Updates

3/27/2023

3/23/2023

3/22/2023

3/20/2023

Removed - KCS 1908 - KCS Grey - Repainted

3/19/2023

Removed - BNSF 1475 - BN Paint - Repainted

3/16/2023

3/11/2023

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. 

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

2/19/2023

2/18/2023

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

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

Removed - BNSF 1973 - BN Paint - Repainted

1/15/2023

Removed - KCS 2898 - KCS Grey - Repainted

1/14/2023

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

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

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 

12/3/2022

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

11/30/2022

Removed - BNSF 2787 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

11/29/2022

11/25/2022

Removed - BNSF 173 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

11/21/2022

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

11/15/2022

Removed - AMTK606 - King Tut - Unwrapped

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

11/13/2022

11/12/2022

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 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

Removed - BNSF 1920 - BN Paint - Repainted 

11/2/2022

Removed - BNSF 187 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted 

10/28/2022

Removed - BNSF 180 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

10/25/2022

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 - BNSF 1609 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

10/23/2022

10/21/2022

10/15/2022

10/13/2022

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

10/11/2022

Removed - BCOL 4602 & 4622 - BC Rail Paint - Sold LTEX for scrap

New Web Cam - Richville, MN by Northern Transcon Railcams-Otter Tail Channel

10/9/2022

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

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

9/8/2022

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

8/31/2022

Added 2 new web cameras by Steel Highways

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

8/30/2022

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

7/29/2022

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 - CMQ2001 to 2006- Central, Maine & Quebec (BNSF)

7/4/2022

New Web Cam - Dunn, NC

7/3/2022

6/30/2022

6/27/2022

6/25/2022

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

6/21/2022

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

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

Removed - BNSF 1618 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

Removed - AMTK662 - Phase III - Train Sim World 2

5/23/2022

Removed - UP 6367 - SP Paint - Repainted

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

Removed - BNSF 182 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Repainted

5/16/2022

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

5/5/2022

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

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