The Canadian

[bobcraig]

Hello everyone:

In July I am riding The Canadian from Winnipeg to Vancouver. I want to monitor the radio traffic. I have an SDS100 with all the upgrades. I also own a BC125AT. Will these be enough, or should I buy the new BCD160DN? Also, I found an old forum post that said on board service crew on the train use 160.200, and 459.225. Does anyone know if this is still the case? I have been looking online for a list of the frequencies used on the CN route but have come up short. Anytime I ride Amtrak I just let the BC125AT scan, and it does a good job of picking up crews and dispatchers. Will this be the case in Canada?

Thanks for your advice,

Bob in Iowa

 

[gary123]

160.200 is active on VIA trains so may also be used on The Canadian. Using CC will also help grab anything you miss.

The equipment you have should be fine. There is very little NXDN in Canada. Mostly its in the yards and not on the tracks. You may find that some of the frequencies are repeatered especially in the Rockies. You may want to make a list of the frequencies used as you travel and post them here when you return.

 

[wa8pyr]

160.200 is active on VIA trains so may also be used on The Canadian. Using CC will also help grab anything you miss.

The equipment you have should be fine. There is very little NXDN in Canada. Mostly its in the yards and not on the tracks. You may find that some of the frequencies are repeatered especially in the Rockies. You may want to make a list of the frequencies used as you travel and post them here when you return.

And stick with the BC125AT for monitoring the rail frequencies. While it might sort of work, sensitivity on the SDS100 is not nearly as good, and you'll be happier with the reception from the 125. Battery life on the 125 is also a lot better.

 

[mikewazowski]

I heard 160.200MHz in use between #1 and #2 a few years ago. One of them was running short on supplies so they had a quick meet and transferred supplies.

 

[bobcraig]

I will be happy to post what I have found when I get back. I may just leave my sds 100 home. I notice that all public safety in Vancouver is encrypted anyway. Thanks folks!

Bob

 

[mikewazowski]

I'd bring something along. You never know when you're going to get delayed by something and listening to the crew and RTC will provide some details.

 

[BC_Scan]

There is very little NXDN in Canada

Really ?? , this simply is incorrect I guess you haven't been to Vancouver lately , there is a S#(#_@##t ton in use including Rail, all the Rail switching in Vancouver excluding deltaport is NXDN

I have an SDS100

Bring that all the freqs you need will be in use 160 mhz to 162 mhz

Vancouver is encrypted

with public service yes but there is there is alot to listen to (not PS)
Via Rail is F1/F2 160.200 new fx in use is 161.16 for the car coupling to loco in Vancouver
once you get to 1100 Station St 160.29 + 160.32 are in use for rail shop maintenance
I have witnessed Via Rail staff using VHF only the UHF is used in Eastern Canada (past Winterpeg) you can put in scanner but likely wont hear anything , we used to have the UHF assignments hear in the west but no longer, appears to be an eastern thing
( I have verifed this with a vancouver loco engineer) enjoy the scenery as you come into Alberta (Calgary) then westward bound keeps you eyes glued
IMHO nothing to see Winnipeg to Calgary unless you enjoy the prairies

 

[wrex]

Really ?? , this simply is incorrect I guess you haven't been to Vancouver lately , there is a S#(#_@##t ton in use including Rail, all the Rail switching in Vancouver excluding deltaport is NXDN

Bring that all the freqs you need will be in use 160 mhz to 162 mhz

with public service yes but there is there is alot to listen to (not PS)
Via Rail is F1/F2 160.200 new fx in use is 161.16 for the car coupling to loco in Vancouver
once you get to 1100 Station St 160.29 + 160.32 are in use for rail shop maintenance
I have witnessed Via Rail staff using VHF only the UHF is used in Eastern Canada (past Winterpeg) you can put in scanner but likely wont hear anything , we used to have the UHF assignments hear in the west but no longer, appears to be an eastern thing
( I have verifed this with a vancouver loco engineer) enjoy the scenery as you come into Alberta (Calgary) then westward bound keeps you eyes glued
IMHO nothing to see Winnipeg to Calgary unless you enjoy the prairies

Did you happen to by-pass Northern Ontario ?

 

[scanfreqer]

I would just leave the Close Call feature on. That should pick up new channels as you go along. And the new Bandscope if you have it.

 

[gary123]

I agree CC being on all the time in DND mode would work well while you are not in large populated areas.

 

[mikewazowski]

CC plus enable the Nationwide Rail channels.

 

[bobcraig]

I appreciate all your suggestions. CC sounds like a good idea. Whatever frequencies I find I will try to write down and share on this forum when I get back. Of course, my main objective is to enjoy the beautiful scenery. I only have about 33 hours in Vancouver, so I want to spend as much time as I can exploring. The Canadian only runs 2 times a week, so I will be heading back east the day after I will arrive. Otherwise, I would be in Vancouver a week. That would be pretty hard on the pocketbook!

Thanks everyone,

Bob

 

[tncea]

Just returned from a trip on No. 2. The Via Rail Channel mentioned plus the CN channels will keep you informed.

 

[bobcraig]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it!

 

[bobcraig]

Hello everyone. Well per my earlier notes I was on my way to catch the train in Winnipeg last week from Iowa. I was driving with a stop over in Fergus Falls, Mn. During the day my breathing became labored. And by the evening I was having serious issues, so late that night I drove myself to the local ER. They diagnosed AFIB, (which I know I have) and pneumonia. So I cancelled the trip, So don't look for any frequencies, or updates from me this year. It's back on my bucket list, after I take care of a few medical issues.

MY best wishes to all

Bob from Ankeny

 

[icom1020]

When I rode it twice in 2003 and 04,the on board crew, mostly car attendants had Motorola Minitors on 160.200 with a pre announcement by the head end that a station stop was coming up.

They did most of the boarding and would pick a Silver and Blue passenger (me) to demonstrate how the Budd car doors opened up in case the crew was incapacitated and placed a green cross placard on my door to indicate a passenger with prior knowledge.

 

[tncea]

161.415 is the CN road channel for your entire route. BC125AT works well on board. Have used mine 6 times.