IT STARTED with a teenager working on a basic paint programme in his bedroom.
Alex Gardner was a 16-year-old with a strong interest in railways, who sat down one day and tried to sketch out the entire UK train network using MS Paint drawing software.
His initial lo-tech attempt failed, but the idea sparked a project that has found favour with train operating companies and ticketing sites such as Trainline.
The task of building a complete map of the rail system was eventually completed by more than one person.
Gardner first linked up with Chester-le-Street station master Alex Nelson, and the pair worked with Newcastle firm Creative Art and Design to make a paper map.
On seeing the sheer size of such a map, the group approached fellow Newcastle firm Rombus Computers to transfer it to a digital format.
The team was also boosted by the involvement of Elan Public Transport Consultancy.
Train operating companies and the Trainline were already interested in the product at that point, but a meeting at Newcastle Science City’s First Friday advanced it down the line even further.
Railroute director Michael Beaney met Science City business mentor Matt Hindhaugh at an event in Newcastle, and was told the project might be able to receive some money for a business plan if the technology was developed to a greater extent.
The company has since received a small amount of money from the organisation, and is developing a business plan with a view to attracting further investment from both Science City and other potential investors.
Beeney said: “We’ve vectorised the map. It was drawn in such a way that it could be printed, but you need to build different things to make it work on a computer.
“We can separate train operating companies on the route and we’re developing it so that you can see video of the train stations to find out where ramps for wheelchairs are located.
“It’s going to be available as a website, and as part of an app, by the 2012 Olympics. We’re thinking that visitor numbers will increase significantly, and people who are coming into the country can use the app to find their way around.”
Railroute recently won a contract with First Capital Connect to provide a route map for 10 of its busiest south London stations, including Tooting, Elephant and Castle and Wimbledon Chase.
It has also done work for East Coast Trains, Grand Central Trains and Plusbus. The map has the flexibility in future to add new lines, connecting bus services, or even unique station features, such as the cycle rental offered in Stoke.
It is also looking at the potential for ticket buying.
Beaney said: “It’s a joined-up map. When the train operating companies do a map, it might not indicate that other train companies even exist.
“These companies have looked at the map and many of them have said hallelujah.
“Maybe it had to be done by someone who didn’t have to focus on one train operating company or another, as it’s difficult to do from within.
“Now we can either broaden the capabilities of the system in the UK by doing things like door-to-door directions, or we can just go through the tunnel and do a rail map for France.”
