Train tracking apps

[Philip H]

So down here on the coast I'm seeing 6plus CSX trains a day. If I work hard at it I may get the periodicity down over a couple of months. Since I am lazy - does anyone have a good app for tracking trains by train number - CSX and KCS preferred. Thanks!

[Philip H]

76 views and no answer - guess that clears it up for me!

[Missaberoad]

A little confused as to what you are asking for...
Do you want a list of train numbers? Or a database app?

Or do you want real time tracking of rail traffic, like with  an ACTS scanner? Avalibility of that would depend on the railroad and requires a little bit of hardware...

[Philip H]

So I video'ed two manifest freights today on different parts of the coast. Both headed east toward Jacksonville. I'm looking for an easy online way to figure out what they were. Hopefully when the shipping crates arrive and the scanner comes out I'll get a knowledge boost.

[Missaberoad]

Hmmm easy may be the wrong word... 

Here's a recently updated list of CSX train symbols.
http://railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/CSX_Train_Symbols

and a KCS list from 2004.
http://www.kcshs.org/schedule/schedule.htm

Assuming they are accurate with a little (ie: alot) of digging you might be able to connect the dots... A scanner will for sure help find clues...

Up here the Bytown society publishes a Trackside guide for Canada. Not sure if anyone makes something similar for the US?
http://www.bytownrailwaysociety.ca/index.php/sales-desk/canadian-trackside-guide

[ljudice]

The online railcar tracking apps (which sometimes allowed loco traces) have long been put behind username/password - since 9/11.   On CR you could get a symbol from one car #.

There are many tracking apps for Amtrak and commuter rail.

There is also ATCS  Monitor - although it does not show symbols.  If it is available for your area,  you should look into it....

[trainforfun]

The online railcar tracking apps (which sometimes allowed loco traces) have long been put behind username/password - since 9/11.   On CR you could get a symbol from one car #.

There are many tracking apps for Amtrak and commuter rail.

There is also ATCS  Monitor - although it does not show symbols.  If it is available for your area,  you should look into it....

I can follow a plane passing over my head with all the info on an apps on my phone  ...
I read somewhere there was suppose to be a delay , but I don't see it !!!
It might be more difficult to put an app for train since there is no "transceiver" or whatever the name is .
But that would be so much more fun to take picture .

[ljudice]

Check out ATCS.  It takes some time to understand,  but if you are lucky to be monitoring an area that has been "decoded" it is quite amazing.