Source Code

UK Trains

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

Setup

Requires free Darwin API token:

Register at https://realtime.nationalrail.co.uk/OpenLDBWSRegistration/
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:

departures {origin} to {dest} — get departure times + service IDs
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)

uk-trains