RealTimeTrains website

[Peter Mugridge]

Working OK for me ( website ) right now, and I agree - does seem slightly faster than usual.

 

[hexagon789]

Wasn't working at all for me and app running very slow with queries.

Seemed to sort itself about 10-ish mins ago and working perfectly now.

 

[Tom]

https://realtimetrains.site24x7statusiq.eu/#/incident/7JzfIOulanFLmvM_ZtBF_cU_3e-h4iyfRlx37spZfIOqSSGou3bw-Pf7ta8Xa7egtj8EBeZcYLZJa39b4QJf4A%3D%3D

 

[Farigiraf]

Seems to be working again

 

[720144]

There’s also more clutter on there now, with symbols showing next to the number of carriages for AC, WiFi and whatever the other one was (catering I think, didn’t look too carefully), which looks out of place. Not a fan of that, not going to lie, no doubt for some people it would be useful information but it was always on the graphic before. So not new, just now it’s cluttering up the summary page which I’m not enjoying.

Yeah I’ve noticed that while looking up c2c services. The AC/wifi symbol on 357’s and plug socket only on 720’s feature on simple search before clicking on the diagram.

 

[1D54]

Was getting these same problems earlier and at the same time yesterday. Wonder if it has anything to do with the sheer volume of people hitting the site for info because of this crazy weather.

 

[Tom]

It has nothing to do with information provision for today. It is entirely down to either a botnet or AI crawlers running wild.

 

[Farigiraf]

Yeah I’ve noticed that while looking up c2c services. The AC/wifi symbol on 357’s and plug socket only on 720’s feature on simple search before clicking on the diagram.

It is clutter, but it's useful clutter in this case. Users of simple mode, who are less likely to be rail enthusiasts keeping track of every recent train refurb, are certainly going to appreciate knowing that a train will have air-con (vital info in this weather), plug sockets and wifi. It's always been there on detailed mode, but you do kind of already have to know where to access that info to utilise it.

 

[Tom]

The restriction we put into place earlier on the website that required registration and login has now been relaxed.

(And everyone scraping the site is now blocked.)

 

[DarloRich]

The restriction we put into place earlier on the website that required registration and login has now been relaxed.

(And everyone scraping the site is now blocked.)

Assume this is why I have been getting this message and occasional "cloud flare" tick boxes on my mobile

 

[Tom]

Yes.

Unfortunately we had to implement Cloudflare (the only good option in a hurry) to do this. You should only see it every 30 minutes or so.

We also had ten separate "users" spamming our servers by searching for every SWR unit up to every 5 minutes to find out what service they were on. When we're dealing with attacks, you will get taken out as collateral. But now we also know about those users we are going to continue playing whack-a-mole to block them - we have an API for a reason...

 

[jfollows]

This has the annoying side effect of forcing the browser to reload to the top of the page, rather than to the point down the page with the title bar which used to be the case.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes.

Unfortunately we had to implement Cloudflare (the only good option in a hurry) to do this. You should only see it every 30 minutes or so.

We also had ten separate "users" spamming our servers by searching for every SWR unit up to every 5 minutes to find out what service they were on. When we're dealing with attacks, you will get taken out as collateral. But now we also know about those users we are going to continue playing whack-a-mole to block them - we have an API for a reason...

thanks - no criticism - I assumed, with my limited IT knowledge (!) that must be the case

 

[Tom]

This has the annoying side effect of forcing the browser to reload to the top of the page, rather than to the point down the page with the title bar which used to be the case.

I really don't understand what you're saying here...

 

[aaronspence]

I really don't understand what you're saying here...

I am expericing the same, so I have this page open https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G80216/2026-06-24/detailed its very long, when I reload, it takes me back to where I was before (was viewing Doncaster) but when the cloudflare check flicks in, you are punted to the top of the page. Its a minor thing but hopefully this helps describe it for you.

 

[Peter0124]

We also had ten separate "users" spamming our servers by searching for every SWR unit up to every 5 minutes to find out what service they were on. When we're dealing with attacks, you will get taken out as collateral. But now we also know about those users we are going to continue playing whack-a-mole to block them - we have an API for a reason...

Are unit numbers available to work with on the API?

 

[Tom]

I am expericing the same, so I have this page open https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G80216/2026-06-24/detailed its very long, when I reload, it takes me back to where I was before (was viewing Doncaster) but when the cloudflare check flicks in, you are punted to the top of the page. Its a minor thing but hopefully this helps describe it for you.

I don't think there is any realistic way around that at the moment other than if you register and log in (which is free to do so).

Are unit numbers available to work with on the API?

They are if you can justify it.

 

[Peter0124]

They are if you can justify it.

I have a few project ideas in mind so I'd love to work with the unit numbers

 

[jfollows]

I don't think there is any realistic way around that at the moment other than if you register and log in (which is free to do so).

Thanks, Tom, registering is easy and painless, I thought I was already registered but I wasn't, but now I am and the behaviour I want is back.

 

[trainmania100]

I like how you've implemented the cloud flare checks into your own brand identity rather than use the external cloud flare branded white page. It's very seamless and professional.

 

[Robin Edwards]

I am wondering whether identifying loco/units from the DB/Freightliner workings as well as Southern/South East TOCs will come to RTT eventually?

 

[LA50041]

I am wondering whether identifying loco/units from the DB/Freightliner workings as well as Southern/South East TOCs will come to RTT eventually?

Southern and Southeastern are already on RTT

 

[Daniel_P]

I am wondering whether identifying loco/units from the DB/Freightliner workings as well as Southern/South East TOCs will come to RTT eventually?

Southern and SE are already part of KYT.

 

[bluegoblin7]

I am wondering whether identifying loco/units from the DB/Freightliner workings as well as Southern/South East TOCs will come to RTT eventually?

Allocations for all passenger TOCs except London Overground and Eurostar have been available for a few months now, although this isn’t ‘full’ Know Your Train data.

 

[swtrains]

Tom Cairns (@swlines) on X

with the hot weather, I had an idea to help keep cool - needs a little more but it's Good Enough for now @RealtimeTrains in simple mode will now highlight things like aircon, wifi, power on the departure boards. web now, apps in a day or two. made entirely today!

x.com

Likely temporary as more info during the heatwave.

Was this "vibe coded" in a day?

 

[Robin Edwards]

Wow - sorry, I'd missed that - thanks for responses. Selfishly, this is such a game changer when wanting to track down specific units on a day out!

 

[peterinlewes]

Very imprerssed by the App and already the enhancements since initial release. I had the original App many years ago too but the new app is a massive improvement with the amount of data now openly available.

With the disruption in my local area yesterday RTT (web and app) was showing trains as still running on time (en route) even after they had been cancelled or before they actually left the origin. For me that's the only problem with RTT compared to other apps I use. For example Railchecker Pro shows anticipated delays even before train has departed (based on inward working and any delays on that). It also showed cancellations much in advance of the identical train showing as cancelled on RTT.

I'm assuming RTT and RailChecker Pro source their running data differently - Railchecker Pro shows previous/next workings at the origin/destination which would be really useful in RTT - and it's presumably this that allows forecast delays en route to be more realistic (even before train has left origin) in Railchecker Pro.

Maybe Tom can address this and explain the reasons for different responses from different apps. I'm sure there's a very good reason for the different approach but would be interested to know if this is somnething that may change in the future.

Finally, I'm hoping the app will allow clicking on a unit number at top of train display will show the diagrams as on web in a future release.

PS - I am a RTT+ subscriber - well worth it even before the app was released.

 

[General Zod]

I cannot access RTT live train times and have been getting this error :

"

Just a moment…​

We’re checking your browser before continuing to Realtime Trains. This is automatic and usually takes a few seconds. "​

I get stuck in this loop. Using Firefox 151.0.1 (64 bit) for Arch Linux. I turned off all ad blockers and Ublock origin. Works fine on firefox for iPhone.

 

[Sun Chariot]

URL and features work fine for me

Realtime Trains

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

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Might be your browser instance / SSL certificate?

 

[Tom]

Was this "vibe coded" in a day?

No, none of that feature was coded with assistance of a LLM.