While Google Maps surfing the Colton Crossing area I noticed that this new option appeared under Satellite view - it is very similar to Microsoft Bing Maps birds eye view. Apparently it has been available on the web interface for about a month and in the API for six. However, 45 degree view data is only available in (unknown) selected areas at this time.
To see the option you must be zoomed to one of the four highest zoom settings. Also, the Pan icon in the upper left of the image will have a movable direction ring.
Jeez - now I can count the ties ! You think I’m joking ? Click on and look at the linked site and zoom in pretty far - you’ll see that on one of the 2 double-tracked lines (the UP, I believe ?) - that the concrete ties in each track end about a rail-length away from the crossing diamonds, and that wood ties are the rest of the way to and through the crossing. Next I’ll be able to count the spikes or rail clips, I suppose . . . [;)]
So thanks for pointing this out, Mike - [tup] I hadn’t known about that before.
By the way, your linked Google Map of the Sunset Route that K.P. has been posting about is pretty awesome and useful - thanks for putting that together and posting it. I just need to get more familiar with some of the place names now . . . [%-)]
[%-)]??? - It’s been there since 2009. You are still limited by the coverage on hand (Google gets the leftovers from other places and government agencies, doesn’t gather its own data) and more importantly the height the photography was flown at to start with and secondly the quality of the imaging (hardly uniform)…
Follow the crossing line north about 20-30 clicks to see a lot of interesting subjects. An industry with a lot of tank cars, a passenger coach yard, a white locomotive, a piggyback or car distribution yard, a train or two, and another junction with a GP60M and a few other locos parked.