RAILROAD ATLASES

[REDDYK]

I have used an atlas called Great Lakes East by Steam Powered Video until it is somewhat dogeared and with the Conrail split it is no longer accurate east of Chicago. Who has a comparable product that is up to date? Anybody know?

[Anonymous]

I picked up an SPV atlas at steamtown in the fall. It was published in 1999 and shows the NS/CSX split for the Northeast states, perhaps they have released a new atlas for your area? There are a few descrepencies in mine, as it is now almost 3 years old, but for the most part I rely on it alot.

[edahrenhoerster]

You can get the latest info on their most recent atlases and new editions of old ones at their website at www.spv.co.uk. When I needed one for a trip and couldn't get it through Walthers I ordered direct from their site and got it from them in about a week with only the regular shipping, not the express. (Quicker than stuff I order from the US.)

[REDDYK]

Ed, thanks for the suggestion. I tried the website and if I am correct only 2 of the 13 atlases they offer are post-merger. Sadly, none of the ones I want seem to be of the late editions. Any other suggestions?

[edahrenhoerster]

Not really. I have seen other RR atlases and they tend to be even more out of date and generally not as detailed or user friendly. I do also use the DeLorme Gazetteers while railfanning in unfamiliar territory as they show every little street, back alley and even the dirt roads as well as the railroad tracks, but they are mainly concerned about the streets and roads so are a little loose on their RR identification. For instance, my current Wisconsin one still shows Soo for the CP.

[REDDYK]

Right, Ed. I use a DeLorme Street Atlas at my pc. It has streets,roads, rivers and R.R. lines shown, seamless from border to border, however the maps are composites of many sources and of many many different years. A given R.R. may be shown as PRR, 10 miles later as PC, ten miles more and it is CR. My old favorite Hoosier R.R., the Monon is variously shown as CSX,Seaboard, Family lines, and L&N, as well as Monon. Following some of those is a study in RR history.