ParrotofDoom
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 32
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Has anybody produced a complete layer of Britain's canals and waterways?
It would be a very valuable addition I'm sure, I use Google Earth constantly to map out and plan my rides. Its an excellent resource 
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PippinSadler
Tourist
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 3
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I was wondering about this for ages, that and national walking routes. (anyone?)
I have a map of British Canal ways from the 80s (or maybe before), which I picked up in a second hand shop.
Can I put that on with the Basic Google earth package?
I know you can do image overlays, but don't know how to draw lines. Is there a tutorial somewhere? Help!
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PriceCollins
Inspector Detector
Reged: 08/10/05
Posts: 1635
Loc: Fairfax, VA, USA
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Upgrading to Google Earth Plus lets you easily draw lines and polygons. It's the best $20 I've spent in years.
I don't know how the pricing works outside of the United States.
EDIT: Nowadays, the tools are available for free in the plain version of Google Earth.
Edited by PriceCollins (06/30/08 09:41 AM)
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simon_a
Master Guide
Reged: 08/21/05
Posts: 1773
Loc: London, UK
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Hello,
I don't think anyone has done this yet; it would be a great project - and I imagine a lengthy one but if you have the time and resources, rewarding!
As PriceCollins says, the path tool (from Google Earth Plus onwards) is by far the best way of detailing this kind of information. Although overlays are great for adding detail at a single altitude, they can be a bit cumbersome, are a pain to line up and don't work so well as you zoom in.
I would also agree that (for this kind of thing) GE Plus it is well worth the money. When I subscribed (from the UK), the amount was simply converted to GBP at the appropriate rate; and the rate's quite good for us at the moment
If you really don't want to pay the money you can write the KML code manually and / or use freeware (I think) tools to convert lists of placemarks into paths. But don't do that - buy the upgrade, it's far easier!
As for creating the paths themselves, it's quite easy once you're used to it. You just keep clicking on the Earth for each point you want in order. If you want to adjust a point, click on it and drag it. If you want to insert points, click on the point before and any subequent points will follow immediately after. There's no easy way in the client of concatenating two paths but it's fairly simple to just save them both as KML (not KMZ), open them with a text editor and cut and paste the co-ordinates from one to the end of the other.
Oh, and don't wait to finish it before you post. When you've got a certain amount done, post it as work-in-progress then update the same post as and when. This way, others can offer suggestions and people will know that someone has already started the work so as to avoid duplication and wasted effort.
Good luck!
Simon.
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cha0tic
Tourist
Reged: 08/10/05
Posts: 128
Loc: Wolverhampton, UK
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I'd not actually thought about it until I saw this post. The UK canal network isn't in any of the obvious layers. Whilst I was looking at layers, the UK rivers don't seem to be on any layers either.
Surely you're not suggesting tracing over several thousand miles of canal manually simon_a? A quick glance at GE shows that might be possible (if laborious) in the high-res areas. It would be quite difficult in the low-res areas though.
Surely it would be easier to*ahem* 'obtain' the data file from Some source & use conversion tools.
Admittedly there would be copyright problems. The OSGB people are notoriously tight with their data & charge an arm & a leg for it.
Another method might be to take a GPS unit for a cycle ride down the towpaths or take an extensive canal holiday with it & then up load the track Anyone fancy lending me a GPS unit? I'm in need of a Holiday in some beautiful British countryside
Finally. I wonder if a toadying e-mail to British Waterways would grab the info?
--------------------
Any technology. From the stick & the rock onwards.
If you're bothered I've got a blog or two: cha0tic stuff &
Another set of cha0tic stuff
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ParrotofDoom
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Another method might be to take a GPS unit for a cycle ride down the towpaths or take an extensive canal holiday with it & then up load the track Anyone fancy lending me a GPS unit? I'm in need of a Holiday in some beautiful British countryside
I have actually done this, but the problem is that because the towpath is often covered by trees, the GPS signal is quite poor. I have a Nokia 6680, and run a piece of software called Phone2GEarth. I also have a bluetooth GPS (for car satnav). I've attached a sample. I was on the cycle.
Edited by ParrotofDoom (08/01/06 11:26 AM)
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simon_a
Master Guide
Reged: 08/21/05
Posts: 1773
Loc: London, UK
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Hello,
To be honest, I've no idea how many miles of waterways there! I don't suppose I was suggesting anything in particular - just giving advice on different methods, whether electronic or manual.
Assuming it might be similar to rail lines, I know I wouldn't take on the task of detailing the the whole lot manually (the London Underground lines to a fair while although much of this is high resolution) but I guess it depends how many people are doing it, how much detail to go into, how much time you have and how much you want to do it; large amounts of work can be a labour of love.
Having said that, I probably wouldn't have detailed the UK and then French rail stations if I'd known how long it would take from the beginning but when you've already started something it's sometimes difficult to stop until you finish.
I'd certainly try and get some kind of electronic data if you can. If that can't be done, maybe start with the major wayerways and see how long it's going to take manually.
Simon.
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cha0tic
Tourist
Reged: 08/10/05
Posts: 128
Loc: Wolverhampton, UK
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Hmmm. I see what you mean about using GPS.
--------------------
Any technology. From the stick & the rock onwards.
If you're bothered I've got a blog or two: cha0tic stuff &
Another set of cha0tic stuff
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ParrotofDoom
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 32
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The system would need to be in several layers.
Layer 1 would be fully navigable sections of canal
Layer 2 would be unnavigable sections of canal
Layer 3 would be infilled sections of canal
Layer 4 would be proposed new sections of canal (where the original route has been built over)
I only have the basic version of Google Earth, I can create paths but I can't save them? I would be more than happy to contribute to this exercise though, I know the canals around Manchester quite well. I've even contributed to Wiki pages on the subject (wiki the Manchester, Bolton & Bury canal for example)
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PriceCollins
Inspector Detector
Reged: 08/10/05
Posts: 1635
Loc: Fairfax, VA, USA
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Enough talk ! 
This overlay should help in evaluating the job.to be done. It shows the canals and waterways over an area of about 100 x 90 miles in the northwest of England. On balance, it appears to me that there is not enough high-resolution coverage in the UK to do the job at this time.
Source Dr. Steven Anderson James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
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beno
Master Guide
Reged: 07/02/05
Posts: 1313
Loc: Dunchurch, Warwickshire, UK
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Hi PriceCollins
I've been looking at this and it doesn't exactly match up (for example the Canal goes all of the way into Coventry) - I guess you're correct about data resolution issues. I'm sure that British Waterways would be the best data source.
all the best
Beno
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Panomphaean
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 11
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Well I just did the Forth & Clyde canal today
Kind Regards,
John Rushworth
http://John.Rushworth.com
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PriceCollins
Inspector Detector
Reged: 08/10/05
Posts: 1635
Loc: Fairfax, VA, USA
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Several European countries, especially the UK, now have enough high reolution areas to make detailed plotting possible. See THIS POSTING to see what's now possible.
Two suggestions:
Start with the newer VERY high resolution.image areas. Their alignment is generally better than the DigitalGlobe areas, requiring less future maintenance.
Spend a little money to acquire Google Earth Plus, so that the routes can be traced. Message edited to reflect that the drawing tools are now reported to be free in the latest Google Earth beta version, if you can use it.
Edited by PriceCollins (11/09/06 07:36 PM)
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HunterSWalsh
First Post
Reged: 08/23/07
Posts: 1
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Here's the Birmingham area, down to Gloucester and the Severn Estuary link in the SW...both links from Birmingham, via Worcester one way and Stratford-upon-Avon the other...east out to Leamington Spa...to Tamworth in the NE...to Wolverhampton and Walsall in the NW...some old, some new and passable...no locks shown, just the routes taken by the canal...enjoy. Keep up the good work chaps.
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PKnight
First Post
Reged: 06/03/08
Posts: 1
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since I am going on a canal holiday I maped out the route we are taking. it does take rather a long time though - say an hour to do this.
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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Hi all
I realise this is an old thread but I had started to plot the Shroppy when I found the thread.
I have found a few other canal mappings listed below but there doesn't seen to be an organised effort to co-ordinate mapping of the whole network:
Kennet and Avon Canal - Parts 1 to 3
Huddersfield Narrow Canal - An Illustrated Trip
Rochdale Canal - An Illustrated Trip
and one of the Thames
My Shroppy file [ now updated and combined with other canals in the SU group on post #1202637] comprises placemarks for each bridge, lock, junction, winding hole for the main line together with a path that connects the placemarks. The path isn't terribly accurate but the placemarks are as accurate as GE. The placemarks have notes in the description for nearby
1.visitor moorings and BW services, displayed in blue;
2.BW stoppage and other navigation notes, displayed in red; and
3. commercial boatyards giving services provided to boaters, water, pump-out, diesel, gas etc.
The information for 1 and 2 is from the BW boaters' guide downloaded from Waterscape
My file was generated by plotting the placemarks on a map, importing into GE and correcting locations. The descriptions were inserted into a downloaded copy of the kml, using an html editor.
Each placemark has a reference incorporated into the name, as one program I am using lists the placemarks in alpha-numeric order.
Developments I'd like to add are:
- Different icons for each feature at a placemark (Tombal's system used on his Huddersfield and Rochdale files works well but I'd like to add coloured pins to represent the presence of services and BW navigation notes).
- Additional points on the path to give a more accurate map of the canal.
I didn't use it for my file but Nick Atty has a full database of the routes of all of the UK inland waterways that he uses for CanalplanAC
Release 8 that is hosted at the above site has the facility to export to various file formats - gpx, csv and some proprietary gps formats. Its not accurate, I think the data is input from a GPS, but could be a starting point..
V9, which is hosted at Canalplan.co.uk doesn't currently have the export feature.
I've got a couple of other files under development - The Llangollen and Montgomery. Has any one produced any others.
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/17/08 02:02 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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I've done a bit of work on my Shroppie file (now using alphabetic icons as used by Tombal) and produced a more complete file for the Llangollen. [Both files now combined into one more detailed file; attached to post #1202637]
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/11/08 01:28 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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On this Llangollen file [now combined with all SU branches into one detailed file attached to post #1202637] I have used different icons for moorings and services - even if the locations I have are the same as a feature.
I will have a go at the Montgomery next - shouldn't take too long.
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/11/08 01:31 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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Hi all
Somebody else is interested in this thread, there have been a couple of downloads while I've been online.
Completed the connected section of the Montgomery [now updated and combined with other canals in the SU group on post #1202637].
Regards
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/17/08 02:04 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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A bit more work on the Montgomery gives an improved path - more closely following the canal route [now updated and combined with other canals in the SU group on post #1202637].
This took a fair amount of work just for this short length. Doing it for say the whole length of the SU Main Line will take several hours. The problem is the time I have to spend on this is when I am travelling and do not have an internet connection.
By the way, anybody interested in the Shropshire Union should look at the SUCS website.
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/17/08 02:05 PM)
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lorenzojuan
Tourist
Reged: 05/04/06
Posts: 102
Loc: san juan argentina
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With GPS?
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Trabajar en epidemiologia con earth google
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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Hi All
I have extended my Montgomery file [now combined into one file with the whole of the SU; attached to post #1202637] to include the isolated navigable section and the unnavigable sections; to cover the whole canal from Frankton to Freestone Lock. I understand that the length from Freestone Lock to Newtown has, in part, been built over.
The paths follow the route of the canal reasonably accurately and I have used coloured paths to indicate navigable, in water and dry sections. I not used the alphabetic placemark icons on the unnavigable sections, to make it easy to identify the navigable sections.
It's probably taken 10 -15 hours to complete this canal.
If you download this file I would appreciate comments and ideas to improve the system.
Bushy
Edited by Bushy2006 (07/11/08 01:34 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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I've now brought all of my files for the Shropshire Union and its branches up to the same standard, including detailed paths, moorings and services information, using the SUCS website, as it is more accurate.
I have combined them all on to one file.
Bushy
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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Hi all
I have mapped a couple more canals. I considered posting them as one file but decided to keep them separate.
The first attached to this post is the Coventry Canal - from Coventry Basin to Fradley Junction. Some traditionalists would claim that the section from Fazeley Junction to Whittington Brook is part of the Birmingham and Fazeley as the B&F company built and operated it, although it was enacted under the Coventry Canal Act. BW now regard it as part of the Coventry, so I have included it on this file ...
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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... And this one is the Birmingham and Fazeley
Regards
Bushy
PS I didn't realise that the B&F became part of the BCN; had I known I wouldn't have posted this file; however, although the data is included in the BCN file below, I'll leave it up for the time being so that the different formats can be compared.
Edited by Bushy2006 (08/08/08 02:51 PM)
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Bushy2006
Tourist
Reged: 06/14/08
Posts: 11
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Hi all
Back again.
This time I have mapped all of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
If you like statistics, this file containes 923 placemarks and 43 paths which have 3123 nodes in total
I have made some changes to the format:
- firstly, the labels no longer show until the placemark is 'moused over';
- and, I have reduced the size of the icons.
This reduces the overlap of the icons so you no longer have to zoom as close to see individual placemarks.
Any comments would be welcome - if this format is better, I will change the other files I have uploaded.
Regards
Bushy
.
Edited by Bushy2006 (08/08/08 02:54 PM)
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ParrotofDoom
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 32
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Ok here are the Bury and Salford arms of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal. I'll upload the Bolton arm separately.
The canal is currently being restored at the Salford end (see Wikipedia)
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ParrotofDoom
Tourist
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 32
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And here is the Bolton arm, which is unlikely to be restored any time soon (because of the A666)
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