Here’s a question for those folks more “versed” with RR radio frequencies than I.
I remember reading a rather interesting article in Trains Mag some 30 years ago about a high priority intermodal train that CNW ran west from Chicago thru Clinton, IA where it went onto the UP & ran further west. The article stated that in Clinton they put a UP loco on the head end of the CNW units at that point, for the UP units had a radio frequency the CNW units couldn’t pick up.
My question is, with today’s radio technology, would this still occur in situations like this? I’m doubting it with digital tech being the norm now, but the reason I ask is I plan to eventually run “detour” CSX trains on my Hocking Valley Southern (modern era as per Eric Broome (Mr. Utah Belt) & wondered if tying on an HVS unit at the front for this reason would be correct, or to just leave the CSX units to go on their own?
Most railroads have for the last 20 years used standard programmable radios which accept the 99 AAR frequencies – the crew member just punches in the correct one for the particular subdivision on which the train will be operating, including any required changes in frequency en route.
I can’t think of any railroad that doesn’t use the standard 99-channel radio except for some small shortlines that don’t operate over any other railroads on a normal business.
RWM
That’s what I kinda figured. I just wanted some confirmation from someone more “in the know” than I.
Much appreciated!
The UP added their engine at Fremont, NE, not Clinton, IA. The reason wasn’t the radio, but the cab signals. The CNW and UP cab signal system wasn’t the same. The CNW had Automatic Train Control (ATC) a two aspect system and the UP used Coded Cab Signals (CCS) a four aspect system. At that time, the home road engines were only equipped with the home road’s systems. In the early 1990s, because of the run thru business, new engines were being equipped with both systems.
Today, new UP engines have both the CCS and ATC systems.
Jeff
The CNW had a very small fleet of engines equipped with both types of cab signals, specifically for run through operations.
Dave H.
That makes sense Jeff-also I’ll agree it was Fremont. (It’s been a LONG time since I read that article, & all my TRAINS mags are MIA in my parents’ attic, hope to find them someday soon.)
I kinda figured CSX locos without my home road locos involved would be ok, but that thought from the above came to me, & I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check.
Thanks!
Like someone said most units are equipped with the 99 channel radios, my portable even has that ability and the Nat Weather Service