Find unit numbers online?

[Grannyjoans]

Is there anyway to find what unit is going to turn up on a service online ? Something that is not featured in Real Time Trains yet, I'm interested in anything that might have this facility, if it exists.

 

[507021]

Is there anyway to find what unit is going to turn up on a service online ? Something that is not featured in Real Time Trains yet, I'm interested in anything that might have this facility, if it exists.

No such facility is available, I'm afraid.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Unfortunately this sort of data availability does not yet exist.

 

[bb21]

Short answer is "no". There isn't such a facility which is public-facing.

Most people on this forum make use of this thread.

 

[E_Reeves]

Do you think this data will ever become available to the public?

 

[bb21]

Do you think this data will ever become available to the public?

In some form possibly, eg. number of coaches, number of seats, etc.

Exact unit numbers probably not.

 

[Muzer]

Railcam's live maps feature has a user-supplied stock information facility, but that obviously relies on people with Railcam maps seeing a train and bothering to upload the details — which I find is quite rare for things other than freight.

 

[Bristolpaul]

i do hope that this data will become available to the public, Seeing as other countries can make it available to a certain extent why can't we.

 

[Muzer]

i do hope that this data will become available to the public, Seeing as other countries can make it available to a certain extent why can't we.

For various (stupid in my opinion) reasons it's seen as being commercially-sensitive. I'm not making this up.

 

[tsr]

Data on the number of coaches in use (but not train class) is available for a handful of services on the departure boards at this link: https://live-departures.info/rail/v2.ldbsvws/

Coverage seems mainly limited to some Southern, TL & SWT services at present. However, it does seem reasonably accurate.

 

[Condor7]

Railcam's live maps feature has a user-supplied stock information facility, but that obviously relies on people with Railcam maps seeing a train and bothering to upload the details — which I find is quite rare for things other than freight.

Yes I was going to mention that as well. It's very useful for finding out what locos are on freight trains although the further away from the start of the journey the more chance you have of someone spotting and recording the numbers.

I often enter the numbers as I see them including passenger trains but like you say so few others seem to, it would be nice if more considered doing that.

 

[DarloRich]

I hope the information continues to be restricted. Spotters have it far too easy these days. When I was a lad etc............

 

[Mag_seven]

i do hope that this data will become available to the public, Seeing as other countries can make it available to a certain extent why can't we.

Which "other countries"?

 

[43096]

Which "other countries"?

Hungary and Croatia for a start.

 

[GW43125]

I hope the information continues to be restricted. Spotters have it far too easy these days. When I was a lad etc............

You have a fair point. What happened to "turn up and see what appears"?

 

[Clip]

I hope the information continues to be restricted. Spotters have it far too easy these days. When I was a lad etc............

Hungary and Croatia for a start.

So two countries which dont have as many trains nor such an intensive service as ours should be used as a benchmark?

I have to ask though - if this information was available how long before someone would come on here to complain after a set swap had happened and they didnt get the unit/loco they wanted and feign their OUTRAGE at this?

Id say a day

 

[rebmcr]

For various (stupid in my opinion) reasons it's seen as being commercially-sensitive. I'm not making this up.

Does the knowledge of mileage, utilisation, etc affect maintenance/leasing contracts?

 

[Class455]

I always wished that such facility existed. For example, for planes we have Plane Finder and FlightRadar24 and for buses (London at least) we have the London Vehicle Finder, but nothing for trains!! Its very frustrating but I'm hoping that a facility will be developed for the use of enthusiasts in the near future, so that for example we could go out and spot a new unit that was tracked in service, like we do for buses.

 

[Kite159]

So two countries which dont have as many trains nor such an intensive service as ours should be used as a benchmark?

I have to ask though - if this information was available how long before someone would come on here to complain after a set swap had happened and they didnt get the unit/loco they wanted and feign their OUTRAGE at this?

Id say a day

I know at least one user (not sure if they still post) got outraged when the Class 90 hauled VTEC service got swapped over at Kings Cross as they were waiting for it at Wakefield instead got a regular 91.

 

[43096]

I always wished that such facility existed. For example, for planes we have Plane Finder and FlightRadar24 and for buses (London at least) we have the London Vehicle Finder, but nothing for trains!! Its very frustrating but I'm hoping that a facility will be developed for the use of enthusiasts in the near future, so that for example we could go out and spot a new unit that was tracked in service, like we do for buses.

So how much would you be willing to pay for such a service?

 

[d1672]

Hi,

How about £10.00 a month ?

Thomas

 

[E_Reeves]

I always wished that such facility existed. For example, for planes we have Plane Finder and FlightRadar24 and for buses (London at least) we have the London Vehicle Finder, but nothing for trains!! Its very frustrating but I'm hoping that a facility will be developed for the use of enthusiasts in the near future, so that for example we could go out and spot a new unit that was tracked in service, like we do for buses.

And you've got shipfinder

Hi,

How about £10.00 a month ?

Thomas

Sounds about right

 

[GW43125]

And you've got shipfinder



Sounds about right

Well the Flightradar24 app was, ISTR, about £2

 

[Taunton]

Wasn't this information exactly what TOPS tracked, starting in the early 1970s? Let alone locomotives, It had the wagon number and sequence of each wagon in the train.

 

[DarloRich]

it still does

 

[tiptoptaff]

Wasn't this information exactly what TOPS tracked, starting in the early 1970s? Let alone locomotives, It had the wagon number and sequence of each wagon in the train.

I think the point is TOPS isn't available to the public