West Penn Today - We move on!

[John Swindler]

They are on the internet at both "topozone" and "USGS-mapping"  But for the 
real thing, Fred S. likes Franklin Maps near King of Prussia Mall, while I 
prefer the (Mennonite owned) Clay Bookstore near Ephrata.  Cost averages 
about $4-7 per sheet.  Of course we have an unfair advantage in that we live 
in Pennsylvania and local map stores will tend to focus on this state.  But 
they can also be ordered direct from USGS.  Don't overlook the state index 
map.  Useful to have to determine which topo maps to seek.

When only a section of the map is wanted, then I wander into the map 
collection of the State Library in Harrisburg and xerox a section of the 
desired map.  (Useful for looking at older editions like mid-50s - map 
stores generally stock only most recent updates).  State Library also has 
copies of county maps from about 1915. Not always that accurate, but many 
surprises for this novice.

After looking for the trolley rights-of-way on the 1915 county maps, I've 
gone to the larger topo maps to look for suspicious terrain features.  Now 
have a good idea where NOT to waste time looking on a "field trip".

Hope this helps somewhat

John S.

Note for Ed Lybarger:  we missed a lot of bridges on the Oley Valley line. 
(there were about 40!)  Want to try it again this winter???




>From: Kenneth and Tracie Josephson <kjosephson at sprintmail.com>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: Re: West Penn Today - We move on!
>Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 09:01:47 +0000
>
>
>
>John Swindler wrote:
>
> > Looking to trace a right of way?  Check the 7 1/2 min topo maps for 
>streams,
> > and that's where to look.
>
>John,
>
>Where can I find these topography maps?  Ken J.
>

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