NRN Cab Radio

[ancientmariner]

Afternoon gents,

I am looking for any information regarding the cab radio numbers fitted to most rail units.Is it possible to obtain a list of these before GSM-R takes over ?

Any information would be most gratefully received.

Alan

 

[westcoaster]

im sorry i dont quiet follow do you mean area codes?

 

[ancientmariner]

Hi,
The cab radio number at each end of loco or dmu.
A.

 

[Turbostar]

Eh? You want to make a private phone call to someone??? lol Isn't there a ban on taking private phone calls whilst driving??? lol

 

[GB]

I seriuosly doubt that kind of information would be made available to the public.

 

[Turbostar]

I would have thought as well, calls are monitored, and if your caught taking a private call on the NRN (whether you can actually do it or not I don't know), I would have thought it's instant dismissal (once, if your driving, you get to your destination.)

 

[ancientmariner]

Hello,
Thanks for the replies.Firstly i dont work on the railways,i am an electronics engineer,but have an interest in rail comms,as an enthusiast.The system is one way unless initiated by control,and calls have a 3min limit from mobile to base controller.I fully appreciate the safety aspect applied to its usage.The system is to be downgraded in the near future for a modern digital network and i wanted to update as many of my records before its demise,as possible.

Rgds,
alan

 

[GB]

Hello,
Thanks for the replies.Firstly i dont work on the railways,i am an electronics engineer,but have an interest in rail comms,as an enthusiast.The system is one way unless initiated by control,and calls have a 3min limit from mobile to base controller.I fully appreciate the safety aspect applied to its usage.The system is to be downgraded in the near future for a modern digital network and i wanted to update as many of my records before its demise,as possible.

Rgds,
alan

Will be sometime before GSM-R gets a complete national rollout so I suspect there is some years left in NRN land.

 

[ancientmariner]

Yes,the initial closedown was earmarked for 2012 but i have heard that it may be extended up to 2015.2012 is the date Ofcomm were bandying about but i suspect that where new GSM-R equipmemt is fitted it will be used straight away if the infrastructure is in place.I was told that new masts were in place in Sheffield station,but i cant confirm this myself at present.
Alan

 

[Turbostar]

Read post #5, as already stated, this info is not available to the public. And, you can also get in serious trouble I would of thought trying to access the network. You've been warned.

 

[ancientmariner]

Thanks for the reply Mart.I have no intention of accessing any network and also this is not accessible as its a closed network.I asked for info for the historical record not for any technological communications access.This is just not possible unless you are already on the net.I am aware that the info is not in the public domain re the idents but all the other info is in the public domain and is freely available on the net and in books.Everything about the NRN network is public domain.Just do a Google check.
Theres no harm in asking....
Aalan
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh and one thing i should have mentioned.The info is available in the public domain via the Freedom of Information act via the Rail safety Board site.The entire database of rolling stock can be accessed by appointment.
regards,
Alan

 

[driver9000]

NRNs are changed regularly between trains anyway so any list you make will need updating with each changeover.

NRN is due to be switched off in 2012, the frequencies are allocated to Olympics security radios.

 

[ancientmariner]

Yes that is correct hence the reason i wanted to get the list together before it went.The new GSM-R system will fill in hopefully all the gaps which were inherent in the NRN system.As for the Olympics Trunked network going onto that segment of band,this will be a temporary measure as i understand the band is earmarked for additional DAB systems and also to allow for a power increase by current DAB users further up the band.
Alan

 

[driver9000]

when GSM-R is installed nationwide on the rail network NRN will be switched off and the cab radios removed. The GSM-R system has been on trial in the Strathclyde region for a couple of years using class 320 EMUs. I know Northern have begun fitting GSM-R equipment with 153307 definitely having been wired up a circuit breaker added and a small panel added to the right of the desk added, although after testing the head unit has been removed until lineside infrastucture is installed.

 

[ancientmariner]

Yes thanks for that.I had heard that they were fitting panels and head units for testing.I think that the number of heads available and the number of masts they install will determine how long it will be before they switch it on.I dont know whether they have loads of engineers on this but they will still need plenty to keep NRN going till they are ready.Thanks for your comments.
Alan

 

[TDK]

Yes thanks for that.I had heard that they were fitting panels and head units for testing.I think that the number of heads available and the number of masts they install will determine how long it will be before they switch it on.I dont know whether they have loads of engineers on this but they will still need plenty to keep NRN going till they are ready.Thanks for your comments.
Alan

I am not sure but I think the NRN runs on a channel system where the NRN will automatically lock into a channel in the frequency range of 190mhz - 220mhs NFM. I do not think an NRN radio has an actual number but has a code for each radio, the radio when on displays a code number for that actual radio.I do not think the signaller can actually contact an individual NRN radio and can only alert the driver with an emergency call that all sets in the area can receive.

The CSR is a different system all together and the IVRS is again a different system where the signaller can contact a unit individually.

 

[ancientmariner]

Thank you for your comments TDK.You are correct as to how the system operates.
The main control center can use the system to contact a mobile whereas the signaller must put out an area broadcast.
Alan

 

[driver9000]

The signalman doesnt initiate emergency broadcasts, that is done by Network Rail control.

 

[ancientmariner]

Correct,i should have added this at the end of my last reply.All calls must go via the control center.The signaller must inform control before the train can be contacted.
A.

 

[vitesse]

AFAIK Any individual radio cannot be called directly, hence you would get a call along the lines of "Driver of two delta three four please contact blah". However you can ring out to internal and external numbers directly as my DI demonstrated by ringing his mobile (on depot of course - and not answered)

 

[driver9000]

An NRN can be called directly - I have received such a call. When it 'rings' it makes a very annoying warbling noise. This feature is rarely used, and was only used for me when my set failed and I didnt have a mobile phone with me, if they dont know the number of the radio they will put a general call out. The public phone system is not accesible from the NRN, mobiles can be configured to work on the BRT network.

 

[djw1981]

You may find that there are some more communications types from NR etc over at www.railchat.co.uk not to degrade the info given here, but they have several comms and telecoms types there who may be able to help you with the details.

 

[vitesse]

The public phone system is not accesible from the NRN, mobiles can be configured to work on the BRT network.

It certainly is, as i have seen this done. I'm probably wrong on on the other bit then

 

[ancientmariner]

One query that i have had for a while.When heritage steam loco's work over NR lines,what kind of radio is fitted ? Are they just handhelds or is a more robust unit used ?
Alan

 

[driver9000]

As far as I know Steam locomotives carry the portable radio set, it works in an identical way to the fixed radio sets.

 

[ancientmariner]

Thanks for the reply.I wonder what they will get when gsm-r takes over.Probably a small mobile phone.
Alan