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Map of the UK rail network

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ABB125

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I have finally begun something I've wanted to do for years - create a geographic(ish) map of the UK rail network that also shows individual tracks. Inspiration was the French map here (WARNING: 40MB file, best viewed on a computer, doesn't load on my phone!).
So far I have done Penzance-Plymouth and all the branch lines thereof (see below) and was hoping for some feedback. Only 'major' stations are shown (yes I know, Coombe Junction isn't a major station!). The purple lines are passenger, green are freight.
When I have finished the whole country I will post it on here (but don't expect that for a few months at least!).
In the meantime, any feedback (positive or negative) will be much appreciated.

(For anyone interested in how I've done this, I have used Inkscape. I downloaded a UK road map (the only large, free map with any detail on it I could find), and using a combination of looking at Google Maps and Google Earth I have drawn on B-spline curves for the tracks.)
 

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gazthomas

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A good initiative. Do try and keep it geographically accurate though.

This has been done before of course, take a look at Platform 5's Trackmaps book
 

Ivan Winters

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6 Jan 2019
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I use S.K. BAKER's excellent RAIL ATLAS of GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND currently 14th edition ISBN 978 0 86093 669 5
Only gripe I have with that is that his map of what routes are electrified etc and what technology they use (25kv OHLE 750v Third Rail etc) is a single page map which is too small a scale to be very usuable. Otherwise an excellent source.
 

_toommm_

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Just a quick screenshot of the French map for reference, incase anyone's phones can't render them (my phone is only 2 months old so your mileage may vary!)

Screenshot_20190120-160635_Drive.jpg

The picture shows a screenshot of the detailed map of the French railway lines and network, available online to download.
 

ABB125

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A good initiative. Do try and keep it geographically accurate though.

This has been done before of course, take a look at Platform 5's Trackmaps book

I use S.K. BAKER's excellent RAIL ATLAS of GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND currently 14th edition ISBN 978 0 86093 669 5
Only gripe I have with that is that his map of what routes are electrified etc and what technology they use (25kv OHLE 750v Third Rail etc) is a single page map which is too small a scale to be very usuable. Otherwise an excellent source.
I also have the Platform 5 TrackAtlas, which is excellent, but my main reason for making this is so that I don't have to keep flicking through different pages.
 

Legolash2o

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27 Sep 2018
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OpenStreetMap may be helpful as it contains a lot of lines.

Ivan I can make my interactive map available if that helps you? It has electrification.
 

MarkRedon

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The French map is remarkably up-to-date - this is an area I know well (the clue is in my moniker!). Where did you find it, @_toommm_?
 

Muzer

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Yeah, the trackMAPS Track Atlas is probably closest to what you're going for. There are even more detailed but non-geographic diagrams available from trackMAPS under the series formerly known as Quail Maps as well.
 

farwest

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Joined
25 Apr 2008
Messages
127
I have finally begun something I've wanted to do for years - create a geographic(ish) map of the UK rail network that also shows individual tracks. Inspiration was the French map here (WARNING: 40MB file, best viewed on a computer, doesn't load on my phone!).
So far I have done Penzance-Plymouth and all the branch lines thereof (see below) and was hoping for some feedback. Only 'major' stations are shown (yes I know, Coombe Junction isn't a major station!). The purple lines are passenger, green are freight.
When I have finished the whole country I will post it on here (but don't expect that for a few months at least!).
In the meantime, any feedback (positive or negative) will be much appreciated.

(For anyone interested in how I've done this, I have used Inkscape. I downloaded a UK road map (the only large, free map with any detail on it I could find), and using a combination of looking at Google Maps and Google Earth I have drawn on B-spline curves for the tracks.)
Looks good, Coombe junction spelt wrong on map. Best of luck with project.
 

ABB125

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Thanks
Looks good, Coombe junction spelt wrong on map. Best of luck with project.
Thanks, I saw that shortly after I uploaded the map.
I use this historic map, I think it is excellent and just hope it gets finished!

http://www.systemed.net/carto/New_Adlestrop_Railway_Atlas.pdf
Quite an interesting map. I hope it gets finished too.
 

route101

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Wish there was a map you could colour in and show what lines you've travelled.

Apparently you can print out an all the stations map at A0 or something.
 

Gathursty

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Wigan
On the 2018 Route Coverage thread, a poster attached a blank route coverage map. You may be able to find it.
 

route101

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I copy and pasted NR map into GIMP programme and coloured the lines black , wonder if theres a easier way ?
 

172006

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Which software is best for drawing maps similar to the "London's Rail and Tube Services" map? Or is it best to continue with paper and coloured pens?
 

Non Multi

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Which software is best for drawing maps similar to the "London's Rail and Tube Services" map? Or is it best to continue with paper and coloured pens?
Any vector graphics software; that way your maps/diagrams will scale (or print) to any size. So that's Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator if you've got the budget for that.
 

Senex

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Any vector graphics software; that way your maps/diagrams will scale (or print) to any size. So that's Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator if you've got the budget for that.
Or Inkscape for free.
 

route101

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Which software is best for drawing maps similar to the "London's Rail and Tube Services" map? Or is it best to continue with paper and coloured pens?
I bought a road atlas AA one , and highlighted the lines
 

Noddy

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Joined
11 Oct 2014
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UK
I have finally begun something I've wanted to do for years - create a geographic(ish) map of the UK rail network that also shows individual tracks. Inspiration was the French map here (WARNING: 40MB file, best viewed on a computer, doesn't load on my phone!).
So far I have done Penzance-Plymouth and all the branch lines thereof (see below) and was hoping for some feedback. Only 'major' stations are shown (yes I know, Coombe Junction isn't a major station!). The purple lines are passenger, green are freight.
When I have finished the whole country I will post it on here (but don't expect that for a few months at least!).
In the meantime, any feedback (positive or negative) will be much appreciated.

(For anyone interested in how I've done this, I have used Inkscape. I downloaded a UK road map (the only large, free map with any detail on it I could find), and using a combination of looking at Google Maps and Google Earth I have drawn on B-spline curves for the tracks.)

You clearly done a lot of work, and it looks great, but you might want to consider doing it in a GIS package. QGIS (https://www.qgis.org/en/site/) is free/open source and compatible with the various OS OpenData data sets (https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/opendatadownload/products.html). That way you’d keep it geographically accurate-QGIS lets you export data as various raw GIS data formats and other formats (eg pdf/svg) so you could finish it in an illustration package then.
 
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