Tracking goods trains via app?

[Jack D]

Admins, feel free to move this thread if I've posted it in the wrong place.

Hi all,

So I'm a nosey person and I have a particular interest in goods trains on the railways. I always enjoy seeing them, hidden among regular passenger services and often wonder where they're going and what they are carrying.

Is there anyway I can find out. I know there are apps for tracking buses and planes, is there such an app for tracking and learning more about goods trains?

Kind regards,

Jack

 

[redkiterail]

Opentrainmaps and Tracksy show train movements
realtraintimes and railrecord shows train schedules
there is no app I believe that does both

With goods trains the majority run as required and even then it can one day a week or even a month

 

[Freightmaster]

Is there anyway I can find out. I know there are apps for tracking buses and planes, is there such an app for tracking and learning more about goods trains?

If you want far more detail about railfreight services than free sites such as RTT can provide,
please consider giving my website (Freightmaster) a try; I'm currently offering a no obligation,
non-recurring 'trial' subscription until the end of September for just £9.99:

Freightmaster Online - prices

Freightmaster is an online guide to rail-borne freight services in England, Wales and Scotland.

freightmaster.net

With goods trains the majority run as required and even then it can one day a week or even a month

That's one of the things that Freightmaster does - shows the usual running day(s) for every freight working
in the country, including which (Q) services actually run and which are just 'spare' paths.




MARK

 

[trainmania100]

Why do people prefer apps over just using the website? All real time data has to be refreshed over internet anyway ...

 

[Freightmaster]

Why do people prefer apps over just using the website? All real time data has to be refreshed over internet anyway ...

I think people just use 'app' as a generic term to refer to any tool/utility used on a phone or tablet,
even if it's a web based service like RTT or Traksy.




MARK

 

[Jack D]

Opentrainmaps and Tracksy show train movements
realtraintimes and railrecord shows train schedules
there is no app I believe that does both

With goods trains the majority run as required and even then it can one day a week or even a month

Great, thanks. That'll keep me busy for a bit.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

I suppose apps are easier as you can open them on your mobile when on the move rather than at home.

 

[rogercov]

I suppose apps are easier as you can open them on your mobile when on the move rather than at home.

Well, the various Internet browsers (Chrome etc.) are all Apps which you should be able to open when on the move. They will allow you web browse and save shortcuts if you wish.

Good starting points are:
For listings at a particular station, realtimetrains.co.uk, then select Search and Detailed and enter your station.

For real time maps, opentraintimes.com or traksy.uk and select maps.
Have fun!