This started out as a simple means of understanding the development and connections between the various railway lines in Buckinghamshire in the UK.  It quickly spiralled out of control! 

What I've done is create files for Google Earth that show the routes of existing and former railway lines, and the stations along them, for four counties in the UK: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. 

You can download the files from my website at: http://www.rickdavis.co.uk/home/railways.php

Obviously, you will need Google Earth installed on your computer to view them.  If you're thinking of modelling a rural branch line then this might give you ideas! 

Enjoy!

Nice work, Rick.  Is there a "How To" within the Google Earth help files?  Reason I ask is that I would like to do something similar by tracing the Old Colony Railroad which ran the length of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

It is easy to do Tim.  Just use the 'Add Placemark' button to add stations and the 'Add Path' to add lines.  You can customise the size and colours, and add descriptions for each item too. 

To make a specific folder to store all the placemarks in, just right-click on 'My Places' in the 'Places' menu (left-hand side), select 'Add' and then 'Folder'.

Many thanks, Rick.  Sometimes I need the simplest of instructions :roll::roll::roll:

Tremendous Rick. I've been having fun tinkering my plans based on such data.

I find it fascinating how some counties have fared better than others in retaining their railways.  For example, Berkshire appears to have done well, retaining most of its lines and stations, whilst Northamptonshire has gone from roughly 72 stations down to only 8! (with a fraction of its routes still operating).  Clearly, Beeching wasn't a fan of the area! 

Also, I hadn't realised that the loss of all the 'east-west' routes means that you now can't cross the country 'sideways' by rail between London and Coventry.  Absurd!  Bring back the Varsity Line I say!

I've just added Bedfordshire to the list.

Now covers Hertfordshire too!

http://www.rickdavis.co.uk/home/railways.php