Realtime Trains freight query

[59CosG95]

Hi all! Just got back from some photography at Kings Norton, and was wondering why, on RTT, do freight services not follow the usual scheme of digit-letter-digit-digit for headcodes. Case in point: one service I saw, going from Bescot to Avonmouth was advertised as "699Y", but its actual headcode was "6V35". Can anybody help me out as to why this is?
Thanks very much

 

[swt_passenger]

When it was first proposed to make the underlying real time data publicly available, the main freight companies (FOCs) did not agree and requested that their train IDs were scrambled. NR agreed.

That's about it really.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Well that explains the odd headcodes going through Barnetby!

I noticed that some do show their correct headcodes however

 

[FQ]

GBRF do show the correct head codes for some reason.

 

[swt_passenger]

GBRF do show the correct head codes for some reason.

That's a fairly recent relaxation. I think it came up in a thread a few weeks ago.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Looking at Doncaster, for example, GBRF services appear to have "Gbrf" in the entry for origin and destination

 

[59CosG95]

Looking at Doncaster, for example, GBRF services appear to have "Gbrf" in the entry for origin and destination

I've noticed that a few times too. I guess, in order to see the actual headcodes, I would have to get a freight timetable.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I did wonder if that was part of the agreement - have "Gbrf" in the origin and destination - to be openly shown on RTT

 

[gazthomas]

So much for open data.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

So much for open data.

If you want open data, here you go...

 

[louis97]

I did wonder if that was part of the agreement - have "Gbrf" in the origin and destination - to be openly shown on RTT

The Gbrf in the location names is a long standing thing, I believe it is used to work out track access costs. The method of showing Gbrf headcodes is through other schedule information - such a service code.

 

[Freightmaster]

I've noticed that a few times too. I guess, in order to see the actual headcodes, I would have to get a freight timetable.

Good idea!!

You can get 'trial' access to all 100+ Freightmaster Online timetables
until the end of the month for the princely sum of £3...

...there is no obligation whatsoever to take out a full subscription after that,
but anyone who does will be entitled to a £10 discount!


MARK

 

[headshot119]

Looking at Doncaster, for example, GBRF services appear to have "Gbrf" in the entry for origin and destination

Having Gbrf in the origin and destination is separate from the headcode being displayed.

Loads of locations also show EWS, Colas and Freightliner in location names.

 

[The Planner]

The Gbrf in the location names is a long standing thing, I believe it is used to work out track access costs. The method of showing Gbrf headcodes is through other schedule information - such a service code.

Not as long as you may think, wouldnt say it is was prevalent 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

That's a fairly recent relaxation. I think it came up in a thread a few weeks ago.

Relaxed as company recognised that staff use it and so it's easier to check you're looking at the right train.

 

[CockneySparrow]

Looking at Doncaster, for example, GBRF services appear to have "Gbrf" in the entry for origin and destination

Not just Doncaster, other locations as well, its annoying for enthusiasts as they can't see them as easily
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

When it was first proposed to make the underlying real time data publicly available, the main freight companies (FOCs) did not agree and requested that their train IDs were scrambled. NR agreed.

That's about it really.

Probably for security reasons

 

[headshot119]

Not just Doncaster, other locations as well, its annoying for enthusiasts as they can't see them as easily
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Probably for security reasons

Security Reasons don't make sense, as the real headcodes for some services are available in the WTTs also published by Network Rail.

 

[GB]

DBS show the proper headcodes for at least some of their services now as well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
opps, must have been a glitch, saw 4L45 and a 4L31 (freightliner) on the Railcam diagrams but they are scrambled again now:roll:

 

[swt_passenger]

Security Reasons don't make sense, as the real headcodes for some services are available in the WTTs also published by Network Rail.

Were the WTTs already published back on NR's site back when the RTT 'scrambling' decision was made, or did they appear later?

 

[Freightmaster]

Were the WTTs already published back on NR's site back when the RTT 'scrambling' decision was made, or did they appear later?

Before.

But so many freight services run as short term STP/VAR workings these days
that the WTTs are of limited use for identifying trains, which is presumably
why the FOCs are not bothered about them being in the public domain!!


MARK

 

[Trainfan344]

Good idea!!

You can get 'trial' access to all 100+ Freightmaster Online timetables
until the end of the month for the princely sum of £3...

...there is no obligation whatsoever to take out a full subscription after that,
but anyone who does will be entitled to a £10 discount!


MARK

If I had a £1 for every time I saw you pop up and advertise your service... I'd have enough to actually use your service...

 

[Freightmaster]

If I had a £1 for every time I saw you pop up and advertise your service... I'd have enough to actually use your service...

Harsh but true!!

MARK