Trainmapper App

[JAWZ]

Mod Note: Posts #1 - #35 originally in this thread.

it would be pretty cool if there was a fleet list site that listed when a train was last allocated and what to. Alas, I have no such skill.

That sounds pretty straightforward to implement, I'll have a play and see if I can knock up a rudimentary website. If there's sufficient interest I'll add it to the app too.

 

[trainmania100]

That sounds pretty straightforward to implement, I'll have a play and see if I can knock up a rudimentary website. If there's sufficient interest I'll add it to the app too.

I've downloaded your app from the play store but it crashes immediately when opening, what android versions have you tested to?

 

[JAWZ]

I've downloaded your app from the play store but it crashes immediately when opening, what android versions have you tested to?

Ooof... Android hell - I was reluctant to do an Android version for this very reason

I've run it on a Pixel 1 with Android 10 and a Pixel 2XL with Android 11. What's your device & OS, I can try and reproduce the crash with a suitable emulator? Mebbe PM me so we don't clutter up this thread?

 

[Class 466]

That sounds pretty straightforward to implement, I'll have a play and see if I can knock up a rudimentary website. If there's sufficient interest I'll add it to the app too.

Oh Excellent! Consider me interested! (was thinking something along the lines of the bustimes fleet lists - less bothered about all the train type details etc, Just Unit ID & last working or something)

 

[JAWZ]

Oh Excellent! Consider me interested! (was thinking something along the lines of the bustimes fleet lists - less bothered about all the train type details etc, Just Unit ID & last working or something)

Yup, I'm playing about with the API now - there's a LOT of stuff to parse, but stripping out the unit + vehicle info along with the origin/destination/headcode doesn't seem too painful.

There's a bunch of interesting stuff in there though, like maintenance issues, vehicle mileage, out-of-formation notes etc.

Example vehicle data from an allocation message for 165105:

Vehicle [3] (Position 3, Coach A, Vehicle 58957)
├── VehicleId: "58957"
├── TypeOfVehicle: "C"
├── ResourcePosition: "3"
├── SpecificType: "DP3640A"
├── Length
│ ├── Value: "23495"
│ └── Measure: "mm"
├── Weight: "38"
├── Livery: "GW"
├── NumberOfSeats: "16"
├── CoachLetter: "A"
├── Cabs: "1"
├── DateEnteredService: "1992-07-17"
├── MaximumSpeed: "90"
:

Fascinating stuff, this is going to be great fun to work on!

 

[Class 466]

Yup, I'm playing about with the API now - there's a LOT of stuff to parse, but stripping out the unit + vehicle info along with the origin/destination/headcode doesn't seem too painful.

There's a bunch of interesting stuff in there though, like maintenance issues, vehicle mileage, out-of-formation notes etc.

Example vehicle data from an allocation message for 165105:

Vehicle [3] (Position 3, Coach A, Vehicle 58957)
├── VehicleId: "58957"
├── TypeOfVehicle: "C"
├── ResourcePosition: "3"
├── SpecificType: "DP3640A"
├── Length
│ ├── Value: "23495"
│ └── Measure: "mm"
├── Weight: "38"
├── Livery: "GW"
├── NumberOfSeats: "16"
├── CoachLetter: "A"
├── Cabs: "1"
├── DateEnteredService: "1992-07-17"
├── MaximumSpeed: "90"
:

Fascinating stuff, this is going to be great fun to work on!

Blimey, I didn't realise they'd made that level of data available - excellent!

 

[Peter0124]

Yup, I'm playing about with the API now - there's a LOT of stuff to parse, but stripping out the unit + vehicle info along with the origin/destination/headcode doesn't seem too painful.

There's a bunch of interesting stuff in there though, like maintenance issues, vehicle mileage, out-of-formation notes etc.

Example vehicle data from an allocation message for 165105:

Vehicle [3] (Position 3, Coach A, Vehicle 58957)
├── VehicleId: "58957"
├── TypeOfVehicle: "C"
├── ResourcePosition: "3"
├── SpecificType: "DP3640A"
├── Length
│ ├── Value: "23495"
│ └── Measure: "mm"
├── Weight: "38"
├── Livery: "GW"
├── NumberOfSeats: "16"
├── CoachLetter: "A"
├── Cabs: "1"
├── DateEnteredService: "1992-07-17"
├── MaximumSpeed: "90"
:

Fascinating stuff, this is going to be great fun to work on!

I can't find a page to create an account with Rail Data Marketplace

Im excited to build something with this new data

 

[nesw]

https://raildata.org.uk/registerPartner is the page to register.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

├── Length
│ ├── Value: "23495"
│ └── Measure: "mm"
├── Weight: "38"

Interesting that it definitely the type for length, then just says 38 for weight

 

[MrJeeves]

Interesting that it definitely the type for length, then just says 38 for weight

Most of the data is compliant with and based on EU-wide specifications/formats. Those permit length to be measured in different units (either mm or feet), but weight should always be metric tonnes.

I did have a look through the data before working out how to persist it, and didn't see any messages using feet instead of mm. But I've also been told not to trust a lot of the per-vehicle data, or at least to take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[JAWZ]

Most of the data is compliant with and based on EU-wide specifications/formats. Those permit length to be measured in different units (either mm or feet), but weight should always be metric tonnes.

I did have a look through the data before working out how to persist it, and didn't see any messages using feet instead of mm. But I've also been told not to trust a lot of the per-vehicle data, or at least to take it with a pinch of salt.

Interesting - what's wrong with the per-vehicle data?

 

[Hophead]

Unless I've misunderstood, "seats:16" seems unlikely for a vehicle that's 23495mm long.

 

[MrJeeves]

Interesting - what's wrong with the per-vehicle data?

A lot of it is obsolete, or entirely incorrect.

Every Avanti Pendolino unit, for example, still bears its original Virgin Trains name which obviously doesn't match reality these days.

As @Hophead points out, the seat count is incorrect for many vehicles. I remember seeing 171/8 units with 70-ish seats in two vehicles, and apparently only 9 in one of the others.

 

[JAWZ]

A lot of it is obsolete, or entirely incorrect.

Every Avanti Pendolino unit, for example, still bears its original Virgin Trains name which obviously doesn't match reality these days.

As @Hophead points out, the seat count is incorrect for many vehicles. I remember seeing 171/8 units with 70-ish seats in two vehicles, and apparently only 9 in one of the others.

Hmmm yeah, I hadn't seen those - I haven't looked that closely at every data field yet, as I'm just (ha, "just" ) trying to piece together meaningful diagrams and set histories right now I did notice some defect data that's clearly out of date, so I see what you mean about obsolete. It's an interesting API though, it'll be fun to see what comes out of it!

 

[Poggs]

Hmmm yeah, I hadn't seen those - I haven't looked that closely at every data field yet, as I'm just (ha, "just" ) trying to piece together meaningful diagrams and set histories right now I did notice some defect data that's clearly out of date, so I see what you mean about obsolete. It's an interesting API though, it'll be fun to see what comes out of it!

The feed is provided as-is, and reflects what's in the upstream source system. If seating capacities are incorrect (for example), there wouldn't have been much incentive for them to be fixed in the past - but now the data is more widely available, it might be an opportunity for operators to update data.

 

[johnr57]

I've downloaded your app from the play store but it crashes immediately when opening, what android versions have you tested to?

App ? What is it called please?

 

[Freightmaster]

App ? What is it called please?

Trainmapper - it's in his sig:





MARK

 

[JAWZ]

Trainmapper - it's in his sig:

View attachment 188968



MARK

Yup, TrainMapper - soft-launched it last month (well, I've no idea how to market it is closer to the truth )

I'm trying to work out why the Android version crashes on startup (for a few people) - haven't found the root cause yet, but I'll get there eventually Android is a PITA because of all the different vendors and their messing around with the core OS - I've developed the app on Google's base version (found on Pixel devices), so it'll be a while before the kinks are ironed out. I'm also experimenting with the functionality a bit at the moment - trying to keep it simple to use without cluttering it up with too many screens.

That being said, I've got a prototype running for this new API, it shows unit allocations and diagrams, hopefully it'll be released within the next few days ...

 

[johnr57]

App ? What is it called please?

Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Sep 2025 ==

Yup, TrainMapper - soft-launched it last month (well, I've no idea how to market it is closer to the truth )

I'm trying to work out why the Android version crashes on startup (for a few people) - haven't found the root cause yet, but I'll get there eventually Android is a PITA because of all the different vendors and their messing around with the core OS - I've developed the app on Google's base version (found on Pixel devices), so it'll be a while before the kinks are ironed out. I'm also experimenting with the functionality a bit at the moment - trying to keep it simple to use without cluttering it up with too many screens.

That being said, I've got a prototype running for this new API, it shows unit allocations and diagrams, hopefully it'll be released within the next few days ...

Just downloaded & subscribed , it’s right good! I like the combination of graphical and textual presentations.

Good luck with it and look forward to enhancements!

Well done

John

 

[JAWZ]

Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Sep 2025 ==


Just downloaded & subscribed , it’s right good! I like the combination of graphical and textual presentations.

Good luck with it and look forward to enhancements!

Well done

John

Thanks very much indeed! Yes, I much prefer the map approach to text-only tables, I've always had a soft spot for blobs on maps

Feel free to submit any suggestions for improvements, it's early days for the app at the moment.

The idea was for it to be my go-to for when I'm out and about - it's been great for making me hang around for those extra 10 minutes on Westbury station to catch a passing 59, or suddenly noticing there's a light loco heading my way. I guess if you're a plan-in-advance type it's not much use (right now it only shows live movements and today's schedules*), but for disorganised/spontaneous "hey it's a nice day, let's do half an hour at the bridge" types like myself I'm finding it very useful for knowing how long to hang around


* kind of getting the feeling that sooner or later it needs to be modified to query for movements on any date

 

[MrJeeves]

Android is a PITA because of all the different vendors and their messing around with the core OS - I've developed the app on Google's base version (found on Pixel devices), so it'll be a while before the kinks are ironed out.

Bah, it's not that bad these days!

 

[trainmania100]

I did notice some defect data that's clearly out of date

Lol- Just seen this. Wonder when 82200 last went to Kings Cross

<Defect>
   <MaintenanceUID>151950260</MaintenanceUID>
   <DefectCode>BD</DefectCode>
   <MaintenanceDefectLocation>ICY</MaintenanceDefectLocation>
   <DefectDescription>No2 bogie smoking on arrival into KX</DefectDescription>
   <DefectStatus>O</DefectStatus>
</Defect>

 

[JAWZ]

Lol- Just seen this. Wonder when 82200 last went to Kings Cross

<Defect>
   <MaintenanceUID>151950260</MaintenanceUID>
   <DefectCode>BD</DefectCode>
   <MaintenanceDefectLocation>ICY</MaintenanceDefectLocation>
   <DefectDescription>No2 bogie smoking on arrival into KX</DefectDescription>
   <DefectStatus>O</DefectStatus>
</Defect>

currently in Holyhead from what I can tell

 

[JAWZ]

Yup, TrainMapper - soft-launched it last month (well, I've no idea how to market it is closer to the truth )

I'm trying to work out why the Android version crashes on startup (for a few people) - haven't found the root cause yet, but I'll get there eventually Android is a PITA because of all the different vendors and their messing around with the core OS - I've developed the app on Google's base version (found on Pixel devices), so it'll be a while before the kinks are ironed out. I'm also experimenting with the functionality a bit at the moment - trying to keep it simple to use without cluttering it up with too many screens.

That being said, I've got a prototype running for this new API, it shows unit allocations and diagrams, hopefully it'll be released within the next few days ...

There will be a fix for the Android app startup crash on the Play Store soon - turns out it's a misconfigured toolbar that causes a crash if the device is in Dark Mode. The workaround for the time being is to disable Dark Mode

In the meantime, the allocations feature is still under test and should be out soon for both iOS and Android.

 

[Peter749]

A few observations from using TrainMapper for the first time today.

I notice looking at the times of a train, 1R66 Norwich to Liverpool, at some locations the train departed before it had arrived
At stations where there is a P time for passing TrainMapper shows a Departure even though it did not stop

Having found a station I'm interested in I can bring up the departures but it does not give any other info - like where the train stops.

 

[JAWZ]

A few observations from using TrainMapper for the first time today.

I notice looking at the times of a train, 1R66 Norwich to Liverpool, at some locations the train departed before it had arrived
At stations where there is a P time for passing TrainMapper shows a Departure even though it did not stop

Having found a station I'm interested in I can bring up the departures but it does not give any other info - like where the train stops.

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll look into what’s happening. Feel free to send on any further details via the feedback link in the app if you see this, the more data I can gather the easier it’ll be to reproduce and debug. Sounds like a failed timetable update in this instance, but I’ll do some digging. Any feedback is much appreciated, thanks!

 

[HA25322]

Just wanted to say that I have updated trainmapper on my iphone and now showing the days allocations and it seems to work a treat. It is superb. The search option is brilliant. Even just having to type in 4 numbers works well. Not had the chance to use it in vain as of yet but looks very promising.
Brilliant and well done.

 

[JAWZ]

Just wanted to say that I have updated trainmapper on my iphone and now showing the days allocations and it seems to work a treat. It is superb. The search option is brilliant. Even just having to type in 4 numbers works well. Not had the chance to use it in vain as of yet but looks very promising.
Brilliant and well done.

Hey, thanks so much for the kind words! I'm working on a fix for 2+ unit allocations (currently it only shows the leading unit), and another new feature (depot movements) is due for release in the next few weeks. Notifications and favourites are also in the pipeline, but they're further off.

Feel free to report any bugs or weird/clunky behaviour via the link in the app if you come across anything that's not right, or it's missing something. And spread the word if you like it

 

[HA25322]

Hadn't spotted that about the 2+ units but as I said I haven't been able to use it in vain as of yet. What you have here through with the full diagrams for all is wonderful.

 

[JAWZ]

Hadn't spotted that about the 2+ units but as I said I haven't been able to use it in vain as of yet. What you have here through with the full diagrams for all is wonderful.

I’d absolutely love to be able to add all the non-passenger stuff too, but I suspect that day is a long way off sadly.