Rail frequencies removed from TAFL

[gary123]

I had need to confirm a couple of rail frequencies locally. I went to TAFL and found that all the rail freq are now gone. I was able to confirm the channels in use by CC ing ( spectrum analyzer) the transmitter site and confirming by contacting the rail company.

As more and more services are removed from TAFL its becoming less and less useful even for us in the industry.

 

[savage308]

I just realized that I don't get CP or CN Rail anymore.

 

[gary123]

The freq are all still the same just the listings are gone. I was in the London area today and heard activity on
161.475 (CP main line)
161.415 (CN main line)
161.025 CN Unknown use
161.325 CN Unknown use
161.205 CN Unknown use
160.215 CN Unknown use
160.665 NXDN ????? (too noisy to decode)
160.200 VIA train crews

Since the rail TAFL is gone, perhaps there are enough train buffs around to build our own list/wiki. Although I am not a train buff, it would be nice to have something like a Google map with the rail corridors marked and the freq you can expect to hear the rail traffic on. Maybe add in locations where low power items like talking hot boxes are?

 

[mbstone99]

Not sure how outdated this is as the website hasn't been changed in ages but is a good reference for the GTA as far as railscanning goes.

RAILSCANING in TORONTO - Frequencies!

Matt

 

[savage308]

I still don't get why I'm not getting anything like I use to. Nothing has changed on my scanner. lol

 

[mikewazowski]

The Railway Association of Canada took over the responsibility for licencing in the rail band. That's why most frequencies don't show up in TAFL anymore.

 

[savage308]

I don't use TAFL or what ever that is, I just run the frequencies that I have here for CP and CN and nothing is happening at all. They are posted above in my post
160.935, 161.205, 160.665, 160.935, 469.6625

 

[Saint]

The Rail frequencies down my way are very busy between CP, CN and all the traffic coming out of Buffalo NY does not take very long to have a up to date list of what you can listen to in your neck of the woods. Just scan all the rail frequencies and before you know it you will have your list.
Steve

 

[gary123]

I did as Saint does. I got the hits within about 20min of searching. Does the rail association have a list they publish or is it one of those things that have dropped down a deep dark well?

You can add 160.365 to the freqs in the London area. I am done with the work in that area so I have moved on to other stuff.

 

[Saint]

Try These
Steve

Canadian National Railway (Ontario) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Canadian National Railway (Ontario)

www.radioreference.com

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (Ontario) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (Ontario)

www.radioreference.com

 

[gary123]

Thanks again Saint that helps. I like the mile marker info as it gives a good idea on where the channels are active.

 

[Saint]

Thanks again Saint that helps. I like the mile marker info as it gives a good idea on where the channels are active.

Your welcome. If you go into the datebase you can find the Via Rail Frequencies. Also, if you go to the US Frequencies you will find the frequencies for the US and Amtrak.
Steve

 

[exkalibur]

Strictly legally speaking, every railway that is a member of the RAC is licensed to use all of the AAR channels. It is (mostly) up to the RAC to determine what channels are used in what area and by who. They likely de-listed them from TAFL since there's no real value of having them in there, since it is essentially a Canada-Wide license that isn't coordinated by ISED - keep in mind the purpose of the TAFL is to look up frequencies for interference and planning purposes.

 

[homerjay]

160.665 NXDN ????? (too noisy to decode)

Could just be skip coming in. According to the Canadian Trackside Guide, CN uses that frequency (Ch 4 to CN) in Ingersoll.....might explain the amount of static. The next locations that use that channel in Toronto.

Since the rail TAFL is gone, perhaps there are enough train buffs around to build our own list/wiki. Although I am not a train buff, it would be nice to have something like a Google map with the rail corridors marked and the freq you can expect to hear the rail traffic on. Maybe add in locations where low power items like talking hot boxes are?

I have made a map with current and abandoned lines in all of Ontario and with the limits on Google maps you would run out of space making all the points, Station Name Signs, and frequencies before you got finished all of Southern Ontario.

 

[exkalibur]

Since the rail TAFL is gone, perhaps there are enough train buffs around to build our own list/wiki. Although I am not a train buff, it would be nice to have something like a Google map with the rail corridors marked and the freq you can expect to hear the rail traffic on. Maybe add in locations where low power items like talking hot boxes are?

If you search around enough, you should be able to find Time Tables which have all of that info.

 

[randyf]

I don't use TAFL or what ever that is, I just run the frequencies that I have here for CP and CN and nothing is happening at all. They are posted above in my post
160.935, 161.205, 160.665, 160.935, 469.6625

Did you ever get things fixed up Tabular Results > Canadian Radio Spectrum Licence Search