Trackplan sources

[LNERW1]

If anyone can’t find a good source for historic track plans, etc. or is dissatisfied with Google Maps’ level of detail, then GeoHive has a viewer for old OS maps, and OpenStreetMap shows railways, and everything else for that matter, in much more detail than Google Maps. This is just to let everyone know of these trackplan sources, as I’ve found them quite useful. Merry Christmas!

PS: feel free to post alternate sources here if you think them worthy of mention.

[LNERW1]

Just realised- probably best to use the 25 inch map, the two 6 inches I tried had been mapped before the railway I was researching had been built, and then after it had been torn up.

[NorthWallDocker]

Thank you.  I just finished two delightful hours tracing the Cavan & Leitrim from Dromod to Mohill on the historic OSI map on GeoHive, then comparing with Google Maps and Google streetview.  

[LNERW1]

7 hours ago, NorthWallDocker said:

Thank you.  I just finished two delightful hours tracing the Cavan & Leitrim from Dromod to Mohill on the historic OSI map on GeoHive, then comparing with Google Maps and Google streetview.  

You’re most welcome. I had expected most forum users to be the kind of people who would use it for track plans rather than simply enjoy tracing old railways, but I must admit I enjoy just following railway lines on OpenStreetMap. I’m glad you got enjoyment out of it.

[Georgeconna]

On 16/12/2023 at 3:06 PM, LNERW1 said:

If anyone can’t find a good source for historic track plans, etc. or is dissatisfied with Google Maps’ level of detail, then GeoHive has a viewer for old OS maps, and OpenStreetMap shows railways, and everything else for that matter, in much more detail than Google Maps. This is just to let everyone know of these trackplan sources, as I’ve found them quite useful. Merry Christmas!

PS: feel free to post alternate sources here if you think them worthy of mention.

Its a great source, I used it for looking up old buildings when I come across them. very handy.

[Rob R]

The National Library of Scotland have recently added some Irish OS maps (for all 26 counties).

Link for six inch maps other scales available as well.

No 25 inch to the mile yet but hopefully they will come with time.

Rob

[LNERW1]

RailMapOnline is a good source, with historic, narrow gauge, modern, industrial, light rail, tramway, metro and even HS2 layers, and has maps not only of railways in the British Isles, but also the Western USA, as well as some maps of canals and airbases for whatever reason.