Updates

1/18/2022

Changes 3.12

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(iOS) - Fixed an issue where notifications slowly stopped working as Apple updated to iOS 15.1/15.2 over the past few weeks.  Please note that iOS Version 13+ is required for notifications to work. 
(iOS) - Added message to indicate if background fetch is disabled which is required for notifications to operate. 

1/17/2022

1/11/2022

Removed - BNSF 1611 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

1/2/2022

12/30/2021

Changes 3.11

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(Android/iOS) - Fixed an issue where notifications may not have been working

12/27/2021

Removed - UP 2010 - Boy Scouts - Repainted

12/24/2021

The team at HeritageUnits.com wishes everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, & Happy New Year...

12/23/2021

12/21/2021

Removed - BNSF 1629 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

Added Oregon, IL Web Cam - RailStream.net

12/18/2021

Added Victoria, TX Web Cam (Jack's Carson's Railroad Videos) to the database

12/16/2021

Changes 3.10

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(Android/iOS) - Added the ability to turn on 24 hour time formatting  (More > Settings > Time Format)

12/12/2021

NS 8099 (Southern) Derailed last night on NS 20W. Reporting of the locomotive is suspended until repair work is completed. 

12/9/2021

Added - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2 - Video can be see at this link

12/8/2021

Added North Tazewell, VA web cam operated by Tazewell County Historical Society

12/4/2021

Added Westfield, MA - Web Cam by Boston & Maine Live

11/25/2021

If you're on the old legacy app (v2.5/2.6) then you'll start receiving a message to upgrade to the new app when attempting to submit a new report.  This is because the old app is officially deprecated and can no longer meet the new requirements of the system.  Upgrading is easy, just pop into the Google Play or Apple App store, find the Heritage Units app and click update.  

Please note that 95% of devices are already running the latest version 3.x version.   

Note if you're one of the handful of users running an Android OS version < 7.0 then you're in a pickle as I can't provide support for these devices due to the age of the Android operating system.  Technically you're still using the HU app v2.2 which is crazy old....  I highly recommend looking into purchasing a new phone (don't do it for HU app... do it for your own security as your android OS isn't updating with security patches like the new Android OS). 

Brian =) 

11/23/2021

(iOS/Android) - 3.6 Released

Changes
-----------------------------------
(iOS/Android) - Added ability to upload photos
(iOS/Android) - Pull down refresh on home page
(iOS/Android) - Sub Division Railroad list now sorts correctly
(iOS) - Fixed a zoom issue on sub division maps when screen initially loaded
(iOS) - Fixed issue with personalized ads initialization
(Android) - Fixed Google Play Subscriptions where after the first renewal it could appear expired.  

Please note that their may be a delay with iOS app store release as Apple is backlogged with app reviews during the holiday week.  

Brian =)

11/22/2021

Pere Marquette 1225 will be running between November 20th to December 19th.    Details can be found at https://www.michigansteamtrain.com/tickets-reservations

Added Lexington, KY Web Camera (hosted by Berkshire Trains)

11/18/2021

Added 2 web cameras

• Wyanet, IL
• Rochelle, IL (VirtualRailfan)

11/16/2021

The majority of the BNSF sub divisions have been loaded into the system.  This is mainly the milepost data with many more enhancements to come. 

Note that sub division data can only be viewed via the mobile apps. 

Brian =)

11/15/2021

Added 5 web cameras within Iowa hosted by Steel-Highway.com

• Washington, Iowa
• Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Muscatine, Iowa
• Belle Plaine, Iowa
• Iowa Falls, Iowa

11/9/2021

(iOS 3.4) & (Android 3.5) Released

• (iOS/Android) Prefill prompted even if no locomotives where selected
• (iOS/Android) Styling tweaks on reporting view
• (iOS/Android) Fixed map pinch/zoom issue when viewing sub division
• (Android) - Fixed issue with notifications
• (Android) - Added battery optimization notification on settings screen 

Next release will be 3.6 (iOS/Android)

• Adding pull down refresh on the home page
• Sub division search page, railroad drop down list will sort correctly
• More items to come

Brian =)

11/8/2021

(iOS/Android) - 3.3 Released

• (iOS) Fixed sporadic scroll on user's report history
• (iOS) Fixed application failed to load on iOS 12.0 or older 

If you wish to have the latest reports display on your home page.  Go to "More" > "Settings" and enable latest reports within the settings (near bottom)

Brian =)

11/5/2021

Added/renumbered CSXT3 in B&O Heritage. 

11/4/2021

11/2/2021

(iOS/Android) - 3.2 Released

• Fixed issue where viewing a photo from search list going back it would reset the search
• Fixed sort of railroad filter on the latest reports screen.
• Clicking a link in the news will now open within the native browser

If you wish to have the latest reports display on your home page.  Go to "More" > "Settings" and enable latest reports within the settings (near bottom)

Brian =)

10/30/2021

Added Web Cam - Fort Lauderdale, FL along FEC (Owned by Marine Industries Association of South Florida)

10/28/2021

Complete rewrite of the Heritage Units iOS app is finally released and will be rolled out over the next week. Apologies for the delay but the new iOS 15 operating system roll out required a few code changes.  All functionality that was in the Android app will be available within the iOS app (including notifications).       

Please note that notifications work on the iOS background fetch event controlled by the operating system. Unlikely Android where the application is allowed to check the server every "x" minutes (consistent behavior).  iOS operating system determines when notifications will be checked and is usually tied to user behavior and app usage. 

Update 10/28/2021 - A few small bugs have already been found with the new app (3.0.70).  Related to erratic scrolling on the current reports, near by pages and where it appears the settings page is not recalling the last setting values.  All these items have been fixed and are getting queued up in the Apple Store.  When released the version # will be 3.1.71 or higher

Brian =)

10/25/2021

Amtrak 406 is back in service and reporting is enabled

10/18/2021

Removed - BNSF 1770 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

10/17/2021

Added - AMTK197 - Big Game Train.  Please note this locomotive was in an accident yesterday.  The dramatic video can be seen at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NkGLVbQLA

10/16/2021

Added 2 new web cameras to the database

• Railstream.net - Marion, OH
• Boston & Maine Live - Greenville, ME

10/3/2021

Removed - FEC 104-107 - Florida East Coast Paint

Added Tehachapi Live Train Cams to the web camera database.

Updated a handful of VRF YouTube links

9/29/2021

9/17/2021

Amtrak 160 is out of the paint shop.  Link to Amtrak's twitter announcement. 

Added new Springfield, MA web cam

Added new Muscatine, IA web cam

NS 1074 is now reportable again as it's been spotted outside of Altoona, PA

9/13/2021

Release of Android 3.0.61 - Released 9/12/2021

• Performance Improvements

I'm also actively working on the iOS version which is currently in testing and still on schedule for end of September pending no surprises arise.

Brian =)

8/31/2021

Android Version 3.0.56 - Released 8/31/2021

• Ability to unmask password on login/registration. This will allow you to copy/paste complex passwords.
• Can now search for sub divisions around your device (More > Sub Divisions > Map Icon top right)
• Numerous small bugs/tweak

8/29/2021

NKP 765 is now reportable again 

8/26/2021

Android Release 3.0.54

• Home Screen added Latest Reports (must be turned on in settings)
• Web cams are now searchable when submitting a new report
• Report Submission, fixed an issue with prefill

8/25/2021

If you updated to the new HU android app (Android 8.1 or older) and received an object reference error or the application is failing to load.  I've developed fix for this issue (3.0.53) and will be publishing it to the store later today.

Brian =)
HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer

I've released the Heritage Units Android App (3.0) to the play store.   

• If you have a fatal issue where the application won't run please contact me at the support link (https://www.heritageunits.com/main/contact) and please be detailed to the issue that is occurring.  I will likely respond asking for screenshots if it's an error that I'm not a aware of as this will assist with faster resolutions.  Please be patient as I'll try to resolve any issues as fast as possible.  Note that application has been available for 48 hours and many folks are already updated to 3.0 and are using it to report locomotives. 
   
• If you're running Android phone with the operating system (4.0 / 5.0) - Less than 0.6% of users.  Note that you're a rare bird and I still have the legacy version out there FOR NOW...  but it will be removed before 2022.  My recommendation is that it's time to upgrade your phone.    
  
  

• If you're running Android phone with the operating systems (6.0 / 7.0) - Less than 4% of users .  Please note that these operating systems support is running thin and thus you may receive errors and I'll attempt to resolve them but I can't provide any guarantees.  Just like the 4.0/5.0 operating systems, it's recommended that phone upgrade be in your future.
   

Brian
HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer

8/22/2021

New Web Cam - Washington, IA

Added new web cam for Cinncinati, OH.  Note that camera does change directions but when faced east it will see the trains entering/leaving Cincinnati. 

8/21/2021

New mobile apps are on the way... 

These are 100% complete rewrites of the current version and address many issues the plagued the old one.  Below are a couple notes about the releases and their planned release dates.

• Complete new UI experience.  
• Fixed issues requiring frequent logins (note you will need a new fresh login with this new app)
• Time zone issues when submitting reports
• You can now set the leading locomotive if it's not a tracked unit.  In the current version you could only state "other" or select one of the reported locomotives.
• Sub divisions / mile posts are now available.  We're actively building our database so this is experimental but will include radio frequencies, detector locations, etc... 
• If a sub division is selected during a report, the train direction should match timetable directions (N/S or E/W) for the sub division.  We know some are confusing so we provide helpers per division.
  
• Notifications within the app of when a locomotive matches your near by settings.
• Many more...

Rollout

• Android app should start a staged rollout next week pending no issues arise during our final testing.
• Apple app should follow right behind with a mid- to-late September rollout.

Not included (but coming very soon...)

• Photo uploads

Brian =)
HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer

8/14/2021

Updated the North East, PA web cam URL and set the owner to Lake Shore Railway Museum

8/5/2021

Removed  (repainted) - BNSF 1608 - ATSF Bluebonnet

8/2/2021

Added BNSF1594 (BN Paint)

7/26/2021

Added Palmer, MA Web Cam by Boston and Maine Live

7/25/2021

Added AMTK108 (Phase VI)

Added AMTK160 (Dash 8 Phase III)

7/23/2021

Reactivated BNSF 9407

7/16/2021

Added - BBLE862 (DMIR Paint)

7/8/2021

Added VirtualRailfan.com Web Camera - Spartanburg, SC

7/7/2021

Added Railstream.net Web Camera - Atlanta, GA

6/30/2021

Added - AMTK301 - Day 1 - 50th Anniversary

6/28/2021

Removed - MNCR126 - New Haven

6/18/2021

Added - BNSF1787 - BN Paint

6/14/2021

Removed - KCS 2972 - KCS Grey

CSX has officially renumbered CSXT1 (Spirit of WV) to CSXT173.   Note that we renumbered the locomotive last week due to CSXT1 (B&O Scheme) venturing out on the OCS. 

6/9/2021

CSXT1 & 2 - B&O Heritage Scheme locomotives are available for reporting.

6/4/2021

Unlocked NS 8098 (Conrail) for reporting

5/29/2021

Added Rocky Mount, NC web cam

5/28/2021

Added Oklahoma City, OK web cam

Added - IHB3800 - Salute our Troops - Note that notifications are disabled on this unit due to it's limited range

5/27/2021

5/24/2021

NW611 is enabled for reporting

5/21/2021

We've received word about the new CSX1 (F40PH in B&O Scheme).  We're holding on changes until we receive confirmation that CSXT1 (Spirit of WV) is officially renumbered and confirmed.   This is to avoid confusion and reporting the wrong locomotive.

5/19/2021

Added Belle Plaine, NE web cam (thanks T. Hogan)
Added Fostoria, OH (thanks A. Wenger)

5/17/2021

Updated link to new Roanoke web camera and updated the link to Hotel Roanoke Rail cam.   Many thanks Bruce P. for the email!

5/1/2021

As of 5/1/2021 we've officially deprecated SMS notifications due to lack of utilization and costly to maintain.   Please note that we'll have push notifications coming to our mobile apps. 

5/3/2021

Added - Metra North Commuter Units in New Haven paint (P32AC-DM #228-231 and BL20GH 126-127, 129-130).  

Please note that we don't send out notifications for units in regular commuter service. 

4/26/2021

4/23/2021

4/22/2021

We've unlocked NW611 in preparation for its move in May.

https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/611-at-strasburg/

4/17/2021

Fixed an issue where the server was failing to send out emails during registrations / forgot passwords.   If you registered your account between 4/12/2021 8PM EST to 4/16/2021 8PM EST you likely didn't receive an email.  

Please visit the profile page to generate another email verification link (link)

4/16/2021

Added - WE7023 - 30th Anniversary

4/14/2021

Added Cedar Fall, IA to the web cam map

4/8/2021

4/4/2021

4/3/2021

UP1995 reporting restrictions have been lifted. UP has placed the unit back in service as of yesterday. 

3/31/2021

3/30/2021

On the web site (Desktop View) we've added the ability to see the locations of web cams within the USA/Canada. Please contact us if there are missing.   This will be useful if trying to locate and track a Heritage Unit.   

Also note that this is in preparation for our new mobile app which will ask specifically what camera you saw the locomotive at to assist with keeping reporting consistent. 

HeritageUnits.com is not affiliated with these camera operators.  While some of these cameras are free to view, others are not.  We do ask that you support each operator on their respective sites via a membership or donations.

Brian =)
HeritageUnits.com 

3/29/2021

3/22/2021

3/18/2021

Added - KCS2823 - KCS Grey

3/16/2021

Removed - BCOL 4643 - BC Rail Paint - Scrapped

3/15/2021

3/11/2021

3/8/2021

Added  - Canadian Pacific's "Central, Maine & Quebec" units

• CMQ1002
• CMQ1006
• CMQ2001
• CMQ2002
• CMQ2003
• CMQ2004
• CMQ2006
• CMQ3812
• CMQ3816
• CMQ3817
• CMQ9004
• CMQ9010
• CMQ9011
• CMQ9014
• CMQ9017
• CMQ9020
• CMQ9021
• CMQ9022
• CMQ9023
• CMQ9024

Removed - NS 3215 - 2014 NMRA - SOld to PRLX

Reactivated - NS3492 OLS as it's been spotted in numerous locations. 

3/5/2021

Added - EMDX7235 - EMDX Black

3/1/2021

2/26/2021

2/22/2021

2/15/2021

Reactivated CSX 911, 3194 and 1776.   Reportable on CSX Q410-14 to Selkirk, NY

2/12/2021

2/6/2021

2/5/2021

AMTK184 is now reportable again

2/1/2021

1/26/2021

Added remaining KCS units in Grey.

SD40-2

• KCS 661 
• KCS 3219

GP38-2

• KCS 1908 
• KCS 1909
  
• KCS 1915 
• KCS 1921 
• KCS 2004 
• KCS 2014 
• KCS 2022 
• KCS 2023 
• KCS 2029

GP40-3

• KCS 2809 
• KCS 2830 
• KCS 2841 
• KCS 2844 
• KCS 2846 
• KCS 2898  
• KCS 2964 
• KCS 2972 

 GP40-2LW

• KCS 2900 
• KCS 2902 
• KCS 2906 
• KCS 2911

1/24/2021

Removed - BNSF 2843 - ATSF Bluebonnet (Repainted)

Removed - BNSF 2831 - BN Paint (Repainted)

1/22/2021

Added - KCS 2967 - KCS Grey

1/21/2021