Live signalling diagrams

[Inversnecky]

I’ve just discovered Traksy, in addition to Real Train Times and Open Train Times:

https://traksy.uk

RailCam - Bringing The Lineside To Your Armchair

OpenTrainTimes

Find detailed information on trains running in Great Britain

www.opentraintimes.com

Signal Maps

View live signal maps for train lines across the UK

signalmaps.co.uk

But no maps on:

Realtime Trains

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Are there any other live maps of trains and signals?

Are some better than others? What are the things some might have that others don’t?

Are there any that cover the top part of Scotland? Traksy has no maps for Inverness or Aberdeen. Or is that a no because they all just portray the same Network Rail data in their own way?

 

[TheEdge]

Signalmaps is another one. Its my preferred one.

 

[Inversnecky]

Signalmaps is another one. Its my preferred one.

Thanks. Why do you prefer that one?

 

[GB]

Signalmaps is another one. Its my preferred one.

Same, with OpenTrainTimes a second choice. I prefer the layout and *black back ground (*saves battery), shows the position of points, colour coded delay boxes are a very nice touch, clicking next map stays within the same tab instead of opening another page and clicking the headcodes usually always comes up with the proper schedule (via RTT) where as clicking the headcodes on OpenTrainTimes usually doesn't work properly.

 

[Inversnecky]

OTT always seems to hang on my phone, saying it’s disconnected.

RTT doesn’t have a map though, does it?

 

[Steve Harris]

Same, with OpenTrainTimes a second choice. I prefer the layout and *black back ground (*saves battery), shows the position of points, colour coded delay boxes are a very nice touch, clicking next map stays within the same tab instead of opening another page and clicking the headcodes usually always comes up with the proper schedule (via RTT) where as clicking the headcodes on OpenTrainTimes usually doesn't work properly.

Yep, sometimes the headcodes don't work properly on OTT (normally do to running late or it being obfuscated), but between OTT and Traksy you can normally find out what you need to know.

I have only just come across Signalmaps, unfortunately for me, I'm not a lover of the black background.

One thing Traksy and Signalmaps do have in common is that they appear to be updated promptly when any changes are carried out, and also their diagrams seem to be more accurate than OTT.

OTT always seems to hang on my phone, saying it’s disconnected.

RTT doesn’t have a map though, does it?

Nope.

 

[paddingtonGWR]

I find https://traksy.uk the best for realtime data

 

[Domh245]

Signalmaps looks good, but it doesn't seem to have the same level of coverage as Traksy/OTT (or at the least, no particularly useful search tool)

 

[Inversnecky]

Here’s some comparative screenshots. Traksy has point labelling; signal maps seems to have a limited number of routes available.

It seems Traksy and OTT don’t have the same track layout even.








(No Edinburgh on Signal Maps.)

 

[LAX54]

Signalmaps looks good, but it doesn't seem to have the same level of coverage as Traksy/OTT (or at the least, no particularly useful search tool)

Signalmaps easier on the eye (as it's black) and shows actual route set, If I cannot access CCF, this is my next go to, assuming I can get on t'internet at work !

 

[Steve Harris]

It seems Traksy and OTT don’t have the same track layout even.

That doesn't surprise me one bit.

I found a layout error on OTT and emailed them notifying them of the error. I even attached a youtube drivers eye view video to helo explain what was wrong. I'm still awaiting a reply 2 months later!

On the other hand I noticed some wrong platform numbering on traksy and had a reply in hours and the map was updated within 24hrs. The guy who runs Traksy said that he uses Sectional Appendix's (if he can get hold of current in date issues).

Therefore, I would go with the Traksy map being more accurate.

Signalmaps easier on the eye (as it's black) and shows actual route set, If I cannot access CCF, this is my next go to, assuming I can get on t'internet at work !

Actual route set is also shown on some OTT maps (obviously due to data feed limitations, as some feeds will have route set data and some won't).

CCF ?

 

[ainsworth74]

On the other hand I noticed some wrong platform numbering on traksy and had a reply in hours and the map was updated within 24hrs. The guy who runs Traksy said that he uses Sectional Appendix's (if he can get hold of current in date issues).

Yep I've had a similar experience. I was on a railtour and spotted that the loop we were in was not showing on Traksy correctly. Sent an email, got a prompt reply and it was fixed shortly afterwards.

So, as you can probably guess, Traksy has been my go to for signal mapping for a while now.

 

[TheEdge]

Signalmaps is made by someone within the industry which helps it. It almost identical to (in some way it actually shows more than) CCF.

 

[Steve Harris]

Signalmaps is made by someone within the industry which helps it. It almost identical to (in some way it actually shows more than) CCF.

CCF?

 

[uww11x]

CCF?

The live maps, control centres use.

 

[Steve Harris]

The live maps, control centres use.

Arh. So not publicly available then ??

 

[ac6000cw]

Control Centre of the Future?

 

[The Planner]

CCF?

Control Centre of the Future, effectively the industry version of the live maps and pre open data.

 

[Inversnecky]

Does anyone else have trouble seeing Traksy on a PC? I have a big "about" dialogue box with a "hide" button, which doesn't work, making it unusable.

 

[James284]

does anyone know a signal map for Dundee, Aberdeen, highlands? Tracksy and signalmaps only seem to go as far as fife

 

[uww11x]

does anyone know a signal map for Dundee, Aberdeen, highlands? Tracksy and signalmaps only seem to go as far as fife

Manual controlled signal boxes don't show on the maps, that includes CCF.

 

[Metal_gee_man]

Not mapping but useful as a tool at busy stations is the staff view screen on IRIS TIGER WEBSITE

For Example KGX

 

[yorkie]

I now prefer Traksy to OTT, though some of the reasons for that are off topic for this thread

The creators of Traksy, OTT and RTT are all on this forum; Traksy's creator (@takno) being the most active.

 

[Steve Harris]

Control Centre of the Future, effectively the industry version of the live maps and pre open data.

Thanx for the full explanation. I presume CCF maps are only available to railway employees ?

 

[The Planner]

Thanx for the full explanation. I presume CCF maps are only available to railway employees ?

Yep, though to be honest you aren't missing anything much.

 

[Romsey]

CCF?

Control Centre of the Future
Internal use only by signallers and control offices. Not (officially) available to train planners or engineering access planners.
When I last met it about 5 years ago there was a limited number of logins per control area.

 

[Highlandspring]

Thanx for the full explanation. I presume CCF maps are only available to railway employees ?

CCF is the Network Rail mapping system (developed originally by AEA Technology) but some TOCs use alternative industry mapping systems like P2 or Tornado. Even internally NR IT charges company cost centres £600 for each installation and there are only a limited number of licenses available, so only certain staff can have access. CCF is due to be replaced by a more modern version called Train Movement Viewer in the next 12 months though I haven’t heard anything about it for a while.

 

[Steve Harris]

Yep, though to be honest you aren't missing anything much.

Thanx, that's not a problem.

The only issue is with the original mention of it on a forum which is open to non railway employees who obviously don't have access to it, so is only partially relevant to the topic being discussed.

That's not your fault btw as you are one of the few people in the industry who (remembers that not everyone on here is an "insider" and) explains things (very well) to us mere muggles.

does anyone know a signal map for Dundee, Aberdeen, highlands? Tracksy and signalmaps only seem to go as far as fife

You won't find any signal maps for areas controlled by Mechanical Signalbox's as I don't think they can generate a useable data feed.

Down my way, Manea to Peterborough isn't covered because of that very reason.

 

[Inversnecky]

Manual controlled signal boxes don't show on the maps, that includes CCF.

That explains why I can't see anything up my way!

 

[takno]

You won't find any signal maps for areas controlled by Mechanical Signalbox's as I don't think they can generate a useable data feed.

Down my way, Manea to Peterborough isn't covered because of that very reason.

Some areas with mechanical boxes are covered. In general the Southern region has pretty comprehensive coverage even for mechanical or small panel boxes. Scotland by contrast doesn't have any coverage outside of the two signalling centres (except for the new Inverness workstations) . The data is never being hidden from the open data feed though - if we can't see it then neither can internal systems