Railroad Radio Listening Guide: South-Central Wisconsin & North-Central Illinois
Daniel Conderman 
1. Introduction
If you’ve got a cheap dual-band Chinese HT (like a Baofeng UV-5R or similar) that can be programmed for VHF/UHF, you can easily catch railroad transmissions. Railroad radio in the US mostly uses VHF channels in the 160–161 MHz band (commonly known as the AAR band). With the right frequencies programmed, you’ll be able to monitor train crews, dispatchers, yard operations, industrial spurs, and more.
2. Basic Scanner/HT Setup
- Frequency Range: Railroad channels are in the 160–161 MHz range, which a dual-band HT can handle (VHF range).
- Programming: Each railroad uses specific channel assignments (AAR channels). You’ll want to program them without offset and simplex (no repeater shift). Most often, no CTCSS tone is needed for listening.
- Antenna: The stock “rubber duck” is usually mediocre. Upgrading to a better VHF whip can improve range.
- Scan Lists: You can program each channel as a memory. Many fans set up separate banks for each railroad or each region.
- Volume and Squelch: You’ll want a moderate squelch level to cut static. If you set the squelch too high, you might miss weaker signals. Adjust carefully.
3. Key Carriers & Frequencies
Below is a master list of known railroad frequencies in south-central Wisconsin and north-central Illinois, focusing within about 100 miles of Edgerton, WI. I’ll list them by railroad and typical usage. This covers the main lines, some branch lines, and yard channels. Keep in mind railroads occasionally update or reassign channels, but these are accurate as of the last known data:
3.1. Union Pacific (UP)
- Road Channels:
- 160.890 MHz (AAR 52): Geneva Sub (Chicago–Clinton, up through Rochelle, to Proviso). Also called “UP Geneva.”
- 161.040 MHz (AAR 62): Geneva Sub (west of Rochelle) & Adams Sub territory. Sometimes used west of Clinton, near the IL/WI border.
- 160.485 MHz (AAR 25): Milwaukee Sub (Milwaukee–Butler–Waukesha–Des Plaines). Also used for trains heading up from Chicago to Milwaukee on the ex-C&NW line.
- 161.310 MHz (AAR 80): Harvard Sub (Chicago–Harvard–Janesville).
- 160.470 MHz (AAR 24): Adams Sub (Altoona–Adams–Butler) – you might hear traffic if you’re further north/west but less likely near Edgerton.
- Dispatcher or “North Dispatcher” is on these road freqs; they typically identify by subdivision (e.g., “Geneva Sub dispatcher”).
- Yard, Switching, Maintenance:
- 161.220 MHz (AAR 74): Common yard channel for some smaller UP yards (e.g., Janesville).
- 161.265 MHz (AAR 77): Butler Yard (Milwaukee) channel.
- 160.995 MHz (AAR 59): Alternate MOW or yard in some spots (useful to have in the list).
- Notes: For the “Harvard Sub,” local traffic is pretty minimal nowadays, but you might still hear a local train a few times a week or any MOW. The busiest lines are the Geneva Sub (heavy traffic) and Milwaukee Sub.
3.2. BNSF Railway
- 161.160 MHz (AAR 70): Aurora Sub (Chicago–Aurora–Savanna). Heard strongly around Rochelle, IL.
- 160.695 MHz (AAR 39): This can also be used on the Aurora Sub for dispatcher or yard channels in some segments.
- 160.875 MHz (AAR 51): Yard channel in Rochelle or secondary.
- Notes: BNSF is big in northern Illinois. Main local hot spot is Rochelle where BNSF crosses UP.
3.3. Canadian National (CN)
- 160.920 MHz (AAR 54) & 161.295 MHz (AAR 79): Waukesha Sub (Fond du Lac–Waukesha–Chicago). Often train to dispatcher vs. dispatcher to train. CN sometimes uses split channels for road. You might hear the train on one freq and dispatcher on the other.
- 160.530 MHz (AAR 28): Wisconsin Div. roads or subsidiary lines.
- 161.280 MHz (AAR 78): Commonly used for CN road in some parts of Illinois.
- Notes: The Waukesha Sub sees a fair amount of traffic. A prime listening location is Duplainville near Pewaukee, where CN crosses CP.
3.4. Canadian Pacific / CPKC
- 160.770 MHz (AAR 44): Milwaukee-area main line (CP Watertown Sub, Chicago–Milwaukee) or the C&M Sub.
- 161.370 MHz (AAR 85): Watertown Sub (Milwaukee–Watertown), sometimes also the M&P Sub (Madison–Portage) dispatch.
- 161.520 MHz (AAR 94): Tomah Sub (west of Portage, to La Crosse). Sometimes used near Columbus.
- 160.725 MHz (AAR 41): Muskego Yard switching in Milwaukee.
- 161.430 MHz (AAR 88): Milwaukee yardmaster or local ops.
- 161.485 MHz (AAR 91): MOW or engineering channel, used sporadically.
- Notes: The big lines in our region are the Watertown Sub (Chicago–Milwaukee–Portage–Watertown) and continuing west to the Tomah Sub. Big intersection with CN at Duplainville. Also, the M&P Sub goes from Portage down to Madison.
3.5. Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR)
- 160.575 MHz (AAR 31): System-wide road channel. The most commonly used frequency for trains from Madison to Janesville, to Milton, to Waukesha, etc.
- 161.145 MHz (AAR 69): Secondary yard channel, used in Janesville yard.
- 160.305 MHz (AAR 13): Another WSOR channel sometimes used for MOW or branch lines.
- Notes: WSOR is a regional railroad bridging many smaller towns. The Janesville yard is quite active in the mornings. Good chance to hear local switching, plus interchange with UP.
3.6. Shortlines or Industrial Spurs
- Some industrial spurs use the major railroad’s channel if the line is owned by that railroad.
- Others have private or “contractor” frequencies, typically in UHF. But these are less standardized, e.g., 452–457 MHz range.
- If you’re near a big industrial complex (like a grain elevator or factory with its own switcher), they might use business radio freq around 464–465 MHz. You can scan that range if you suspect an industrial switcher is active.
3.7. Amtrak & Metra (in Northern IL)
- Amtrak usually uses the host railroad channel. E.g., On CP’s line to Milwaukee, you’ll hear Amtrak trains on 160.770. On BNSF’s Aurora Sub, you’ll hear them on 161.160.
- Metra lines around Chicago use a variety of channels. For the UP Northwest Line (Harvard–Chicago), the typical freq is 160.800 for Metra dispatch, or 161.040 in some segments. If you’re right around Harvard, IL, you might catch commuter trains on these channels.
- Because you’re 100 miles from Chicago, hearing Metra from Edgerton is less likely unless you’re traveling into IL.
4. Radio Jargon & Crew Communications
Railroad communications have unique jargon. Some common phrases you’ll hear:
- “Dispatcher”: The centralized traffic controller. They might call themselves “CN RTC,” “CP Dispatcher,” “Geneva Sub dispatcher,” etc.
- “Engine” or “Locomotive ID”: Trains identify by their leading locomotive, e.g., “UP 7423 north” or “WSOR 4035.”
- “Track Warrant” or “Form D”: Dispatcher giving permission to use main track.
- “Wye,” “Spur,” “Siding,” “Main,” etc.: Track designations.
- “Highball”: Slang for proceed at track speed.
- “10-4”: Acknowledgment, or “Copy that.”
- “Clear signal,” “Approach signal,” etc.: Indicate the signal aspect or that track is clear ahead.
- “Spot”: Position a car or locomotive at a specific location.
- “Joint”: Coupling to another piece of equipment.
- Defect Detectors: Automatic trackside sensors that announce “No defects” or specify axle counts, “hot box,” etc.
Crews usually keep it brief and standardized. You’ll also hear them reading back instructions or track bulletins. Defect detectors are a highlight – you’ll hear a computerized voice announcing location and status.
5. Railroad Crew Roles & Devices
- Locomotive Engineer: Operates the train. Usually handles the main radio calls on the road channel.
- Conductor: Assists with switching, paperwork, track warrants. Might be on the radio for yard moves.
- Dispatcher (DS): Controls train movements across a territory from a centralized office.
- Yardmaster: Oversees yard operations, assigning tracks, coordinating movements.
- Maintenance of Way (MOW): Track crews, signal maintainers, bridge workers. They coordinate with the dispatcher to get “track and time” for track occupancy.
- Devices:
- Onboard Locomotive Radio: Typically 30- to 50-watt VHF unit.
- Portable Handhelds: ~5 watts. Used by conductors and ground crews in yards or local moves.
- Base Stations: Dispatcher has multiple remote base stations along the line for wide coverage.
- Defect Detectors: Automated. Usually 2-3 watts VHF transmissions on the road channel.
- Repeaters: Rare for main lines, more for yards or MOW in hilly terrain.
6. Optimizing Your Budget HT for Railroad Listening
- Antenna Upgrade: VHF-optimized whip (like the Nagoya NA-771) can significantly improve range.
- Programming Software: Chirp or similar can help you quickly load all these frequencies with alpha tags (e.g., “UP GEN RD” or “WSOR MAIN”).
- Scanning Tips:
- Turn off transmit (PTT lock) on these channels to avoid accidental key-ups.
- Turn on dual-watch or priority watch for the busiest channel if your radio supports it (like the local UP sub channel).
- Consider scanning only the busiest frequencies for less channel skipping.
- Audio & Noise: Use an earpiece or speaker-mic for clarity in loud environments.
- Stay Mobile: Climb to higher ground or near the tracks (public property!) for better line-of-sight to train signals.
7. How the Railroad Radio System Works (Simplified Overview)
- Simplex: Most railroad ops are on simplex (one frequency for both transmit/receive).
- Dispatcher Base Stations: Strategically located radio towers. That’s why you can often hear the dispatcher loud and clear, even if you can’t hear the train well.
- Defect Detectors: Trackside devices automatically calling out train status.
- No Standard Repeaters: Usually no repeated signals on main lines, though yard channels may have local repeaters in some areas.
- Channel Changes: Subdivisions have designated channels. When a train crosses into a new subdivision, they may switch frequencies.
8. Prime Railfan Listening & Watching Locations
Within ~100 miles of Edgerton, WI, there are multiple “hot spots” to both see trains and pick up great radio chatter:
1. Janesville, WI
- Railroads: WSOR, UP.
- Frequencies: WSOR 160.575 (main), 161.145 (yard), UP yard 161.220.
- Why it’s good: Main WSOR yard, some UP presence.
- Tips: Good vantage along public roads near the yard.
2. Duplainville (Pewaukee), WI
- Intersection of CP (161.370 or 160.770 in some segments) and CN (160.920/161.295).
- High traffic, ~40-50+ trains/day.
- Public viewing: Duplainville Road crossing.
3. Rochelle, IL
- UP Geneva Sub (160.890 / 161.040) & BNSF Aurora Sub (161.160).
- Famous Railfan Park with a railfan platform, scanner feed over loudspeakers.
- Busy with ~60 trains/day combined.
4. Milton, WI
- WSOR and UP crossing.
- Road freq: WSOR 160.575, UP 160.485 or 161.310.
- Lower traffic but interesting interchange spot.
5. Milwaukee, WI
- CP main (160.770 / 161.370), UP lines (160.485 near Butler).
- Butler Yard (UP) uses 161.265.
- St. Francis area for CP/UP junction.
- Big city, more complex scanning environment.
6. Madison, WI
- WSOR (160.575) for local freight, plus occasional CP job on 161.370.
- Lower daily train count, but yard switching can be interesting.
7. Columbus, WI
- CP line used by Amtrak’s Empire Builder.
- Freq: 161.520 or 161.370.
- Station platform is a public spot.
8. Harvard, IL
- End of Metra’s UP Northwest Line.
- Occasional UP freight on 161.310.
- Not super busy, but historically relevant.
9. Safety & Legal Considerations
- Safety: Never trespass on railroad property. Observe from public areas.
- Legal: Listening is legal, transmitting is not.
- Staying Alert: Always watch for moving trains. They can be quieter than expected.
- Railroad Police: Respect warnings if asked to move.
- Vehicle Use: If scanning in your car, follow local laws, keep your focus on driving.
10. Troubleshooting & Pro Tips
- If you’re hearing dispatchers but not trains, you’re either out of range of the trains or they’re not transmitting. Try moving closer to tracks or a higher vantage.
- If you hear loud data bursts, those might be EOT (end-of-train) devices or PTC data channels in the 452–457 MHz range, or crossing signals in the 330–360 MHz range. Program those if you’re curious, but they’re mostly digital data.
- Keep a log. Jot down train IDs, times, and interesting calls. Helps you learn patterns.
- Online communities (like RadioReference) often have updated frequency lists or discussion forums for the region.
11. Frequency Tables (Quick Reference)
11.1 Union Pacific (UP)
| Subdivision / Use | Frequency | AAR |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Sub (road) | 160.890 | 52 |
| Geneva Sub (west) | 161.040 | 62 |
| Milwaukee Sub (road) | 160.485 | 25 |
| Harvard Sub (road) | 161.310 | 80 |
| Yard (Butler) | 161.265 | 77 |
| Yard (Janesville) | 161.220 | 74 |
| MOW / Diesel Shop | 160.995 | 59 |
11.2 BNSF
| Sub / Use | Frequency | AAR |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Sub (road) | 161.160 | 70 |
| Alternate / Yard Channels | 160.695 | 39 |
| Rochelle yard switching | 160.875 | 51 |
11.3 Canadian National (CN)
| Sub / Use | Frequency | AAR |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha Sub (T-D) | 160.920 / 161.295 (split) | 54 / 79 |
| Alt Road / MOW | 160.530 | 28 |
| Road IL segments | 161.280 | 78 |
11.4 Canadian Pacific (CPKC)
| Subdivision | Frequency | AAR |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown Sub | 161.370 | 85 |
| C&M Sub (Chicago) | 160.770 | 44 |
| Tomah Sub | 161.520 | 94 |
| Muskego Yard | 160.725 | 41 |
| Milwaukee Yardmast | 161.430 | 88 |
11.5 Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR)
| Use | Frequency | AAR |
|---|---|---|
| Road (System-wide) | 160.575 | 31 |
| Yard (Janesville) | 161.145 | 69 |
| MOW/Secondary | 160.305 | 13 |
Final Thoughts
- Enjoy the Hobby: Once you start listening, you’ll pick up the rhythm of train operations: track warrants, detector reports, meets, crew chatter.
- Experiment with Antennas: The biggest difference in reception often comes from using a better antenna or going to an open area near the tracks.
- Stay Safe and Legal: Don’t transmit on railroad channels, and don’t trespass for a better view.
- Keep Exploring: With your HT, you can also monitor NOAA weather, ham repeaters, local public safety (where not encrypted), and more. But for trains, the channels above are your bread and butter.
Now you have a one-stop guide to discovering railroad radio traffic in South Central Wisconsin and North Central Illinois, centered on Edgerton. Happy scanning and railfanning! If you’re a trail buff chasing trains, this info should help you find and follow them on the radio with all the frequencies, jargon, and local insight you need. Enjoy and safe travels!
