Track Charts/Plans...

[mbshaw]

I am in the process of designing my layout after the Chessie operations between Detroit and Chicago via Lansing and Grand Rapids Michigan. Not that I am trying to model that line to the exact spike placement but would like to match some of the details of this line as best I can.

Anyway, does any one know where I might find this info? I have been using the USGS and Terraserve sites but they just don't quite provide the details I'm looking for. Also I now live in Florida so taking pictures has become a little more difficult. Basically do survey drawing exist?

Thanks for your help.

MS

[Anonymous]

The best resource would be the actual railroad valuation map. However, in these security conscious times, they may not want to give you a copy. After that, I would think you should contact an historical society. There are alot of fine fellows here that may be able to help you out. Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Yes, to expand on Ed's reply, there are both C&O, and Pere Marquette historical societies. I know that the C&O one has an extensive website, not sure about the P.M. Just enter the railroad name in a search engine, (such as "askjeeves.com"), and you will find these sites. I have also always found the "DeLorme" maps to be highly detailed. Although I have yet to buy one of the "Steam Powered Video" maps, I hear that they are very good as well. There are more than a few Michiganders here, so don't hesitate to ask more detailed questions. Another good discussion board to monitor is the "Michigan Shortline" board. We don't really discuss much shortline stuff, mainly class 1 RR's. I cant think of that link off the top of my head right now, but you can find it easy just as I did with "askjeeves.com".
Todd Cline.

[dknelson]

Check the classified ads in some magazines for a guy in Madison Wisconsin named Dave Conrad who sells copies of track profile charts for several railroads. He may have what you need at a reasonable cost. A track profile chart is a fairly crude drawing however, not like a real map.
Dave Nelson

[mbshaw]

Thanks for all your help. Just wondering is there anything better than a track chart that gives better detail, i.e. elevation and STA points. Again I'm not trying to reproduce an exact model but want to include some unique features.