Dutch Train Map Simulator

(spoorkaart.zaza.dev)

57 points | by zazaalaza 2 hours ago

10 comments

  • tosti 12 minutes ago
    A proper simulator would cancel most of the trains whenever the weather changes. Dutch trains fail whenever:

    * There's leaves on the rails

    * It snows

    * It's too cold

    * It's too hot

    * rand(1, 10) > 7

    On top of that, there's protests and strikes.

    • Pepe1vo 5 minutes ago
      As a fellow Dutchman, I agree that complaining about the NS is a very tempting thing to do. However, we should not forget that our train infrastructure is considered world class across multiple metrics, including reliability (yes really).

      To recalibrate your expectations I wholeheartedly recommend taking a train ride from somewhere in Germany to anywhere else in Germany.

    • zazaalaza 9 minutes ago
      Cancelled trains are shown in red and can be toggled off and on
  • tcumulus 1 hour ago
    The Netherlands might not have the most extensive or fast rail network, but it's frequencies are pretty much unbeatable. In some places it runs more as a metro network than a heavy rail one. This visualisation shows that nicely!
    • tnolet 15 minutes ago
      Netherlands is ninth on this list by the UN, but that includes (even tinier) countries like Monaco, Luxemburg and Belgium.

      So I guess the NL is about top 5-ish in the world density wise

      https://w3.unece.org/pxweb/en/CountryRanking?IndicatorCode=4...

    • jorisboris 19 minutes ago
      If I remember correctly the Tokaido Shinkansen goes every 3-4 minutes. I think the frequency on the Utrecht-Amsterdam stretch is on average 5 minutes?
    • NoLinkToMe 40 minutes ago
      Wasn't my experience, frequencies are fine but I don't think it's unbeatable at all. The default simulation is 50x speed by the way, perhaps that gave you the impression.
      • wickedsight 34 minutes ago
        > but I don't think it's unbeatable at all

        Based on... What exactly? The Dutch rail network is already considered the busiest network in Europe. So I'm really interested what knowledge you bring that says that it could be busier if many experts say that the busiest trajectories (look at Amsterdam - Schiphol and Amsterdam - Utrecht, for example) are at max capacity already.

        • NoLinkToMe 14 minutes ago
          Japan beats Dutch train frequencies, hence it's not unbeatable.

          And if you include metro rail there are plenty of more frequent rail systems including again Japan but also China, France, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea.

        • retired 30 minutes ago
          Upgrading to full ERTMS can increase capacity on the Utrecht Amsterdam line. Longer platforms with longer trains. Reducing accessibility in the trains* for more seating. Less seats. Removing first class. Remove train crossing. Buy out NIMBIES. There is plenty you can do to increase passenger capacity on that line.

          *) If you want to absolutely maximize passengers in a train you can reduce the number of toilets to one or switch to the peebag system the old trains had. And reduce the amount of wheelchair spots to the absolutely lawfully required amount. I’m not saying this is a good thing, just spinning some ideas to increase passenger capacity.

          • bo0tzz 23 minutes ago
            You're suggesting to _reduce_ accessibility?!
  • sixtyj 2 hours ago
    Nice.

    But don’t try on mobile screen. It seems that a lot of vibe coders forget (or just skip it) to add to prompt “do a mobile version of website as well”.

    • artisinal 2 hours ago
      As a plebeian with only a phone I was not able to use this website.
      • cjfd 1 hour ago
        As a patrician with only a desktop I was able to use this website.
        • thombat 1 hour ago
          I delegated this errand to my manservant. I am quite unaware of what means of access he may have at his disposal but I trust that his resourceful nature will suffice to provide a precis of this internet website.
        • artisinal 45 minutes ago
          The desktop-owning class might do well to reflect upon its privilege.
      • tosti 18 minutes ago
        "Desktop Site" works fine.
    • ucosty 40 minutes ago
      It's a lot of work for very little return, especially for a hobby or side project
      • sixtyj 34 minutes ago
        I get it. In fact, managing and debugging two versions sucks.

        In such cases, you can easily implement simple device detection and display “this is desktop app only”…

    • flexagoon 1 hour ago
      > It seems that a lot of vibe coders forget

      So do many non-vibe coders, somehow. I dont understand why someone would make a website without mobile support in 2026, when phones are the primary device for a lot of people.

    • llm_nerd 21 minutes ago
      I just tried it on an iPhone and it worked...fine? The collapsible configuration panel has some placement issues, but otherwise the page is perfectly usable.

      Secondly, it's a tosser simulation. It isn't a transit app for someone running to catch the train. Someone "vibe coded" it for novelty and they owe you, or anyone else, literally nothing.

      As ucosty mentioned, "It's a lot of work for very little return". As some who made dozens of fun little web gadgets and toys that hit viral success, there is something remarkable about how entitled people get for something that literally benefitted me in absolutely no ways.

  • isoprophlex 10 minutes ago
    why in the name of gods stroopwafel are Rotterdam and The Hague situated somewhere southwest of Drenthe?! What is Amersfoort doing on the shores of the North Sea?!
  • flexagoon 1 hour ago
    Being able to collapse the left sidebar would go a long way to improve mobile experience. Currently it's unusable on mobile.
    • zazaalaza 1 hour ago
      You can collapse it by pressing the gear icon
      • johschmitz 42 minutes ago
        Not obvious, I switched to desktop mode to be able to see something on mobile. Suggestion: have the menu collapsed at the beginning, at least on mobile layout, then it would be much more obvious how to use it.
      • Aachen 56 minutes ago
        Still covers all of Friesland and surroundings for me after collapsing
  • NooneAtAll3 10 minutes ago
    doesn't work for wide short screens (like PC)... the menu goes off below the view and there's no way to scroll
    • zazaalaza 7 minutes ago
      Fixing it now Edit: Fixed!
  • smartbit 1 hour ago
    Very nice.

    It seems the 25kV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betuweroute is missing. Although mostly used for freight and therefor no or other type of schedule, it would be nice if it was projected at least.

  • xecaz 1 hour ago
    Love it, maybe a filter function to only home in on certain trajectories would be cool. Anyway, great work!!
  • GaryNumanVevo 1 hour ago
    If you're ever in the Netherlands, you HAVE to checkout Amsterdam's Lelylaan station. Absolutely beautiful.
    • mdemare 34 minutes ago
      No, but check out Rotterdam Centraal, Haarlem and Groningen. Also stunning, IMHO, is Antwerp, Belgium.
    • xecaz 1 hour ago
      Is this a joke? It's the worst station in Amsterdam, followed by Duivendrecht.
      • colinhb 40 minutes ago
        It is a weird meme that, as far as I know, originated with this reddit post:

        https://www.reddit.com/r/Amsterdam/comments/bt5rwl/just_got_...

        Now in several forums people just randomly talk about how great Leylaan is.

        Kind of a fun in-joke for people who follow Netherlands transit conversations.

      • Aachen 54 minutes ago
        Maybe Gary means those red pipes? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Lelylaan_station#/me...

        Not my taste exactly and besides that I can't see anything prettier than a dirty metro station in an image search, so indeed not sure what they mean

        Edit: it's supposed to be renovated in 2028, that probably says everything. Yeah, must be some in-joke

      • NoLinkToMe 39 minutes ago
        Yes it's a long standing meme, mostly on reddit.
  • hnxp86ytwk 1 hour ago
    [dead]