SideTracked is a geocaching series based around railway locations. It includes caches at or near railway stations, former stations, heritage railways, funiculars, and miniature railways. The idea behind the series is to encourage geocachers to visit places connected with railway history and modern rail travel, while keeping the main focus on the station or railway stop itself rather than the wider railway network.

A SideTracked cache can be based at any named railway location with tracks, provided the station, stop, or station site is the clear focus of the cache.

This includes railway stations, former stations, heritage stations and halts, tram stops, underground and metro stations, light railway stops, funicular railways, miniature railways, and other named rail-based stopping places.

The important point is that the cache must be clearly associated with a qualifying station, halt, stop, or station site, rather than simply being placed near a railway line or other railway infrastructure.

No. SideTracked caches do not have to be at an active station. They can also be based on former railway stations, heritage railways, funiculars, and miniature railways, provided they fit the spirit of the series and comply with normal geocaching rules and safety guidance. This allows the series to celebrate both current railway locations and places of railway importance from the past.

Yes. A cache can still qualify if it is at the site of a former railway station, even if the station is no longer operational. Former stations are an important part of railway history, and the series welcomes caches that help highlight those lost or disused locations, as long as the cache is clearly linked to the station site.

Yes. If the cache is at the site of a former railway station, it can still qualify even if the station has been built over and nothing remains visible. What matters is that the cache is genuinely placed at, or clearly associated with, the former station site. The railway history of the location is still valid even where redevelopment has removed physical traces of the station.

No. A cache can still be part of the series if it is at the site of a former railway station, even if little or nothing remains, provided the location can still reasonably be identified as the station site. In some cases this may be through old maps, local history, signage, or reliable records. The important point is that the cache is genuinely linked to the former station location and not just placed somewhere nearby without a clear connection.

No. A railway crossing on its own does not qualify unless it is directly linked to a station location that fits the series guidelines. The SideTracked series is focused on stations and station sites, not railway infrastructure in general. A crossing by itself does not provide the station connection needed for inclusion in the series.

No. A railway bridge on its own does not qualify unless it is directly linked to a station location that fits the series guidelines. Although bridges can be important parts of railway history, the SideTracked series is not intended for railway structures generally. Its focus remains on stations, halts, and clearly defined station sites.

No. The SideTracked series is based around railway stations and their immediate history or location. A cache placed simply line side, with no station at or associated with the site, would not meet the guidelines for inclusion in the series. The focus of SideTracked is the station itself, whether current or former, rather than the railway line in general. While line side locations may still have railway interest, they do not fit the specific station-based purpose of the series.

Yes. Any cache type is acceptable, including Traditional, Multi, Mystery, and others, provided the station or station site remains the central theme and the cache follows normal geocaching guidelines.

The important thing is that the cache has a clear and genuine connection to a qualifying railway location and fits within the spirit of the SideTracked series.

Yes. Adventure Labs are welcome within the SideTracked series, provided they are clearly based around a qualifying railway station or station site and fit the spirit of the series.

Please note, however, that due to limitations in the API used to generate our statistics, Adventure Lab finds cannot currently be included in the SideTracked database and badge system.

If you would like your SideTracked location to be counted in the series statistics, we recommend also providing a bonus Mystery/Unknown cache or another qualifying geocache type linked to the station.

Yes. SideTracked events are allowed. They are a good way for geocachers to meet at railway-related locations and celebrate the series together, as long as the event follows normal geocaching guidelines and uses the correct naming style.

Naming guidelines are avilable on our Hosting your SideTracked Event page

Usually no. You cannot place a cache on railway land unless you have permission and can provide proof if requested by the reviewer. Railway property is treated as a sensitive location for obvious safety and security reasons, so cache owners should take extra care. In most cases, the safest and easiest option is to place the cache off railway land in a suitable nearby public location.

No. Railway property can also include car parks, level crossings, bridges, culverts, fences, embankments, access roads, and other railway-owned land or structures. Even if an area looks public or is easy to access, it may still belong to the railway. It is always better to assume caution and avoid placing caches on or attached to railway infrastructure unless clear permission has been obtained.

The best place is usually outside the railway boundary in a safe location that will not cause concern to railway staff, passengers, or members of the public. Good SideTracked caches are close enough to reflect the station or railway history, but far enough away to avoid encouraging suspicious behaviour near operational railway land. Safety, legality, and suitability should always come first.

Ideally, the cache should be placed as close to the station or station site as possible, but this is not always practical or appropriate.

In some cases, a cache can be hidden nearby rather than directly at the station itself, provided it still has a clear and genuine connection to the railway location and, where possible, maintains a line of sight to the station or station site. The aim should always be to encourage visitors to visit or appreciate the station, whether current or former, while keeping the cache placement safe, suitable, and within geocaching guidelines.

No. Only one SideTracked cache should normally be associated with a station. This helps keep the series clear and avoids multiple caches claiming the same station location. In most cases, a station should have a single SideTracked cache representing it within the series.

Use the format SideTracked - Station Name. This helps the cache be recognised as part of the series and included in the relevant lists and statistics. Using a consistent naming format also makes it easier for geocachers to search for SideTracked caches and understand immediately that the cache belongs to the series.

Naming guidelines are avilable on our Get Involved with SideTracked page

Use REALLY SideTracked - Station Name for former, disused, or heritage railway stations. This helps show that the location is not a standard active station and makes the cache easier to classify correctly within the series. It also helps preserve the distinction between current railway sites and locations of historical railway interest.

Naming guidelines are avilable on our Get Involved with SideTracked page

Use MINI SideTracked - Station Name for miniature railways and model railways. This makes it clear that the cache is linked to a smaller railway attraction rather than a full-sized railway station, while still keeping it within the wider SideTracked family.

Naming guidelines are avilable on our Get Involved with SideTracked page

No. These are no longer used as standard SideTracked prefixes. Use SideTracked, REALLY SideTracked, or MINI SideTracked instead. Keeping to the current naming convention helps the series remain consistent and makes it easier to maintain bookmark lists, statistics, and website records.

SideTracked events should follow the appropriate SideTracked naming format for the location and event type. Using the correct format helps other geocachers recognise the event as part of the series and helps the SideTracked team keep records accurate.

Naming guidelines are avilable on our Hosting your SideTracked Event page

Correct naming helps your cache be recognised as part of the series and included in the bookmark lists and statistics. It also gives consistency across the whole series, which makes it easier for both cache owners and finders to identify qualifying SideTracked caches.

No. Unlike some other cache series, SideTracked does not issue cache numbers before publication.

You can simply hide your cache, make sure it follows the SideTracked guidelines, and name it in the correct format for the series.

Once your cache has been published, please let the SideTracked team know so it can be added to the website listings, bookmark collections, and statistics.

You can rename and add an existing cache to the series, but it should follow the correct naming format and you should contact the SideTracked team so it can be added properly. This helps ensure the cache is recorded in the right place and avoids it being missed from the series listings.

Yes. Once your cache is published, you should contact the SideTracked team so they can update the listings and bookmark collections. Doing this helps keep the website accurate and ensures your cache is properly recognised as part of the series.

Yes. The SideTracked website provides text and logo options that cache owners can add to their cache pages to show they are part of the series. Adding this information helps make the cache more recognisable to finders and clearly links it to the wider SideTracked community.

This information is avilable on our Get Involved with SideTracked page

First, please check that your username is entered exactly as it appears on geocaching.com, including capital letters.

Next, make sure there are no extra spaces before or after your username, and confirm that you have logged at least one SideTracked find.

Please note that if you have only recently found a SideTracked cache, it may take a few days for our statistics to update.

If the problem continues after checking these points, please feel free to contact us.

SideTracked Day is celebrated each year on 10 August, marking the anniversary of the SideTracked series.

As well as events held on SideTracked Day itself, there is often also a wider SideTracked Week with additional events and celebrations around the anniversary.

SideTracked events still take place throughout the year, but the way they count in the statistics has changed.

From 1 January 2025, regular SideTracked Events no longer add to your stats. This change was made because of concerns about people “virtually” logging attends simply to boost their hide/find totals.

However, events held during SideTracked Day or SideTracked Week, along with a small number of pre-approved events, do still count towards the statistics.