• Alternatives to Radio for Railfanning

  • For topics on Class I and II passenger and freight operations more general in nature and not specifically related to a specific railroad with its own forum.
For topics on Class I and II passenger and freight operations more general in nature and not specifically related to a specific railroad with its own forum.

Moderator: Jeff Smith

  by Denver Dude
 
I wish I had a dollar for every hour I waited for a train to show up. I am aware of the Uniden radios but have found them to be bulky, hard to set up, and inconvenient.

I am going to again be riding an Amtrak sleeper car from Denver to Glenwood Springs next month. UP trains are infrequent there, and I always seem to be too far from the tracks when they come through.

Is there an alternative - maybe a phone app or website to track trains? I doubt it, but thought I'd ask.
Thanks.
  by eolesen
 
RailroadRadio.net has a couple streams for Colorado.

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  by Denver Dude
 
One thing, though. From their broadcasts how do determine what is going on - when a train will arrive where you are, etc.?
  by eolesen
 
You really don't. Keep a map and timetable handy with the mileposts.

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  by Denver Dude
 
I didn't think there were timetables for freight trains. Am I wrong? Also, when trackside, the idea is to just listen in case you pick up something interesting?
  by NHV 669
 
They aren't timetables in the sense of telling when and where a freight will arrive. But they will generally list the mileposts/control points and where they are located, so that if one gets called out in a radio transmission, you'll have at least a general idea where they are. They will also include the Maximum authorized speed for sections of track located within the TT.