I have been humbled by the popularity of Briefcase Rail Train View since it launched: any problems the site has immediately get complaints from users.
The project started as just something to mess about with, using the Network Rail Data Feeds, but it has become very popular and I regularly receive calls at work with suggestions, e-mails with ideas and Tweets requesting new routes!
All of this comes at the cost of time (I have to fit it in around a job which takes up around 50-60 hours a week) and money (I have to rent a server that runs 24/7, receiving the data feeds for every train that passes every signal on every line, plus all the TRUST messages and eventually VSTP feeds, as well as handling the WTT, which runs to almost 7,000,000 lines).
With this in mind, and the desire to keep BRTV free, I am considering using the Amazon Associates programme to offset some of the costs. Basically, there will be a link on the page which, if you shop with Amazon, I ask you to use every time you enter the site. If you do this, for every item you purchase, BRTV will receive a small percentage.
Basically, if you do this, I get some money of your purchase to keep the site running, if you don’t Amazon get it!
I’d be interested in your views on this, please feel free to Tweet me, or, if you know me personally, chat to me about it.
Briefcase
Firstly I do not have an issue with an Amazon link as in my mind its a sensible way to offset your cost so please go ahead. Secondly the page is great and allows me in Gloucestershire to see what is happening just out side of my Mothers front window just north of Haywards Heath station. I also follow another site that covers the South Western main line from Weymouth to the London suburbs. On that site the owner has broken the lines down into sections and uses 4 pages to cover it all. It might be an idea that you may wish to consider as this would allow a slightly clearer view. But it’s still a great site and I only wish I had the skill to be able to do another section of the network.
As a railway man who commutes to Selhurst from Brighton its an invaluable site, thankyou for creating it. Would it possible to set up a donations page so users can contribute towards the cost along the lines of how some the railway forums are funded? Keep up the great work, I hope one day you have the time to add Gat-Vic/Lbg!
Well done. I was involved in the development of the original BR version called SIVS back in the early 1990’s.
As well as adverts, why not consider a button where appreciative users can donate, either by card or Paypal.
Ps. Your reply details say that my URL is invalid so I have had to delete it.!
This site has to be the best thing since the introduction of other railway mapping systems which come in around the late 1990’s which are still around today.
It is an excellent aide when having to work `offline` to official railway systems, giving real time information, now with route settings and schedules when its needed most on the ground to help staff & passengers alike.
In recent times of disruption it has been an invaluable tool.
I would be against any advertising on the main mapping screen unless it was very small link in the corner and not being a total nag popping up.
As this site is a specialist site and a real niche, im sure there would be plenty of train enthusiasts including myself who would be more than happy to pay a donation to keep it running for you, or pay a very small subscription fee per month.
I guess it all depends on how much you require to keep the site running ??
As ive repeated said before, thank you again for creating this site & your continuing development… I have nothing but praise for your hard work, dedication & attention to detail.
My current wishlist is…
Signal indications for Hove, Three Bridges & Gatwick. Copyhold & Balcombe TnJn.
Tunnel sections [—] adding for Patcham & Balcombe Tn (like Clayton)
A late list.. perhaps a separate page which shows trains running late in descending order currently running on our network
A cancellation list… of all trains today cancelled or to be cancelled on our network.
Mapping from Horley up to Vic & Lbg obviously ( not fussed about the south london sub lines haha )
Being able to customise the line colours, background & lateness colours would be a nice touch.
Thanks again, you are a true genius – Bungle x ;0)
At long last I can express my appreciation of the efforts you have made to get this site working. I believe all those who have been made aware of this site are of the same opinion and we are telling more and more people about it. It has been extremely useful in that well known ‘Time of Perturbation’ particularly with the use of colour to indicate the train running. And, this is the only known site that actually tells you anything about the Croydon Tramlink real time running, perhaps a ‘Secret Squirrel’ depicting TfL !
I am only to happy to give financial support to this, the Amazon method appears to be a good idea. I think adverts would be a bit to much, but perhaps sponsored links might be an idea.
Please keep up the good work and let us know if there is anything we can help you with. Oh finally can you check the Up Loop at Worthing (Plat.1) as things seem to disappear
Thanks for such a site and your hard work.
Pat
Just one little bit of Sussex missing from the diagram…..East Grinstead….
I like this very much. Not only does it work at home (CCF doesn’t I’m afraid), but it works well at work (CCF crashes due to flaky internet connection), but this simply recovers and goes on doing its job – and just as well.
Would be quite nice to have the Hastings line from Bopeep jn to Tonbridge one day!!!
I’m amazed you can pick up the “S” class signalling off the TD and turn it into usable info!!
its a super diagram..lets hope you can start working north to scotland with other diagrams
’tis now… well, under test! http://www.sussextrains.co.uk/sandbox 😉
Very useful. Before I retired I did a lot of work drawing P2 maps and to be able to see where the trains are again is great. Thanks for providing it.
Lots of trains with the headcode 8??? going from Horsham UP T.C To Horsham UP T.C or Preston Park… any ideas?
@Keith HC- would you mind telling me the URL of this website please?
FirstMan, sorry for the delay but here is the website for the South Western lines:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/maps/areas/swml/2
Enjoy
Hi, just like to add my thanks to you for all your hard work that you have put into this site.
This site is invaluable to me in my job. We have the P2 on a PC at work, but this means that I can access your site outside of the office.
Thanks and well done and keep up the good work.
I would prefer not to see adverts, although I realise you need revenue from somewhere. Perhaps a donation button, as I sure people won’t mind paying once they have visited your site, to keep it running.
Thanks once again
Mark
You’re doing a grand job and very much appreciated as about the most useful App when ineeding to know what is actually occurring. Keep up the good work and hopefully as more people find out about this you’ll get the support.
Pat M.