What has happened to 'brdatabase'?

[crosscity]

This week I have tried to get on to BRDatabase.info, but all I can see is a page with adverts and links to data management and apps builders.
I know the owner of BRDatabase.info was a subscriber to RailUkforums as D1001, but he hasn't posted since Sep 2021.

Does anyone know what has happened?

The BRDatabase is a fantastic resource of information about BR locomotives, including shed allocations, commissioning dates and withdrawal dates.

 

[Intercity110]

hate to say this, but he could've passed away

 

[Morayshire]

Or just not paid the web host the fee needed to keep the website live and accessible?

 

[PG]

A Whois search reveals

Updated Date: 2023-02-20T11:04:59Z
Creation Date: 2010-02-19T16:46:06Z
Registry Expiry Date: 2024-02-19T16:46:06Z

So this ties in with the site becoming unavailable within the past week, as @Morayshire says the fee may not have been paid though it appears that payment before next February would prevent release of the domain name.

 

[ZaphodScotsman]

I sure hope it isn't gone forever: that website had lots of good information for shed allocations you couldn't find anywhere else

 

[AdrianK]

It may be worth contacting the webpage host by pinging the site and offering to pay the domain/hosting fee. That information database is invaluable.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2023 ==

I have contacted a professional web design company to ask how we might tackle the problem of reinstating the database (if such a thing is possible).

 

[crosscity]

It may be worth contacting the webpage host by pinging the site and offering to pay the domain/hosting fee. That information database is invaluable.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2023 ==

I have contacted a professional web design company to ask how we might tackle the problem of reinstating the database (if such a thing is possible).

I contacted the person who created and maintains the database in 2020 about some loco issue, and he replied, so I've now sent an email to the same address to see what happens. It's a gmail address, and so far the email hasn't been rejected.

I'll give it a couple of weeks, and then decide whether I want or can do anything further.

Good on you, Adriank, to be doing something. It will be interesting to hear what becomes of your contact with the web design company.

 

[ZaphodScotsman]

I too sent the owner an email a few days ago, even posted about it on the Facebook page. So far, no response.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Very pleased to report that brdatabase is back! There is an explanation for the outage at the top of the home page.

 

[Taunton]

Very pleased to report that brdatabase is back! There is an explanation for the outage at the top of the home page.

And with a sense of humour ...

"I should also say that rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated"