NJT trains in-crew frequencies?

[craneoperator99]

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering what frequency or frequencies the conductor, collectors, engineers, and brakeman use to communicate between each other on the New Jersey Transit Montclair-Boonton line trains. Would it be the 161.4 listed or is that just used for individual trains to communicate between each other and the dispatcher?

 

[railtrailbiker]

I live very close to the Bergen/Main Line and I've heard the conductor talking to the engineer on 161.400.

 

[craneoperator99]

I live very close to the Bergen/Main Line and I've heard the conductor talking to the engineer on 161.400.

OK. Have you ever heard MDC or some other type of signalling used when doing so?

The reason being is that today I went on a trip through the Montclair Boonton line.

I was unable to pick up any comms on 161.400 before I entered the train on my Icom dual bander, but that could mainly be attributed to the Icom's stock antenna being terrible at receiving frequencies that far away from the ham band!

When I entered the train I was no longer monitoring, although I'm regretting it now.

However, I do believe I picked out some type of signalling (most likely MDC) from a one of the collector's portables.

 

[jonwienke]

If you ride the train, bring a scanner with Close Call or Signal Stalker active and see what hits you get.

 

[craneoperator99]

If you ride the train, bring a scanner with Close Call or Signal Stalker active and see what hits you get.

I needed my HT for communication purposes today, and didn't want to carry both my HT and a scanner, but maybe I'll try that if I get a chance someday. Thanks!

 

[jonwienke]

It's a lot easier and faster than using a HT.

 

[62Truck]

Usually they will use the same frequency that the engineer uses to talk to the Dispatcher. When it comes to signalling you'll hear either GE-Star or MDC.

 

[craneoperator99]

Usually they will use the same frequency that the engineer uses to talk to the Dispatcher. When it comes to signalling you'll hear either GE-Star or MDC.

That's probably what I heard then. Thanks!