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Open Data Train Timetable Websites

Which is your favourte Open Data site?

  • Open Train Times

    Votes: 39 41.5%
  • Trains.im

    Votes: 8 8.5%
  • Timetables

    Votes: 5 5.3%
  • Timetables 2

    Votes: 42 44.7%

  • Total voters
    94
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SprinterMan

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Hertford
There are 4 main websites (or there seem to be) that we use on here to access open data train times. I don't know much about them, but I was wondering which one is best. Which do you think is best? What do you use most often? My opinions are shown below. Please comment.

Adam :D


Open Train Times
http://www.opentraintimes.com/
Pros
  • First website to use open data (I think)
  • Simple User Interface
  • Shows what class of stock operates services (i.e. Class 317, Class 321 etc.)
  • Shows train facilities
Cons
  • Can only be used 10 days in either the past or the future
  • Does not show extra workings on departure boards pages


Trains.im
http://trains.im/
Pros
  • Shows maps of train's route
  • Easy to use
  • Shows what type of stock operates services (i.e. DMU, EMU etc.)
  • Can be used for any day
Cons
  • Calendar infinite so not clear where data exists
  • Does not show empty stock workings or extra workings on departure boards pages


Timetables
http://traintimes.im/
Pros
  • Superb user interface, lots of detail possible
  • Easy to use
  • Shows when data is accurate for (next 85 days)
Cons
  • Cannot be used for any previous date
  • Does not show empty stock workings or extra workings on departure boards pages
  • No detailed mode on departure boards pages
  • No info on type of stock used

Timetables 2
http://rail.staging.swlines.co.uk/
Pros
  • Shows all extra trains and empty stock movements
  • Always uses detailed mode
  • Shows entire day's worth of trains on one page
  • Can be used for any day
  • Shows what trains are formed from/go on to form (e.g. formed from 2W86 from London Liverpool Street)
Cons
  • Dates infinite so not clear where data exists
  • No calendar
  • Very complicated to use
  • No info on type of stock used
  • Horrendously difficult user interface
 
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Firestarter

Member
Joined
15 Sep 2009
Messages
542
There are 4 main websites (or there seem to be) that we use on here to access open data train times. I don't know much about them, but I was wondering which one is best. Which do you think is best? What do you use most often? My opinions are shown below. Please comment.

Adam :D


Open Train Times
http://www.opentraintimes.com/
Pros
  • First website to use open data (I think)
  • Simple User Interface
  • Shows what class of stock operates services (i.e. Class 317, Class 321 etc.)
  • Shows train facilities
Cons
  • Can only be used 10 days in either the past or the future
  • Does not show extra workings on departure boards pages


Trains.im
http://trains.im/
Pros
  • Shows maps of train's route
  • Easy to use
  • Shows what type of stock operates services (i.e. DMU, EMU etc.)
  • Can be used for any day
Cons
  • Calendar infinite so not clear where data exists
  • Does not show empty stock workings or extra workings on departure boards pages


Timetables
http://traintimes.im/
Pros
  • Superb user interface, lots of detail possible
  • Easy to use
  • Shows when data is accurate for (next 85 days)
Cons
  • Cannot be used for any previous date
  • Does not show empty stock workings or extra workings on departure boards pages
  • No detailed mode on departure boards pages
  • No info on type of stock used

Timetables 2
http://rail.staging.swlines.co.uk/
Pros
  • Shows all extra trains and empty stock movements
  • Always uses detailed mode
  • Shows entire day's worth of trains on one page
  • Can be used for any day
  • Shows what trains are formed from/go on to form (e.g. formed from 2W86 from London Liverpool Street)
Cons
  • Dates infinite so not clear where data exists
  • No calendar
  • Very complicated to use
  • No info on type of stock used
  • Horrendously difficult user interface

How do you get it to do this? Doesnt seem to work for train at Euston or St Pancras.
 

ushawk

Established Member
Joined
5 Nov 2010
Messages
1,965
Location
Eastbourne
If the interface was improved and it was tidied up (maybe merged with the first version), then Timetables 2 could be a good program, just needs a lot of work.
 

D1009

Established Member
Joined
22 Feb 2012
Messages
3,166
Location
Stoke Gifford
It's probably because Liverpool Street, like Paddington or Marylebone, is controlled by an IECC where the signalling system has to know which train forms which for Automatic Route Setting purposes. At other places it isn't necessary as trains are signalled manually.
 

tnxrail

Member
Joined
8 May 2011
Messages
220
Location
UK
on rail.staging.swlines.co.uk a blue line over times does this mean trains not running or something else according to the site thanks.
 

tsr

Established Member
Joined
15 Nov 2011
Messages
7,400
Location
Between the parallel lines
Feedback is welcome.

However, it is intended as a power user interface as it gives a lot of power over the output.

Tom, thanks for reading this thread. :)

I think what puts people off Timetables 2 is the fact that it looks rather like a spreadsheet or database program, and most people have a preconceived perception of what these are like. From a core usability point of view, there's not much that says which bits are required for showing the trains you want - the labeling could be improved somewhat!

I really like the data that you've included - it's really thorough - and the colour codes are pretty good, but I reckon the CAN and VAR colour codes need swapping around.

My real point is that I would hope that even power users could have an easier interface, and that Timetables could benefit from the data and options in Timetables 2. Perhaps it could be a bit like Google and Google Advanced Search, with more choices for selecting options shown on the activation of a button.

If you want any feedback on future changes, I will be very happy to provide this by PM or in threads on here. Good luck with developing these projects! :)
 

Temple Meads

Established Member
Joined
2 Sep 2010
Messages
2,230
Location
Devon
Open Train Times was my favourite until the freight disappeared, so it's Timetables 2 for me now!

Timetables 2 isn't the most intuitive, but for my uses, it's the only one.
 

Tramfan

Member
Joined
19 Mar 2011
Messages
343
Location
.
I tend to use Open Train Times, although I like the Timetables 2 feature of showing what service some trains are formed from/going to form.
 

The Planner

Veteran Member
Joined
15 Apr 2008
Messages
15,838
It's probably because Liverpool Street, like Paddington or Marylebone, is controlled by an IECC where the signalling system has to know which train forms which for Automatic Route Setting purposes. At other places it isn't necessary as trains are signalled manually.

Indeed, called associations and if they aren't inputted correctly can cause right fun and games.
 

wbbminerals

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2010
Messages
312
The biggest con that is not mentioned about Timetables 2 is that there is not a headcode search. Otherwise it is a really useful site.
 

34D

Established Member
Joined
9 Feb 2011
Messages
6,042
Location
Yorkshire
Open Train Times
http://www.opentraintimes.com/
Pros
  • First website to use open data (I think)
  • Simple User Interface
  • Shows what class of stock operates services (i.e. Class 317, Class 321 etc.)
  • Shows train facilities
Cons
  • Can only be used 10 days in either the past or the future
  • Does not show extra workings on departure boards pages

Here is open train times for august bank holiday sunday http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/FPK?day=26&month=8&time=0852&year=2012 you just need to edit the URL - though looking this far in advance the VAR/STP won't have been thought of yet!
 

Rhydgaled

Established Member
Joined
25 Nov 2010
Messages
4,568
Open Train Times
http://www.opentraintimes.com/
Pros
  • Shows what class of stock operates services (i.e. Class 317, Class 321 etc.)

Doesn't seem to work very well. It lumps 75mph Sprinters together, so you don't know which type is booked, and looking at Saturday's 13:08 Milford Haven to Manchester it thinks a class 158 is a 100mph unit. Have ATW's been upgraded from 90mph to 100? Also, it says the 08:04 Fishguard Harbour - Manchester is booked for a 75mph Class 150/153/155/156 DMU.

Is this open data easy to get hold of, and is bus timetable data available free and easily too? Obviously it wouldn't be easy to make a website to use the data, but just wondering somebody could combine bus and train data into a journey planner that's more user friendly than traveline cymru's website.
 

Tom

Member
Joined
19 Jan 2008
Messages
550
Location
35,000ft
Is this open data easy to get hold of, and is bus timetable data available free and easily too? Obviously it wouldn't be easy to make a website to use the data, but just wondering somebody could combine bus and train data into a journey planner that's more user friendly than traveline cymru's website.

Yes. http://data.atoc.org and Traveline recently released TNDS which is the national bus dataset: http://traveline.info/tnds.

Working on mashing them up together.
 

CC 72100

Established Member
Joined
23 Jan 2012
Messages
3,777
Timetables for me. I understand it is not the most complex site out there, but I like its user-friendly interface. I also use it to plan days out, much more useful I find than keep making new journeys on the NRE journey planner!
 

LNW-GW Joint

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Joined
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Messages
19,555
Location
Mold, Clwyd
Doesn't seem to work very well. It lumps 75mph Sprinters together, so you don't know which type is booked, and looking at Saturday's 13:08 Milford Haven to Manchester it thinks a class 158 is a 100mph unit. Have ATW's been upgraded from 90mph to 100? Also, it says the 08:04 Fishguard Harbour - Manchester is booked for a 75mph Class 150/153/155/156 DMU.

It used to say "DMU", and the "Timed for" entry gave you 100mph for a 175 and 90mph for a 158.
It now says 158 for both 90 and 100 (can't see a 175 quoted anywhere).

It also shows a 75mph set on several Manchester-Cardiff workings today/tomorrow.

Looks like it needs a bit more tweaking.
As it's not a commercial site, one can hardly complain.
 

SprinterMan

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Joined
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Messages
2,341
Location
Hertford
Timetables for me. I understand it is not the most complex site out there, but I like its user-friendly interface. I also use it to plan days out, much more useful I find than keep making new journeys on the NRE journey planner!
I will agree that Timetables has by far the best interface, I'm surprised it hasn't got more votes tbh :P
 

EltonRoad

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Messages
1,029
Location
Kendal
For me it's Timetables 2 as it shows all the extra workings. I haven't found it difficult to use, it's not that customer-friendly, maybe, but seems quite straightforward.
 
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SprinterMan

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2010
Messages
2,341
Location
Hertford
It's close between Timetables 2 and Open Train Times, but Timetables 2 seems to be the winner as we stand now.

Adam :D
 

swcovas

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2012
Messages
344
Location
North Portugal
For me it's Timetables 2 as it shows all the extra workings. I haven't found it difficult to use, it's not that customer-friendly, maybe, but seems quite straightforward.

Agree.....didn't little test for 12 may when I know there is special working on Central wales Line. Timetables 2 is only one which shows it PLUS another one which I wasn't aware of!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Please excuse my ignorance but going back to timetables2 why are some pass trains marked in red? And what are the initials preceding each train in the "IND" column. For example please look at example below for Llandeilo on Cent Wales Line:

http://rail.staging.swlines.co.uk/?...edule_type=0&show_wtt=1&show_var=1&show_stp=1
 

The Planner

Veteran Member
Joined
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Messages
15,838
WTT is Working timetable and is the schedule that was offered to the TOC back in 2011. VAR means variant, and is a STP schedule that is altered from the original WTT train for either that day or for a period of time. It is also used for one offs like charters aswell.
 

swcovas

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WTT is Working timetable and is the schedule that was offered to the TOC back in 2011. VAR means variant, and is a STP schedule that is altered from the original WTT train for either that day or for a period of time. It is also used for one offs like charters aswell.

OK....all clear. Thanks.
 

greatkingrat

Established Member
Joined
20 Jan 2011
Messages
2,750
Feedback is welcome.

However, it is intended as a power user interface as it gives a lot of power over the output.

The one improvement I would make is to the location selection. If you get the station name slightly wrong it comes up with a list of possible options but you can't just click on the one you want to select it. Alternatively, some sort of auto-complete feature like on OpenTrainTimes would be good.
 

Poggs

Member
Joined
28 Aug 2008
Messages
283
Location
London
I don't think anyone has actually asked for the date selector on the front page of OpenTrainTimes to be changed so it's easy to query for more than 10 days ahead or behind! I am in the middle of a redesign, so I'll take this as a feature request.

On the subject of showing freight and other "non-passenger TOC" workings - I've hidden them voluntarily. Through the work I've done over the past year and a half, I've built up a good name for myself within NR and various other parts of the industry for actively challenging the status quo. Freight schedules are not an exception to this, and after a close shave with a train operator I won't name, I took the decision to remove freight from view and ask Network Rail to make a statement about the legitimacy of it.

As anyone who's photographed on railway stations must know, staff can turn a blind eye, tolerate your presence, or be absolutely OK with it. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get a proper answer about freight schedules and - if it's a "yes" - end the constant elitism over people who have schedule gen and people who don't?

So whilst this might lose me points on this popularity contest, please be aware that I am looking at this from more than a popularity point of view. It's a vehicle for improving the way many of you engage in your hobby and passion,
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Doesn't seem to work very well. It lumps 75mph Sprinters together, so you don't know which type is booked, and looking at Saturday's 13:08 Milford Haven to Manchester it thinks a class 158 is a 100mph unit. Have ATW's been upgraded from 90mph to 100? Also, it says the 08:04 Fishguard Harbour - Manchester is booked for a 75mph Class 150/153/155/156 DMU.

Lots of people mistake the traction that a path is timed for with what will actually run the service. London Overground services on the Gospel Oak - Barking line are shown as "Class 150/153/155/156 DMU" because that's what the path is timed at.

I'll change that cell to say "Timed for" to try to clear up the confusion, at least until I've worked out how to get the actual unit number appearing :)
 
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