About

The diagrams

The above image shows many of the features of the diagrams, most notably the white lines representing each track. Other features are detailed below.

Train Describer Berths

This image shows how Train Describer (TD) Berths are displayed on the diagrams. TD Berths are primarily used to display Train Reporting Numbers (headcodes).

When delay information is available, the delay of a train is shown in the background colour:

• 1A23 Blue for trains running 3 or more minutes early.
• 1A23 Green for trains running right-time (between 2 minutes early and 2 minutes late).
• 1A23 Yellow to red for trains running between 3 and 9 minutes late.
• 1W47 Red to pink for trains running between 10 and 19 minutes late.
• 5Z05 Pink to purple for trains running between 20 and 59 minutes late.
• 0P98 A purple for trains running more than 1 hour late.

If delay information is not available, or the description doesn't represent a train, then the formatting is as follows:

• 1A23 A green TD represents a valid headcode for a train, but that delay information isn't available. These headcodes are clickable and will take you to a RealTime Trains search for the train.
• BRTH A white headcode doesn't necessarily represent a train* and is most likely a reminder for the signaller, for example BLOK means the line is blocked, **** means the signalling system has detected a train but doesn't know what it is.
• 1Z99 A blue headcode represents specials train, usually a rescue train for another failed train, though it can be used for snowploughs, overhead line inspection, and de-icing trains.
• A123 A pink headcode represents a London Underground trains between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone when delay information isn't available.
•      The four grey blocks represent an empty "last sent" TD berth, usually seen at dead-end platforms or entrances to sidings and depots.

* Due to the nature of TD berths just being 4 alpha-numeric characters, signallers can input any four letter code into them. This means that some trains may be mis-labelled, intentionally (e.g. to prevent station information boards showing platform info or to serve as a reminder) or a mistake (e.g. inputting a zero instead of an 'O' or similar), meaning the above formatting is only an estimate as to what the codes represent.

Signals

This image shows how signals are represented on the diagrams.

• The top-left signal represents one displaying a "stop" aspect with no route set from it.
• The top-right signal again shows a signal displaying "stop" however this one has a route set from it, represented by the white post. It hasn't cleared to "proceed" for a number of possible reasons including points still moving, a train has already passed, or the signal has approach control.
• The lower-left signal represents a signal for which the state (stop/proceed etc.) isn't known. These signals may be "automatic" or in an area where this information isn't available.
• The lower-right signal is one which is showing "proceed" (either green, yellow or double yellow), this means a route must be set as well.

This is another set of signals, now with indications used for shunting and permissive working.

• The top-left signal is a basic shunt signal showing "stop" with no route set.
• The middle-left signal is showing a "proceed" aspect with a route set. It is also possible to have a shunt signal showing "stop" with a route set.
• The lower-left signal is a shunt signal where we have no data for it.
• The top-right signal is where a shunt signal and "main" signal (previous section) are combined. This shows one at "stop" with no route set.
• The middle-right signal shows the "main" aspect cleared.
• The lower-right shows the shunt signal or subsidiary signal cleared to allow a train into a siding or to share a platform with another train.

How It Works

This website uses the data feeds available from Network Rail. Primarily the Train Describer (TD), and Train Movement (TRUST) feeds.

For further information see the GitHub repositories for this site, note that these are not updated frequently.

• Server software
• Map layout data

People

This site was created and is maintained by Cameron Bird.

Legal

This website uses data from Network Rail under the Open Government Licence.