NE. Central Rail Road

[Pro92]

I heard from someone that NE. Central Rail Road is going TRUNKED is this true or not? I remember awhile back someone posted CableOne was going to join in on Norfolk System but that never happen. Does anyone know what US92FM frequency is, like TV is in the 500MHz band.
Thanks!
Rob.

 

[NeFire242]

KUSO 92.7 50kW -- Country "US92" FM

WPQL780, Flood Communications, 946.5000 MHz

 

[realgeo]

Hello, Pro92!

The Nebraska Central Railroad currently has an IG license of WQBU428, which has the following frequencies:

161.190 AAR Channel 72 (7272) - this is their main channel
161.265 AAR Channel 79 (7777)
462.2125
462.2875
462.3125

The first two (2) channels are part of the standard AAR (American Association of Railroads) channel plan, which is used by nearly all railroads in the U.S.

The last three (3) channels are licensed for a 40km radius around Norfolk, one unit per channel, 5W ERP each. I have no idea what these channels are used for, however.

 

[Pro92]

Nebraska Central Rail Road

Hello, Pro92!

The Nebraska Central Railroad currently has an IG license of WQBU428, which has the following frequencies:

161.190 AAR Channel 72 (7272) - this is their main channel
161.265 AAR Channel 79 (7777)
462.2125
462.2875
462.3125

The first two (2) channels are part of the standard AAR (American Association of Railroads) channel plan, which is used by nearly all railroads in the U.S.

The last three (3) channels are licensed for a 40km radius around Norfolk, one unit per channel, 5W ERP each. I have no idea what these channels are used for, however.

Thanks for the info, i also head that maybe going TRUNKED , which i think is nuts! Have a great evening.
Rob.

 

[realgeo]

Hey, Rob!

No problem! Glad to help out! The FCC database and their search tools are a very good resource when you're looking for frequencies and information. I've spent many an hour there, and here on RadioReference, while gathering information for my OPPD Trunked Radio System research.

A TRS for a railroad, especially for one as small as the NCRC, really doesn't make sense. Take a Casino, for example - now, there's a SUPERB use of a Trunked Radio System. You have several "units" in the casino that need private communications, and some that need "dispatch" communication. All of these can be accomodated in a TRS!

Have a GREAT evening!
George B.

 

[Pro92]

Hey, Rob!

No problem! Glad to help out! The FCC database and their search tools are a very good resource when you're looking for frequencies and information. I've spent many an hour there, and here on RadioReference, while gathering information for my OPPD Trunked Radio System research.

A TRS for a railroad, especially for one as small as the NCRC, really doesn't make sense. Take a Casino, for example - now, there's a SUPERB use of a Trunked Radio System. You have several "units" in the casino that need private communications, and some that need "dispatch" communication. All of these can be accomodated in a TRS!

Have a GREAT evening!
George B.

Hey also which town co community Bemmer , what county is that city in!

Thanks again!

 

[realgeo]

Good morning, Rob!

Hummm... Do you mean BEEMER, NE? Beemer is a small community located on HW275, approximately 9 miles west of West Point, NE in Cuming county.

Have a GREAT day.

George B.

 

[Pro92]

Hey, Rob!

No problem! Glad to help out! The FCC database and their search tools are a very good resource when you're looking for frequencies and information. I've spent many an hour there, and here on RadioReference, while gathering information for my OPPD Trunked Radio System research.

A TRS for a railroad, especially for one as small as the NCRC, really doesn't make sense. Take a Casino, for example - now, there's a SUPERB use of a Trunked Radio System. You have several "units" in the casino that need private communications, and some that need "dispatch" communication. All of these can be accomodated in a TRS!

Have a GREAT evening!
George B.

How far is Beemer from Madison & county?
Thanks!

Rob

 

[realgeo]

Hey, Rob!

According to Google Earth, the straight-line distance between Beemer, NE and the town of Madison, NE is 33.87 miles.

Traveling on the roads, however, the path from Beemer to Madison is over 275 to Norfolk and 81 from Norfolk to Madison, for a grand total of 47.17 miles.

The town of Madison, NE appears to be located in the southeast corner of Madison county.

George B.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Actually, its not uncommon lately for Shortlines to take a serious look at the benefits of trunking technology. There are a few roads that use LTR or Smartrunk systems in the southern states. However, the Union Pacific has a wide-area, Project 25 TRS up and running in Portland, Oregon area. Overall, U.P. officials have been very happy with the overall results. Likewise, Norfolk Southern has experimented with P-25 Trunking in Birmingham, Alabama.

I can see where a large rail yard could benefit from a TRS. This would allow for better frequency management, while allowing many different users access to the system at the same time. This would place hump operations on one talkgroup, while police, switching, repair services, and others can use stay on different talkgroups. However, each radio would be able to switch back and forth between them, allowing for better interoperability.

IMHO, I would look for more railway companies to migrate to Project 25 conventional, before they switch to a trunking system. With the mandated narrowbanding by the FRA and FCC coming up in a few years, I would look for more roads to make the switchover. In fact, BNSF, NS, and some CSXT licenses have been upgraded to digital voice and data modes for future migration to the newer technology, which will render older radios and scanners obsolete in the future.

73's

Ron

 

[realgeo]

Good evening, Ron!

You make some excellent points, especially your point about frequency and radio usage in the case of a large yard area. For the UPRR in my area, North Platte's Bailey Yard would be a good locatoin for such a system.

I knew about the reduced bandwidth mandate for the railroads and other users of the spectrum, but wasn't aware of railroads using P25 systems!

Again, even trunking does make sense, considering the fact that the railroads have invested many dollars into building radio network sites along their railroad routes. Also, many railroads have allowed fiber optic companies to build fiber routes along the railroad right of way. The RR's could install TRS radios at each site, connect via the fiber, and have a very good system.

Good discussion, Ron, and good points! It'll be cool when/if UPRR gets P25 deployed in the Nebraska area!

73's.

 

[Pro92]

NE Central RR

Good evening, Ron!

You make some excellent points, especially your point about frequency and radio usage in the case of a large yard area. For the UPRR in my area, North Platte's Bailey Yard would be a good locatoin for such a system.

I knew about the reduced bandwidth mandate for the railroads and other users of the spectrum, but wasn't aware of railroads using P25 systems!

Again, even trunking does make sense, considering the fact that the railroads have invested many dollars into building radio network sites along their railroad routes. Also, many railroads have allowed fiber optic companies to build fiber routes along the railroad right of way. The RR's could install TRS radios at each site, connect via the fiber, and have a very good system.

Good discussion, Ron, and good points! It'll be cool when/if UPRR gets P25 deployed in the Nebraska area!

73's.

I saw a NE Central repair guy yesterday in Madison, he said it's a rumour, he said NE RR is not planning on going TRUNK like some companies are. he said they will remain w/ 161.190 .
Thanks!
Rob.

 

[Thunderbolt]

I just remembered an e-mail that I got from BNSF around three years ago. The head of the communications division was explaining, how they plan on using the benefits of Project 25 technology for in-cab data transfer applications. This would allow the train crew to receive a complete printout of what cars need to be picked up, slow orders, emergency bulletins, HAZMAT information, and view complete track diagrams either on paper or CRT. Moreover, it would also allow for instant messaging, and the ability to send text messages to specialized Palm Pilots.

Norfolk Southern is also interested in this same technology, and they plan implementing it in certain areas, starting by the beginning of 2009. Their goal is to implement this system first, then work on migration to Project 25 voice/trunking, especially in high density traffic areas and several large yards, which would benefit greatly from this technology. Moreover, NS likes the idea of using this new technology to help promote real-time tracking of shipments for it's customers.

73's

Ron

 

[Pro92]

Ne Central Rr

Last i heard a few years-ago that Central RR serves Platte County, Madison w/ a stop @ IBP & then proceeds to Norfolk. I don't know if they go beyond E of Norfolk or they turn and go back to Columbus(Platte County).
Thanks!
Rob.

 

[NeFire242]

it would also allow for instant messaging, and the ability to send text messages to specialized Palm Pilots. Ron

I would love to see that.

Late December, in the dark of a wintry night, you see the faint flicker and soft glow of the screen from a palm pilot while the switchperson is sending a message while in waist deep snow and in below freezing temperatures wearing those reflective thermal gloves and their bulky radio vest squawking out MDC and track warrants from the Omaha dispatcher.

 

[realgeo]

According to the FCC's website, the UPRR P25 TRS that "Thunderbolt" Ron refers to, located in Oregon, actually operates within the AAR standard frequency space.

Somehow, I was thinking that UPRR might try to operate on 800 MHz., but it makes better sense to use the frequency plan that the AAR has already allocated.

I agree with you NeFire242 - the UPRR's Falls City Sub (CB to KC) has some real signal issues here in the Murray area.

Half the time, a train sitting here on the main cannot talk with either the Union or Omaha towers - they have to rely on Nebraska City, since it sits on a VERY tall tower. As soon as they go around the "s" curve south of town and begin to climb the hill north of the detector at 452.7, they can talk with Omaha, but not Union. Of course, as soon as they crest the hill and head down toward Union, they have a strong signal from there and lose Omaha all together.

73's everyone

 

[Thunderbolt]

Somehow, I was thinking that UPRR might try to operate on 800 MHz., but it makes better sense to use the frequency plan that the AAR has already allocated.

For many years the UP, through the C&NW merger, leased space off a wide-area coverage 900 MHz SMR, TRS in Chicago. This allowed their police and other specialized operations to enjoy coverage that was not possible on their 160 MHz system. However, when Nextel bought out the TRS, the UP did purchase several handheld units for their police officers.

I wonder if they do the same out in Nebraska?

73's

Ron

 

[NeFire242]

BNSF Security uses their own freq and Nextel around the Gibson yard in South Omaha.

Last I knew UP was on 161.2050 for some of their security stuff.