Google Maps: Birmingham New Street

[Ivo]

Those of you who are familiar with Google Maps will know that if you zoom in far enough it shows a large number of labels, including among others station names. You will note that the attached screenshot of the centre of Birmingham illustrates this.

However, I have noticed that New Street is not represented by anything that proves its identity as Birmingham New Street railway station. Instead, it is represented by the name "XC Origin". I note that the link is provided for thetrainline.com, which may explain a lot, but ultimately - what is the purpose of this apparent branding/advertising (in CrossCountry's favour)? Are there any other examples of this?

 

[bnm]

Google Earth (6.1.0.5001) is even worse. New Street and Moor Street are not even tagged with a red National Rail 'double arrow', whereas Bordesley, Five Ways and Snow Hill are.

 

[All Line Rover]

Those of you who are familiar with Google Maps will know that if you zoom in far enough it shows a large number of labels, including among others station names. You will note that the attached screenshot of the centre of Birmingham illustrates this.

However, I have noticed that New Street is not represented by anything that proves its identity as Birmingham New Street railway station. Instead, it is represented by the name "XC Origin". I note that the link is provided for thetrainline.com, which may explain a lot, but ultimately - what is the purpose of this apparent branding/advertising (in CrossCountry's favour)? Are there any other examples of this?

If you search for directions on Google Maps, they now offer to "sell" you train tickets (redirect you to thetrainline) if the train can be used to complete that journey. It's a recent feature, of which I'm sure Google benefit financially.

 

[W230]

However, I have noticed that New Street is not represented by anything that proves its identity as Birmingham New Street railway station. Instead, it is represented by the name "XC Origin"

Noticed this on Saturday when I was trying to find how to walk from BNS to Brindley Place and couldn't find Birmingham New Street on the map!

Like you suggest, i'm sure it's all part of Google's big picture. Not so great for visitors who generally may not know the area at all though.

 

[Mojo]

I wouldn't read anything into it. Google Maps for a number of years has got completely incorrect names for places and nothing seems to be done about it for ages.

From memory since 2010 I've seen:

Southwark Station written in Japanese
South Kensington Station called South Kensington Bookshop and Carluccios
White City called White Stadt
M25 labelled as ''Autoroute Brittanique''
Fleet Street called ''Stryd y fflyd'' (which I believe is Welsh)

 

[hluraven]

I'm going to Birmingham later this month for the first time in ages, and took a long time to find New Street on google maps. As I will just get there and jump in a cab, which I assume will know where to go, it didn't bother me too much, but I did think it looked strange and could be a problem for someone unsure how to plan their onward journey.

 

[calc7]

Noticed this on Saturday when I was trying to find how to walk from BNS to Brindley Place

That's a lovely long walk.

 

[Ivo]

Noticed this on Saturday when I was trying to find how to walk from BNS to Brindley Place and couldn't find Birmingham New Street on the map!

That's a lovely long walk.

There's always one

I've found out recently that the catering staff on XC 170s call it BNS as well hock:

 

[dvboy]

I'm going to Birmingham later this month for the first time in ages, and took a long time to find New Street on google maps. As I will just get there and jump in a cab, which I assume will know where to go, it didn't bother me too much, but I did think it looked strange and could be a problem for someone unsure how to plan their onward journey.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=new...r=New+St,+Birmingham,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=17

Not that difficult really and it stands out as a station from at least half of the closest zoom levels. New Street station is the big square building with lots of train tracks going in and out. Exits are on Queens Drive and Stephenson Street. Taxis go from both.

 

[wintonian]

Google Earth (6.1.0.5001) is even worse. New Street and Moor Street are not even tagged with a red National Rail 'double arrow', whereas Bordesley, Five Ways and Snow Hill are.

Southampton Central is no longer tagged, but is called South West Trains.

On the bright side Southampton Quey station has finally disappeared.

 

[SussexMan]

I'm going to Birmingham later this month for the first time in ages, and took a long time to find New Street on google maps. As I will just get there and jump in a cab, which I assume will know where to go, it didn't bother me too much, but I did think it looked strange and could be a problem for someone unsure how to plan their onward journey.

Use Bing Maps instead. Here you get street maps, bird's eye view and OS maps, both 1:50,000 and 1:25,00 scale. No problem finding railway stations on an OS map. Only downside is there is no street view although they have started StreetSide which is just in London at the moment.

 

[34D]

On the bright side Southampton Quey station has finally disappeared.

Would that be this station http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_Terminus_railway_station#_ please, or a different one?

 

[moonrakerz]

Would that be this station http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_Terminus_railway_station#_ please, or a different one?

The "quay" station does exist - well, according to directrail.com !

AND raileasy !

Actually, there is a free bus from Southampton Central down to the Town Quay.

When my wife worked in Southampton in the early 80s her work car parking was in the old Terminus Station.

 

[PFX]

It's a recent feature, of which I'm sure Google benefit financially.

So cynical...

 

[All Line Rover]

So cynical...

Cynical? Google make money in more ways than you think. They made a profit of over £6billion last year.

 

[WCML]

A few weeks ago I read a post on here about special movements/workings and somebody was talking about a movement from the London area to Birmingham, and were using station codes, and referred to BHM as BNS which made it very confusing.

Can we just use the correct codes?