Geographic Information System Link to the North American Rail Network (NARN)

[mapsgame]

The link below opens the North American Rail Network (NARN) in an easy to use GIS map.

ArcGIS Web Application

usdot.maps.arcgis.com

The map and Layers List opens. The Layers List allows you to check and uncheck map layers to view them on the map including Passenger Stations, Grade Crossings, and Yards. I always uncheck the disadvantaged census tracts for clarity.

Zoom in and out using the scroll wheel on your mouse.

Use your pointer and hover over an icon to see a brief description.

Left click on a feature a.k.a rail line, yard, station, etc. to open up a dialogue box with attributes which are kid of self explanatory like RROwner, Division, Subdivision, YardName etc.

The Basemap Gallery opens a dialogue box for selecting alternative basemaps like aerial imagery, Open Street Map, USA Topo, etc.

Hope you find this helpful.

 

[JCitron]

Thank you for this. This is really awesome!

 

[Forester1]

Yes, it has some nice detail to it, once zoomed in. Interesting that it has the now dead routes from Emmett, ID to Cascade, ID and from Lewiston, ID to Grangeville, ID (one I would love to do!), and even the layout at the Hanford nuclear reservation, but not the Milwaukee road ROW in the Northwest.

 

[PerRock]

I'm not sure I'd use this; just looking in my local area there is a fair bit of inaccurate information. For example it lists a highway bridge crossing the tracks out in the middle of nowhere (no highway nearby); it also has the ownership of one of the railroads near me wrong as well. Not to mention, a lot of the yard tracks aren't actually drawn on.