Updates

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  • 11/30/2020

  • Added - BNSF 196 - ATSF Bluebonnet
    Added - BNSF 1638 - ATSF Bluebonnet
    Added - BNSF 1645 - ATSF Bluebonnet
    Added - BNSF 1648 - ATSF Bluebonnet
    Added - BNSF 1761 - ATSF Bluebonnet


  • 11/28/2020

  • Added - EMDX 7215 - EMDX Yellow/White
  • Added - EMDX 7214 - EMDX Yellow/White

  • 11/27/2020

  • BNSF677 & BNSF686 are reportable again. Spotted in Kansas City, MO. 

  • 11/25/2020

  • Added - CN 7601 - Illinois Central

  • 11/24/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 2857 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 11/22/2020

  • Removed - IC 2455 - Blue Devil - Scrapped

  • 11/21/2020

  • Fixed a bug where custom favorites couldn't be updated on the web.  Thanks Phil for letting us know.

    Brian =)
    HeritageUnits.com - Founder/Developer

  • 11/16/2020

  • Added - BNSF 888 - ATSF Warbonnet

  • 11/12/2020

  • Renamed - CN 3233 to Veterans Unit

  • Added - CN 3015 - Veterans Unit
  • Removed - NS 5826 - Operation Lifesaver
  • Removed - NS 3500 - Operation Lifesaver
  • Removed - NS 3492 - Operation Lifesaver

  • 11/7/2020

  • Added - MRL 4407 - Veterans Unit

  • 11/6/2020

  • Fixed a bug where the category drop down on the mobile apps was only displaying a the sub category.  This was a server level fix;; thus the fix will be immediate for any affected app versions.

    Brian =)

  • 11/1/2020

  • Added - CN 601 - Illinois Central

  • 10/29/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 1739 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • Removed - BNSF 1738 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 10/25/2020

  • Added 3 "New" Heritage units from Canadian National.   CN3023 (EJE), CN3008 (IC) and CN3069 (WC).   All 3 locomotives with addition of CN3115 (BCOL) are on train CN M396.  

    A video of the units can be found at this link ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdH7YV2SQ-Y )

  • 10/18/2020

  • Added - AMTK 705 - Phase III Empire Service

  • Removed - BNSF 2869 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 10/16/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 1757 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 10/13/2020

  • Quick update on the upcoming 3.0 mobile app.  

    For the past month I've been making core changes to the server in preparation for the 3.0 app.  Below are a couple features I'm looking to bring into v3.0.

    • Sub Divisions / Mile Post - We'll ask the reporter for more details like the sub division, mile post and timetable direction.  If you don't know all those details; it's ok!    We're building the app to suggest them to you and also provide pointers on the correct direction (sometimes North/South is actually East/West on a railroad's timetable). 

    • Web Cameras - We're building in features to speed up web camera reporting and pre-fill in details about the location. 

    • Push Notifications - Currently only our android app (premium accounts) has the ability to do notifications but they're built upon a "pull" notification that works on a schedule.  We're looking to replace this with "push" notifications for iOS/Android.

    • Photo Uploads - Currently only available via our web version.  Looking to add the ability to upload directly from your phone. 

    • Routing Predictions - Our ultimate goal... with more detailed reporting our goal is send notifications to you if you train is inbound to your location.  Note this will likely be delivered in later version as we stabilize the 3.0 version. 

    Please be patient as I build things out but if you have enhancement ideas please send them to me at our contact page. 

    Brian =)
    HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer



  • BNSF680 is reportable again

  • 10/12/2020

  • Added - BNSF 1914 - BN Paint

  • Added - AMTK 600 - David L. Gunn Memorial - Note that this is in commuter service so we've disabled notifications for this locomotive

  • Added - BNSF 1835 - BN Paint

  • 10/11/2020

  • BNSF625 is reportable again (was in storage)

  • 10/10/2020

  • Added another "new" heritage unit CN3115 in BC rail paint. This unit previously was a 100th anniversary unit. 

    It's been spotted in it's new paint but no word on the official release date.  

    Their is also another Illinois Central heritage unit (all black "deathstar") that is painted but it's number is still TBD.

    Top notch stuff coming out of Canadian National!

  • Added a "new" heritage unit.  Fresh out of the shop in true GT (Blue/Red) paint - CN 8952 - Grand Trunk Western

  • 10/9/2020

  • Resolved an issue while submitting new reports where a new report could result in a "Object reference not set to an instance of an object".  

  • 10/7/2020

  • Applied a small fix for the map view on the mobile web version where it wasn't pulling up the report when clicking on the marker icon. 

    Fixed a display issue with trending locomotives (Mobile & Web versions)

  • 10/6/2020

  • Added - BNSF 1755 - ATSF Bluebonnet

  • 10/3/2020

  • Removed - CEFX 6012 - SOO Paint - Repainted

  • Added - CN7600 (GP40-3) CN 600 (Slug).   As of right now we're describing them as "Canadian National Green" paint.  You can view a picure of them at this  (link).  

    Please note that links only work on the web version of heritage units.  In our new app they'll be clickable. 

  • 9/29/2020

  • Removed - SOO 4409 - SOO Paint - Repainted

  • Removed - BNSF 3172 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • Removed - BNSF 1746 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 9/26/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 2952 - ATSF Bluebonnet  - Repainted

  • 9/24/2020

  • UP1995 (C&NW) is now reportable again

  • Added - BNSF 1611 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Added - BNSF 1751 - ATSF Bluebonnet

  • 9/23/2020

  • Added - BNSF 6075 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 9/20/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 2846 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • Removed - BNSF 2796 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 9/18/2020

  • Added - BNSF 5869 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 9/10/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 1445 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 9/9/2020

  • Added - BNSF 6179 - BNSF 25th Anniversary
  • Removed - BNSF 1792 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 9/7/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 3032, 3106, 3169 and 3173 - Repainted
  • Added - BNSF 5872 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 9/5/2020

  • Added - BNSF 2868 - ATSF Bluebonnet

  • 9/4/2020

  • Added - BNSF 6163 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 9/3/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 2864 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Removed - BNSF 2845 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Removed - BNSF 2860 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Removed - NS 8520 - DC to AC Conversion (Red)
  • Added - BNSF 6078 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 8/31/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 3194 - ATSF Bluebonnet (been repainted)

  • 8/29/2020

  • With the next major mobile app release (3.0 - currently in development) our goal is provide more accuracy within reporting and also hopefully fulfill the dream of providing a heads up further down the line of a tracked locomotive heading your way. Since the inception of the site (2012); this will be the most significant change to reporting locomotives and why we're focusing on the mobile platform as it provides more capabilities then the web versions. We hope to make easier than the current reporting screen but also be able get the most accurate information by asking a couple other details from the reporter.


    We're currently executing proof of concepts right now and hope to provide more details in the future.

    Brian =)

  • 8/28/2020

  • BNSF682 is able to be reported again (spotted in Flagstaff, AZ this morning)
  • Added - BNSF 6017 - BNSF 25th Anniversary
  • NS8520 DC to AC Conversion (Red) - Is available to be reported again. It's been spotted by numerous folks today. Many thanks to all who reached out to let us know.

  • 8/26/2020

  • Added - BNSF 2775 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Reactivated all the NS GP59Es until we receive 100% confirmation that they are sold/retired.

  • 8/25/2020

  • Reactivated BNSF624, spotted on virtual railfan camera - Thanks Jack

  • 8/23/2020

  • Beginning in August 2020 we'll be rolling out the requirement that all new reporting of locomotives will be required to be submitted via our mobile apps (iOS/Android).

    Why the change?

    We analyzed the data and for the past couple years noticed that reporting from the mobile applications has been more reliable and consistent then reports submitted via the web version. Additionally, we’ve seen in 2020 that 90% of the reports came from the mobile versions leaving only 10% reports via the web.

    Deprecating the web reporting version will allow us to focus our attention to solid experience within the mobile app and also bring in additional features that have been asked for.

    Anything else changing on the web site?

    Nothing else and we have no plans for any other changes. You can still view all reports in real-time, upload photos, etc…

    New mobile app coming...

    We’re currently in the process of complete rewrite (3.0) of the app where we will attempt to bring “All” the functionality of the web site to the mobile apps along with new enhancements. We know there are some limitations of the current application and thus why we're taking a fresh swing. Give me some time to get things built and ready!

    Brian =)
    HeritageUnits.com - Founder / Developer

  • Added - BNSF 6022 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 8/19/2020

  • Added - METX 90 - Chicago & North Western

  • 8/16/2020

  • Added - BNSF 6111 - BNSF 25th Anniversary

  • 8/14/2020

  • We've added a sub category "BNSF 25th Anniversary" for upcoming 10 locomotives that BNSF will be releasing. Word is all locomotives will be painted in the same scheme. Images can be see at at the trains.com news link.
  • Added - BNSF 5828 - BNSF 25th Anniversary.

  • 8/11/2020

  • Added - MEC 507 - Guilford Rail System - See photo at link
  • Removed - DME 4001 - DM&E Paint - See photo at link

  • 8/3/2020

  • Added - BNSF 2896 - BN Paint
  • Added - BNSF 3022 - BN Paint
  • Removed - NS 3052, NS 3473 & 3480, NS 3497, NS 4634, 4635 & 4639 and all of NS GP59E as they've been retired and sold.

  • 8/2/2020

  • Reactivated CSXT2702 - Spirit of Atlanta/Franklin M . Garrett. Was spotted yesterday in Georgia yesterday. YouTube video can be viewed at this link at 33:31 in video.

    Brian =)

  • 7/24/2020

  • CSXT500 is reportable again

  • 7/21/2020

  • Removed - KCS 4029 - KCS Grey

  • 7/10/2020

  • Removed report suspension on BNSF 718 &BNSF 756. Spotted on the Virtual Railfan Flagstaff camera yesterday

  • 7/5/2020

  • Small bug existed between 1:10-1:40PM EST today on the mobile web version for the near me and latest location pages. The times could be offset drastically when attempting to localize it per device. This has been resolved.

    Brian =)
  • Added - CN 1501 - CN Track Geometry Vehicle
  • Fixed a bug (mobile web view) where if you clicked on the locomotives and then clicked to view details on the locomotive it would redirect you back to the home page. Many thanks to Kyle & Joshua for contacting me about the problem.

    Brian =)
  • Added - BNSF 1629 - ATSF Bluebonnet

  • 7/4/2020

  • Added - METX 425 (Rock Island), METX 405 (Milwaukee Road), METX 211 (CB&Q Burlington Route) and METX 402 (State of Illinois).

    Similar to the Amtrak Empire Service there is limited report notifications on these locomotives as they're used for commuter service.
  • UP1995 is stored unserviceable at Ft Worth, TX. Details are it shut down under load and will not restart, has cooling fan issues, electrical issues and computer issues.

  • 7/3/2020

  • Our contact page on the site was broken and many thanks for Alex A. for reaching out to let us know. All should be fixed again.

    Brian =)

  • 7/1/2020

  • Removed - BNSF 3181 - ATSF Bluebonnet

  • 6/27/2020

  • Added - EMDX 7239 - EMDX Black
  • Added - EMDX 7237 - EMDX Black
  • Added - EMDX 7235 - EMDX Black
  • Added - EMDX 7234 - EMDX Black
  • Removed - BNSF 2931 - BN Paint
  • Removed - BNSF 2801 - BN Paint
  • Added - EMDX 7238 - EMDX Black

  • 6/23/2020

  • Added - AMTK 709 - Phase III Empire Service

  • 6/21/2020

  • The photo upload page was down between Thursday and early Sunday morning. All should be operational again, if you run into any troubles please contact me via the contact link on the web site (bottom of the page).

    Brian =)

  • 6/11/2020

  • Added - NW 2156 - Steam (2-8-8-2)