Listening to railroad communication can be fun and enjoyable. But like all things, there are a few things you need to know before you get started. A good scanner will be needed to receive their radio signals and you will need a good antenna connected to the scanner. And another thing, your location is a key factor. Railroads use the VHF radio spectrum which means there radio signals are line-of-sight. You most likely will hear their dispatchers but you have to be pretty close to the mobile units (Locomotives and MOW vehicles) to hear their transmissions. Also, if you are tuned to their frequency and you don’t hear anyone talking, don’t get discourged. There radio system is not like a broadcast radio station. They talk only when they have to.
Another very important thing to consider is the Laws in your area. Some states frown on mobile radios capable of receiving public safety frequencies even though you may not have them programmed in your radio. Just something to consider…
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Sand Springs Railway – Locomotives 160.230 MHz Channel 8
South Kansas & Oklahoma – Locomotives 160.785 MHz Channel 45
BNSF – Dispatcher to locomotives and MOW 160.920 MHz Channel 54
Tulsa Sapulpa Union – Locomotives 161.070 MHz Channel 64
Union Pacific – Dispatcher- Locomotives- MOW 161.220 MHz Channel 74
FRED (Flashing rear end device) 161.115 MHz and 452.9375 MHz – No Voice transmissions (quick burps of noise when the engineer makes a power change to the rear engine or FRED sends a messge to the front engine).