Trains Communications?

Question

Does trains have cb radio's like the public have (like semi drivers have to talk to each other) or are they on a different frequency so u wouldn't be able to talk to them? I know one train broke down here where I live and I guess radioed police to redirect traffic til the wheel was fixed on the train.

Answer 1

Railroads in the USA use the VHF band from 160.110 to 161.565 (i think thats the range)megahertz.

Answer 2

trains do have radios to communicate with their dispatchers or to ticket clerks, conductors, maintenance of way staff, flag people, and others who have railroad-issued handheld radios.

they do not use a cb radio.  you can not talk to them at all.

different railroads are on various frequencies, which you can find on the web or thru railfan sites.

but if you have a radio scanner (the type that picks up police, fire, weather, etc), these same scanners can pick up the railroad channels.  

so you can listen to communications, but you cant talk to anyone.

Answer 3

Like Andy said, the radios in the U.S. are VHF wave. Citizens can't talk with the train crews. Communications with the train and dispatcher or ground crews are extremely critical. In fact, most every communication between a train and the other person transmitting has to be repeated exactly word for word, and written on the proper form. One misunderstanding of just one word could be disastrous. And a communication can come at any time. So it is important that the radio "air space" remain open.

I have met people in the past who were able to monitor communications, but not talk. But most of them said the conversations didn't make a lot of sense to them anyway. I guess I can understand that.

Answer 4

If you're ever in the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin area, the CN operates on these frequencies.  I work as a conductor in Neenah (channel 6)

WC 1 160.785 (Neenah Sub road, Fox River Sub road)

WC 2 160.260 (Shops Yard Terminal, Manitowoc/Hilbert areas)

WC 3 160.789 (Waukesha Sub road, Superior Sub road)

WC 4 160.335 (Neenah Yardmaster, Shops Yardmaster)

WC 5 160.845 (Shops Yard industry yard)

WC 6 161.070 (Neenah Yard switch crews, Shops loco service)

WC 7 161.250 (Green Bay Yardmaster, Shops South Yard)

WC 8 161.385 (Shops Yard North Yard)

Answer 5

Here in New Zealand, Train Drivers are on UHF.   As far as I know.  And you can listen in to what is going on, but not report what you have heard.  

And you cannot talk to them, as, their job is demanding enough.  Without having someone gasbagging to them.  Thus pulling them away from their job.

Where total attention is thus required.