WTTs

[msey0002]

I find this website (which was very kindly disseminated to us rail simmers on this forum) extremely useful for scenarios, but does anyone know why it doesn't presently show frieght or charter services?

http://rail.staging.swlines.co.uk/?loca ... show_stp=1

kind regards,

[secludedsfx]

It always has shown freight so Tom must be doing an update or things behind the scenes at the moment.

[phat2003uk]

I believe freight times have been withdrawn to avoid any friction with Network Rail in coming to an agreement to publish them with their permission.

[msey0002]

I believe freight times have been withdrawn to avoid any friction with Network Rail in coming to an agreement to publish them with their permission.

Thanks Richard. Do you know if this is likely to be resolved in the future?

[Dave4468]

I'm getting very confused by this. Both this and Open Train Times have had to stop showing freight timings for free but NR (or whoever is causing the problems) are fine with Freightmaster making a profit off selling the same info.

[bdy26]

I do know why, and have been directly involved in discussions on this but unfortunately can't say more.

The commercial world is surprisingly sensitive to thing that are surprising that are regarded as sensitive. I am optimistic that such information will be available to all in due course and understand that NR's view is in principle that information aside from nuclear flask and Royal Train workings should be freely available.

Be patient, i expect things will be better soon.

B

[AndyUK]

AFAIK Freightmaster don't get the info from Network Rail sources.

Andy L

[msey0002]

Good news, Ben, thanks

[yerkes]

Just some additional background which is in the public domain: Peter Hicks of OpenTrainTimes.org posted an update on his blog about this just yesterday (http://blog.opentraintimes.com/). The gist with regard to Tom Cairns' site is that Tom has voluntarily taken down non-passenger workings while this issue is being dealt with.

[Dave4468]

Ah, thanks, makes the whole state of affairs slightly clearer. We are now looking through frosted glass rather than mud!

[FoggyMorning]

NR's view is in principle that information aside from nuclear flask and Royal Train workings should be freely available.

I understand that it's probably best not to advertise the movement of hazardous nuclear waste, but why on earth would there be the same restriction on Royal train movements; used predominantly to ferry the Royal Family to and from public engagements

[jivebunny]

I understand that it's probably best not to advertise the movement of hazardous nuclear waste, but why on earth would there be the same restriction on Royal train movements; used predominantly to ferry the Royal Family to and from public engagements

Presumably it's for the same reasons for which it has priority over any other train movement on the network. I'd imagine someone with a bone to pick with the UK could cause quite a bit of damage if they knew where, when and for how long the Windsors were going to be stationary on board a huge purple target that has no way of quickly moving to safety. It's the same logic behind only revealing routes for royal weddings / funerals etc at the last moment, minimising the amount of time for the baddies have to prepare themselves.

Of all the trains in movement on our rails these are the two types which a) you want to keep moving and b) you don't want to attract attention to if they do stop.

JB

[Dave4468]

NR's view is in principle that information aside from nuclear flask and Royal Train workings should be freely available.

I understand that it's probably best not to advertise the movement of hazardous nuclear waste, but why on earth would there be the same restriction on Royal train movements; used predominantly to ferry the Royal Family to and from public engagements

Because someone could get hold of the planned route and try to cause a problem for it.

I believe there are some fairly strict rules about their signalling, things like all signals being set, trains being alongside the Royal Train for as little time as possible, clipped points, lots of things. In fact I'm believe that the Royal Train is not allowed to leave the station until the Queen (or whoever is on) has also left. Although that might be all wrong.

[dean1986]

If you want freight times join some yahoo gen groups there are people posting timings of many freight services including nuclear workings nr test train workings and also reports of the whereabouts of all locos.

Dean

[bdy26]

If you read the accounts of 6233 hauling the Royal Train in Andrew Roden's book on the Duchesses, the security and info really is incredibly tight on it's workings. As a staunch republican I don't buy it either, but that is definitely the current status of info.

Not sure the old rules of a pilot engine to run 10 mins ahead and all facing points to be manually clamped still applies though!

B