I have an interactive RR map from a few years back but its fairly simple..showing current and abandoned routes... Is there something better...that shows everything...predecessors etc?
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Mike:
You have several options available for something showing predecessor railroads.
Rand McNally has for years put out a Handy Railroad Atlas that included a rail map for each state, Canadian province and Mexico. You could probably find an old one of these on line or at a railroadiana show. These show all of the rail lines by state and identify each railroad.
Additionally, if you could get your hands on an old Official Railway Guide, these generally had system maps for the various railroads along with lots of other info regarding passenger schedules and so on. You can generally locate old copies on line, either hard copy or digital or at a railroadiana show.
Lastly, most railroadiana shows will have a vendor or two selling old system maps put out by the railroads themselves. These are also an excellent resource if you are trying to research a particular rail line. I haven't checked but, would assume these may also be found on line.
Thought of one more resource; old railroad mileage tariffs. These may be more difficult to find though. These mileage tariffs have system maps and also list each station along with the milepost.
Over the years, as the railroads have migrated to electronic tariffs, I have kept the old mileage tariffs rather than tossing them in the recycling bin. I've got some tariffs that I salvaged from a mining company I used to work for that carry date received stamps from the 1920's. Additionally, having been in rail transportation my entire career, my contacts at the various railroads who know I collect this stuff have always offered me first dibs on old tariffs that are destined to the garbage can.
Curt
Might be the one you already have, but I got this one a few weeks ago. It isn't perfect, but shows predecessors. Don't think it goes much earlier than WWII, at least that's all I have seen so far. I have not looked at it very thoroughly though.
Got it from Rail Fan Depot, here's the link: North American Railroad Map for Windows
Thanks for the leads on the books. I do have the Rail Fan Depot Map. Just wishing they would upgrade it.
Since I just purchased mine, an update (at additional cost, of course) is probably just around the corner... Seriously though, that is the best one I have found so far.
