Next Train London: 3D visualization of London trains using TfL and National Rails data.

What it does

Next Train London is a 3D visualization tool that displays live London underground and National Rail trains in real-time. Users visit the website, select a train from any platform, and then watch it move through a three-dimensional map of London. The system reconstructs train positions from Transport for London's open API data and National Rail information, tracking trains with minimal drift as they travel through the network and toward nearby airports. Selected journeys can be shared with others.

Who it is for

The primary audience appears to be people curious about live train movements and London's rail network topology. Casual users interested in visualizing transit systems would find value in watching real-time train positions. The tool may also appeal to transit enthusiasts and developers interested in how open data can be visualized at scale.

Pricing

The site does not show prices.

How it stands out

Most rail information tools focus on schedules and journey planning. This project takes a different angle by emphasizing real-time geographic visualization in 3D space. The use of deck.gl, a WebGL-based visualization framework, enables smooth rendering of the entire London rail network with animated train movements. The ability to board a specific train and follow its journey, then share that specific ride, creates a shareable, interactive component that standard transit apps lack. Building on Cloudflare Workers for the infrastructure provides edge computing benefits and demonstrates modern infrastructure patterns.

What a founder should check

First, verify the sustainability of the TfL and National Rail data feeds. The project relies entirely on free, open public APIs. Clarify whether TfL has any terms of service restrictions on real-time visualization or commercial use, and whether those terms could change. Second, assess switching costs for users. There are minimal barriers to switching—users do not create accounts, log in, or store personal data. Retention depends entirely on the product's novelty and entertainment value. Third, evaluate the moat. Real-time rail visualization is technically interesting but not defensible. Competitors with access to the same open data could build similar visualizations using different tools. The main competitive advantage is execution quality and UI design, which are replicable. The product's appeal may be high initially as a novelty but could face declining engagement unless new features sustain interest.

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