to end up there and go "damn, what frequency is here?!"

Regards,

-Frank C.

btritch · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks_ham

Brian,

Check out Altamont Press they have a California, Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, Texas, Kansas City Timetables. All are very handy to have even if you hardly use the rest. You never know when your going to end up there and go "damn, what frequency is here?!"

Regards,

-Frank C.

True, I went KS last year and wondered, lol

franks_ham · #12 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:44 AM

Some of the crews out here that I know use them over the "issued" ones since the APTT seems to be more reliable.

If you ever need help, don't be afraid to drop a line. I don't bite hard.

Regards,

-Frank C.

burner50 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks_ham

Some of the crews out here that I know use them over the "issued" ones since the APTT seems to be more reliable.

Easy way to die... or at least get fired...

I wasnt aware APTT issued general orders every day for changes...

I think I'll stick with my "issued" Timetables. I'd like to see pertinent information in an APTT that the real deal doesnt have.

rhicks6000 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 12:23 PM

APTT is outdated the only new one that they put out is the California region.