Railway Maps

[Hibblejaybob]

Hi,

I'm looking for detailed railway maps that include actual track layout, and if possible, other infrastructure, such as signals and speed restrictions.

Specifically what I'm looking for is old maps of the Macmerry and Gifford branches as well as maps of the rest of central and southern Scotland. The Macmerry and Gifford branch lines were closed to passenger trains in 1922, so maps just before that are what I'm looking for, but since the line wasn't lifted until the late 70's, maps up until then will also do.

Does anyone know of such maps?

Thanks

 

[yorkie]

Sounds like you need sectional appendixes but finding them for lines that closed so long ago could be tricky!

 

[Hibblejaybob]

Ok thanks, Any recommendations where to start looking?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Local library?

 

[Lee_Again]

Not sure where you live but if you fancy a day out you can try NRM at York. Another resource that can be a bit hit and miss is the Railways Archive web site. Here is the link http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/ . If there has ever been an accident, even a small one like a derailment, there is likely a report somewhere; and the reports often contain track diagrams and signal positions.

I hunted everywhere for some details about Welwyn Garden City and ultimately found the 1935 accident report which contained everything I needed.

Good luck

 

[krus_aragon]

Books are good. I've found this title online that may be of use to you:

Haddington, Macmerry & Gifford Branch Lines, ISBN 0 85361 456 3

I don't know the book, but the publisher's web site mentions that it has 21 maps and two gradient profiles. Your library may have a copy, alternatively there are second-hand copies available from Amazon for under £10.

 

[Hibblejaybob]

Yeah its looks like it might be worth a shot, but i'll have to get it from Amazon because my local library drives in every Friday when im out at work so I cant really use it.

I live at the village of a former cement works on the Gifford and Macmerry branch lines so its quite rural.

Its not quite what im looking for, but i did come across an OS map of the area from 1945 if anyone else wants to take a look at it.
http://www.npemap.org.uk/tiles/map.html#337,669,1
The link is centered on the Gifford and Macmerry branch line but it lacks the infrastructure im looking for.

Also, i took a look at that railway archive site but drew a blank although apparently there was an incident there;
http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_edin_t/0_edinburgh_transport_-_where_is_it_accident.htm

Thanks for the help so far

 

[SouthernCrescent]

The National Railway Museum has a research and archives section that may be able to help:

http://www.nrm.org.uk/research/index.asp

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Alan Godfrey Maps print reproductions of old maps, typically at a scale of "14 inches to the mile" (whatever that is in metric I don't know!). I have several, including some which I think he doesn't re-print now, but they are detailled enough to identify individual tracks, points, crossovers etc.
Have a look at their Scottish offerings at http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/scotland.htm and give them a call. They are friendly people and they love old maps!

 

[j0hn0]

This is my favourite

Doesn't give actual track layouts but relays all old lines via ordnance survey over new google maps.

It's really quite interesting if you're like me.

Having been brought up in Rugby and lived in Leeds, it's amazing to see what networks used to exist

edit: http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html

yeah remember the link

 

[The Snap]

This is my favourite

Doesn't give actual track layouts but relays all old lines via ordnance survey over new google maps.

It's really quite interesting if you're like me.

Having been brought up in Rugby and lived in Leeds, it's amazing to see what networks used to exist

edit: http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html

yeah remember the link

I also find it really interesting doing that kind of thing. I've discovered at least 5 old lines in East Manchester alone, which are all within a mile or two of my house. It's fascinating!

 

[j0hn0]

totally, I am fascinated by what used to be.

Also along these lines, there is www.warwickshirerailways.co.uk and www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk as well.

The links might not be right, but search on that and you will get them.

there is also one for birmingham and I'm pretty sure there is one for liverpool and manchester too.

What amazes me about Liverpool.... the amount of tunnels running underneath the city!

Bored as I was at the time, I worked out the entire track layout of Rugby in its hayday. Yes what a faff I hear you say, but one day friends, that will be my model railway layout!!

 

[madannie77]

Books are good. I've found this title online that may be of use to you:

Haddington, Macmerry & Gifford Branch Lines, ISBN 0 85361 456 3

I don't know the book, but the publisher's web site mentions that it has 21 maps and two gradient profiles. Your library may have a copy, alternatively there are second-hand copies available from Amazon for under £10.

Many of the maps in this book are extracts from the OS 25 inch to the mile series from the early years of the 20th century, so there is plenty of detail of the trackwork around the stations.

An organisation which might have some information is the North British Railway Study Group

Not sure if a Sectional Appendix from 1969 is of any use to you (many of the branch lines had gone by then), but if it is, let me know.