Looking to start rail listening/watching

[Reconrider]

So I'm in CT. If what I'm reading online is correct, CT owns all of the rail tracks in CT and companies pay to use them.

I know csx is buying pan am - another random piece of info I found from searching ct track owners.

Where is a good place to sit and be able to watch / listen to them. I travel the state for work so location to listen doesn't matter because I'm sure I go near it.


I have the railroad frequencies for CT in my scanner already, but I only even hear the amtrak police and even then it's only .5 seconds

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Does your scanner have a rail service mode? If so that can be a good place to start, however you may pick up a lot of intermod in urban areas. If not program in the 97AAR channels.

What kind of antenna are you using? Rail communications aren't always the easiest to pick up, an external antenna on your vehicle is almost always a must, and one tuned to the proper frequencies is also quite helpful.

 

[Mojaveflyer]

If you want to watch / photograph trains, I would look at www.trainorders.com and look at the "Eastern Railroads" under discussions. Membership is required to post but it's well worth if you want to ask question like you have here. It's $30 / year but there's a gold mine of information from locals almost where you want to go. You're welcome to PM me if you have more questions. This is the forum for radio related questions.... Happy New Year!

 

[Reconrider]

Does your scanner have a rail service mode? If so that can be a good place to start, however you may pick up a lot of intermod in urban areas. If not program in the 97AAR channels.

What kind of antenna are you using? Rail communications aren't always the easiest to pick up, an external antenna on your vehicle is almost always a must, and one tuned to the proper frequencies is also quite helpful.

I have the sds100, and the trx1, but I use the sds100 more often so the trx1 can sit at home and record my town while I'm away.
I'm not sure where to find the 97AAR channels at, can you link me to it?

If you want to watch / photograph trains, I would look at www.trainorders.com and look at the "Eastern Railroads" under discussions. Membership is required to post but it's well worth if you want to ask question like you have here. It's $30 / year but there's a gold mine of information from locals almost where you want to go. You're welcome to PM me if you have more questions. This is the forum for radio related questions.... Happy New Year!

I'd like to listen to the freight as they go by. I know there is a train yard in new haven which is only like 2 hours so not to bad of a drive.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

I'm not sure where to find the 97AAR channels at, can you link me to it?

Here you go,

Railroads (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Railroads (United States)

www.radioreference.com