This is an advance notice of a new feature that will be introduced within the next couple of days. The feature is called "Spottings".
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1. Any time you see a train ANYWHERE - while railfanning, while travelling in a train, while visiting a station, seeing someone off, receiving someone, while your train is halted at a station, while another train is overtaking/crossing your train - you will be able to simply input the Train Number and instantly post it.
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2. This will immediately update the Delay Status of that train, its current location, whether it is standing at a station or between two stations, crossing status, etc. on the site, along with the name of the member as the source of info. (the location of the train will be derived from your gps).
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3. All trains will have a "Last Spotted" at the top of the Train page, providing
a. Last spotted location and time.
b. Name of member as source of info.
c. Time of update.
d. Delay status of the train.
e. Comparison of the member delay status with the Official delay status.
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4. If members post Spottings while on a Trip, with their current train number, then their current train's status will be continuously posted at the top of the Train Page. If they spot other trains crossings/overtakings, etc. then those trains' status will also be updated, along with XO status.
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5. The Forum section will have a separate "Spottings" menu item, detailing all Train Spottings. The alert section will also have a Spottings item.
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6. ONLY the train number has to be entered for quick posting. However, optionally, you may take a pic, write a note, etc. just like with regular blogs.
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7. Member statistics will have a separate Spottings section giving total spotting numbers, as well as spottings per train. If the same Train/Station is seen again and again on multiple days, then that member will get priority for updating info on that particular train (in the revised upcoming TLM scheme).
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The Spottings feature will be a core part of the upcoming RailFan app. However, tomorrow, the "Spottings" feature will be available on the site.
Thanks.