Version timeline

Version Timeline

In the following chart all release dates of past and current railML® versions are listed:

Version Release date Supported until License Comment
0.x 2002-2005 December 2005 none (internal usage only) Beta version timetable
1.0 December 2005 June 2013 proprietary First practical experience
1.1 November 2007 June 2013 proprietary  
2.0 November 2nd, 2009 March, 2017 restricted CC-BY-ND 2.0  
2.1 June 15th, 2011 March, 2017 restricted CC-BY-ND 2.0 Downwardly compatible with V2.0
2.2 June 11th, 2013 June 30th, 2021 restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Downwardly compatible with V2.1-V2.0
2.3 March 10th, 2016 June 30th, 2024 restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Predominant downward compatible with V2.2-V2.0
2.4 October 7th, 2018 November 30th, 2026 restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Predominant downward compatible with V2.3-V2.0
2.5 September 1st, 2021 Not yet announced restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Predominant downward compatible with V2.4-V2.0
Also adopted as an ISO 4398:2022 standard
3.0 October 31st, 2017 February 19th, 2019 none (test and review only) all Beta and RC versions only; based on RTM V1.1
3.1 February 19th, 2019 December 31st 2027 restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 based on RailTopoModel V1.2
3.2 April 26th, 2022 Not yet announced restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 based on RailTopoModel V1.4
3.3 November 5th, 2024 Not yet announced restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 based on RailTopoModel V1.5
3.4 Autumn 2026 Not yet announced restricted CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 based on RailTopoModel V1.6

Important: Announcements about the discontinuation of support for a version will be made at least 24 months in advance.

Last update: December 1st, 2025 by Rose Sharon Király (end of support for 3.1)

Development Timeline railML 3.4

The following chart provides an overview of the progress and the release dates of the railML® version currently under development:

Version Release date Supported until License Comment
3.4 Alpha 1   April 17th, 2025 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 alpha
3.4 Alpha 2 April 17th, 2025 August 30th, 2025 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 alpha
3.4 Alpha 3 August 30th, 2025 November 19th, 2025 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 alpha
3.4 Beta 1 June 17th, 2025 November 19th, 2025 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 beta
3.4 Beta 2 November 19th, 2025 Spring 2026 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 beta
3.4 Beta 3 Spring 2026 Autumn 2026 none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 beta
3.4 Beta x Not yet announced
(release only if requested by community)
Not yet announced none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6 beta
3.4 Autumn 2026 Not yet announced none (test and review only) based on RailTopoModel V1.6

Last update: 13th January, 2026 by Rose Sharon Király

Long-Term Version Timeline Strategy

In order to offer a more holistic, long-term planning, this long-term timeline of railML's® version development was created. Its purpose is to give an overview over all upcoming versions, but please notice that it is subject to change. During the development phase of a version, the release of a Beta version is scheduled for every six months.

railML versions (updated January 2026)

Please click on the image for a larger version or use the download.

Feel free to contact railML.org for further explanations, questions and remarks at any time.