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About Knowledgebase

Knowledgebase (KB) is the name given to the backend engine that contains all the textual content provided on the National Rail Enquiries website. It holds a range of rich supplementary information, both static and real-time, about travelling by train on the GB rail network.

KB contains a database of static information about the facilities at each of the 2500+ stations on the network, including specific information about available facilities for those with accessibility needs. Whilst this data is held centrally in the NRE Knowledgebase, it is kept up-to-date by each of the TOCs responsible for operating and maintaining the stations. Another primary content base held in KB is contextual information about real-time disruption to train services, along with detail about planned changes to services due to engineering work. Other content includes information about the train operating companies, ticket types, promotions, fares and restrictions.

Knowledgebase Feeds

Information in KB is made available in XML files that are downloaded through a web browser. Access is vis registration with the National Rail Data Portal. A list of all available Knowledgebase XML feeds is shown below.

Knowledgebase terms of access

Access to knowledgebase feeds is enabled through automated registration, you must have an account on the National Rail Data Portal. Guidance on accessing the knowledgebase feeds can be found here.

Full Name	Feed Type	Licence	User Guide	Sign Up
Stations XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
Incidents XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
National Service Indicator XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
Ticket Types XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
Ticket Restrictions XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
Train Operating Companies XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here
Promotions XML	XML File	NRE Licence	KB User Guides	Register here

Knowledgebase Usage Charges

The KB data sets are provided free to all users, meaning they are hosted at a loss to NRE. 

Technical Support

As this is a free service, no formal user support is provided. However, unofficial technical support can be found via the open rail data user forum Open Rail Data-Talk

Improving Things for Developers

We are always aiming to improve things for developers and have taken feedback on board about using the KB data sets. Our intention is to streamline the registration and set-up process by enabling automated access to the Knowledgebase data through the National Rail Data Portal. We also hope to remove the IP Address whitelisting access restrictions, moving to a token or key based model.  We don’t yet have anticipated timescales for this functionality to be delivered, however we hope for the service to be in place before the end of financial year 2015/16.