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Welcome to the live scanner audio feed from Decatur, AL! Click the link above for a map of Decatur and the surrounding areas so that you can follow the action as it unfolds!
Normally rivals, the Norfolk Southern and CSX join forces in Decatur to cross the mighty Tennessee River. Although the bridge is owned by NS, it actually sees more CSX traffic per day than it does Thoroughbred traffic. Decatur is on the Memphis to Chattanooga NS route and the Nashville to Birmingham CSX route. Both CSX and NS have medium sized yards here for interchange traffic and local industry. Local industries served by rail in Decatur vary from chemical plants to pet food manufacturing, almost all of which are located along the river. Operations Overview:
 | | A NS local passes through the interlocking at Decatur |
NS uses TWC (track warrant control) through this area with remote control used through the interlocking with CSX over the Tennessee River. You will often be able to hear NS trains copying track warrants with limits typically anywhere from Wheeler siding to Elko siding. "Birmingham Dispatcher" is the NS Alabama Division dispatcher and controls the NS line from Memphis, TN to Stevenson, AL as well as the interlocking at Decatur. Norfolk Southern operates about 12-15 through-freights per day plus 3 locals and number of yard jobs in and around Decatur. CSX's operations are standard CTC (centralized traffic control) between Birmingham, AL and Nashville, TN. However, you will still hear conversations between trains and the CSX "AH" dispatcher (CSX Dispatcher Desk Codes) related to speed restrictions, signal permissions, etc. CSX trains will contact the NS "Birmingham Dispatcher" to get permission to proceed throught the interlocking and cross the Tennessee River bridge. CSX normally operates about 30 trains per day not counting locals, foreign railroad moves and yard jobs. There is typically 3 yard jobs per day and 1 local freight in and around Decatur. Typical trains in Decatur:
CSX:
- Y101: First shift yard job - works Oakworth yard as well as CSX river side industries
- Y103: First shift yard job - works Oakworth yard, performs transfer run to Norfolk Southern
- Y201: Second shift yard job - works Oakworth yard as well as CSX river side industries
- M781: Local freight, operates from Oakworth yard to points as far north as Lewisburg, TN.
Here are some CSX train schedules for trains that pass through Decatur, courtesy of BullSheet.com:
Norfolk Southern:
The NS operates yard jobs around the clock in Decatur due to the many industries they work along the Tennessee River. These jobs usually carry the name of ADxx (such as AD01 for first shift).
The NS typically runs three locals a day, A80, A81 and A85.
Current frequencies being monitored for the live feed:
- AAR Channel 84 - 161.370 CSX Road (Channel 1)
- AAR Channel 20 - 160.410 CSX Dispatcher
- AAR Channel 56 - 160.950 NS Road (Channel 1)
- AAR Channel 09 - 160.245 NS Dispatcher to Train (Channel 2)
- AAR Channel 48 - 160.830 NS Train to Dispatcher (Channel 2)
- AAR Channel 66 - 161.100 CSX Yard (Channel 2)
- AAR Channel 92 - 161.490 NS Yard (Channel 3)
- AAR Channel 18 - 160.380 CSX Yard (Channel 3)
- AAR Channel 45 - CSX Yard/MOW
- AAR Channel 32 - CSX Yard
- AAR Channel 72 - NS Yard
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How the live audio feed works:
Currently, I am using a Maxrad antenna mounted about 30' above ground level via a telescoping mast. The stream radios consist of a pair of Motorol Maxtrac radios, one scanning the road channels and the other scanning the yard channels. New pictures coming soon! While there is often plenty of action in Decatur (especially during daylight hours), there will certainly be slow times, so don't be alarmed if you do not hear anything for a few minutes when logging onto the feed. If you do happen to get a connection not found error, give it a little while and check back. If the feed is going to be down more than a few hours while I work on the server, I will try to post a note in the forum.
Thank you for listening! The stream is brought to you by John D. Peterson of Decatur, AL.
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