Live train tracking

Track a train with delay and next-stop context.

GET /v1/trains/{train_number}/live

Scope live:read · Credits 5 · Plans All plans

Returns normalized running state, current progress, delay, next stop, confidence, and report time.

Authentication

Send your key in the X-RailCore-Key header. This operation requires the live:read scope. See the authentication guide.

Request parameters

NameInTypeRequiredDescription
train_numberpathstringRequiredTrain number, 4 to 6 uppercase letters or digits.
datequerystring(date)RequiredJourney date in YYYY-MM-DD format.
fromquerystringOptionalBoarding station code.
toquerystringOptionalDestination station code.

Code examples

Base URL https://ir.railcore.tech/v1. Keep the key in an environment variable and call from a trusted server-side environment.

cURL

curl -sS -X GET \
  -H "X-RailCore-Key: $RAILCORE_KEY" \
  "https://ir.railcore.tech/v1/trains/12656/live?date=2026-08-27&from=BSL&to=ADI"

JavaScript

const response = await fetch("https://ir.railcore.tech/v1/trains/12656/live?date=2026-08-27&from=BSL&to=ADI", {
  method: "GET",
  headers: {
    "X-RailCore-Key": process.env.RAILCORE_KEY,
  },
});

const body = await response.json();
console.log(response.status, body);

Python

import os
import requests

response = requests.request(
    "GET",
    "https://ir.railcore.tech/v1/trains/12656/live?date=2026-08-27&from=BSL&to=ADI",
    headers={"X-RailCore-Key": os.environ["RAILCORE_KEY"]},
    timeout=20,
)
print(response.status_code, response.json())

Rate limits and credits

This call costs 5 credits and is available on All plans. Per-minute and daily budgets, and the headers reporting remaining quota, are documented in rate limits and credits and billing.

Response fields

FieldTypeDescription
train_number / journey_datestringTrain and operating date.
statusstringNOT_STARTED, RUNNING, AT_STATION, COMPLETED, CANCELLED, DIVERTED, or UNKNOWN.
current_station_code / next_station_code / previous_station_codestringCurrent route context.
delay_minutesinteger | nullCurrent delay.
status_textstring | nullDisplay-ready state.
progress_percentnumber | nullRoute progress from 0 to 100.
last_reported_atstring | nullLive source report time.
confidencestringhigh, medium, or low.
eta_destination_atstring | nullEstimated destination arrival.
next_stopobject | nullStation, ETA, ETD, and delay for the next stop.

Example response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "train_number": "12656",
    "journey_date": "2026-08-27",
    "status": "RUNNING",
    "current_station_code": "BSL",
    "next_station_code": "JL",
    "previous_station_code": "BAU",
    "delay_minutes": 12,
    "status_text": "Running 12 minutes late",
    "progress_percent": 42.7,
    "last_reported_at": "2026-08-20T17:12:23.305Z",
    "confidence": "medium",
    "eta_destination_at": "2026-08-27T18:20:00+05:30",
    "next_stop": {
      "station_code": "JL",
      "eta": "2026-08-27T11:42:00+05:30",
      "etd": "2026-08-27T11:45:00+05:30",
      "delay_minutes": 12
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "api_version": "v1",
    "request_id": "req_01J5Z7Y8N2K4M6P8R0T2V4X6Z8",
    "trace_id": "trc_01J5Z7Y8N2K4M6P8R0T2V4X6Z9",
    "timestamp": "2026-08-20T17:12:23.305Z",
    "freshness": {
      "mode": "live",
      "retrieved_at": "2026-08-20T17:12:23.305Z",
      "sources": [
        {
          "confidence": "high"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Errors

StatusCodeDescriptionRetry
400VALIDATION_ERRORA required field is missing or invalid.Not retryable
401MISSING_API_KEY / INVALID_API_KEYThe credential is absent, unknown, disabled, or expired.Not retryable
403SCOPE_MISSING / PLAN_ENDPOINT_DISABLEDThe key lacks the required scope or plan entitlement.Not retryable
402CREDITS_EXHAUSTEDThe account balance cannot cover this operation.Not retryable
429RATE_LIMITEDMinute or daily request budget is exhausted. Honor Retry-After.Retryable
410API_VERSION_SUNSETThis API version has reached its announced sunset date. Migrate to a supported major version.Not retryable
502UPSTREAM_UNAVAILABLELive data could not be retrieved. Retry with backoff.Retryable
504UPSTREAM_TIMEOUTThe live-data request exceeded its deadline. Retry with backoff.Retryable
503METERING_UNAVAILABLECredit settlement is temporarily unavailable and no data was returned.Retryable

Related Trains endpoints

All RailCore Indian Railways API endpoints · Quickstart · Rate limits