Fishplate’s May 2026 indexed data gives us another snapshot of what rail video evidence can reveal when stock, operators, headcodes and locations are structured into searchable intelligence.
For the period 1–31 May 2026 UTC, Fishplate indexed 618 videos, adding 3,171 stock matches and 745 headcodes. The dataset includes activity across 50 operators and 747 locations. As always, these figures reflect what Fishplate indexed during the period, not complete real-world railway activity.
At a glance
May’s strongest stock signal was 50049, which appeared 18 times in the period. That compares with 0 in the previous period and a 12-week baseline average of 1.4 in Fishplate’s data.
Other high-count stock included 66780 with 15 appearances, and 26007, 99004, 37240, and 37607, each with 14. Several of these were far above their Fishplate 12-week baseline averages, making them useful candidates for further browsing and contributor review.
On the operator side, GBRF led the month with 159 indexed counts, followed by Freightliner with 123, DB Schenker with 104, Network Rail with 99, and LNER with 94. Interestingly, many of the leading operators were down compared with the previous period, while still sitting well above their 12-week Fishplate baselines.
Notable activity
The most active locations in the dataset were Carlisle and Doncaster, with 77 and 74 indexed counts respectively. Both were also significantly above their 12-week baseline averages.
Other busy locations included Crewe with 45, Hope with 43, Sheffield with 39, Newcastle with 37, and Airport with 36. The “Airport” label is especially worth a look because it was up 111.8% against the previous period and 737.2% above baseline in the dataset.
The headcode table was led by 4L73 with 10 counts, followed by 4E24 and 4S44 with 8 each. Several headcodes, including 4E08 and 1Z31, appeared in May after having no previous-period count in the dataset.
Unusual or rare-looking signals
Fishplate’s rare-pairing data highlights combinations that appeared more often in May than they had before in indexed records.
Several of the strongest rare-looking stock-location pairings were connected with Swanage or Swanage Railway. Examples include 58023 at Swanage, seen 11 times in May with 0 prior indexed instances before the period, and 99004 at Swanage, seen 9 times in May with 0 prior indexed instances before the period. Fishplate also saw 37607 at Swanage and 37607 at Leicester 11 times each, compared with 1 historical indexed instance before the period.
These are not claims of real-world rarity. They are signals from Fishplate’s indexed data and may reflect coverage, video availability, ingestion timing, matching behaviour, or genuine changes in what appeared in the indexed videos.
Newly indexed items
The dataset also includes several items marked as first seen in Fishplate’s indexed data during May.
Newly indexed stock examples include 373007, 373229, 373230, 373221, 373222, 755327, and 755334. Newly indexed locations include Mallard Halt, Andrews House, Foxfield Colliery, Saltmarshe, and Cheddleton. Newly indexed headcodes include 9M31, 5O54, 0S45, 9B32, and 3B32.
These should be read carefully: “first seen” means first seen in Fishplate’s indexed data, not necessarily first in the real world.