The road channel is the primary frequency, all trains/tracks monitor this channel. Defect detectors are on the Road channel as well. To call the dispatcher, crews select the Dispatcher channel for the area they are in, 'Ring up' the dispatcher using DTMF codes, and await a reply on the dispatcher channel, and they will converse there.
Frequency
Type
Tone
Function
AAR Chan
Notes
Confirmation/ReConfirmations
160.5600
S
CSQ
NB Dispatcher
30
West of Wilbraham
2014.01.25 schwab
160.6800
S
CSQ
*NB Dispatcher
38
East of Wilbraham (*NA dispatch desk eliminated)
2014.01.25 schwab
160.8000
S
CSQ
Boston Line Road Channel
46
Defect Detectors
2013.01.23 schwab
161.0700
S
Yard Operations Channel
64
Boston, Framingham, Worcester, W.Springfield
161.1300
Maint of Way
68
-
East Brookfield and Spencer Railroad, East Brookfield MA
Keolis is contracted with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority to operate and maintain the MBTA's Commuter Rail System Radio frequencies are licensed to Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority
Frequency
Type
Tone
Function
AAR Chan
Notes
Confirmation/ReConfirmations
160.3200
S
77.0
Dispatcher
1414
Haverhill Line* (Between Somerville and Wilmington Jct.)/Newburyport & Rockport Line ("Boston East")
2014.09.12 schwab
160.3200
S
CSQ
Trains
1413
Haverhill Line* (Between Somerville and Wilmington Jct.)/Newburyport & Rockport Line ("Boston East")
2014.09.12 schwab
160.5900
S
77.0
Dispatcher
3232
Lowell Line/Fitchbug Line (from Somerville-Willows Rd., Ayer) ("Boston West")
2014.09.12 schwab
160.5900
S
CSQ
Trains
32
Lowell Line/Fitchbug Line (from Somerville-Willows Rd., Ayer) ("Boston West")
2014.09.12 schwab
160.6950
R
100.0
Maint of Way
39
Cobble Hill
2014.01.03 schwab
160.6950
S
CSQ
MoW
39
Ch.06 Truck-to-Truck
2014.09.12 schwab
160.4100
S
77.0
Road Channel
2020
Worcester Line (77.0 Hz on base only)
2014.03.09 schwab
160.8750
S
D025
Yard Channel
5151
North Side (some radios CSQ)
2014.03.09 schwab
160.9200
S
103.5
Road Channel
5454
Franklin/Needham/Attleboro/Providence Line (Shared with Amtrak's NE Corridor Road Channel)
2012.08.03
161.0700
S
CSQ
Yard Channel
6464
South Side & CSX Boston
2014.03.09 schwab
161.4600
S
CSQ
Maint of Way
9090
Multiple transmitter locations
2015.01.06 N1BHH
161.4900
S
77.0
Dispatcher
9292
Old Colony/Middleboro/Kingston/Plymouth Line and Greenbush Line
2015.01.24 ecps92
161.4900
S
CSQ
Trains
9292
Old Colony/Middleboro/Kingston/Plymouth Line and Greenbush Line
2015.01.24 ecps92
The Haverhill Line is controlled by the Keolis "Valley" Dispatcher on 160.3200 from 0700-2300, M-F. All other times controlled by Boston East.
The MBTA is in the process of building a new radio system. The system is being built by MA/Comm and reportedly will be an EDACS system with Pro Voice Digital Modulation. There have also been rumors that the system will be EDACS with analog voice. All MBTA operations, but not commuter rail, including police will be moved to the new system. It is expected that some UHF capability will be left in the tunnels for use by other public safety agencies.
Pan Am Railways owns and operates the Springfield Terminal Railway Corp., Boston & Maine Railroad Corp. and the Maine Central Railroad Corp. It owns and operates trackage in CT, MA, ME, NH, NY & VT. Dispatch Office is in North Billerica, MA.
