Is there a more reliable train detection method than EOTD?

[mkewman]

Hey guys,

as many of you may know, i deliver pizzas for a living and it's really nice to know when a train is coming, so i may alter my route through town accordingly, (use a bridge over the tracks, etc) i have the EOTD freq. as my primary channel, but sometimes it'll miss the bursts because a train isn't really braking or whatever the reason may be.

is there another form of train detection i could use?

the two users of the tracks are AMTRAK and Union Pacific.

 

[timkilbride]

You could monitor 452.9375 which is the head end part of the EOTD. Antenna is mounted higher and closer to where you will be at. I doubt the transmitting power is increased but in my expirence you can hear this frequency further away.

Do they use DPU (Pushers) in your area? If so, those guys have some frequencies to listen to also. I don't have them handy but a search for them isn't hard at google. Hotbox detectors and the dispatcher come to mind also but then again your not in the car at all times.

Tim K.

 

[mkewman]

whats a hotbox detector?

 

[weather4ar]

A Hotbox Detector is a trackside sensor which scans each rail car axle for heat. If it detects heat in the axle(s), it sounds an alarm on the road channel and reports each defect, which the crew and dispatcher can hear. If there are no defects, it reports that fact as well.
For example, "UP Detector Milepost 368.7. No defects. Axle Count 475. Train Speed 25 MPH. Temperature 78 degrees. Detector out."

If you are near a detector, you can use the messages to tell if a train is nearby, but like the EOT unit, you have to be very close, as these are low power transmissions. The best way to railfan is to monitor the crews and dispatchers on the radio, and learn how to read the roadside signals. An employee or railfan timetable usually has such information in it.

 

[DaveNF2G]

The most reliable way to detect a train is to look at the tracks. :twisted:

 

[mikewazowski]

How about putting your ear to the tracks?

 

[Hoofy]

""The most reliable way to detect a train is to look at the tracks""

I think that looking at the tracks is bad info. It only tells you that a train has been there, besides you can't tell which way the train was going by just looking at the tracks.

""How about putting your ear to the tracks?""
I think this is sound advise.

 

[DaveNF2G]

No, but you can tell whether a train is present or not. That is all that is required for simple detection.

 

[mkewman]

would anyone know what frequency AMTRAK and UP use in the Rocklin, CA area?

 

[KMA367]

UP/AMTK in Rocklin area

would anyone know what frequency AMTRAK and UP use in the Rocklin, CA area?

Here you go, Mark, just got this from a guy in the area:

160.875 (Roseville Dispatcher 57) Roseville to Bowman
160.320 (Omaha Dispatcher 74) Bowman to Sparks
160.890 PBX Mt. Vaca and Chimney Peak
160.950 PBX Cisco Butte
160.440 AMTK On Board Services #5/6 (HTs only)

"You should easily hear the (milepost) 111 and 112 detectors from Rocklin. Eastbound
trains get their warrants on 160.320 as they approach Auburn."

 

[WhtRabit]

Harry's information is right on, though you may want to lock out the PBX freqs. Otherwise you'll get a lot of uncompleted calls and a lot of maintainance equip calling in to request "track & time" (or permission to work on the track or take it out of use)

In my experience the hotbox detectors are good for a range of a couple miles but that's with my antenna inside the car. Your mileage may vary.

Incidentally, if you have more than a passing interest in railroads or railroad monitoring, I strongly suggest you pick up the Altamont Press California Region Timetable. http://altamontpress.com/catalog/timetables.html It lists frequencies for most all the major rail lines in the state as well as lots of other info of interest to scanner listeners such as detector locations. It also shows maps of some of the busier rail corridors (including the Donner Pass route).

Another excellent forum for railroading info is Trainorders.com. There are lots of scanner listeners there who are usually happy to answer questions.

 

[kb2vxa]

Considering the question methinks pizza delivery a suitable occupation. (;->)

 

[jay427]

Is there a Timetable map for Minnesota? I did look but did not see one. If there is someone from Minnesota here, would you know if the hotbox detectors are used here and where a person could find the frequencies for them?

I live in Anoka, Mn

Thanks

Jay, n0mdf

 

[icom1020]

2 links:
http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=710

http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=14787

first one looks like it has radio freqs statewide in it.

 

[WhtRabit]

Is there a Timetable map for Minnesota?

Try http://www.illinirail.com/imrl/

The links icom1020 left aren't working for me, but I suspect this is where he meant for you to go. It's an unofficial site for the I&M Rail Link which covers Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. It has a set of timetables which show detector locations and frequencies.

 

[Thayne]

Hotbox detector?? A lot of us can do that--

 

[jay427]

Ok

thanks all, but I must be missing something, I'm new to the rail listening so forgive the elementry questions. I live nera Anoka near the tracks by Hway #10, I don't see those tracks on the maps. I see from mpls and to the south. I know the section of track by my house has a a lot traffic so I would think there would be somthing to here when they come through!

Jay, n0mdf

 

[icom1020]

All you need are the freqs, the detectors use the road channels freqs as well. I don't know of much access to timetable info, which would give you location of each detector. After 9/11 most rr's pulled any access off their websites and some places like Altamont have their own, supossedly based on official railroad TT's .

 

[cnw8052]

There is a hotbox detector in Anoka, MN. It's on the BNSF, but I don't know the current radio frequency it's on.

L.G.

Ok

thanks all, but I must be missing something, I'm new to the rail listening so forgive the elementry questions. I live nera Anoka near the tracks by Hway #10, I don't see those tracks on the maps. I see from mpls and to the south. I know the section of track by my house has a a lot traffic so I would think there would be somthing to here when they come through!

Jay, n0mdf

 

[karldotcom]

ATCS is the most reliable method...