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Chasing Track & Train On-Line Way Up High 
At first glance, the image at right may appear to depict nothing more than a
chunk of rock or wrinkled geography, something only a geologist would find interesting; but, this aerial image includes something of
particular interest to railfans too -- the Tehachapi Loop. It is not particularly easy to spot the Loop unless you are intimately
familiar with the complex geography of the Tehachapi Mountains of Southern California and know the exact location. Even then, it may
be a bit of a challenge to find the Loop in this picture.
See the Loop
Even though the larger view of the Loop area (link above) is an interesting picture and a great
high-flying, bird's-eye view, we can do better yet. We can zoom-in even closer as you can see by the photo at left. We could zoom-in
closer still, but you get the picture. As we zoom-in, more and more detail emerges for our enjoyment and study. These
USGS* aerial images
and thousands more are easily accessible, free of charge, on Microsoft's
TerraServer website.
View A Larger Close-Up
What Is Your Quest? 
Have you ever looked at a
railroad photograph
and wanted to know more about where it was taken? What was the larger context of the area of the photo? Exactly where was the
photographer standing? In which direction was the camera pointed? What is the track configuration? What's around that curve, on the
other side of that tunnel? How can I get there? Often, we are given only tidbits of information about where a picture was taken --
a brief caption in a magazine or passing mention in a book; and, sometimes
nothing more than the picture itself.
Aerial photographs and topographic maps can answer many of the questions that come to mind when we come across an interesting photo, read an intriguing description or examine a rudimentary railroad map. They have other uses as well. Whether you're a railfan planning your next trip or looking for a different perspective on your favorite rail sites, a railroad historian tracking down an abandoned right-of-way, or a model railroader planning a layout, an aerial photo or topographic map may be just what you're looking for. This article is not an expert guide to reading aerial photographs and topographical maps, but a few tips and examples may help with the ins and outs of becoming a virtual railfan. The Source The US is crisscrossed with railroad tracks and the aerial photos on the TerraServer cover most of the US; so, your favorite railroads and railroad locations are bound to appear in many of these great aerial images. And that's not all. Topographical and relief maps are also available to help round out the aerial railfanning experience. The TerraServer interface is intelligently designed and easy to use. If you have been surfing the web for even a short time you should have little difficulty in figuring-out the various viewing functions and options. If you need it, a tutorial is provided in the TerraServer About section -- Navigating TerraServer. * U.S. Geological Survey - a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
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