Trains, Train groups and Train variants

Train groups and Train variants

Trains (i.e. train paths) in trenoLive can be part of a train group or form their own train group. If there are multiple trains in a train group, they share the most basic paramenters, such as itinerary and running times, stopping patterns and stopping times.

A train group can have one or multiple trains. If one train is the only element of a train group, then the train group code and the train code may be identical. If multiple trains are part of a train group, the train codes must be different from the train group code. Additionally, the departure times will be regular following a user-defined frequency. This allows the creating of clock-faced timetables with minimal effort. Changes to the itinerary, the running times, the stopping pattern, etc. are immediately applied to all other trains of the train group. It is possible to override some information of the train group in the single trains.

A train variant is a variation of a train, valid only for a specific date and substituting the train on this specific date. The train variant and the train it substitutes can have the same train number and train code, but may have different running times, stopping patterns or itinerary. The substituted train will be deactivated for the specific date.

Handling of Trains, Train groups and Variants

trenoLive is designed to offer optimized solutions for all stages of the planning process. Train groups should be used to design darft timetables or timetable with regular fequencies ("Takte"). The train groups allow for some flexibility in the departure times, but no flexibility to accomodate different runningtimes or stopping patterns. After a draft is designed, some or all train in a train group can be split into single trains, independent and flexibile against each other. They can be edited one by one or with the multiple edit functions and without limitations. Once the timetable is ready and published, changes will occur on a basis of single operating days. For these short term planning decisions the train variants should be used.

The train variant is an instrument of short term planning and needs to be considered carefully, because the communication process of train variants to operational staff, stakeholder railways and passengers is a delicate matter.

Train identifiers in trenoLive

Train group code

The train group code is assigned as an unique identifier to each train group in the scenario. All trains and variants part of the train group share the same train group code.

Train code

The train code is assigned as an unique identifier to each train in the scenario. Also variants have a unique train code different than the base train. Train code and train group code need to follow the character limitations for Codes.

Variant number

The variant number is a serial number starting from 1 for the first variant created for each base train. It indicates the hierarchy of variants within the variants tree. Higher numbers of variants override lower ones if they have operating day information on the same dates. If a higher numbered variant does not have any operating day information, the lower numbered variants remain unaffected. The variant number is automatically created and cannot be changed.

Train number

The train number is a free text field connected to each path segment (for non interpolated OCP). It can be used to insert a train number, a headcode (UK) or a train name. The train number can change at each path segment. The same train number can be given to multiple trains. To identify trains with the same train number active on the same calendar date, a check is available in the conflict checker.