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)