Renumbered NS GP59 Units that are in Operation Lifesaver paint schemes.
Removed - KCS2823 - KCS Grey - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 185 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1973 - BN Paint - Repainted
Removed - KCS 2898 - KCS Grey - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 190 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Railfan Arizona who currently runs many cameras in & around Arizona has a setup a GoFundMe to setup a new camera in Needles, CA. If you wish to help support them at the GoFundMe page, the URL is https://gofund.me/a6a8fb0c
Current update on train routing algorithms. We have completed CSX, NS, BNSF, KCS routing configurations and we're actively working on the UP and Amtrak configurations. Please note that if you view a train route and it's incorrect; please reach out to me at the contact link on the site or within the mobile app.
There is likely small configuration tweaks that need to be done so the server can calculate the route correctly (note train routings are auto recalculated every 24 hrs). Once we have Amtrak/UP configurations completed we'll then look to release the Train ETA functionality.
Brian =)
HeritageUnits.com - Founder/Developer
If you received a report submission error between 7PM EST (1/2/23) and 7AM EST (1/3/23) this issue has been resolved. The error was around assigning a train # behind the scenes and would only occur if train number was not found within the system. Thank you to everyone that reached out that had a problem.
Brian =)
Removed - BNSF 1604 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1960 - BN Paint - Repainted
Removed - BCOL 4612 - BC Rail Paint at LTEX
Removed - BNSF 176 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 2849 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share what I've been working on with HU over the past year and what I'm intending to release within 2023.
Train Symbols
Currently you can view the train symbol database only within the mobile app. I will soon be releasing this onto the web (browser) where additions/modifications can be updated by the HU community. Currently modifications can only be submitted via the app.
Train Routing
I'm sure many of you have seen the prompting for a nearby sub division and milepost when reporting a locomotive. This is needed to assist with the train routing algorithms. Over the past year since releasing the new mobile app I've been working hard to import all the major class I railroads and milepost data within the HU system.
I've also been coding the routing algorithms and building the routing grids for each major railroad. This has been an extremely time consuming to do but we're getting very close to having this setup. Note that you might see a 'View Route' button when viewing a report on the mobile app and it displays map of the routing path. This is the result of all this work...
Note that I've currently been working on routing within the USA. I will be expanding this to our Canadian friends in the future.
Train Estimated Arrivals/Notifications
This has been
my dream since writing the 1st piece of code for HU over 10 years ago.
This is actively working behind the scenes and the server is predicting when a train will arrive at a location and an estimated timeframe. I'm still tweaking things out and polishing off the design and adjusting for timetable speeds. My goal would be to have this feature available in the future where the mobile app can provide you a potential heads up on when a locomotive is inbound to your location or a web cam. I hope to report back on this in the future... but I'm very excited about this.
Web Camera Logs
Web cameras have been a fantastic addition to the railfan community! It's been requested by many if I could create train logs where the community can record trains that they’ve seen go by a camera.
This is something that I will be adding to the site in the near future and new train log additions can be directly added via the website but only for web cameras. Normal reporting of tracked locomotives will still require the mobile app because the security architecture. I will be trialing this with a few cameras before expanding it out to all.
Apologies for the long message but just wanted to share and I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s!
Brian =)
HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer
City of Kyle, TX (host of the webcam) has taken down their feed. We'll be removing the camera from our system but please reach out if the a new camera in Kyle, TX becomes active again.
Removed - CSXT 4589 - Spirit of Nashville - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1836 - BN Paint - Repainted
Removed - KCS 2967 - KCS Grey - Repainted
Removed - CN 2115 - 15th Anniversary - Sold (likely for scrap but not confirmed)
Removed - BNSF 2787 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 173 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 159 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Resolved an issue where the was throwing an error when submitting train symbol changes (Adds, Updates and Deletes).
BNSF721 has been reactivated for reporting
Removed - AMTK606 - King Tut - Unwrapped
Removed - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2 - Unwrapped
Fixed a bug when viewing a certain locomotives the page may have not displayed.
Added - UP5511 - Steam (2-10-2), UP3985 - Steam (4-6-6-4) and reactivated UP6936.
This is for the scheduled move from Cheyenne, WY to Silvis IL on Friday November 11th. Note that once the locomotives arrive at Silvis, IL we'll be removing these locomotives from the app.
New Web Cam - Houston, TX (UP Houston West Sub) by LiveTrains.com
We've added back BCOL 4609. We received bad information of it being possibly scrapped. Many thanks to everytone that reached out to assist with more detail.
Removed - IC 2460 - Blue Devil - At LTEX to be scrapped
Removed - BNSF 1920 - BN Paint - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 187 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 180 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
NS4656 is now NS6656. Unit has been renumbered for future AC-DC conversions of Dash 9's.
CMQ9021 is now CP9021. Unit has been repainted and relabeled to "SD40-2F (CP PAINT)"
Removed - BNSF 1609 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - CSXT 8077 - Colonel Philip Hooper - Rebuilt to a ET23 it is now CSX 1727
Removed - BCOL 4602 & 4622 - BC Rail Paint - Sold LTEX for scrap
New Web Cam - Richville, MN by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel
New Web Cam - Neenah, WI by Steel-Highway.com
New Web Cam - Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) by Cincinnati Railroad Club
Removed - BNSF 175 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - IC 2457 - Blue Devil - In dead line at Lordstown
Removed - CSXT173 - Spirit of West Virginia - Rebuilt as CSXT7274
New Web Camera - Sedalia, MO by Steel-Highway.com
New Web Camera - Waupaca, WI by Steel-Highway.com
2 New Web Cameras added - Perham, MN & Wadena, MN - Both provided by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel
Added 2 new web cameras by Steel Highways
Trempealeau, WI (Trempealeau Hotel)
Manly, IA (Manly Junction Museum)
Removed - BNSF 165 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 166 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 172 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
We've updated the NS train symbols to match the new intermodal symbols effective today.
Hi everyone,
The HU team is getting the system ready for the upcoming NS intermodal train symbol changes on 8/22. We'll execute scripts on that day to update all the symbols in the system. Please note that you can submit train symbol changes to us via the mobile app. Head to "More" > "Train Symbols" and run a search. If the train symbol is not found then you'll be presented with the option add one.
Couple notes...
With this information our team can review the change help build out the database. Note that you may see routing paths generated for trains. Our system regenerates these routing paths every night. If you see a routing path that is incorrect, please let us know via submitting a train symbol update. Note that we're expanding the routing functionality everyday to include more railroads but note this is still experimental as we're constantly tweaking the algorithms.
Brian =)
Removed - KCS 2023 - KCS Grey - Repainted
New Web Cam - Kyle, TX by City of Kyle, TX
New Web Cam - Grand Mound, IA by Steel-Highway.com
Removed - BNSF 183 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
New Web Cam - Greeley, CO by Private Railfan
New Web Cam - Gallup, NM by RailfanAZ.com
If you attempted to validate your email within the last few days and where unsuccessful; please try again. This developer/human (=P) had a bug within the code that was preventing verifications which has been resolved as of 7/15/22 @ 7:15AM EST.
If you need to generate a new verification email, please log into your profile on the web site or open the mobile app and click on the yellow email verification banner on the top.
Brian =)
Removed - CSXT 323 - L&N Emblem - Rebuilt to CM44AC 7272
Removed - DH 7303 - CP - Delaware & Hudson - Scrapped
New Web Cam - Selma, NC by RailStream.net
Removed - CMQ2001 to 2006- Central, Maine & Quebec (BNSF)
New Web Cam - Dunn, NC
Added - CN Ex-CREX ES44AC purchased in early May (CN2750-2796)
Added new web cam by RailfanAz.com at Kingman, AZ
Removed - BNSF 197 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Added - ATSF 5704 - Bicentennial.
Please note reporting is locked on this unit until it starts its journey west. Please contact support when this occurs.
Removed - BNSF 171 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Added new web cam by Steel-Highway.com at Grinnell, IA
Willcox, AZ by RailfanAz.com
Fort Worth, TX (Central Station) by Trinity Metro
Removed - BNSF 168 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Wanted to send a message that our server is currently running slower than normal. Everything should resolve by 2-3PM EST today (5/31/22). I'll update this note when everything is back to normal.
2:45PM EST - Everything is back to normal
Brian =)
Reactivate - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2. This was a mistake on our part for removing this locomotive. We received word that unit was unwrapped. Many thanks to HU community for reaching out to provide support.
Brian =)
Removed - BNSF 163 & 179 - ATSF Bluebonnet (repainted)
2 New Web Cameras Added - Tacna, AZ / Wilmot Tucson, AZ by RailfanAZ.com
Removed - BNSF 1618 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2
Removed - UP 6367 - SP Paint - Repainted
Added Web Cam - East Dubuque, IL (Steel Highway Railcams)
Removed - BNSF 182 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Added - Mount Pleasant, IA - Web Cam by Steel-Highway.com
Added New Web Cam - Waycross, GA - VirtualRailfan.com
Changes Mobile App v3.15
------------------------------------
Please note that this release should be available within the app stores within next few days.
Brian =)
Added 2 new web camera - Carroll, IA & West Liberty, IA - Steel Highway Railcams
This news is already a week old but CMQ9022 (SD40-2F) has been repainted into CP paint and renumbered to CP9022.
I debated if we should take these unique locomotives off once repainted and decided that we'll create a separate special category for just the CP SD40-2F units.
Brian =)
Removed - BNSF 1765 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Changed the direction mode for the Monon sub division from East/West to North/South. CSX changed the directions between the 2005 and 2008 timetables. Many thanks to Christopher R. for reaching out to help identify the problem.
Added - Winslow, AZ Web Cam - Owner https://railfanAZ.com
Added - NS5199 - NS High Hood
Added - WE7001,7009,7012 and 7014 - Operation Lifesaver
All UP sub divisions have been loaded along with mile post data. This can be found within the mobile app > "More" > "Sub Divisions"
Removed - BNSF 1798 - BN Paint - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1647 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1607 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
WE5391 (Rio Grande) has been renumbered to WE5412
Removed - CMQ9010 - Central, Maine & Quebec - Repainted
Removed - UP 6290 - SP Paint - Repainted
KCS Business Units are unlocked for reporting.
Removed - BNSF 1760 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
Removed - KCS 2846 - KCS Grey - Repainted
Removed - BNSF 1622 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
The legacy Heritage Units app (v2.2) is no-longer supported for submitting reports as of 3/11/2022. Please note that we'll be removing this legacy version from the app store with our next release. Please upgrade to the version 3.0 which has been available for over 6 months now.
If you're one of the rare folks running this version and you're asking why? As of 3/11/2022 - 99.9997% of the heritage units community are running version 3.0+ and we need everyone upgraded the latest version so we can implement new functionality.
Brian =)
HeritageUnits - Founder / Developer
We've added back the ex-NS8520 (DC to AC - Red unit) under it's new ownership of Knoxville Locomotive Works.
The unit's reporting marks are now KLWX 8520 and is supposedly on lease to CN. A video of the unit was captured at the link below on CN L556.
Added UP Kansas Area
Added UP Dallas/Ft. Worth Area
These can be found within the mobile app > "More" > "Sub Divisions"
We've added the remaining NS High Hoods that are currently active on the roster and not within storage.
Removed - EMDX 1602 & 1610- EMD Demonstrator
Removed (Repainted) - BNSF 1645 - ATSF Bluebonnet
Added UP Divisions (Areas) - Los Angeles and Sunset. These can be found within the mobile app > "More" > "Sub Divisions"
Removed - BNSF 679 - ATSF Warbonnet - Scrapped
Added UP Divisions (Areas) - Salt Lake, Roseville , North Platte and Council Bluffs. These can be found within the mobile app > "More" > "Sub Divisions"
Removed - SOO 4411, 4416, 4438, 4598 & DME 4002, 4004, 4006. Currently being auctioned off.