A new digital platform is offering a real-time view of European rail traffic, allowing users to follow trains on a live map and consult information on delays, cancellations and disruptions.
TrainTracker24 became publicly available on Wednesday 26 August 2026, after several months of development and beta testing. The service is inspired by flight-tracking platforms such as Flightradar24 and combines a live rail map with statistical information on train performance.
Live map built from open data
TrainTracker24 aggregates open data published by railway operators, regional authorities and infrastructure managers. This includes timetables, real-time updates and disruption messages, while network geometry is sourced from OpenStreetMap and OpenRailwayMap.
The platform currently tracks nine railway companies and brands across several European countries and regions:
- SNCF in France, including TGV inOui, Ouigo, Intercités, TER and Transilien;
- Zou! regional trains in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region;
- Eurostar on its cross-Channel and Benelux high-speed network;
- Trenitalia‘s Frecciarossa services between France and Italy;
- Renfe services in Spain, including AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Avant, Euromed, Intercity and regional services;
- Ouigo España in Spain;
- Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) in Catalonia;
- Euskotren in Spain’s Basque Country;
- NMBS / SNCB in Belgium, covering InterCity, S-train and local services.
The platform’s founder and publisher is French entrepreneur Elric Battello, who operates TrainTracker24 as an individual business based in Paimpol in Brittany. The company is registered in France under the National Business Register, with computer programming listed as its main business activity.
According to Battello, the idea is to provide for trains the kind of easily accessible live overview that already exists for aircraft and ships. Train passengers typically receive information through station displays or operator notifications, but often lack a broader picture of where a train is and what is happening along its route.
The service is free to use, while optional paid subscriptions provide access to advanced features. No advertising is displayed and an account is not required to use the live map.
Train positions are estimated
TrainTracker24 stresses that the positions shown on its map are estimates rather than GPS measurements. European open-data feeds generally do not transmit the precise location of a train. Instead, they provide information about station calls and delays.
Between those updates, TrainTracker24 reconstructs a train’s likely position using the available information. The system takes factors such as delays, maximum line speeds, the acceleration and braking characteristics of rolling stock and diversions into account before resynchronising when a new update arrives.
This also means that some trains may be absent from the map. TrainTracker24 says it prefers not to display a service rather than risk placing a train incorrectly when reliable data is unavailable.
Coverage therefore varies between countries and operators according to the quality of their open data. Delays shown on the platform can also differ by a few minutes from information provided by a railway operator, as carrier apps and station displays are based on internal systems that may be updated sooner.
In cases of disagreement, passengers are advised to rely on the information provided directly by the railway operator.
Statistics and service history
The platform also includes a statistical observatory measuring train punctuality. Its reliability figures are based on the share of services arriving less than five minutes late during the selected period and scope.
Runs without usable punctuality data are excluded rather than being treated as on time. TrainTracker24 also uses a “Delay unknown” indication when no punctuality information is available for a particular service.
A rewind function allows users to review the tracking history of trains that have already run, providing a way to see how a journey unfolded during the day.
The project began in late 2025 and was subsequently tested with around 500 beta users. The testing period was used to improve the user experience, fix technical problems and check the reliability of the underlying data before the public launch.
TrainTracker24 does not sell tickets or plan journeys and has no commercial relationship with the railway companies it tracks.
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TrainTracker24 sounds like a game-changer for rail enthusiasts and travelers alike! Thanks for sharing this tool—it’s great to see real-time tracking expanding across European networks.
At minimum, it’s a fun toy. 🙂