With the introduction of the FCC narrowbanding requirements in 2013, the American Association of Railroads AAR) has officially adopted the NXDN digital standard for future endeavours. As a result, in the coming years many railroads will begin the migration to this mode, primarily for secondary operations. The common road channels will likely remain analog for sometime to come; however, these analog frequencies have also become subject of the FCC narrowbanding mandate in order to make room for the additional channels required for digital operations. The original AAR channels 07-97 have been converted from analog FM 15.0 kHz channel spacing to narrowband analog FM (a.k.a. NFM) 7.5 kHz channel spacing and renamed the channels to 007-097. This change allowed for the creation of AAR channels 107-197, which also share the 7.5 kHz channel spacing and AAR channels 307-497, which are 6.25 kHz spacing. Both groups of channels fit in between the original AAR channels of 007-097. AAR channels 107-197 can be utilized for either analog or digital operations whereas AAR channels 307-497 are digital only operations; however, the AAR has recommended that railroads continue to utilize AAR channels 007-097 in analog for common road operation and to not utilize channels 107-197 and rather migrate directly to using the newer NXDN digital format on channels 307-487 for secondary operations. AAR has also set the standard NXDN digital operation mode to what is known as "NXDN-VN" or "Very Narrow" or "NXDN 4800" using the 6.25 kHz spacing.
Frequencies
Amtrak
Areawide
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Project 25 Phase II | Amtrak Police use this system for their primary communications. |
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.365 | BM | AAR 017 | Police | FMN | Law Talk | ||
160.815 | WPTU629 | M | AAR 047 | Maintenance - Kalamazoo to Chicago | FMN | Transportation | |
160.920 | BM | AAR 054 | Operations | FMN | Transportation |
Michigan Line - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.800 | BM | AAR 046 | Road - Detroit to Kalamazoo | FMN | Transportation | ||
161.325 | KSQ287 | RM | AAR 81/39 | Road - Kalamazoo to Chicago | FMN | Transportation | |
161.505 | WQTC230 | BM | AAR 093 | Road - Detroit to Kalamazoo | FMN | Transportation |
Detroit North
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.590 | BM | AAR 032 | Pontiac to Royal Oak | FMN | Railroad | ||
160.800 | BM | AAR 046 | Royal Oak to Detroit | FMN | Railroad |
Michigan Line - Detroit Terminal
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161.475 | WPTX377 | RM | AAR 91/17 | General Operations | FMN | Transportation |
Canadian National Railway
Systemwide
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Project 25 Phase II | CN Police use the the MPSCS, as their primary communications system. |
Road/Dispatcher
Battle Creek Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.260 | BM | AAR 010 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad | ||
160.845 | BM | AAR 049 | West Tower | FMN | Railroad |
Flat Rock Yard
Former Detroit, Toledo & Ironton
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.095 | WQOP344 | BM | CN Flat Rock TTX | CN Flat Rock - TTX Co. Railcars | DMR | Railroad | |
161.385 | BM | AAR 085 | PBX - Private Branch Exchange (Phone Calls) | FMN | Railroad |
Moterm Yard (Ferndale, MI)
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.350 | WZY317 | BM | AAR 016 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Pontiac Yard
Wisconsin Central
Wisconsin Central is a subsidiary of Canadian National
Canadian Pacific Railway
CPR Areawide
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Project 25 Phase II | The Canadian Pacific Police, use this system for wide-area communications. |
Windsor Subdivision - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161.370 | BM | AAR 084 | Road - Primary | FMN | Railroad | ||
161.085 | BM | AAR 065 | Road - Secondary | FMN | Railroad |
Windsor Subdivision - Detroit Terminal Area
CSX Transportation
Chicago Division - Systemwide
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Project 25 Phase II | CSXT Police use the MPSCS for long-range communications, and interoperability purposes. |
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.545 | KFA865 | BM | AAR 029 | Police - Tactical | FMN | Railroad | |
160.785 | WPRG339 | BM | AAR 045 | Signal Maintenance | FMN | Railroad | |
160.875 | KFA865 | BM | AAR 051 | Police - Primary | FMN | Railroad |
Chicago Division - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.230 | KAX303 | BM | AAR 008 | Road - Primary | FMN | Railroad | |
160.635 | WNCR615 | BM | AAR 035 | RL Dispatcher | FMN | Railroad | |
160.920 | BM | AAR 054 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | ||
160.980 | BM | AAR 058 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | ||
161.100 | BM | AAR 066 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | ||
161.370 | WQVQ364 | BM | AAR 084 | RN Dispatcher - Detroit-to-Grand Rapids/Saginaw-to-Plymouth | FMN | Railroad | |
161.520 | BM | AAR 094 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad |
Chicago Division - Detroit Terminal
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.290 | KKD425 | BM | AAR 012 | Dean/Rougemere/Wayne Yards | FMN | Railroad | |
160.695 | KKD425 | BM | AAR 039 | Dean/Rougemere/Wayne Yards | FMN | Railroad | |
452.900 | WPEH393 | RM | RougemreRail | Rougemere Yard - Detroit/Wyoming Yard GRR | FMN | Railroad | |
452.925 | WPEH393 | RM | Rouge Yard | Rougemere Yard - Detroit | FMN | Railroad | |
452.950 | WPEH393 | RM | RougmereYard | Rougemere Yard - Detroit | FMN | Railroad | |
461.8125 | WPEK534 | M | Police | Police - Rougemere Yard area | NXDN48 | Railroad | |
463.4625 | WPEK534 | M | Police | Police - Rougemere Yard area | NXDN48 | Railroad | |
467.8625 | WPEK534 | M | Rouge PD | Police - Rougemere Yard area | NXDN48 | Railroad | |
468.2625 | WPEK534 | M | Rouge Police | Police - Rougemere Yard area | NXDN48 | Railroad |
Chicago Division - Grand Rapids Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
452.9125 | WQAS337 | RM | Yard OPS | Yard - Grand Rapids | FMN | Railroad |
Chicago Division - Plymouth Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.395 | WPPU446 | BM | AAR 019 | Plymouth Yard | FMN | Railroad | |
161.160 | KAX303 | BM | AAR 070 | Plymouth Yard | FMN | Railroad |
Chicago Division - Wixom Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.905 | KOL932 | BM | AAR 053 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Conrail
Conrail - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.800 | KFF797 | BM | AAR 046 | Dispatcher - North Yard to Sterling Yard | FMN | Railroad | |
161.070 | KFF797 | BM | AAR 064 | Dispatcher - CP Townline to CP Bay City Jct/CP-YD to CP North Yard. | FMN | Railroad | |
161.325 | BM | AAR 081 | Crew Cabs | FMN | Railroad |
Conrail - Livernois Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.830 | RM | AAR 389/xxx | Yard Repeater (patch to AAR 066) | NXDN48 | Railroad | ||
161.100 | BM | AAR 066 | Yard Hump | FMN | Railroad |
Conrail - North Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.980 | KFF797 | BM | AAR 058 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Conrail - River Rouge Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.5075 | RM | AAR 346/473 | Yard Repeater (patch to AAR 050) | NXDN48 | Railroad | ||
160.860 | BM | AAR 050 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Conrail - Sterling Yard
Lake State Railway
Lake State Railway
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
159.540 | WRBT246 | RM | CC 1 TG 20 SL 1 |
Digital 1 | Digital 1 | DMR | Railroad |
160.020 | WRBT246 | RM | CC 1 TG 21 SL 1 |
Digital 2 | Digital 2 | DMR | Railroad |
160.110 | WRBT246 | RM | CC 1 TG 22 SL 1 |
Digital 3 | Digital 3 | DMR | Railroad |
160.170 | WRBT246 | RM | CC 1 TG 23 SL 1 |
Digital 4 | Digital 4 | DMR | Railroad |
160.260 | WQEB592 | BM | AAR 010 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.310 | WPEN914 | BM | AAR 080 | Road | FMN | Railroad |
Alpena Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
154.505 | WQRS530 | RM | CC 1 TG 2 SL 2 |
Lake State Event | Lake State Event | DMR | Railroad |
161.280 | WPEN914 | BM | AAR 078 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
East Tawas Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.350 | WPEN914 | BM | AAR 016 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad | |
160.740 | WQRS530 | RM | CC 1 TG 2 SL 2 |
Lake State Event | Lake State Event | DMR | Railroad |
Flint Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.980 | WQEB592 | BM | Flint Yard | Flint Yard | FMN | Railroad |
Roscommon Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
153.065 | WQRS530 | RM | CC 1 TG 2 SL 2 |
Lake State Event | Lake State Event | DMR | Railroad |
Saginaw Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.650 | WPEN914 | RM | AAR 036/092 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad | |
160.710 | WQRS530 | RM | CC 1 TG 1 SL 1 |
LSR Saginaw Road | Lake State Road | DMR | Railroad |
160.710 | WQRS530 | RM | CC 1 TG 2 SL 2 |
Lake State Event | Lake State Event | DMR | Railroad |
160.980 | WQEB592 | BM | AAR 058 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Lake Superior and Ishpeming
Lake Superior and Ishpeming
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
153.545 | WQSV989 | M | CC 5 TG 21 SL 1 |
Yard Ops | Yard, Line & Maintenance | DMR | Railroad |
160.230 | WQSV989 | BM | AAR 008 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
160.950 | WQSV989 | BM | AAR 056 | Maintenance | FMN | Railroad | |
161.490 | WQSV989 | BM | AAR 092 | Yard | FMN | Railroad | |
462.2375 | WQCU978 | M | LocmotiveSys | Locomotive System | FMN | Railroad | |
462.2875 | WQCU978 | M | Locomotive | Locomotive System | FMN | Railroad | |
462.3125 | WQCU978 | M | LocomotieSys | Locomotive System | FMN | Railroad | |
462.3625 | WQCU978 | M | Railroads | Locomotive System | FMN | Railroad | |
467.3625 | WQCU978 | M | Locomotive | Locomotive System | FMN | Railroad |
Norfolk Southern
Areawide
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Project 25 Phase II | This radio system is used by NS police officers for communications across the state, and with local emergency first responders. |
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.305 | WNKX351 | BM | AAR 013 | Police - Car-to-Car | FMN | Railroad | |
160.560 | KNF858 | BM | AAR 030 | Police - Dearborn Dispatcher | NXDN48 | Railroad | |
161.280 | WNKX351 | BM | AAR 078 | Police | FMN | Railroad |
Dearborn Division - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.515 | KNF858 | BM | AAR 027 | Road - Detroit to Toledo line | FMN | Railroad | |
160.800 | WNWQ404 | BM | AAR 046 | Road (ex-Michigan Central) - Detroit to Elkhart | FMN | Railroad | |
161.055 | WQCB533 | BM | AAR 062 | Road (ex-New York Central) - Detroit to Toledo line | FMN | Railroad | |
161.115 | WNWQ404 | BM | AAR 067 | Road (ex-Michigan Central) - Ann Arbor to Elkhart | FMN | Railroad |
Dearborn Division - Monroe Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.860 | KEO860 | BM | AAR 050 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Dearborn Division - Wayne Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.980 | KEO860 | BM | AAR 058 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad | |
160.860 | KEO860 | BM | CSQ | AAR 050 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Dearborn Division - Jackson Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161.520 | WQIV892 | BM | AAR 094 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Lake Division - Road
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.380 | KVI456 | BM | AAR 018 | Road and Train>Dispatcher (ex-Wabash) - Oakwood to Montpelier | FMN | Railroad | |
160.440 | WNGV325 | BM | AAR 022 | Road - Delray Jct-to-Oakwood | FMN | Railroad | |
161.475 | WQIV892 | B | AAR 091 | Dispatcher>Train - Oakwood to Montpelier | FMN | Railroad |
Lake Division - Melvindale Yard
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.620 | WPCJ479 | BM | AAR 034 | Yard Operations | FMN | Railroad |
Shortline Railroads
Adrian & Blissfield
This is the new NEXEDGE TRS used by the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Company that is currently being constructed. Long-term plans call for this digital radio system to be expanded to other railroad lines they operate in the state of Michigan:
- Lapeer Industrial Railroad
- Charlotte Southern Railroad
- Detroit Connecting Railroad
- Jackson & Lansing Railroad
- Tecumseh Branch Connecting Railroad
Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Company NXDN NEXEDGE 4800 | The Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road Company, will be using this trunking system for their primary communications system. |
Ann Arbor Railroad
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161.355 | KSU555 | BM | AAR 083 | Switching | FMN | Railroad | |
161.445 | KSU555 | BM | AAR 089 | Switching | FMN | Railroad | |
161.490 | KSU555 | BM | AAR 092 | Road - Primary Ops | FMN | Railroad |
Delray Connecting Railroad
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
154.600 | BM | 141.3 PL | DCR1 | Switching - Zug Island/Detroit | FMN | Public Works |
Detroit Connecting Railroad
Detroit Connecting Railroad NXDN NEXEDGE 4800 | This is the primary radio system. |
Fox Valley and Lake Superior
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.530 | WRNE484 | BM | AAR 028 | AAR 028 | FMN | Railroad | |
161.430 | WRNE484 | BM | AAR 088 | AAR 088 | FMN | Railroad |
Grand Elk Railroad
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.335 | WQKK856 | RM | AAR 015 | Dispatch | FMN | Railroad | |
160.920 | RM | AAR 054 | Grand Elk Upjohn Spur AAR 54 | FMN | Railroad | ||
161.535 | RM | AAR 095 | Grand Elk Yard AAR 95 | FMN | Railroad |
Great Lakes Central
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.575 | KNEU675 | BM | AAR 031 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.100 | KNEU675 | BM | AAR 066 | Yard | FMN | Railroad |
Huron & Eastern
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.380 | WQBJ763 | BM | AAR 018 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | |
160.440 | WQBJ763 | BM | AAR 022 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.280 | WNJN988 | BM | AAR 078 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.310 | WNJN988 | BM | AAR 080 | Yard | FMN | Railroad | |
161.355 | WQBJ763 | BM | AAR 083 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | |
161.400 | WQBJ763 | BM | AAR 086 | Dispatcher - Future Use | FMN | Railroad | |
462.3875 | WQAR948 | M | Future use | Future use | FMN | Railroad | |
467.3875 | WQAR948 | M | Rail | Future use | FMN | Railroad |
Indiana & Ohio
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.755 | WQUK507 | BM | AAR 43 | Road (ex-D.T.&I. Mainline) West of Diann Jct. | FMN | Railroad | |
161.220 | BM | AAR 74 | Road (ex-D.T.&I. Mainline) East of Diann Jct. | FMN | Railroad | ||
161.385 | WQUK507 | BM | AAR 85 | Road [New] | FMN | Railroad |
Indiana Northeastern
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
151.670 | KZW853 | BM | INER PVT | Company Operations | FMN | Railroad | |
161.100 | KZW853 | BM | AAR 066 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.400 | KZW853 | BM | AAR 086 | Maintenance | FMN | Railroad |
Marquette Railway
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.440 | WQDU224 | BM | AAR 022 | Road | FMN | Railroad | |
161.310 | WQDU224 | M | AAR 080 | Switching | FMN | Railroad |
Michigan Southern Railroad
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.755 | WPFS313 | BM | AAR 043 | Road | FMN | Railroad |
West Michigan Rail
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161.025 | WQXL751 | BM | AAR 061 | Road | FMN | Railroad |
Tourist Railroads
Coopersville & Marne
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.695 | WPFE248 | BM | AAR 39 | Road | FMN | Railroad |
Michigan Transit Museum
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.260 | WQZS624 | RM | AAR 010 | Operations 1 | FMN | Railroad | |
160.770 | WQZS624 | BM | AAR 044 | Operations 2 | FMN | Railroad | |
161.310 | WQZS624 | BM | AAR 080 | Operations 3 | FMN | Railroad |
Southern Michigan Railroad Society
Frequency | License | Type | Tone | Alpha Tag | Description | Mode | Tag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
160.260 | WQCU455 | BM | AAR 010 | Road | FMN | Transportation |