Which real time train running website or app is best?

[Gaelan]

It gets loco info from TfW (67s), Chiltern (68s), Swanage Railway, Caledonian Sleeper (many classes) and I think one or two more.

The HST and IC225 operators (LNER, GWR, and ScotRail) all provide loco info too, if those count in your book.

 

[Robin Procter]

A question: Why the concern with head codes?

.... Headcodes are the key which unlocks finding the planned path and estimated timings of each and every train on the national rail network because each individual train (or light engine) is allocated a headcode. They are just like the route number on the front of a bus.

How you use that information depends on your individual needs or wishes. In my case I am a railway photographer not a rail traveller so I don't know how useful they are to rail travellers.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The HST and IC225 operators (LNER, GWR, and ScotRail) all provide loco info too, if those count in your book.

Yep! Forgot about those ones
Also GWR's Night Riviera

 

[DarloRich]

.... Headcodes are the key which unlocks finding the planned path and estimated timings of each and every train on the national rail network because each individual train (or light engine) is allocated a headcode. They are just like the route number on the front of a bus.

do they? I cant say I have ever searched for one. I just search by my local station and look for interesting workings. I don't understand the interest/obsession with the head code. I just use RTT. Never an issue find the train I want and they are often at MKC on a very busy railway.

How you use that information depends on your individual needs or wishes. In my case I am a railway photographer not a rail traveller so I don't know how useful they are to rail travellers.

How does knowing the head code of service help you take photographs? it doesn't add anything to my photography.

 

[MrJeeves]

How does knowing the head code of service help you take photographs?

I think that was rather clearly explained in the first paragraph. It allows them to look up the exact planned path (route) of the train they want to photograph. Otherwise it'd be more difficult to work out where to meet it enroute.

Headcodes are the key which unlocks finding the planned path and estimated timings of each and every train on the national rail network because each individual train (or light engine) is allocated a headcode. They are just like the route number on the front of a bus.

 

[DarloRich]

I think that was rather clearly explained in the first paragraph. It allows them to look up the exact planned path (route) of the train they want to photograph. Otherwise it'd be more difficult to work out where to meet it enroute.

ok - how do I manage without knowing what the head code is? I have just looked up MKC on RTT and found and interesting Eastleigh > Crewe working. Looks like a 57. No idea on the head code and knowing the headcode wouldn't have helped identify it. The route is clearly shown with timings.

 

[MrJeeves]

Because they receive headcodes from friends working on the railway, and then search those up on whichever preferred site they use:

I rely on railway insider friends feeding me the headcodes of trains they know I will be interested in shooting. Otherwise I select a spot (as if starting there) and do a RTT detailed search with a custom timeframe and then select individual trains from the list it loads. Entering ZZ narrows it down to freight and engineering by omitting all the standard passenger train stuff. Sometimes RTT doesn't load a headcode directly via Detailed Search but does show it in the list I have just described.

 

[Sealink]

For iOS, I swear by Railboard.

For anything else - shameless plug - I've been working on https://trains.gaelan.me, which tries to display Darwin data in a straightforward format.

Nice and clear!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

.... Headcodes are the key which unlocks finding the planned path and estimated timings of each and every train on the national rail network because each individual train (or light engine) is allocated a headcode. They are just like the route number on the front of a bus.

How you use that information depends on your individual needs or wishes. In my case I am a railway photographer not a rail traveller so I don't know how useful they are to rail travellers.

Which is of course an over-simplification that happens to work just fine for your purposes. But while freight headcodes do tend to be unique, especially useful when tracking down all those one-off workings, on the passenger network that is definitely not the case. Not only can numbers repeat over time on the same route in a day they can also be duplicated in different parts of the country. As such they are of little use to ordinary passengers though many enthusiasts continue insisting on referring to them.

Because they receive headcodes from friends working on the railway, and then search those up on whichever preferred site they use:

It has long been the case that probably the keenest users of headcodes are members of rail staff who happen to also be rail enthusiasts. In some cases using headcodes rather than referring to times and origins/destinations is a way of talking in a code understood only by those in the know, almost as a form of snobbery. And of course there are also non-staff enthusiasts who enjoy the feeling of being on the inside by joining in this way of communicating. Never could see the point of it myself given that headcodes don't appear in public timetables unlike their equivalents in Europe but each to their own I suppose.

 

[MrJeeves]

It has long been the case that probably the keenest users of headcodes are members of rail staff who happen to also be rail enthusiasts. In some cases using headcodes rather than referring to times and origins/destinations is a way of talking in a code understood only by those in the know, almost as a form of snobbery. And of course there are also non-staff enthusiasts who enjoy the feeling of being on the inside by joining in this way of communicating. Never could see the point of it myself given that headcodes don't appear in public timetables unlike their equivalents in Europe but each to their own I suppose.

To be honest, the most I know about headcodes/use headcodes for is how to work out where the trains on my local line are going and what their service pattern should be from Traksy so I don't need to open up RTT or something else.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

To be honest, the most I know about headcodes/use headcodes for is how to work out where the trains on my local line are going and what their service pattern should be from Traksy so I don't need to open up RTT or something else.

Similar to you, the most common use I make of headcodes is to translate from Traksy to RTT, since they both can provide info the other doesn't, (RTT tells unit numbers and has better schedules, Traksy shows exactly where a train is, RTT doesn't display diversions (yet)).

Although using headcodes during disruption can be useful, as a short code can be used in place of longer names (where context will have been provided in the past), like when the ECML got breifly blocked due to an animal collision.

 

[DarloRich]

things i learnt today: you can search headcodes on RTT!

 

[Robin Procter]

Which is of course an over-simplification that happens to work just fine for your purposes. But while freight headcodes do tend to be unique, especially useful when tracking down all those one-off workings, on the passenger network that is definitely not the case. Not only can numbers repeat over time on the same route in a day they can also be duplicated in different parts of the country. As such they are of little use to ordinary passengers though many enthusiasts continue insisting on referring to them.


It has long been the case that probably the keenest users of headcodes are members of rail staff who happen to also be rail enthusiasts. In some cases using headcodes rather than referring to times and origins/destinations is a way of talking in a code understood only by those in the know, almost as a form of snobbery. And of course there are also non-staff enthusiasts who enjoy the feeling of being on the inside by joining in this way of communicating. Never could see the point of it myself given that headcodes don't appear in public timetables unlike their equivalents in Europe but each to their own I suppose.

.... It's Horses-for-Courses (says he who has just spent the weekend photographing friends show jumping - How "snobbish" is that ) in that if you are travelling by rail and want information, then an app such as RTT can be a real aid either with or without a headcode.

But if you are a ferroequinologist (as I am), then you are primarily and most likely only interested in the spots on a train's journey where you can go to see or photograph them. In which case, a headcode irrespective of its source is extremely useful and its information can save a lot of time and also cost in fuel - It's a very efficient shorthand and RTT plus Traksy are the apps I find most helpful alongside each other. Most railway enthusiasts are more interested in freight trains, charter trains, engineering and test trains, light engine movements and locos rather than mundane everyday passenger trains, although a panned motion-blur pic of a 'Cucumber' (Class 800 series) can look quite good.

Whether a headcode is given by a fellow railway enthusiast or a railway employee or an app, its source is entirely immaterial - It's simply a shorthand which saves everybody from wasting time writing an essay.

Indeed it is "each to their own" but without the reluctant spin of "I suppose".

BTW, it's fun to switch into being 'snobbish' when certain circumstances prompt it.

things i learnt today: you can search headcodes on RTT!

.... Sometimes RTT's Simple Search doesn't give any headcode but their Detailed Search is usually more reliable. I hope this helps .

 

[DarloRich]

But if you are a ferroequinologist (as I am), then you are primarily and most likely only interested in the spots on a train's journey where you can go to see or photograph them.

For me it is a case of: Check RTT. Walk to one of my 3 local stations. Take picture. Go home!

Having no transport beyond bus or train makes looking for other locations almost academic! However, now I know you can search headcodes i see why they are of interest!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Most railway enthusiasts are more interested in freight trains, charter trains, engineering and test trains, light engine movements and locos rather than mundane everyday passenger trains

I'm afraid this is a generalisation that is massively wide of the mark. It may well describe yourself and your circle of loco fans very well but there is now a whole new generation of enthusiasts who have known only the madness of the quasi-privatisation era with its rainbow of liveries and MU fleets delivered on a scale not seen since the late-1950s and 1960s (when they were largely ignored). Just take a look at social media (and I don't go there much myself either!) and you will find plenty of interest in the current passenger scene.

Many of these younger fans have little interest in spotting vehicle numbers or making photographic expeditions but still enjoy railways as an interest even if they wouldn't describe it as a hobby as such. I don't think that makes them any less enthusiastic than you or me, just different.

 

[Robin Procter]

I'm afraid this is a generalisation that is massively wide of the mark. It may well describe yourself and your circle of loco fans very well but there is now a whole new generation of enthusiasts who have known only the madness of the quasi-privatisation era with its rainbow of liveries and MU fleets delivered on a scale not seen since the late-1950s and 1960s (when they were largely ignored). Just take a look at social media (and I don't go there much myself either!) and you will find plenty of interest in the current passenger scene.

Many of these younger fans have little interest in spotting vehicle numbers or making photographic expeditions but still enjoy railways as an interest even if they wouldn't describe it as a hobby as such. I don't think that makes them any less enthusiastic than you or me, just different.

.... That may be so but I personally know quite a lot young people (from teens to late 20s and female as well as male) who are passionate steam enthusiasts. I think that many young railway enthusiasts are more interested in making videos rather than photos. And then there are a great many railway model makers - I have become used to the large number of my Instagram Followers who are and so it no longer surprises me. I agree - They are no less enthusiastic.

Anyroadup, the apps being discussed in this thread are just useful aids to our various railway related activities.

 

[Class15]

I'm afraid this is a generalisation that is massively wide of the mark. It may well describe yourself and your circle of loco fans very well but there is now a whole new generation of enthusiasts who have known only the madness of the quasi-privatisation era with its rainbow of liveries and MU fleets delivered on a scale not seen since the late-1950s and 1960s (when they were largely ignored). Just take a look at social media (and I don't go there much myself either!) and you will find plenty of interest in the current passenger scene.

Many of these younger fans have little interest in spotting vehicle numbers or making photographic expeditions but still enjoy railways as an interest even if they wouldn't describe it as a hobby as such. I don't think that makes them any less enthusiastic than you or me, just different.

It’s not really wide of the mark at all. Most trainspotters are out to wait for charters or freight trains, and I very rarely see people out to film passenger trains without wanting other trains as well.

 

[MrJeeves]

It’s not really wide of the mark at all. Most trainspotters are out to wait for charters or freight trains, and I very rarely see people out to film passenger trains without wanting other trains as well.

Perhaps if you're out looking for freight and charter trains, you won't be seeing those watching pax trains

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Perhaps if you're out looking for freight and charter trains, you won't be seeing those watching pax trains

Exactly this. Passenger fans go to Crewe or Manchester Piccadilly while the freight fans are at Acton Bridge or Winwick Jn. Or Clapham Junction vs Wandsworth Road.

What's more the unit spotters need nothing more than their phones, with tracking apps being able to confirm what is allocated to specific services while the sightings go straight into a spotting app ie spotters can merge with the crowd (and avoid draughty platform ends!) if they choose and still get the job done. Can even capture stills or videos too.

 

[Robin Procter]

Perhaps if you're out looking for freight and charter trains, you won't be seeing those watching pax trains

Exactly this. Passenger fans go to Crewe or Manchester Piccadilly while the freight fans are at Acton Bridge or Winwick Jn. Or Clapham Junction vs Wandsworth Road.

What's more the unit spotters need nothing more than their phones, with tracking apps being able to confirm what is allocated to specific services while the sightings go straight into a spotting app ie spotters can merge with the crowd (and avoid draughty platform ends!) if they choose and still get the job done. Can even capture stills or videos too.

.... Certainly most unit enthusiasts don't drive an hour or two or more to then walk to a spot in a field in all weathers to photograph trains (as I mostly do). In those circumstances apps are invaluable - RTT for planning plus Traksy for live progress work together well.

Most digital SLR stills cameras will capture video at the touch of a single button but a mobile phone camera is pocketable and very convenient. Although mobile phone cameras continue to improve, they cannot achieve some of the results which a DSLR camera can - It depends what each individual railway enthusiast wants.

By the way, as well as freight and charter trains I sometimes shoot DMU/EMU passenger units if I can create a good picture from doing so. But whatever the target, a headcode with the apps makes life a lot easier even if at a station.

 

[Babybirdrobin]

I am a unit spotter, but then again I also like seeing freight more, it’s just more fun to see something you don’t see everyday, as I live in a unit, no freight area (what I get for living on a branch).

Although, I find that I’m still at the end of a platform in the middle of nowhere in the rain either way when I spot but that‘s just my luck and lack of getting out spotting (I spot maybe once every two weeks most of the time).

 

[Class15]

Personally, Railcam is my go-to, but it needs a subscription and even with Railcam I still occasionally use RTT. I subscribe to Railcam largely because of the user-added allocations which no-one else seems to offer.

 

[Robin Procter]

I am a unit spotter, but then again I also like seeing freight more, it’s just more fun to see something you don’t see everyday, as I live in a unit, no freight area (what I get for living on a branch).

Although, I find that I’m still at the end of a platform in the middle of nowhere in the rain either way when I spot but that‘s just my luck and lack of getting out spotting (I spot maybe once every two weeks most of the time).

.... Like you, I don't live near a freight line either and so have to drive at least an hour to photograph freight trains.

Do you use any apps to help you?

 

[Babybirdrobin]

.... Like you, I don't live near a freight line either and so have to drive at least an hour to photograph freight trains.

Do you use any apps to help you?

I use RTT and occasionally Traksy, my nearest freight line is the GEML a 10 minute train journey but 30 if you include getting to the station, or 20 with car+train or just car, that is to Shenfield which is arguably not a great GEML location, there are better stations for freight that travels along the GEML E.G Stratford on it or the NLL where a lot of it’s freight goes to

 

[Class 466]

Unfortunately it seems that most if not all sites and apps only let you access train running information for the past seven days, although on RTT if you know the webpage address for the train in question you can manually alter the date in the webpage address to view the same train at an earlier date. As far as I can see the webpage address for a particular train often ceases to be valid at each timetable change, though?

Does anyone know if there is a site or app that allows you to look up the details of a particular train that ran more than seven days ago?

Freight Locate is good - it’s £25 a year but goes back a number of years!

 

[class444 fan]

real train times traskey

 

[Mcq]

I like the layout of OTT - just wish they could sort out head codes which are very poor.
I know this is all voluntary stuff, but hopefully OTT will be able to work on this soon?

 

[Freightmaster]

I like the layout of OTT - just wish they could sort out head codes which are very poor.
I know this is all voluntary stuff, but hopefully OTT will be able to work on this soon?

You get what you pay for?



MARK

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I like the layout of OTT - just wish they could sort out head codes which are very poor.
I know this is all voluntary stuff, but hopefully OTT will be able to work on this soon?

That's one of the reasons I switched to mostly using Traksy (along with a list of other reasons) and then using RTT for headcodes Traksy couldn't show me.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I think all of the applications have a sweet spot.
I use RTT the most since it is by far the easiest to navigate (although its annoying that the data only lasts a week - at least the main pages )
I use Traksy a lot, especially at terminal stations and stations I'm not familiar with. I have noticed some errors on Traksy specifically with platforms numbered incorrectly and signal block issues.
I use Freightmaster (Payware) for the maps too since it's often in a simpler format or the opposite way up to Traksy!