Google Maps

[jambo101]

Anyone use Google Maps to zoom in on a specific rail yard/track to get inspiration for a layout? "eg" a nearby yard http://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&z=13&ll=45.472922,-73.685517&spn=0.039122,0.078278&om=0

The satellite feature is really neat..

 

[LocoIndy76]

:thumb: Actually yes, I do it all the time....

I drove a semi over the road and spent A LOT of time in railyards. I have gone on google maps to find the railyards I've been too.... Funny, they sure look a LOT different from above than they feel from the ground!

 

[rogerw]

I used google earth to check out north platt nebraska train yards . was so impressed I will be making a trip from kansas to check it out . Thanks Roger

 

[MadHatter]

Definately great for reference, if you look carefully you can even follow lifted train lines.

 

[Torpedo]

If you haven't already done it, try Google Earth. It requires a software download and at least a moderately fast connection, but it is quite a bit more versatile than their maps.

 

[railohio]

Google maps has had some major mistakes in its rail lines. I poked around it when it was first introduced and realized this; I've never really gone back to see if they bothered to update, but I'd guess not. One would be much better served using Google Earth, if the resolution is sufficient, in conjunction with printed topo maps and railroad documents to discern the arrangement of railroad tracks.

 

[Mountain Man]

It's not bad. For hunting around for old rail grades, however, it lacks the sharp focus that is really needed.

I like looking down at my house, though!

 

[Cannonball]

Google maps has had some major mistakes in its rail lines. I poked around it when it was first introduced and realized this; I've never really gone back to see if they bothered to update, but I'd guess not. One would be much better served using Google Earth, if the resolution is sufficient, in conjunction with printed topo maps and railroad documents to discern the arrangement of railroad tracks.

If you use the Satellite option on Google Maps it's the same as Google Earth and both have mistakes in more than just the railyards. They have my house address one street over and two blocks down from where it should be.

It's still fun to scope out the rail yards though.

 

[Torpedo]

If you use the Satellite option on Google Maps it's the same as Google Earth and both have mistakes in more than just the railyards. They have my house address one street over and two blocks down from where it should be.

They had me about four miles off, but when I checked it today, both Earth and Maps were only off about 150 feet. It looks like they are fixing things at last. I also noticed they have Linux and Mac versions of Earth available.

 

[Cannonball]

They had me about four miles off, but when I checked it today, both Earth and Maps were only off about 150 feet. It looks like they are fixing things at last. I also noticed they have Linux and Mac versions of Earth available.

150 feet would put me in my neighbor's living room two houses down.