UK Trains

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

Setup

Requires free Darwin API token:

Register at

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)