Updates

  • 3/20/2023

  • Removed - KCS 1908 - KCS Grey - Repainted

  • 3/19/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 1475 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 3/16/2023

  • New Web Cam - Phillipsburg, NJ (PU Tower) by PU Tower
  • 3/11/2023

  • New Web Cam - Detroit Lakes, MN by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel
  • 3/9/2023

  • New Web Cam - Columbus, OH (NS Dayton District) by Private Railfan

  • Removed - BNSF 660 - ATSF Warbonnet - Scrapped
    Removed - BNSF 624 - ATSF Warbonnet - Scrapped

  • Removed - BNSF 181 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
    Removed - BNSF 189 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted
    Removed - KCS 2014 - KCS Grey - Repainted
     

  • 3/8/2023

  • Removed - BNSF182 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 3/6/2023

  • Removed - KCS 2964 - KCS Grey - Repainted

  • Removed - AMTK 184 - Phase IV - Repainted

  • 3/1/2023

  • Per our Altoona Works Facebook post.  NS8099 (Southern) repairs are almost complete.  As soon as it returns to active road service; we'll enable the locomotive to be reportable again. 

  • New Web Cam - Holland, MI by City of Holland, MI
  • 2/27/2023

  • There has been issue with reporting locomotives on Android devices running 8.1 or older operating systems where the locomotive selection screen acts sporadically.  I was able to replicate the issue and have a fix coming in HU app version 3.20 (Android only).   This will become available within the app store within the next day.   Many thanks to those who reached out about the issue.

    Brian =)

  • 2/20/2023

  • New Web Cam - Hutchinson, KS by Estes Park
  • 2/19/2023

  • Added - KCSM4674 - Breast Care Awareness
  • 2/18/2023

  • Added - KCSM4568 - Breast Care Awareness
  • Removed - AMTK 157 - Big Game Train - Stickers removed

  • Added - KJRY3010 - Honoring Our Veterans and Troops

  • 2/16/2023

  • There was a bug within the 3.17 iOS release that has been fixed.  This bug would only occur on the reporting screen and only if a popup was displayed for a second time it would be blank.  Sample popups would be selecting a locomotive, subdivision, etc..

    A new version of the iOS (3.18) should be available in the Apple app store as of this morning.   Note that Android phones are not affected by this bug.

    Brian =)

  • 2/15/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 1659 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 2/12/2023

  • Removed - KCS 2902 - KCS Grey - Repainted

  • 2/7/2023

  • New Web Cam - San Diego, CA by San Diego Railcam
  • 2/6/2023

  • Added - BNSF8231 - BN Sticker Unit

  • 2/3/2023

  • Removed - BNSF178 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 1/27/2023

  • Renumbered NS GP59 Units that are in Operation Lifesaver paint schemes.  

  • Removed - KCS2823 - KCS Grey - Repainted 

  • 1/26/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 185 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 1/17/2023

  • New Web Cam - Santa Fe, NM by RailFanAZ.com
  • Removed - BNSF 1973 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 1/15/2023

  • Removed - KCS 2898 - KCS Grey - Repainted

  • 1/14/2023

  • Added - KYLE8041 - BN Paint
  • 1/12/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 190 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 1/7/2023

  • 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

  • 1/3/2023

  • Added - NS1634 - NS High Hood
  • New Web Cam - Decatur, AL (VRF) by VirtualRailfan.com
  • 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 =)

  • 1/2/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 1604 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 1/1/2023

  • Removed - BNSF 1960 - BN Paint - Repainted 

  • 12/30/2022

  • Removed - BCOL 4612 - BC Rail Paint at LTEX

  • 12/29/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 176 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 12/26/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 2849 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 12/24/2022

  • New Web Cam - St. Louis by https://livetrains.com
  • 12/23/2022

  • 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

  • 12/21/2022

  • 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. 

  • 12/19/2022

  • Removed - CSXT 4589 - Spirit of Nashville - Repainted

  • 12/5/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 1836 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 12/4/2022

  • Removed - KCS 2967 - KCS Grey - Repainted 

  • Added - CN2107 - 15th Anniversary
  • 12/3/2022

  • Removed - CN 2115 - 15th Anniversary - Sold (likely for scrap but not confirmed)

  • New Web Cam - Benson, AZ (Benson's Visitors Center) by RailFanAZ.com
  • 11/30/2022

  • New Web Cam - Calmar, IA by Steel-Highway.com
  • Removed - BNSF 2787 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 11/29/2022

  • New Web Cam - Houston, TX (UP Bell Line) by LiveTrains.com
  • Added - METX502 - 50th Anniversary RTA Paint
  • 11/25/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 173 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 11/21/2022

  • New Web Cam - Ooltewah, TN by VirtualRailfan.com
  • 11/18/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 159 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 11/16/2022

  • Resolved an issue where the was throwing an error when submitting train symbol changes (Adds, Updates and Deletes).  

  • BNSF721 has been reactivated for reporting

  • Added - NS5211 - NS High Hood
  • 11/15/2022

  • Removed - AMTK606 - King Tut - Unwrapped

  • New Web Cam - Conroe, TX by LiveTrains.com
  • Removed - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2 - Unwrapped

  • 11/13/2022

  • Added - CN2112 - 15th Anniversary
  • 11/12/2022

  • New Web Cam - Port Byron, IL by Steel-Highway.com
  • 11/11/2022

  • Fixed a bug when viewing a certain locomotives the page may have not displayed.  

  • 11/9/2022

  • 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. 

  • 11/7/2022

  • New Web Cam - Houston, TX (UP Galveston Sub) by LiveTrains.com
  • 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. 

  • 11/4/2022

  • Removed - IC 2460 - Blue Devil - At LTEX to be scrapped

  • New Web Cam - Brainerd, MN by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail
  • Removed - BNSF 1920 - BN Paint - Repainted 

  • New Web Cam - Cumberland, MD by VirtualRailfan.com
  • 11/2/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 187 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 10/28/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 180 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 10/25/2022

  • New Web Cam - Griffith, IN by Steel-Highway.com
  • 10/24/2022

  • 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 - CMQ9024 - Central, Maine & Quebec
  • Removed - BNSF 1609 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 10/23/2022

  • New Web Cam - Mojave, CA by Tehachapi Live Train Cams
  • 10/21/2022

  • New Web Cam - Mount Pleasant, IA (Downtown) by Steel-Highway.com
  • 10/15/2022

  • New Web Cam - Ottumwa, IA by Steel-Highway.com
  • 10/13/2022

  • Removed - CSXT 8077 - Colonel Philip Hooper - Rebuilt to a ET23 it is now CSX 1727 

  • 10/11/2022

  • Added - AMTK187 - Big Game Train
  • Added - METX500 - 50th Anniversary RTA Paint
  • Added - NJT4101 - NJDOT "Bluebird"
  • Removed - BCOL 4602 & 4622 - BC Rail Paint - Sold LTEX for scrap

  • Added - NS5190 - NS High Hood
  • New Web Cam - Richville, MN by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel

  • 10/9/2022

  • Added - NS5006 - NS High Hood
  • New Web Cam - Neenah, WI by Steel-Highway.com

  • 10/8/2022

  • New Web Cam - Cincinnati, OH (Union Terminal) by Cincinnati Railroad Club

  • 10/1/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 175 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • Removed - IC 2457 - Blue Devil - In dead line at Lordstown

  • Added - NS5249 - NS High Hood
  • Added - AMTK706 - Phase III Empire Service
  • 9/24/2022

  • Removed - CSXT173 - Spirit of West Virginia - Rebuilt as CSXT7274

  • 9/16/2022

  • New Web Camera - Sedalia, MO by Steel-Highway.com

  • 9/11/2022

  • Added - CSXT4568 - 50th Anniversary Operation Lifesaver
  • 9/8/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 184 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • 9/5/2022

  • New Web Camera - Waupaca, WI by Steel-Highway.com

  • 9/2/2022

  • 2 New Web Cameras added - Perham, MN & Wadena, MN - Both provided by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel

  • Added - BNSF182 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Added - NS5010 - NS High Hood
  • 8/31/2022

  • Added 2 new web cameras by Steel Highways

    Trempealeau, WI (Trempealeau Hotel)
    Manly, IA (Manly Junction Museum)

  • 8/30/2022

  • Added - BNSF6887 - ATSF Sticker
  • 8/28/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 165 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • Removed - BNSF 166 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 8/26/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 172 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 8/22/2022

  • We've updated the NS train symbols to match the new intermodal symbols effective today. 

  • 8/14/2022

  • 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... 


    • Always prefix the train symbol with railroad code "NS 23N",  "CSX M500" or "KCS IDAAT"
    • Please enter in the location as City, ST.  Example would be "Phoenix, AZ".  
    • If there is a specific yard at a orgin/destination then please add that after the city state "Cincinnati, OH (Queensgate Yard)
    • If the train has additional stops on it's way to the destination then please place those in the notes field.


    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

  • 8/5/2022

  • New Web Cam - Kyle, TX by City of Kyle, TX

  • Added - NS5191 - NS High Hood
  • Added - BNSF163 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • 7/29/2022

  • Added - CN2953 - Every Child Matters
  • Added - CN2892 - Every Child Matters
  • Added - AMTK606 - King Tut
  • Added - NJT4609 - Ride with Pride
  • 7/27/2022

  • New Web Cam - Grand Mound, IA by Steel-Highway.com

  • 7/23/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 183 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 7/22/2022

  • New Web Cam - Greeley, CO by Private Railfan

  • 7/18/2022

  • New Web Cam - Gallup, NM by RailfanAZ.com

  • 7/15/2022

  • 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 =)

  • 7/14/2022

  • Removed - CSXT 323 - L&N Emblem - Rebuilt to CM44AC 7272

  • 7/13/2022

  • Removed - DH 7303 - CP - Delaware & Hudson - Scrapped

  • 7/11/2022

  • New Web Cam - Selma, NC by RailStream.net

  • 7/5/2022

  • Removed - SLRG 518 - E8A
  • Removed - CMQ2001 to 2006- Central, Maine & Quebec (BNSF)

  • 7/4/2022

  • New Web Cam - Dunn, NC

  • 7/3/2022

  • Added - CP9010 - SD40-2F (CP Paint)
  • 6/30/2022

  • Added - BNSF1985 - BN Paint
  • 6/27/2022

  • Removed - CEFX 6002 - SOO Paint
  • 6/25/2022

  • Added - CN Ex-CREX ES44AC purchased in early May (CN2750-2796)

  • 6/21/2022

  • Added - BNSF542 - ATSF Warbonnet
  • 6/20/2022

  • Added new web cam by RailfanAz.com at Kingman, AZ

  • 6/19/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 197 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 6/17/2022

  • Added - KCSM4721 - Bicentennial U.S. - Mexico
  • Added - BNSF4729 - Frankenbonnet
  • 6/14/2022

  • Added - ATSF 5704 - Bicentennial. 

    Please note reporting is locked on this unit until it starts its journey west.  Please contact support when this occurs.

  • 6/12/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 171 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 6/11/2022

  • Added new web cam by Steel-Highway.com at Grinnell, IA

  • 6/9/2022

  • Willcox, AZ by RailfanAz.com
    Fort Worth, TX (Central Station) by Trinity Metro

  • 6/7/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 168 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 5/31/2022

  • 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 =)

  • 5/28/2022

  • 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 =)

  • 5/26/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 163 & 179  - ATSF Bluebonnet (repainted)

  • 2 New Web Cameras Added - Tacna, AZ / Wilmot Tucson, AZ by RailfanAZ.com

  • Added - METX104 - City of Chicago
  • Removed - BNSF 1618 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • Removed - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2

  • 5/23/2022

  • Added - AMTK708 - Phase III Empire Service
  • Removed - UP 6367 - SP Paint - Repainted

  • Added Web Cam - East Dubuque, IL (Steel Highway Railcams)

  • Removed - BNSF 186 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • Removed - BNSF 182 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 5/16/2022

  • Added - Mount Pleasant, IA - Web Cam by Steel-Highway.com

  • 5/5/2022

  • Added - NS5214 - NS High Hood
  • 5/2/2022

  • Added New Web Cam - Waycross, GA - VirtualRailfan.com

  • 4/30/2022

  • Changes Mobile App v3.15 
    ------------------------------------

    • Resolved issue where cards on the home view would act very sporadic.

    • Added experimental views of the routing of a train.  This will display as a button underneath a train symbol when viewing a report but... only if route data is available

      This is a feature that I've been working on for a very long time and currently is implemented on a majority of NS trains and a few CSX trains but note this is dependent upon a correct train symbol being assigned to report.    

      The server has calculated 'routing' of train symbols based on sub divisions, speed, way points, etc...   Note that we're still building out the routing matrix for each railroad and tweaking the algorithms.   This is experimental but thought I would provide the ability to view some of the routes as a preview as things mature.   

      Could there be a chance you see a route that doesn't make sense?  Absolutely;  but I would appreciate if you reached out to support and contacted me to let me know.  

    Please note that this release should be available within the app stores within next few days.

    Brian =)

  • 4/28/2022

  • Added 2 new web camera - Carroll, IA & West Liberty, IA - Steel Highway Railcams

  • 4/26/2022

  • 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 =)

  • 4/24/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 1765 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 4/22/2022

  • 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. 

  • 4/16/2022

  • Added - Winslow, AZ Web Cam - Owner https://railfanAZ.com

  • Added - NS5199 - NS High Hood

  • Added - WE7001,7009,7012 and 7014 - Operation Lifesaver

  • 4/9/2022

  • All UP sub divisions have been loaded along with mile post data.  This can be found within the mobile app > "More" > "Sub Divisions"

  • 4/6/2022

  • Added - BNSF1772 - ATSF Bluebonnet
  • 4/5/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 1798 - BN Paint - Repainted

  • 4/2/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 1647 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

  • 4/1/2022

  • Removed - BNSF 1607 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

  • 3/26/2022

  • WE5391 (Rio Grande) has been renumbered to WE5412

  • 3/23/2022

  • Removed - CMQ9010 - Central, Maine & Quebec - Repainted

  • 3/21/2022

  • Removed - UP 6290 - SP Paint - Repainted

  • 3/20/2022

  • KCS Business Units are unlocked for reporting.