How many of you use Google Earth Satellite images for Railfanning? Allan.
Haven’t used Google Earth much at all…but have used TerraServer.com much. Have followed rail lines and abandoned ROW’s. Some for long distances. Example: Followed the abandoned WM RR from Meyersdale, Pa. to Cumberland, Md…Wanted to see how it crossed the Alleghenies. Took me perhaps an hour and a half to do it.
Also have followed an old coal hauler branch {B&O}, near Friedens, Pa. back northwest to Ralphton {a few miles}, which contained 4 horseshoe curves almost end to end. For the most part that is still visible today. A wild piece of railroad that had to wind around the hills to attain it’s destination. It was abandoned in the late 40’s or early 50’s and it’s still quite visible. My [2c]. Have looked seriously at the location of Horseshoe Curve on NS and the old Muleshoe Curve on the old Pennsy. {It’s abandoned now}.
Google Earth is neat, but unless you are looking for a relatively well populated area, the resolution isn’t all that great. When the resolution is there, the abilty to ‘tip’ your view and “fly” a route is really neat.
For the areas not well covered by Google Earth (which is available in a lower tech version as maps.google.com), I usually go to Terraserver - they use aerial (vs satellite) photos that are usually pretty good wherever you want to look. In addition, the maps are USGS topology maps, so you can see the true profile.
Between the two, a person can usually do a pretty good virtual railfan of a route.
I have used this to find different railfan areas. It really helps me find places sometimes.
Anyone else notice that Terreserver has been much slower the past several months?
the change was so abrupt I have to wonder if it is not the result of a reconfig for economy
Do you ever see actual trains?
It’s hard to look at aerial photos of Norfolk Southern territory and NOT see trains everywhere.
Like a well oiled machine, NS works.
I kind of use it. like for example, right before I came back to California from school in Montana, I headed up to Mullan Pass. There were some areas that I couldn’t drive to, so I didn’t know what the tracks did. I found Google Earth and saw the tracks and how they ran. Now I know how it all went. It’ s just too bad that I’m not up there anymore because I found out through Google Earth how to get to the East porthole of the Mullan Tunnel, which I couldn’t figure out when I was there.
Its funny you bring that up…Iv used google earth to learn about my territory for dispatching…And Yes you can see trains
Take a look at Avon Yard (Indianapolis)
39°45’25.69" N 86°21’40.44" W elev. 837ft
I use both Terraserver and Google Earth. Most of my rail fanning is No. ILL so the high res in GE covers like 1/2 of what I’m looking for. The other 1/2 I use Terrasever. Was able to locate Winston Tunnel with Terraserver.
Also I got my B.S. in Geography so there is a little of a geeky/school thing with me for maps[|)]. As you can tell I also prefer the window seat when I fly. Looking at the rail lines, the section line, and the ox-bow lakes and what not.
I’m working on my B.S. in Geography now too, and I’ve been using maps.google.com to scope out the areas around the station platforms for an upcoming trip.
Geographpers are a spatial kind of people [(-D]
If I’m going on a very serious trip, I carefully preplan in layers. All of the software I use is on my notebook, which is always with me.
The print-version DeLorme maps and Steam Powered Video maps are great for pre-planning locations, although at my age now I need a magnifying glass for the DeLorme. NOTE: DeLorme also sells a software mapping program (retail about $50), which I purchased and must say is a terrible disappointment because I thought it would be a computer version of their fine print maps. It is not. Its interface is poorly designed, making it much more complex to use than Streets & Trips, a real pain in the fanny.
I next use Microsoft Streets & Trips software, which also allows you to one-click to an aerial view in MSN Virtual Earth. While in black and white, the Virtual Earth frames are much more detailed than Google Earth in the rural areas not hi-res scanned by Google Earth – which is usually where the best action is. I’ve also noticed Streets & Trips is missing some information – i.e., it fails to show the old Rock Island Line (now Iowa Interstate) from Joliet Union Station to Downtown Chicago. Or, the same line coming into Joliet.
Coupled with the above two, I next use North American Railroad Map software to get details on lines and locations in the area I’m going to visit. It is my BEST resource, certainly worth the $35 or whatever (the company just sent an update of the railroad information at no charge!) It tells you the number of mains, info about signal systems and former owners/trackage rights. It also shows density, which can prevent me from wasting time sitting on a slow line waiting for something to come along.
Then, to really zero in and not waste time/gas, I use a Garmin c330 Street Pilot GPS dash-mount unit to find my way, especially on the back roads. The only thing I need to remember is that RR tracks only show up on the closest magnification levels.
Bergie just had an excellent firsthand report o
This is pretty good too. (windows live local)
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=33.333627~-82.670962&style=h&lvl=7&scene=1915478
CSX-Disp: Like the fact you listed the downtown elev. fig. in the Indy area…Have been wondering for quite a while what elev. difference there is between here {Muncie}, and Indy. Our airport here is 937’…I’m surprised there is not more drop off between here and Indy.