Known railroads and their operations for Iowa are listed here. Subdivisions that cross state lines will only contain information and GPS ranges to approximately the state line to prevent unnecessary overlap

Due to operational changes, mergers and general changes, some railroad radio channels may be reused by the same or adjacent railroads. However, if using RadioReference aware scanners or software, you can reduce seeing or duplicating this information by scanning just the subdivisions or locations that you are interested in

Railroads are listed by size starting with the largest and ending with historical/tourist operations and in alphabetical order

Passenger trains can be heard on the respective railroad they are operating on unless passenger stations or yards have specific radio assignments. Those frequencies will be listed under the proper passenger railroad category

Short alpha names are comprised of the railroads AAR reporting mark, AAR channel number and subdivision or major use function. The description field will contain actual use or location information to provide the best possible information for various scanners, users and readability

When a "Road" and "Dispatcher" channel are both listed, both should be monitored for complete communications. The road channel is typically used by crews traveling along the railroad, switching, verbal defect detectors and similar operations. Crews will typically need to go to the "dispatcher" channel to receive track warrants, track authority or other information that may be required to start or continue the trip

 

Frequencies

BNSF Railway

Burlington Northern Santa Fe
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.695KSM269 BM CSQ BNSF Ottumwa Ottumwa Subdivision - Galesburg, IL to Halpin, Iowa FMN Railroad
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF Creston Creston Subdivision - Halpin to Creston FMN Railroad
160.905 BM CSQ BNSF CrstGwd Creston to Glenwood FMN Railroad
161.415 BM CSQ BNSF GwdLinc Glenwood to Lincoln, NE FMN Railroad
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF DM Line Albia to Des Moines line Dispatcher/Road FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF Marshal Marshall Subdivision - Sioux City Northward FMN Railroad
161.385 BM CSQ BNSF SuCity Sioux City Subdivision - Sioux City Southward FMN Railroad
161.415 BM CSQ BNSF Bayard Bayard Subdivision - Council Bluff to Bayard FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF K-Line Burlington to West Quincy, MO FMN Railroad
160.380 BM CSQ BNSF FtMadis Fort Madison FMN Railroad
161.100 BM BNSF Dub 1 Dubuque Area Road Channel 1 FMN Railroad
160.515KNHN553 BM CSQ Bur North RR Sioux City and Woodbury County FMN Railroad
160.650KNHN553 BM CSQ Bur North RR Sioux City and Woodbury County FMN Railroad
161.235KNHN553 BM CSQ Bur North RR Sioux City and Woodbury County FMN Railroad
160.365KZJ461 BM BNSF DubARES Dubuque Area ARES track control FMN Data
BNSF Council Bluffs Yard
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.070 BM CSQ BNSF CoB Yd BNSF Yard Channel - Council Bluffs Area FMN Railroad
161.340 BM CSQ BNSF Cob Yd BNSF Yard Channel - Counci Bluffs Area FMN Railroad
BNSF Fort Madison Yard
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.605 BM CSQ AAR 033 33 BNSF Yard - Chillicothe Sub (Fort Madison Yard) FMN Railroad
BNSF West Quincy Yard
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.980 BM CSQ AAR 058 58 BNSF Yard - Brookfield Sub (W. Quincy Yard) FMN Railroad

Canadian National Railway

General Operations
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.190KNFM585 BM CSQ CN Ch 1 Channel 1 - Road FMN Railroad
161.460KDI403 BM CSQ CN Ch 3 Channel 3 - Yard/Switching FMN Railroad
160.755KNFM585 BM CSQ CN Ch 4 Channel 4 - Yard/Switching FMN Railroad
Waterloo Terminal
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.920KDI403 BM CSQ AAR 054 Channel 2 - Waterloo Yard/Switching FMN Railroad
161.280KDI404 BM CSQ AAR 078 Channel 5 - Waterloo Roundhouse FMN Railroad

Canadian Pacific Railway

Davenport Subdivsion
MP 140.9 (Island) to MP 195.7 (Nahant)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.085WPMF607 BM CSQ CP65 Davenport Island to Nahant FMN Railroad
160.530WPMF607 BM CSQ CP28 Yard WDaven West Davenport Yard FMN Railroad
161.430 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Nahant Nahant Yard FMN Railroad
160.770 BM Nahant-DeerCreek Nahant (MP 195.7) to Deer Creek South (MP 153.8) FMN Railroad
161.370 BM DeerCreek-Island Deer Creek South to Island FMN Railroad
Laredo Subdivsion
MP 302.8 (Ottumwa) to MP 405.1 (Laredo)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.770 BM CSQ CP44 Laredo Ottumwa to Laredo North FMN Railroad
161.430 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
Marquette Subdivsion
MP 0.0 (Sabula Jct) to MP 159.0 (Bluff)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.370 BM CSQ CP84 Marquette Sabula Jct to Bluff FMN Railroad
161.430 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
Mason City Subdivsion
MP 0.0 (Marquette) to MP 116.7 (Mason City)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.370 BM CSQ CP84 Mason City Marquette to Mason City FMN Railroad
161.085 BM CSQ CP65 Yard Mason City Yard FMN Railroad
Ottumwa Subdivsion
MP 195.7 (Nahant) to MP 302.8 (Ottumwa)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.770 BM CSQ CP44 Ottumwa Nahant to Ottumwa FMN Railroad
161.430 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
Owatonna Subdivsion
MP 0.0 (Mason City, IA) to MP 123.8 (Comus, MN)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.770 BM CSQ CP44 Owatonna Mason City to Comus FMN Railroad
161.085 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Mason City Yard FMN Railroad
Sheldon Subdivsion
MP 116.7 (Mason City) to MP 153.4 (Sheldon)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.770 BM CSQ CP44 Sheldon Mason City to Sheldon FMN Railroad
161.085 BM CSQ CP88 Yard Mason City Yard FMN Railroad
Eldridge Spur
MP 0.0 (Waterworks) to MP 9.7 (Eldridge)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.085 BM CSQ CP65 EldridgeSpr Waterworks to Eldridge FMN Railroad

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern

Des Moines

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.440WQBN518 BM NS Yard Yard FMN Railroad

Union Pacific

Blair Subdivision
MP 326 (East Missouri Valley to MP 366 (Fremont, NE)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.740 BM CSQ UP42 Blair Missouri Valley to Fremont, NE FMN Railroad
160.470 BM CSQ UP24 Cargill Cargill Industrial Lead FMN Railroad
Boone Subdivision
MP 202.2 (Boone) to MP326.2 (East Missouri Valley)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.890 BM CSQ UP52 Boone Boone to East Missouri Valley FMN Railroad
160.245 RM CSQ UP09 Yard Boone Yard FMN Railroad
Clinton Subdivision
MP 2.1 (Clinton) to MP202.2 (Boone)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.040 BM CSQ UP62 Clinton Clinton to CP A105 (Blairstown) FMN Railroad
160.890 BM CSQ UP52 Clinton CP A105 (Blairstown) to Boone FMN Railroad
161.175 BM CSQ UP71 CR Lead Cedar Rapids Industrial Lead FMN Railroad
160.230 BM CSQ UP08 Yard Marshalltown Yard FMN Railroad
160.320 BM CSQ UP14 Yard Beverly Yard FMN Railroad
160.575 BM CSQ UP31 Yard Clinton Yard FMN Railroad
Esterville Subdivision
MP 0.0 (Goldfield) to MP 78.4 (Superior)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UP71 Esterville Goldfield to Superior FMN Railroad
160.770 BM CSQ UP44 Hartley Hartley Industrial Lead FMN Railroad
Fairmont Subdivision

MP 0.7 (Mason City) to MP 108.3 (Butterfield, MN)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.575 BM CSQ UPRRFrmntSub Mason City to Butterfield, MN FMN Railroad
Falls City Subdivision

MP 480.8 (Council Bluffs) to MP 289.1 (Kansas City)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.740 BM CSQ UPRR FC Sub Council Bluffs to Bellevue, NE FMN Railroad
Fort Dodge Subdivision

MP 76.0 (Forest City) to MP 0.0 (Moorland)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR FD Sub Forest City to Moorland FMN Railroad
Jewell Subdivision

MP 97.2 (North Burt) to MP 0.0 (West Ames)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR Jwl Sub North Burt to Ames FMN Railroad
Laurens Subdivision

MP 0.0 (Rolfe) to MP 28.5 (Albert City)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR Lz Sub Rolfe to Albert City FMN Railroad
Mason City Subdivision

MP 192.6 (Mason City) to MP 77.4 (Broadview)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.845 BM CSQ UPRR MsnCity Mason City to Broadview FMN Railroad
Omaha Subdivision

MP 329.2 (MIssouri Valley) to MP 39.2 (Fremont, NE) via Omaha, NE

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.740 BM CSQ UPRROmahaSub Missouri Valley to Omaha, NE FMN Railroad
160.680 BM CSQ UPRR YrdMstr Council Bluffs Yardmaster FMN Railroad
160.470 BM CSQ UPRR Sw Eng Council Bluffs Yard Job 62 & 72 FMN Railroad
160.515 BM CSQ UPRR Sw Eng Council Bluffs Yard Job 75 FMN Railroad
160.650 BM CSQ UPRR Sw Eng Council Bluffs Yard Job 63, 65, & 78 FMN Railroad
161.040 BM CSQ UPRR Sw Eng Council Bluffs Yard Job 37, 84, & 86 FMN Railroad
160.350 BM CSQ UPRR W Lead Council Bluffs West Lead FMN Railroad
161.550 BM CSQ UPRR S End Council Bluffs South End FMN Railroad
160.590 BM CSQ UPRR Diesel Council Bluffs Diesel House FMN Railroad
160.890 BM CSQ UPRR Carmen Council Bluffs Car Department FMN Railroad
160.770 BM CSQ UPRR CrewVan Crew Vans FMN Railroad
Oskaloosa Subdivision

MP 246.5 (Marshalltown) to MP 312.1 (Bridgeport)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR OskySub Marshalltown to Bridgeport FMN Railroad
Perry Subdivision

MP 353.3 (IAIS East Connection) to MP 365.0 (West Des Moines)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.320 BM CSQ UPRR PerrySu Short Line Yard to West Des Moines FMN Railroad
Rake Subdivision

MP 0.0 (Bricelyn) to MP 57.0 (Esterville)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR RakeSub Bricelyn to Esterville FMN Railroad
Sioux City Subdivision

MP 76.8 (Sioux City) to MP 5.9 (California Jct.)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR SX Sub Sioux City to California Jct. FMN Railroad
160.680 BM CSQ UPRR SX YM Sioux City Yardmaster FMN Railroad
Tara Subdivision

MP 70.1 (Mallard) to MP 0.0 (Grand Junction)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.175 BM CSQ UPRR TaraSub Mallard to Grand Junction FMN Railroad
Trenton Subdivision

MP 73.3 (Des Moines to MP 502.8 (Sheffield, MO)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.845 BM CSQ UPRRTrntnSub Des Moines to Carisle FMN Railroad
161.040 BM CSQ UPRRTrntnSub Carisle to Polo, MO FMN Railroad
Worthington Subdivision

MP 506.3 (Sioux City) to MP 121.0 (St. James, MN)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.040 BM CSQ UPRRWrthngtn Sioux City to St. James, MN FMN Railroad
160.680 BM CSQ UPRR SC YM Sioux City Yardmaster FMN Railroad

Iowa Interstate Railroad

Cedar Rapids Subdivision
MP 4.5 (CIC/Smith-Dows Yard) to MP 21.8 (Yocum Connection/Iowa City Sub)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.220WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS74 Cedar Rpd Yocum to Walfrod FMN Railroad
160.305WNBF543 BM CSQ SMITH-DOWS YD SW Smith-Dows Yard Switching FMN Railroad
160.500WNBF543 BM 192.8 PL CIC26 Yard MP 6.5 to Smith-Dows Yard FMN Railroad
Council Bluffs Subdivision
MP 359.5 (Des Moines) to MP 487.3 (Council Bluffs)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.220WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS74 Council B Des Moines to Council Bluffs FMN Railroad
160.305WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS13 Yards Yards FMN Railroad
160.410 BM CSQ IAIS20 CBEC Council Bluffs Energy Center FMN Railroad
Iowa City Subdivision
MP 173.4 (Silvis IL) to MP 260 (South Amana IA)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.220WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS74 Iowa City Rock Island to South Amana FMN Railroad
160.305WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS13 Yard Yards FMN Railroad
161.340 BM CSQ IAIS82 SA Roundh South Amana Roundhouse FMN Railroad
Newton Subdivsion
MP 260 (South Amana) to MP 353.2 (East Des Moines)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.220WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS74 Newton South Amana to East Des Moines FMN Railroad
160.305WNBF543 BM CSQ IAIS13 Yards Yards FMN Railroad

Burlington Junction Railway

Operations
Burlington Junction Railway is a short line freight railroad that operates industrial switching rail lines in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri as well as providing in-plant contract switching services

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.445WPXL789 M CSQ BJRY23 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
160.950WPXL789 M CSQ BJRY56 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway

Operations
Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railroad also known as CRANDIC operates at the north end in Cedar Rapids, Hills to the south and Amana to the west. A map can be found here

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.500KAG531 BM 192.8 PL CIC26 Yard Mngr Yard Manager FMN Railroad
160.635KAG531 BM 125 DPL CIC35 Job 2/12 Job 2/12 FMN Railroad
161.115KAG531 BM 223 DPL CIC67 Job 3/13 Job 3/13 FMN Railroad
160.860KAG531 BM 192.8 PL CIC50 Job 4/14 Job 4/14 FMN Railroad
160.710KAG531 BM 192.8 PL CIC40 Job 5/15 Job 5/15 FMN Railroad
160.215KAG531 BM 107.2 PL CIC07 Job 6/16 Job 6/16 FMN Railroad
160.995KAG531 BM 192.8 PL CIC59 Job 7 Job 7 FMN Railroad
161.055KAG531 BM 192.8 PL CIC63 MOW Maintenance of Way FMN Railroad
160.350WRBQ413 RM CIC16 Rptr Repeater Channel DMR Railroad
160.545WRBQ413 RM CC 2
TG 400
SL 1
CIC 29 RPTR SL 1 Repeater Channel DMR Railroad
160.545WRBQ416 RM CC 2
TG 500
SL 2
CIC 29 RPTR SL 2 Repeater Channel DMR Railroad
160.680WRBQ413 F CC 3
TG 700
SL 2
CIC38 Rptr Repeater Channel DMR Railroad
461.400WQIC791 F 162 DPL CIC Job5/15 Link Remote receiver for Channel 5 FMN Railroad

Iowa Northern Railway

Operations
The Iowa Northern Railway operates 163 miles in Iowa between Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa and Manly in north central Iowa

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.385WNXL742 BM CSQ IANR85 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Iowa River Railroad

Operations
Iowa River Railroad operates a short line rail line between Steamboat Rock and Ackley

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.350WQFL209 BM CSQ IARR16 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Iowa Southern Railway

Operations
Iowa Southern Railway, owned by Progressive Rail, operates the former Appanoose County Railroad between Albia and Centerville

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.290WPZA567 BM CSQ ISRY12 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
160.695WPZA567 BM CSQ ISRY39 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
160.770WPZA567 BM CSQ ISRY44 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
161.265WPZA567 BM CSQ ISRY77 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
161.460WPZA567 BM CSQ ISRY90 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Iowa Traction Railway

Operations
Iowa Traction Railway is an electrified railroad that operates between Mason City and Clear Lake

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.475WQOU510 BM IATR91 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

Operations
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates freight and passenger excursions in Boone County

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.530WPYB976 BM BSVY28 Ops CH 1 Repeater / Excursion Train operations FMN Railroad
160.710WPYB976 BM BSVY40 East CH 3 East end switching FMN Railroad
160.365WPYB976 RM BSVY17 Shop Ch 4 MoW / Shop FMN Railroad
160.260WPYB976 BM BSVY10 Yard Ch 5 Boone Yard / Switching FMN Railroad

Midwest Central Railroad

Operations
Midwest Central Railroad is a 3 ft narrow gauge heritage railroad operating on the grounds of the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The track is a clockwise loop approximately 1 mile in length

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
463.200WPEP669 MCRR 1 Operations 1 FMN Railroad
464.500WPEP669 MCRR 2 Operations 2 FMN Railroad
464.275WPEP669 MCRR 3 Operations 3 FMN Railroad
468.200WPEP669 MCRR 4 Operations 4 FMN Railroad