A real-time visualisation of the UK rail network - over 1,300 active trains plotted live, with operator, route, status, delay and next-stop information one click away.
The problem
National Rail's data is open, but most public-facing journey planners only show you the train you've searched for. There's no easy way to see the whole network at a glance, spot disruption patterns, or understand operator performance in real time.
Our approach
We built a lightweight web client that ingests the live Network Rail feeds, normalises the data, and renders every active train onto an interactive map. Each train is clickable - you get its headcode, operator, current route, last reported station, next stop, status and delay. The same data could just as easily power operational dashboards for logistics, fleet operators or rail-adjacent businesses.
What it does
Live nationwide view
1,300+ active trains rendered in real time, refreshed continuously from the Network Rail data feeds.
Click-through detail
Each train shows headcode, operator, origin/destination, last report, next stop, current status and delay in minutes.
Visual disruption signals
Colour-coded markers make late, on-time and cancelled trains instantly distinguishable on the map.
Connected status indicator
Always shows whether the live data feed is connected, so users can trust what they're looking at.
Tech stack
Outcomes
- →Demonstrates how public open-data feeds can be turned into a useful product in days, not months
- →A reusable pattern for any operational data-on-a-map use case
- →A ready-made starting point for clients in logistics, transport or field operations
Who this is for
Rail operators, logistics businesses, transport analysts, and anyone who wants to see what's possible when open data meets a thoughtful interface.
