Using Mapquest to trace RR lines w/Roads

[bluepuma]

More than once I've wanted to know exactly where the RR tracks were in relation to roads, don't always see them. Have traced some lines in WV before a fan trip there. Usually can't see the tracks on the maps until the last two magnifications.

Wanted to know about Hereford Ariz and a train line running in Southern Arizona, near the Ft. Huacuca (sp?) Sierra Vista and to Bisbee, SP lines in relationship to I-10 etc., SP lines in LA, ATSF lines, and even the Rio Grande
lines in an area alone 160 between Pueblo Co. and Durango, and lines in IL where I live now. Follow one on some maps to find the current or former owner. What train line was in Globe and Miami Arizona? My girlfriend lived on Depot Street!

It has been an interesting way to learn things I couldn't remember well enough, and also see a bit of the watershed, trains follow river and stream grades, more than one dot on a map was a train stop once or Junction.

The maps in Trains show train maps, but we need something else to relate
to the highways and topography.

Thought this would be worth sharing. - TomCat Bluepuma

[bcammack]

www.terraserver.microsoft.com

Topographic maps (preferable to highway maps) and satellite photos.

Enjoy! [:)]

[Noah Hofrichter]

The one thing I don't like about Mapquest maps is sometimes the railroad line sidings are no longer there and some appear to have dissapeared altogether. You are right though because you can find what roads lead near the tracks so you can go there and investigate further as to what is still around.

Noah[:P]

[Anonymous]

Mapquest is just a bare bones service
know what I mean?
their dirving directions can be confusing
and their maps disleading.
but for the cost it is great.
its services are adequte
just not great.

[Anonymous]

I recently used "Mapquest" to locate the Georgia Northeastern (GNRR) from Marietta, GA all the way across Cherokee County (GA) and it was very helpful for locating all but sidings and yards. It was particularly helpful locating RR in residential neighborhoods and industrial parks, Its just one more tool we are fortunate to have that we didn't even dream about ten or so years ago. Also, I have found AAA maps helpful and sometimes they are just a bit out of date as to (former) railroads referenced and for that, they may be more helpful to some modelers than if they were up-to-date. My local public library's research dept. is going to assist me in my search for specific details relevant to the late 40s/early 50s route, details, etc. of L&N through Cherokee County over same rails.

[raysaron]

You might also try universities in the area of interest to you.

The local branch of our state university had state railroad
maps going back to the 1920s and 1930s that the photocopied
for me and sent the bill with the copies (no prepayment)!

Our state historical society had aerial photos going back many
years. I walked in, asked about my area of interest and they
gave me a big folder to look through.

Both these experiences were about five years ago--they might
not be this user friendly now.

Ray

[locomcf]

Hi guys.

To me, living in Oz, Mapquest has been excellent. I've used it to locate a whole bunch of places I had photos of, or had otherwise known about, on the chunk of the ATSF I'm interested in. I've even printed out and sticky-taped together individual maps of the entire 45 miles, to form one large map for reference purposes

Until fairly recently MapQuest was linked to GlobXplorer, so you could also get aerial (satellite?) photos of the area. I started collecting these, but I didn't get all that I wanted before GlobeXplorer started branding their piccies and making them hard to read (unless you pay).

Does anyone have any other links to free aerial photos?

Regards,
Ron

[locomcf]

Bcammack,

I've just had a look at your terraserver link, and I think it's even better than MapQuest. The aerial photos are far better resolution that the ones I was getting off GlobeXplorer.

Looks like I'll be spending the weekend downloading photos :-)

Thanks Bcammack.

[Eriediamond]

Hey folks, been play'in with that terraserver thing and my only comment can be WOW! I trace the old abandoned Erie branch that ran from Gowanda,NY to Dunkirk,NY and spent hours last night checking out our old farm in the South Dayton area of NY. Udderly amaizing.[:O][(-D][(-D]