Railroad Frequencies Guide 2025 | AAR Channel List & Best Scanners

 

Railroad Frequencies & Rail Scanning Guide (2025 Update)

Updated July 8, 2025 • 8 min read



What Is Railroad Scanning?

Railroad scanning lets you listen to dispatcher, engineer, and yard chatter on the public 160 MHz railroad band. That means you can predict train movements, plan photo spots, and enjoy the soundtrack of the rails.

It’s 100 % legal to listen—as long as you never transmit. Most conversations are brief, use simple codes, and give you a front‑row seat to railroad operations.



AAR Channel List & Download

Below is the current Association of American Railroads (AAR) master list. Each channel number maps to a specific 0.015 MHz‑spaced frequency.

Complete U.S. Railroad Scanner Frequencies (AAR 001-097)

AAR Ch. Freq (MHz) AAR Ch. Freq (MHz)
001 159.570 050 160.860
002 159.810 051 160.875
003 159.930 052 160.890
004 160.050 053 160.905
005 160.185 054 160.920
006 160.200 055 160.935
007 160.215 056 160.950
008 160.230 057 160.965
009 160.245 058 160.980
010 160.260 059 160.995
011 160.275 060 161.010
012 160.290 061 161.025
013 160.305 062 161.040
014 160.320 063 161.055
015 160.335 064 161.070
016 160.350 065 161.085
017 160.365 066 161.100
018 160.380 067 161.115
019 160.395 068 161.130
020 160.410 069 161.145
021 160.425 070 161.160
022 160.440 071 161.175
023 160.455 072 161.190
024 160.470 073 161.205
025 160.485 074 161.220
026 160.500 075 161.235
027 160.515 076 161.250
028 160.530 077 161.265
029 160.545 078 161.280
030 160.560 079 161.295
031 160.575 080 161.310
032 160.590 081 161.325
033 160.605 082 161.340
034 160.620 083 161.355
035 160.635 084 161.370
036 160.650 085 161.385
037 160.665 086 161.400
038 160.680 087 161.415
039 160.695 088 161.430
040 160.710 089 161.445
041 160.725 090 161.460
042 160.740 091 161.475
043 160.755 092 161.490
044 160.770 093 161.505
045 160.785 094 161.520
046 160.800 095 161.535
047 160.815 096 161.550
048 160.830 097 161.565
049 160.845

Tip ▸ Most railroad conversations are simplex—transmit & receive on the same channel—so simply dial the channel’s frequency to listen. Channels 7-97 are the industry work-horses across the U.S.


Best Rail Scanners for 2025

Choosing a scanner is easier when you know what matters: analog FM, railroad service search, and alpha tags.

We HIGHLY recommend the Uniden SR30C if you ONLY want to hear rail. If you want ot hear rail AND more, the Uniden SDS100 is our recommendation.

Uniden SR30C Uniden BC125AT
Band Coverage 25–512 MHz 25–512 MHz
Rail Search Button Yes Yes
Alpha Tags No Yes
PTC Digital No No

Want it pre‑programmed? We’ll ship it ready to scan.



Programming Your Scanner

Even the simplest scanner can feel intimidating on day one. Follow these five bite‑sized steps and you’ll catch your first dispatcher call in under ten minutes.

  1. Reset the scanner so you start clean.
  2. Enter the primary road channel for your subdivision.
  3. Add the dispatcher and defect detector channels.
  4. Label each channel (if your model supports alpha tags).
  5. Store the bank and start scanning.


Digital vs. Analog

Most rail traffic is still narrowband analog FM. But several Class I railroads are testing NXDN digital on yard and maintenance channels.

If you railfan in BNSF or CSX territory, a digital‑capable scanner like the SDS100 keeps you future‑proof. Positive Train Control (PTC) beacons also ride the 220 MHz band, but they’re data bursts you can’t decode with consumer gear.


Narrowbanding & Future Changes

The AAR has proposed stepping down from 15 kHz to 6.25 kHz channel spacing by 2027. Nothing is locked in yet, but new radios (and the BCD160DN) already support the tighter spacing.

For now stick with the published list, but expect new “splinter” channels to appear in your scanner’s service search soon.


State‑By‑State Scanner Laws

It’s legal to own and use a railroad scanner in every U.S. state. But a few states restrict mobile use without a ham license.

Full legal deep‑dive: Scanner Laws Guide.



Troubleshooting Reception

Nothing but static? Run down this checklist:

  • Wrong Channel – verify the subdivision is correct.
  • CTCSS/DCS Enabled – turn off tone squelch.
  • Attenuator On – disable it for weak signals.
  • Poor Antenna – swap to a 1/4‑wave whip tuned for 160 MHz.
  • Too Far Away? – move within 5 miles of mainline.

Still stuck? Ask a Zip Scanner expert for free.


Pro Tips for Railfanning Safely

Stand at least 25 feet from the nearest rail. Carry ear protection around horn‑happy engineers. Monitor defect detector channels for train length and speed intel. Log channels in a notebook — over time you’ll predict meets like a pro.



FAQ

Do railroads still use analog signals in 2025?

Yes. Over 90 % of mainline voice traffic remains analog FM at 160 MHz.

Will rail communication go fully digital?

A full switchover is unlikely this decade, but expect more NXDN in yards.

Can I monitor Amtrak onboard?

You can listen as a passenger, but some conductors may ask you to use headphones.

What’s the legal range of a handheld scanner?

About 5–10 miles to the nearest base or train antenna.

How do I enter AAR channels on a Uniden BC125AT?

Use Menu > Program System > Conventional > New Frequency and input the MHz value.

Is it illegal to transmit on railroad frequencies?

Yes. Transmitting without an FCC railroad license is a federal offense.

Why can’t I hear anything during mid‑day?

Most road crews are out of range; yard ops pick up after 3 p.m.

Do I need a special antenna?

A dedicated 160 MHz whip doubles your range versus the stock rubber duck.

Can I stream what I hear online?

Yes, but remove any security or hazmat chatter to stay compliant.

What is Positive Train Control?

A safety system using GPS and data bursts—not voice—that stops trains automatically.


Sources

  1. Association of American Railroads – Frequency Assignments 2024
  2. Federal Railroad Administration – Positive Train Control Fact Sheet
  3. RadioReference Wiki – Railroad Radio
  4. Railway Age – Digital Radio Tests Expand 2025
  5. FCC – Part 90 Subpart T Rules
  6. Railfan Radio Frequencies Database
  7. Trains Magazine – Guide to Railroad Scanning
  8. FRA Safety Advisory 2025‑02
  9. NTIA – 160 MHz Band Allocation Chart
  10. AAR Circular OT‑55 N Rules

Written by Luke H. — Owner, Zip Scanners