Help finding hi res Railroad System Maps

Mike:

I think your best bet will be to purchase old railroad system maps either off eBay or at a railroadiana show.  The railroads have always given these away to customers and the fallen flag maps are considered paper collectibles.

I know the train shows here in Atlanta typically have several vendors selling railroad paper collectibles and I have seen maps for sale.

Curt

I cannot find my links, but there are insurance maps that accurately detailed the railroad's assets and a link to USGS maps that accurately depict track locations at the time of the survey.

 

Historical societies, both state and independent will archive actual railroad engineering documents and just about anything from a railroad. The state of PA in Harrisburg has an extensive collection of PRR and others. Not all is archived and digitized. Many take a personal visit and a bit of rummaging.

 

 

Ok, found the USGS map link in this thread: Download historical USGS...

You can also check out the Sanborn fire insurance maps.

 

I love these maps. Being interested in history far beyond railroads, I've found the details on them better than any others available. They are not all that usefull  if you are looking for routes of railroads, but if you are researching specific station sites nothing can beat them. Every building, tower, and outhouse is shown! 

Thanks all!

Another source that I use extensively, which has access to historic aerial photos, and topographic maps is Historic Aerials.  You can do a comparison between photos of different years, or photos and topographic maps.  Hours of entertainment. 

 

http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?op=home

 

You cannot download the imagery or maps without paying, but if you are doing your own research, and have an ability to easily do screen captures, the world (well, at least the US) is your oyster. 

 

Regards,

Jerry Zeman