Railroad Radio Licensing: How the FCC Licenses Train Communications

Railroads are among the most radio-dependent industries in the United States. From locomotive-to-dispatcher communications to end-of-train telemetry, positive train control (PTC) systems, and yard switching operations, radio is woven into every aspect of rail operations. Railroad radio operates under FCC Part 90 licensing in specific frequency allocations set aside for the railroad industry.

Railroad Radio Frequencies

The FCC has allocated specific frequency bands for railroad communications:

• 160–161 MHz band: The primary railroad radio band, used for locomotive-to-dispatcher and crew-to-crew communications. The AAR (Association of American Railroads) coordinates channel assignments within this band.
• 220 MHz band: Used by some railroads for digital data communications and PTC (Positive Train Control) systems
• 450–512 MHz band: Used for some yard and local communications
• Microwave bands: For high-capacity data links along rail corridors

Positive Train Control (PTC)

PTC is a GPS and radio-based safety system that can automatically stop a train if the crew fails to respond to speed restrictions or signals. The FCC worked with the railroad industry to allocate 220 MHz spectrum specifically for PTC digital communications. Class I railroads hold FCC licenses for their PTC systems covering the hundreds of thousands of track-miles they operate.

Who Holds Railroad Radio Licenses?

Major holders of railroad radio licenses include:

• Class I railroads (BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, CN, CP)
• Amtrak
• Regional and short-line railroads
• Transit agencies (commuter rail, light rail, metro systems)

Railroad radio licenses are public record in the FCC ULS. Searching by company name reveals the geographic scope and frequency portfolio of any railroad's radio system — useful for transportation researchers and spectrum analysts.