trains

UK Trains

Query National Rail Darwin API for live train departures and arrivals.

Setup

Requires free Darwin API token:

1. Register at https://realtime.nationalrail.co.uk/OpenLDBWSRegistration/
2. Set NATIONAL_RAIL_TOKEN in environment (or configure in skills.entries.uk-trains.apiKey)

Commands

# Departures
./scripts/trains.py departures PAD
./scripts/trains.py departures PAD to OXF --rows 5

# Arrivals  
./scripts/trains.py arrivals MAN
./scripts/trains.py arrivals MAN from EUS

# Station search
./scripts/trains.py search paddington
./scripts/trains.py search kings

Station Codes

Use 3-letter CRS codes:

• PAD = London Paddington
• EUS = London Euston
• KGX = London Kings Cross
• VIC = London Victoria
• WAT = London Waterloo
• MAN = Manchester Piccadilly
• BHM = Birmingham New Street
• EDB = Edinburgh Waverley
• GLC = Glasgow Central
• BRI = Bristol Temple Meads
• LDS = Leeds
• LIV = Liverpool Lime Street
• RDG = Reading
• OXF = Oxford
• CBG = Cambridge

Response Format

JSON with:

• locationName, crs - Station info
• messages[] - Service alerts
• trainServices[] - List of trains:
  • std/sta - Scheduled departure/arrival time
  • etd/eta - Expected time ("On time", "Delayed", or actual time)
  • platform - Platform number
  • operator - Train operating company
  • destination[].name - Final destination
  • isCancelled, cancelReason, delayReason - Disruption info

Message Template

Use this compact format for WhatsApp/chat responses:

🚂 {Origin} → {Destination}

*{dep} → {arr}* │📍{platform} │ 🚃 {coaches}
{status}

*{dep} → {arr}* │📍{platform} │ 🚃 {coaches}
{status}

Elements

• Header: 🚂 emoji + origin → destination
• Time: Bold, departure → arrival times
• Platform: 📍 + number (or "TBC" if unknown)
• Coaches: 🚃 + space + number
• Status:
  • ✅ On time
  • ⚠️ Delayed (exp {time})
  • ❌ Cancelled — {reason}
  • 🔄 Starts here

Example

🚂 Hemel Hempstead → Euston

*20:18 → 20:55* │📍4 │ 🚃 4
✅ On time

*20:55 → 21:30* │📍4 │ 🚃 12
✅ On time

*21:11 → 21:41* │📍4 │ 🚃 8
✅ On time

Getting Arrival Times

To show arrival times, make two API calls:

1. departures {origin} to {dest} — get departure times + service IDs
2. arrivals {dest} from {origin} — get arrival times

Match services by the numeric prefix in serviceID (e.g., 4748110HEMLHMP_ matches 4748110EUSTON__).

Notes

• Separate each service with a blank line
• Omit coaches if formation data unavailable
• For delays, show expected time: ⚠️ Delayed (exp 20:35)