Train tracking?

[Mr. North]

I'm planning to take some winter train photos and having a schedule for various lines would be nice.

Are there any online resources that offer real time tracking of trains or rail lines in Canada? I did some searching hoping to find a rail version of Flightaware but no luck.

What sort of radios do they use?

Thanks!

[Moose47]

G'day

I think you are out of luck as far as most train sked are concerned.

As far as listening to them on a hand-held FM radio:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=5626
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=3881
http://www.all-aboard.ca/railfan.htm
http://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-de ... /schedules
http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail ... nformation

Each railroad will have their own specific radio frequencies. If you are anywhere near North Bay, I can contact people I know at Ontario Northland and Ottawa Valley Railroad. Even then, the rail traffic is quite sporadic since the lying Ontario Liberals got rid of the Northlander and the trains carrying iron-ore and lumber up north.

Cheers...Chris

[Meatservo]

I have a buddy who, in his youth, used to bum around the country jumping on and off freight trains. He would camp out in the ends of grain pool cars, which have a little vestibule apparently just perfect for hiding and riding. He has a little book which I believe roughly outlines most of the scheduled freight movements. There is after all a schedule to these things, it's not random. I don't know where the book comes from or where he got it but if I see him I'll ask about it.

Of course it goes without saying that if you are caught trespassing AND you have a copy of any kind of schedule, you could be in for a hard time. Railway cops tend to be very tolerant of "rail fans" but I'm sure you can imagine all the things you could be accused of, especially if you live near the border and the cop doesn't like how you look.

Most "rail fans" out there have scanners and know the relevant frequencies. You could do worse, if you're out looking for trains to photograph, than to keep your eye out for a middle-aged man (or men) with a pillow-tick hat with railway buttons and a large camera standing by the tracks. They're all over the place and if you see one of these "rail fans" then you can be reasonably sure a train is coming. You might be able to ask him about schedules and frequencies and stuff.

[Rowdy]

A few years ago when I got into amateur radio and scanning, I had a couple of volumes that contained frequencies listed for all the relevant bands of VHF and FM. At the time, the library had copies as well. I'm certain there are some forums that will have the information posted or where to look for it. I'm not much for it anymore. Too many other hobbies I can check with my friends at CP and CN

[ScudRunner]

A few years ago when I got into amateur radio and scanning, I had a couple of volumes that contained frequencies listed for all the relevant bands of VHF and FM. At the time, the library had copies as well. I'm certain there are some forums that will have the information posted or where to look for it. I'm not much for it anymore. Too many other hobbies I can check with my friends at CP and CN

Nerd

[guysmiley123]

It's not possible to track individual trains, but in some places you can see the status of signals and which blocks of track are occupied by using:

http://www.atcsmon.com/

There is a public server that covers Southern Ontario - atcscncphamilton.dyndns.org.

The Canadian Trackside Guide is also a great resource:

http://www.bytownrailwaysociety.ca/sales.htm