Does anybody have a map of UK rail freight services ?

[Halifaxlad]

Just wondering if anyone has a map of UK rail freight services, ideally one which is overlayed onto Google maps ?

Im mainly interested in the Yorkshire region but would be interested to know where it all goes.

 

[DarloRich]

interesting - would it not have to change on a regular basis as flows are lost, gained or changed?

 

[Freightmaster]

I used to provide a dozen or so such maps in the old printed version of Freightmaster,
which was published four times a year, but I was glad to see the back of them because...

would it not have to change on a regular basis as flows are lost, gained or changed?

Yes! The maps were almost as time consuming to keep up to date as the timetables,
especially the ones which depicted stone and coal traffic.


Perhaps the process could be automated somewhat these days, using an API feed from RTT,
but that's way beyond my pay grade!




MARK

 

[DarloRich]

Perhaps the process could be automated somewhat these days, using an API feed from RTT,
but that's way beyond my pay grade!

yesssssss. *strokes chin* hmmmm API. Of course.

( I understand the meaning of all of those words here individually but not in the manner they are used here )

 

[james_the_xv]

Perhaps the process could be automated somewhat these days, using an API feed from RTT,

I'd be surprised if there's wasn't a way to export LTP 4s, 6s, & 7s via the RTT API. Perhaps one to collaborate on? I'd assume the biggest hurdle would be the geocoding data to create maps.

(I'm pretty sure this data exists, but it will take a smarter person than me to make it happen, so will leave this here)

 

[eastwestdivide]

I’ve seen a Network Rail (?) map showing something like freight density along different routes. A good few years ago. Anyone remember that, or know where to find it?

 

[saismee]

yesssssss. *strokes chin* hmmmm API. Of course.

( I understand the meaning of all of those words here individually but not in the manner they are used here )

It's a bit of a vague, meaningless, and probably mis-informed comment, but they are suggesting someone could make a tool to auto-generate a freight map based on Network Rail data.
Edit: Here we are... hopefully it's mostly what OP was looking for. Thicker lines indicate more schedules between two TIPLOCs. It's far from perfect (many duplicate routes), but it was pretty fun to create.
https://saismee.github.io/train-density-map/

 

[Egg Centric]

It's a bit of a vague, meaningless, and probably mis-informed comment, but they are suggesting someone could make a tool to auto-generate a freight map based on Network Rail data.
Edit: Here we are... hopefully it's mostly what OP was looking for. Thicker lines indicate more schedules between two TIPLOCs. It's far from perfect (many duplicate routes), but it was pretty fun to create.
https://saismee.github.io/train-density-map/
View attachment 173429

That's absolutely fascinating for some of the immediate insights - eg the importance of the North London Line. And how much is originating somewhere near Huntingdon (what is this?)

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Does look quite a lot of freight, esp on secondary lines. Is this the number of trains per week, per day? Presumably it includes stuff being run for NR's benefit, eg. adhesion/sandite? The github site doesn't seem to provide much in the way of definitions?

 

[saismee]

Does look quite a lot of freight, esp on secondary lines. Is this the number of trains per week, per day? Presumably it includes stuff being run for NR's benefit, eg. adhesion/sandite? The github site doesn't seem to provide much in the way of definitions?

I somewhat threw it together, it's just the current number of schedules on the timetable (presumably including current STPs). This does include duplicate schedules and ones which do not run. If you have feature requests/suggestions (and proposed implementations), please let me know!

SCHEDULE - Open Rail Data Wiki

 

[Class15]

I somewhat threw it together, it's just the current number of schedules on the timetable (presumably including current STPs). This does include duplicate schedules and ones which do not run. If you have feature requests/suggestions (and proposed implementations), please let me know!

SCHEDULE - Open Rail Data Wiki

It’s an amazing map, but one issue I can see is that a lot of the schedules only have mandatory timing points. Therefore freight takes a direct line between, say, Leyton Midland Road and South Tottenham, which looks a bit strange, but it’s probably impossible to do any better with that. Great job!

 

[Magdalia]

Edit: Here we are... hopefully it's mostly what OP was looking for. Thicker lines indicate more schedules between two TIPLOCs. It's far from perfect (many duplicate routes), but it was pretty fun to create.

Thanks, this is a great start!

And how much is originating somewhere near Huntingdon (what is this?)

Nothing I can think of in the real world. I'm wondering if it is a feature of the source data, such as some trains not having passing times anywhere between Huntingdon and Peterborough?

Presumably it includes stuff being run for NR's benefit, eg. adhesion/sandite?

Most of these run as class 3, are they included?