Track Maps

[pitdiver]

As an occasional user of railways south of the river Thames I am fascinated by the complexity of the lines. I am therefore interested in getting a book of track diagrams/maps. I understand there is a Quail Map book of the Southern area which includes TfL. I also understand there is a book that covers the whole of the country called "TRACKatlas" It would be nice to see the whole of the country but is the TRACKatlas a better buy or shall I stick to the Quail map for the area I am interested in for the time being.

 

[alex17595]

Try this site for london.

http://carto.metro.free.fr/cartes/metro-tram-london/

 

[Minilad]

It all depends how much detail you want, or need. TRACKatlas is a lot less detailed than a Quail IMO

 

[STANDISH]

Also check out the London Rail Atlas by Joe Brown or the Rail Atlas GB and Ireland by SK Baker. All four atlases offer something about the area you are looking at. Check them out in a book shop before you buy one.

 

[EM2]

Most (if not all) of these atlases are available at the Ian Allan bookshop in Lower Marsh round the back of Waterloo.
For what it's worth, I have the Quail and the Joe Brown London atlas, and for things like how long sidings are and distances between stations, Quail wins; for the relation of lines to each other and also how they used to be laid out, you need the Brown atlas.

 

[jopsuk]

Try this site for london.

http://carto.metro.free.fr/cartes/metro-tram-london/

I'd second this. Other than terminal approaches it is fantastically detailed.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I use a combination of Quail and Baker. As well as the obvious, Quail lists level crossings, mileposts, viaducts, rivers, even things like ground frames for practically every railway system in the country (including preserved, private etc); and gives complete layouts of depots and yards. Baker covers the geography aspect and how everything is in relation to each other. TrackAtlas is a combination of the two, I've never really gotten into it, but it's probably a good buy for somebody less interested.

Brown's Atlas covers historical layouts and lines as well as general history, and is well worth buying in additional to a more general map.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Quail maps are great, they show a lot of lines that no longer exist as well.
Depends what it is you want to look at exactly, drivers maps are very detailed when it comes to signalling, locations and junctions.

 

[pitdiver]

I don't need to go into great detail just how the lines are in relation to others, stations etc. Seems that the TRACKatlas would be just what I'm looking for however I have this particular has some errors in it. Would these be of any significance, I'm more interested in the gegraphy of the lines more than anything else.

 

[Minilad]

I don't need to go into great detail just how the lines are in relation to others, stations etc. Seems that the TRACKatlas would be just what I'm looking for however I have this particular has some errors in it. Would these be of any significance, I'm more interested in the gegraphy of the lines more than anything else.

I think Bakers would be the best bet for you then

 

[pitdiver]

I have decided to go for the Quail Map for London and the South East.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Theres a couple of drivers ones available here http://www.gioconda.co.uk/driver-briefing/map-books-brochures/