Mass Railroad monitoring

[skybug]

Just wondering, anyone out here monitor the RR's here in Mass? I hear the HBT near by and have a beam antenna but trying to see which direction I should focus on that will pick it up better. I can hear the dispatcher to train one nice, clear and strong, and on the same freq, the HBT comes in at 1 bar and scratchy. When I pull on the google maps for the systems, it shows towers all over the state and really not sure which one its coming from. I'm up in the Tyngsboro area, right near CP4 that heads north to the Bow, NH area for coal runs which are very few now but monitor the entire system. I believe the HBT is in the Granitville area in Chelmsford or Westford, somewhere in that area that heads towards Worcester. Frank

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

I'm no way near You in Massachusetts but we have plenty of traffic down here in New Bedford MA and the Cape runs the SE MA Road Channel along with the train yard in New Bedford is 160.425... Get the Daily Trash Haul to Rochester MA and on the weekend the Amtrak run.
The Bridge at the Cape Cod Canal uses 160.245.... Pretty active.
I get daily comm's in the train yard on 160.305 too which is the Old Bay Colony Work Frequency they had a repeater in Barnstable but it sounds like A low power talk channel here in the yard.

I also get the MBTA run From South Station down the Plymouth and Middleboro
on 160.725.
Cant wait for the New Bedford and Fall River MBTA Extension to come on Line in the next few years...Should be Busy down here... I dont hear much NXDN traffic
down here and I don't have the upgrade to my 996P2 yet but im ready if the MBTA extention goes That path. They are Pro Voice in Boston for the Green Line and such.

Peter N1EXA

 

[skybug]

Ya, you would have plenty of talk being that close. All I hear from here, and I'm near the Nashua border, is the freight lines. Not much interested in the subway lines, mostly the commuter lines and freight lines. I have one line that passes by my house, about 200 yards away, but its only used for local hauling and coal once in a while now that heads to Bow NH. I'm just trying to figure out the best direction to point the beam antenna for best reception from where I am. When I pull up the google maps in the scanner logging program, I can see all the towers thy use, but not sure which one to aim at if its even coming from them or just straight over the air from the train or dispatcher since I am close to the Billerica offices. As far as the NXDN, I see that but no sense for me to getting it for my 996 since I'm way out here.I'm picking up 20 hits today from different lines, even picked up a 935mhz Advanced Train frequency here and there and some 220mhz Positive Train Control signals as well. Not sure where these are coming from but are listed as RR frequencies.

 

[skybug]

	Talk Group ID	Frequency	Tone	RSSI	UID	Mod.	Hits	Duration	Start Date / Time	End Date / Time	System / Site - Group - Channel
​		161.3250		185		NFM	1	00:00:00	01/22/20 17:13:31	01/22/20 17:13:32	Mass_RR2 - NewHaven Main - AMTK81 MOW
​		161.2950	C 156.7	202		NFM	1	00:00:00	01/22/20 14:59:40	01/22/20 14:59:41	Mass_RR2 - NewHaven Main - AMTK79 PD
​		160.7400		208		NFM	11	00:00:14	01/22/20 08:36:17	01/22/20 14:19:03	Mass_RR2 - NewHaven Main - AMTK74 Yard
​		160.4550		203		NFM	11	00:00:18	01/22/20 17:45:30	01/22/20 19:50:11	Mass_RR2 - NewHaven Main - AMTK23 Yard
​		160.9200		176		NFM	3	00:00:00	01/22/20 07:13:45	01/22/20 09:46:09	Mass_RR2 - MillRiver Main - AMTK54 Sprng
​		160.3350		418		NFM	37	00:02:39	01/22/20 05:49:03	01/22/20 19:50:18	Mass_RR2 - Holyoke Branch - PVRR15 Holyo
​		160.3200		244		NFM	162	00:07:56	01/22/20 06:03:06	01/22/20 20:07:05	Mass_RR2 - Haverhill Main - MBTA14 Haver
​		160.7250		233		NFM	1	00:00:00	01/22/20 07:07:47	01/22/20 07:07:48	Mass_RR2 - Greenbush Line - MBTA92 Green
​		160.4100		189		NFM	6	00:00:00	01/22/20 06:01:45	01/22/20 18:54:05	Mass_RR2 - Fram/Worc Main - MBTA20 Framg
​		160.5900		197		NFM	274	00:13:05	01/22/20 05:49:53	01/22/20 19:22:53	Mass_RR2 - Fitchburg Line - MBTA32 Fitch
​		161.4900		305		NFM	7	00:00:00	01/22/20 06:29:22	01/22/20 14:16:16	Mass_RR2 - Fairmount Main - MBTA90 Fairm
​		161.4000		222		NFM	152	00:05:33	01/22/20 09:40:53	01/22/20 19:37:37	Mass_RR2 - E.Deerfield Yard - PAR86
​		161.1450		265		NFM	3	00:00:59	01/22/20 08:36:25	01/22/20 08:38:25	Mass_RR2 - Berkshire Sub - CSXT69 MOW
​		160.8600		201		NFM	1	00:00:00	01/22/20 18:40:46	01/22/20 18:40:47	Mass_RR2 - Berkshire Sub - CSXT50 WS Interm
​		161.5200		221		NFM	306	00:17:02	01/22/20 05:46:37	01/22/20 20:07:36	Mass_RR1 - Worcester Main - PanAm Train
​		161.1600		206		NFM	476	00:35:38	01/22/20 05:46:13	01/22/20 20:08:18	Mass_RR1 - West Main - PanAm Dispatch
​		161.4600		414		NFM	91	00:01:49	01/22/20 07:09:08	01/22/20 18:05:32	Mass_RR1 - Rail Operations - MBTA90 Trble
​		160.6950		252		NFM	92	00:06:18	01/22/20 07:05:20	01/22/20 15:58:09	Mass_RR1 - Rail Operations - MBTA39 MOW
​		161.4150		208		NFM	103	00:02:41	01/22/20 06:35:32	01/22/20 19:35:26	Mass_RR1 - Palmer Sub - NECR87 Road
​		160.2450		280		NFM	5	00:00:24	01/22/20 16:12:11	01/22/20 17:43:48	Mass_RR1 - Operations - MC09 Ops

If I'm allowed too, this is today's hits. The best I have gotten for hits was 32 hits and was last week, alot of talk was going on. This list is only 20 hits long. If this is not allowed to do, admin please delete and let me know.

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

Hey That's not bad Fishing at all looks like you got activity in your area. The rail road frequencies are quit interesting seeing there is more than
the 160 Mhz stuff you have the end of train markers on 450 and other activities on 220 and 900mhz that you mentioned.

Down here in New Bedford besides monitoring the Rail Road bridge at the canal on 160.245 i have the Canal Control along with Buzzards bay Control on marine channels 11 12 13 and 14 so when the bridge at going to move there is quit a bit of talk on both Rail and Marine.

I have only the DMR Upgrade on my 996P2 and it works pretty good besides the local DMR System with dumpster trucks and school buses it does get the 2 meter ham activities too... Don't plan on the NXDN or Pro Voice upgrade...It would have to be really something to interest me in
listening to and buy the upgrades.

When Im on the road ill bring the Uniden 125 hand held with Rail Road service mode...I have had great luck in Providence RI and way out
in Agawam MA with some train facility that was really hopping when I was out there months back.

Peter N1EXA

 

[ecps92]

161.2950 156.7 is the Amtrak Police Repeater in Boston
each Repeater has it's own unique CTCSS tone

Don't go with a beam, as the Dispatch is likely to select a tower nearest each train and you may miss out on traffic just outside
of the point you are aiming at

Look like you have pretty good reception, so sit back and enjoy

If I'm allowed too, this is today's hits. The best I have gotten for hits was 32 hits and was last week, alot of talk was going on. This list is only 20 hits long. If this is not allowed to do, admin please delete and let me know.

 

[awasser1]

thanks for posting the Freq I'm near Hartford, CT I will be adding a few more of your that look active. Dont get much here except Amtrk 23.

 

[skybug]

Thanks Bill, ya, most of my signal quality is good, just trying to peak up on the hot box detector that's, I believe, in the Chelmsford, Westford area. It use to come in clear years ago, then went away for some time, now I'm picking it up again but barely. HBT freq I get here is on 161.160
awasser1
Not sure when which ones are near your area. I gotta read up on the RSSI number, which is better, higher or lower, lol. Again, this list os small comared to the one day last week when I had 37 hits, the most I have gotten to date. Not sure how some of these got named as they are but would guess they are named correctly, but again, some for the signal I get on them don't make sense.

 

[ecps92]

Keep in mind the RR DB does not list all the TX sites, especially if they are on the same freq.
For that you need to look at the FCC DB instead

Thanks Bill, ya, most of my signal quality is good, just trying to peak up on the hot box detector that's, I believe, in the Chelmsford, Westford area. It use to come in clear years ago, then went away for some time, now I'm picking it up again but barely. HBT freq I get here is on 161.160
awasser1
Not sure when which ones are near your area. I gotta read up on the RSSI number, which is better, higher or lower, lol. Again, this list os small comared to the one day last week when I had 37 hits, the most I have gotten to date. Not sure how some of these got named as they are but would guess they are named correctly, but again, some for the signal I get on them don't make sense.

 

[skybug]

That is true and have done so in the past. Back in the days of the analog scanners, all I had in them was the train and dispatch freq's. Now with these new digital scanners and RR, I didn't realize how much activity was out there. I'm even logging in some 900mhz and 220mhz railroad ones here and there. Opened up a whole new word of listening. Almost wants me to get my old SDR up and running again, lol.

 

[skybug]

Annoying weekend, few RR Channels keep coming up a horrible buzzing sound, at times I can hear voices in it as well. Not sure if its me and my area or wherever the signal is coming from. Happens once in a while, and only on channels, not all of them and in the clear on the close stronger signal ones. Oh, anyone in the Lowell/Chelmsford area know the location of the HBD (approx) in the, I believe, the Stoneybrook area that pick u now and then? I'm in the process of getting another antenna just for the RR scanner and tuned to the center freq of the RR band.

 

[ecps92]

What Frequencies are Buzzing, only 1 or 2 here in New England have gone DMR and those are in Northern NH or ME
I'm wondering if you are getting interference from something within your monitoring facility. [Car or House]

Annoying weekend, few RR Channels keep coming up a horrible buzzing sound, at times I can hear voices in it as well. Not sure if its me and my area or wherever the signal is coming from. Happens once in a while, and only on channels, not all of them and in the clear on the close stronger signal ones. Oh, anyone in the Lowell/Chelmsford area know the location of the HBD (approx) in the, I believe, the Stoneybrook area that pick u now and then? I'm in the process of getting another antenna just for the RR scanner and tuned to the center freq of the RR band.

 

[skybug]

Not sure what DMR sounds like, I know what the P25 system sounds like, that is not this thou. Its like listening to an AM radio and someone turns a hair dryer. I can hear voices at time within the noise. It was just happening on the 160.160 mhz a few minutes ago, and on another one. When I manually changed the channel off it to the next one with the squelch open, its nice and quiet, just the normal noise floor. Also happened on the .325 nhz too, but nothing on the either side of this channel. Seems to be when they are transmitting its coming in on their frequency. I almost want to say its something on their end. Nothing in the house here or in my area is going on or changed during that time frame.

 

[ecps92]

160.1600 is not a valid FCC Pair

160.1550 - Railroad
160.1625 - Not a Railroad channel - you are hearing a Business DMR from Fitchburg
160.1700 - Railroad

Not sure what DMR sounds like, I know what the P25 system sounds like, that is not this thou. Its like listening to an AM radio and someone turns a hair dryer. I can hear voices at time within the noise. It was just happening on the 160.160 mhz a few minutes ago, and on another one. When I manually changed the channel off it to the next one with the squelch open, its nice and quiet, just the normal noise floor. Also happened on the .325 nhz too, but nothing on the either side of this channel. Seems to be when they are transmitting its coming in on their frequency. I almost want to say its something on their end. Nothing in the house here or in my area is going on or changed during that time frame.

 

[skybug]

Hey Bill, My mistake on the 160.160. one, it was 161.160. Didn't mention the .1625? but the .325 as highlighted in the image below. These 3 acted up today but channels around it were fine when I manually changed to them, openned squelch while it was happening. Just when transmissions were going it was heard.

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

161.16000

BM

AAR 433 NXDN

Channel 433

Your Listening to NXDN RAIL ROAD = Digital
I keep hearing this when i'm on the road on Route 128.

Peter N1EXA

 

[ecps92]

Has Pan-AM gone NXDN ??
They are the Massachusetts users, but no one has reported them as using NXDN yet.

161.16000

BM

AAR 433 NXDN

Channel 433

Your Listening to NXDN RAIL ROAD = Digital
I keep hearing this when i'm on the road on Route 128.

Peter N1EXA

 

[ecps92]

No you didn't mention 160.1625 directly, but because 160.1600 is invalid, I was pointing out that if it was 160.1600, you are actually hearing 160.1625

So far today, not a peep on 161.1600

Hey Bill, My mistake on the 160.160. one, it was 161.160. Didn't mention the .1625? but the .325 as highlighted in the image below. These 3 acted up today but channels around it were fine when I manually changed to them, openned squelch while it was happening. Just when transmissions were going it was heard.

 

[skybug]

Just listening now in the shack, just heard them on 161.160 clear, then a few minutes later, again, on both scanners. I could hear them but with the annoying buzz over riding their voices. Too me it just sounds like an annoying buzz interference. almost like listening to a AM radio and arcing wires somewhere, type of buzz.Just heard the train talking on 161.52 in the clear and dispatch came back clear on 161.160 (North Billerica) but right at the end of his transmission there was a buzzing until the signal dropped. Its intermittent. I haven't seen any info about rail ops side being on NXDN. Peter, where did you see that you have in your post? Added > just heard the dispatcher again, buzzing sound was very weak in the background on his clear signal. <

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

Just listening now in the shack, just heard them on 161.160 clear, then a few minutes later, again, on both scanners. I could hear them but with the annoying buzz over riding their voices. Too me it just sounds like an annoying buzz interference. almost like listening to a AM radio and arcing wires somewhere, type of buzz.Just heard the train talking on 161.52 in the clear and dispatch came back clear on 161.160 (North Billerica) but right at the end of his transmission there was a buzzing until the signal dropped. Its intermittent. I haven't seen any info about rail ops side being on NXDN. Peter, where did you see that you have in your post?

Here is the link below to the ARR Railroad Channels it Lists the NXDN lineup or search National Railroad frequencies
here at RR.

Railroads (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

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

www.radioreference.com

I don't have NXDN in the car just at home with the 996p2

When I'm on the road working in Boston I HAVE A BEARCAT 235 ANALOG SCANNER in the car using a little chinese
mag mount antenna... I listen to the zone 1 and zone 5 trunk plus a ton of railroad frequencies... I find allot more
NXDN traffic on the rail frequencies than before. When I get to Taunton I switch back to Zone 3 and 4...160.725
for the MBTA in Middleboro is still Analog.

On a side note in New Bedford 160.425 has been quiet for a few weeks..Still Bay Colony is on 160.305
In the Rail Yard But it has been cleaned out of all steel salvage rail cars and the parking area is empty.
I have a feeling Keolis ( MBTA) may be arriving soon. I see allot of transport cars in Rochester MA just before the Power Plant don't know if they were moved there.


Peter N1EXA