BNSF Northtown Questions

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Over the past 2 months I’ve really gotten addicted to listening to the BNSF Northtown yard operations and West Hump dispatcher on the scanner, and the Hinckley Sub dispatcher too (because that line runs very near my house).

I’ve gotten to pretty much understand the Northtown lingo, but there are three things I’ve yet to figure-out:

1.) What is the “99”? I’ve heard, for example, “Galesburg-Superior - that’s your ninety-nine.”

2.) What is the “603”?

3.) Is the “switch tender” the same person as the West Hump dispatcher?

2

603 might be the lead engine’s number.
I remember in LaGrange Ill I was trainwatching with my scanner on hand and it called out “4329 are you ready to go?” Sure enough the lead engine’s number was 4329
But then again Ive never been to that area. Ive seen it on a video tape by pentrex tho…
Any DM&IR action around your house?

3

The DM&IR is about 3 hrs north of me. I’ve never seen any of their equipment on
the BNSF/BN/GN Hinckley Sub as long as I’ve been here. I’ve been up to Proctor
once and they’re pretty nice to trainwatchers. They allow you to come on-property at
the engine house to take photos as long as you don’t stray past the signs posted
indicating “NO UNESCORTED VISITORS BEYOND THIS POINT” (or similar words).
You better do it quick though - CN is buying them out and are planning to close
practically everything in Proctor and will lay-off a buncha staff, da*n it.

4

DAMN YOU CANADIAN NATIONAL!!!
First You take over the Beloved Wisconson Central now your are taking over DM&IR? What the ****!!! The best mining railway, besides LTV Minning, is being taken over? No!!! How much longer do I have?

5

to ghighland…

are you talking about the BNSF northtown yard operations in north MPLS?

if so , what is the radio frequency for the dispatcher?

in fact, what are all the frequencies you talk about in this post?

tnx Bob in Wayzata

6

To Bob in Wayzata:

Check-out this excellent, comprehensive list for MN RR frequencies:

http://www.skypoint.com/~hudsonl/railrad/railradio.htm

7

thanks ghighland

just what I needed to load up my scanner

Bob

8

ghighland: I think the Trains.com newswire story said it’d happen in January but I
may be remembering it wrong. With the Iron Range in such bad economic shape
with as many iron mining companies going out-of-business up there, I can’t say as
I’m surprised the Missabe can’t make ends meet. Whatever the case, this isn’t
gonna help the Iron Rnage economy.

9

The 99 is an area of track in the middle of the Northtown Yard, near the North runner, that they have trains run on to get throught the yard.

“603 you have the 99” would mean that train 603 you have the rite to go through Northtown on the 99 track…

Northtown crew hauler