How Do You Track a Moving Train? The Ultimate Guide to Real-Time Train Tracking (2026)

Looking for a precise answer to the question: how do you track a moving train? In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn step by step how to follow passenger trains (ICE, IC, EC, RE, S-Bahn) live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – including a tool comparison, live maps, pro tricks, legal notes and best practices for trainspotting.

Track a train live in 5 steps

1. Note the train number. At the station, in the timetable information or from a sighting post – e.g. “ICE 618”.
2. Open the official railway app. DB Navigator in Germany, ÖBB Scotty in Austria, SBB Mobile in Switzerland.
3. Enter the train number and check the live status. You’ll immediately see the delay, the next stop and usually the platform too.
4. Optional: open a live map. On marudor.de you can also see the position on a map with the rest of the route.
5. Turn on notifications. That way you’ll hear about platform changes or delays without constantly reopening the app.

Why train tracking is useful

• Spot on time: catch the best moment for photos and videos.
• Spot diversions: see unusual routings early.
• Hunt rare vehicles: locomotive changes, special runs, unusual classes.
• Optimise your journeys: secure your connections, choose alternatives.

The basics: what you need to track a train

• Train number or line designation: e.g. ICE 618, IC 2023, RE 1, S3.
• Origin/destination or intermediate stops: helps with filtering.
• Date and approximate time frame: especially important for early-morning or late-evening services and night trains.

The key tools compared

Not every tool suits every purpose. This overview shows when to use which one.

Tool	Live data	Cost	Best for
DB Navigator	Yes, very accurate	Free	Individual long-distance and regional trains in Germany
ÖBB Scotty	Yes, very accurate	Free	Trains in Austria and cross-border connections
SBB Mobile	Yes, very accurate	Free	Trains in Switzerland
marudor.de	Yes, as a map	Free	Live position and route at a glance
OpenRailwayMap	No (infrastructure)	Free	Spot planning: alignments, points, speeds
Community/Telegram	Partly	Free	Special runs, freight trains, rare vehicles

Method A: official railway apps and their strengths

Germany: DB Navigator (Android/iOS)

1. Open the app and type the train number (e.g. “ICE 618”) or origin/destination into the search.
2. Select the matching train from the results. You’ll see real-time information on delays, intermediate stops, platforms and train formation (for long-distance services).
3. Use the notifications (disruption, platform change, cancellation) for proactive tracking.

Tip: for regional networks, the DB Streckenagent (line-specific disruption alerts) is also useful – particularly handy for commuters and spotters on their home line.

Austria: ÖBB Scotty

1. Search the app of the ÖBB by train number or route.
2. Check live information on departures/arrivals, platforms and intermediate stops.
3. Turn on favourites and push notifications to stay informed of changes.

Switzerland: SBB Mobile

1. In the app of the Swiss Federal Railways, search by train number, line or via the station’s departure/arrival board.
2. Check times, platforms, real-time data and connections.
3. Subscribe to notifications, if available.

Advantages of official apps: high data quality, direct disruption notices, reliable delay forecasts and platform information.

Official app or live map: which suits you?

The most efficient approach is to combine them anyway: the official app for reliable real-time data, the live map for spatial orientation.

Method B: web tools, live maps and community sources

1) Live maps (Germany)

• marudor.de: comprehensive timetable search, live information and a map. Ideal if you want to see positions and routes. Filter by train number, line or route.

Here’s how:

1. Enter the train number (e.g. ICE 618) on marudor.de.
2. Select the “Karte” (map) tab to display the live position and next stops.
3. Optional: check the intermediate stops in order to plan photo spots along the route.

2) Infrastructure map

• OpenRailwayMap: no live positions, but great for understanding a line’s alignments, points, speeds and topography. Perfect for spot planning.

3) Regional/community sources

• Regional transport association websites (e.g. transport associations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) with live departures for each station.
• Trainspotters’ forums/Telegram groups: sightings, diversions, special runs. Check the local group rules.

Method C: notifications, alerts and clever workflows

• Set up favourites: save trains you track often (e.g. a particular ICE).
• Turn on push notifications for disruptions: you’ll hear about platform changes and delays early.
• Calendar and widgets: keep an eye on the arrival time and platform without opening the app.

Method D: tracking a train without a train number

1. Check the departure board at the station: note the line, destination and departure minute.
2. Enter the route (origin/destination) in the railway app and identify the right train using the intermediate stops.
3. Turn on live information and switch to a live map if needed (e.g. marudor.de).

Pro tip: if you’re hoping for diverted trains or engineering-works traffic, check the railway’s engineering works notices and compare them with sightings from the community.

Special cases: special runs and freight trains

Special runs and historic trains

• Often not in regular timetables. Search specifically in club announcements and community feeds.
• Arrive early on spotting day; the timetable may differ.

Freight trains

• Real-time data is only publicly available to a limited extent. The community often helps (sightings, diversion information).
• Use your infrastructure knowledge (junctions, gradients, exchange yards) and regular paths as reference points.

Advanced: understanding data sources

• Real time (RT): forecasts from the infrastructure manager (delay, platform, deviations).
• Timetable data: planned paths (scheduled times). The differences between scheduled and actual times explain delays.
• Map overlays: live positions are derived from timetable progress and reporting points. Real GPS data from trains is generally not public.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

⚠️ Relying only on scheduled times: always check real-time data – small deviations add up.

⚠️ No buffer for photo spots: allow 10–15 minutes in reserve, especially for long-distance trains.

⚠️ Wrong platform section: check the train formation to choose the best position.

⚠️ Forgetting about poor light: check the sun’s position and the topography in advance using map tools.

Law and safety when tracking and spotting

• Never enter the track area: only use publicly accessible areas. Remember the danger to life and that it is a criminal offence.
• Follow station rules: respect instructions from staff and security services.
• Photography: usually permitted in public areas; respect personality rights and don’t film security areas.
• Drones: separate legal requirements apply; observe no-fly zones.

You can read more about this in our guide Can you photograph trains?.

Step-by-step workflows (practical)

Workflow 1: tracking an ICE with a known train number

1. Remember the train number (e.g. ICE 618).
2. Search for it in DB Navigator or on marudor.de.
3. Check the real-time data and the next stop.
4. Plan your spot position using OpenRailwayMap (curves, bridges, clear views).
5. Be on site 10 minutes early, check the train formation, camera ready.

Workflow 2: a regional train without a train number in NRW

1. At your destination station, photograph the departure display (line/destination/time).
2. Search the app by route and identify the right RE/RB by its intermediate stops.
3. Check the live data and, if there’s a disruption, catch it on its diversion.

Workflow 3: a cross-border journey (DE–AT–CH)

1. Plan the journey in DB Navigator and note the train number.
2. Carry on tracking seamlessly in ÖBB Scotty or SBB Mobile once the train is on the respective network.
3. Safeguard intermediate stops and changes with push notifications.

Checklist: ready in 2 minutes

• Train number/route noted
• Official app installed (DB Navigator / ÖBB Scotty / SBB Mobile)
• Web map saved as a favourite: marudor.de
• OpenRailwayMap open for spot planning
• Notifications turned on
• Camera/smartphone charged, safety rules in mind

Conclusion: with the right tools, train tracking is easy

The combination of official railway apps, a live map such as marudor.de and community knowledge gives you reliable real-time information for successful sightings – from scheduled ICEs to rare special runs. And with the Traintrack app you can record every sighting straight away and swap notes with other spotters.