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Time DateSystem Updates
Update 1040
10 February 2024
ENQUIRIES ABOUT UK DEPARTURE BOARDS

We have received a number of questions relating to our exciting collaboration with UK Departure Boards.

Here are some of the FAQs and answers:

- Where can we buy a Departure Board?

You can buy the boards, in various sizes, from https://ukdepartureboards.co.uk/

HOPS does not sell the boards, it is only providing the data.

- How do we get our times on to the boards?

Just enter the appropriate timetable in to HOPS and publish the day and the trains.

- Do goods trains and secret trains show?

No. Only published, non-secret passenger trains show at present.

- Do working times get shown or public times?

Only public times are shown, and only at stations. Passing times, working times and times at locations which aren't stations are not shown.

- How do we get the locos to show up?

Allocate the appropriate trains to a diagram and allocate the traction type and/or specific loco to the diagram.

- What drives the steam/diesel/DMU symbol?

If a specific loco is allocated to the diagram, the symbol for that traction type will be shown. If no loco is allocated, the symbol of the 'required traction' will be shown, apart from that diagrams that demand 'Any Traction' will not get a symbol until a loco is allocated.

- Can we customise the text that is shown about locos?

Yes. There is a new 'Public Name' field in the asset management system which can be used to set the public name. Eg the internal name might be "4472" and the public name might be "LNER class A3 number 4472 Flying Scotsman".

- Is this intended for use at heritage stations?

It is intended primarily for enthusiasts, but heritage railways can also purchase the boards and use them, especially in non-heritage areas such as shops and cafes. We recognise that these non-heritage items are unlikely to be used on heritage platforms.

- Is HOPS paying UKDB for this, or is UKDB paying HOPS?

No payments are being made by either side for this collaboration. It is being done by UKDB and HOPS in the spirit of working together for the promotion of heritage railways.