Is there a way to find the GPS numbers for mile post signs along the tracks? I find sites that I would like to visit but they only give a mile post number. These are usually old , long gone sites. Any ideas out there ? Thanks, steve in so az
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
The MP numbers seldom change so if you want to find a site check the MP number for a location you know, like Benson, and then travel the distance indicated by the difference in MP's to the site in question and you should be very close.
If this is not c;ear, furnish data for the locations you have in mind and I shall try to help.
Posted by steve in so az (Member # 3394) on :
The problem is that I find MP numbers on RR lines on old maps - and no nearby roads in to travel. If I could drive to the site I wouldn't need the GPS . Thanks, Steve
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
What line is this that you are interested in? I have quite a few of the UP and BNSF employee timetables in pdf files. If you give an email address that will take attachments, and some of these are fairly large files, I will be happy to email them. These are for the most part 3 to 6 years old, and the up to date versions are not readily available. Therefore if you are trying to locate such stuff as the current status of the UP's double tracking of the Sunset Line, these will not help you, as they date from before the start of the major work. If the lines are no longer in existance, sorry, I can't help you. Note that the milepost location on ETT's does not give you the GPS coordinates, but it will give you the milepost identification of the various points on the railroad. Locate that point on the ground or a map and then get the GPS coordinates. Be aware, however, the railroad point may not be in the same location as the commonly accepted non-railroad point for a given location.
I really don't understand why you can't work it out about like RRCHINA says. Drive up to any railroad line you are interested in. Then find the nearest milepost. Locate it on your GPS, then move 5,280 feet or multiples thereof to find the location you want. If you are trying to make this an armchair exercise only without having to do any driving or walkabouts, you will not succeed regardless of how much information on paper you have.
You can also work your way along lines on topozone and calculate distances between points. Once you find an identifiable point, you can work out from there.
George
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
Most old sites that are situated near to a RR or are old RR sites will a road to them, or nearby. Quad maps or Forest service maps will be helpful.
Mr. Harris offers sound advice and with the assistance of maps you should be succesful.
Posted by steve in so az (Member # 3394) on :
George - Just got over an illness or would have replied sooner. Thank you for the offer - I'd like to view them if you can send. The lines out here in the desert are not driveable much of the time. They wander through uninhabited areas, around mountains, etc. My first thought was to drive to the line and see but it's somewhat of a hike in that we will probably do as soon as it cools here. Thanks for the help, steve in so az
snm1023@msn.com
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
To send the whole pile for Airzona would be a little much. Tell me what area you are interested in and I will start with there. Tomorrow, it is late night here right now, I will send the BNSF Southwest Division, if I can get it up. I had it on my computer at work, and today was my last day at work, so everything is on a couple of flash drives. (Next job time and place unknown.)
You can get the division maps off the BNSF web site.