Local Railway Information
Railway information groups have been around since 1999. Enhancments in mobile phone technology began to intergrate with mobile phones. Railway enthusiasts soon realised they could untilise Yahoogroups to create a group for rail enthusiasts to join, then those people who were members could then post information about workings and trains they saw. This new technology of posting information from a mobile phone to the internet at the lineside spawned a new era of Railway information. With ‘gen’ posting becoming instant it kept other members of the same group up to date with current train movements.
As internet access become integrated into mobile phones this has enabled a whole host of Railway Gen groups to appear covering all manner of topics, locomotive classes, and regions. In the South West we have two main 'Gen Groups' which cover our region. Many of these groups first used the popular Yahoogroups service, but are now hosted on Groups.io.
Local eGroups
Great Western Gen
South West Rail Gen
Facebook as allowed a further version of ‘live’ information to be posted via photos and videos being posted to South West based groups providing a visual representation of movements.
With increasing amounts of information available to the general public with regards to tracking trains on the move, there are more ways to monitor trains and services in the Taunton area. Many online public services exist, such as Real Time Trains, Open Train Times, and Traksy.
| With increasing amounts of information available to the general public with regards to tracking trains on the move, the more ways enthusiasts also find to monitor the same trains and services, thus allowing them to pinpoint their exact position. Many online public services exist, such as Real Time Trains, Open Train Times, and now also Traksy. Both OTT and Traksy have used free feeds available from Network Rail to produce full signaling diagrams for many routes around the UK. Traksy now includes Taunton. For the uninitiated it may seem confusing at first, but above you can see the platforms at Taunton (orange) platform numbers 2,3,4,5 & 6. As trains pass through they are denoted by a four digit code (the headcode), each headcode identifies a service. By clicking on that service you can see it's schedule. The headcodes move in real time as they pass signals and detection equipment giving a live view as to the location of each service. We have provided an embedment of the Traksy website above (which can also be used on any hand held mobile device), Traksy covers the majority of the UK, and as long as your enter a station name you can see the track diagram for that area. Please also visit the Traksy website for more details. |
| Real Time Trains also take live information from Network Rail feeds to provide real time train information and display in a timetable format which is easy to understand. the system also includes Non Passenger workings and Freight services. The nationwide system provides accurate train and schedule information for the user, and also keeps information for up to five days before its deleted. |
RailCam-operated West Somerset Railway webcam
Webcams provided and operated by Railcam, hosted by West Somerset Railway
Bishops Lydeard |
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Crowcombe South |
Crowcombe North |
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Williton No. 2 |
Williton No. 1 |
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Watchet No. 2 |
Watchet No. 1 |
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Blue Anchor No. 2 |
Blue Anchor No. 1 |
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Seaward Way Crossing, Minehead (Timed Pan) |
Minehead Station |
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