3.8 RAILROADS - Major Code 180

Transportation data are collected in three separate categories (Roads and Trails; Railroads; and Pipelines, Transmission Lines, and Miscellaneous Transportation Features) for each map source, which means that the attribute codes from the three categories are not intermingled. However, the three categories are distributed by the National Cartographic Data Base office as one unit. Where collection of transportation is authorized from a map source, all of the transportation for that source is collected. If there are no features in a particular category on a source, the header record shows that the file was initialized to hold Roads and Trails, Railroads, or Pipelines, Transmission Lines, and Miscellaneous Transportation Features, but the neatlines of the source, the background area, and the area outside the map are the only information digitized for that category.

3.8.1 General Principles

3.8.1.1 Node Attribute Codes

There are no general principles that apply to node attribute codes.

3.8.1.2 Area Attribute Codes

There are no general principles that apply to area attribute codes.

3.8.1.3 Line Attribute Codes

Railroads are uniquely symbolized to portray the gauge and number of tracks. In addition, labels identify rapid transit railroads, elevated railroads, private railroads, and U.S. Government railroads. This information is encoded using descriptive codes 180 0606 (narrow gauge), 180 0609 (elevated), 180 0610 (rapid transit), 180 0612 (private), and 180 0613 (U.S. Government) and parameter code 181 ---- (number of tracks), in addition to the primary line attribute code. The operational status (abandoned, under construction, dismantled) of railroads is shown on the maps, but that information is no longer collected in the digital data. Railroad features labeled "Abandoned" are collected using the appropriate primary code. Railroad features labeled "Under Construction," or "Dismantled" are not collected.

The symbol books do not always provide unique symbol numbers. For example, in reference C, a standard gauge general case railroad has the same number as a rapid transit railroad. This should not be a problem because rapid transit will always be labeled on the map.

Every railroad must receive a code that identifies the type of railroad (180 0201 - 180 0208).

Railroads that underpass other features, including roads, other railroads, buildings, and runways, are collected using the code for underpassing (180 0605), if the railroad symbol has been broken to indicate that it underpasses. Railroads that pass through snowsheds are collected continuously, as though the snowshed were not there, and are given appropriate attribute codes.

3.8.1.4 Single-Point Attribute Codes

There are no single-point attribute codes.

3.8.1.5 General Purpose Attribute Codes

There are no general principles that apply to general purpose attribute codes.

3.8.1.6 Descriptive Attribute Codes

None of the descriptive attribute codes can stand alone. They must be used with a primary attribute code from the list of line attribute codes.

3.8.1.7 Parameter Attribute Codes

There are no general principles that apply to parameter attribute codes.

3.8.1.8 List of Railroads Attribute Codes

3.8.2 Node Attribute Codes

This code identifies a bridge wing tick shown by symbols 141, 142, 143 (A); 112.17(B); 512.21(C); or 2105.02, 2105.05 (D). Digitize a node where the bridge wing tick intersects the centerline of the railroad. See code 180 0602 for coding the bridge.

This code identifies a tunnel portal shown by symbols 144(A), 112.19(B), 512.22(C), or 2105.03(D). Digitize a node where the tunnel portal tick intersects the centerline of the railroad. See code 180 0601 for coding the tunnel.

This feature is no longer collected.

This code identifies a drawbridge shown by the circle portion of the drawbridge symbol: 143(A), 512.21(C), or 2105.02(D). Digitize a node in the center of the circle. See code 180 0611 for coding the railroad segments on both sides of the circle portion of the drawbridge symbol. This code does not apply to 1:100,000-scale maps.

3.8.3 Area Attribute Codes

This code is described in section 3.0.6.1.

This code is used to identify the area beyond the national boundary to distinguish it from the background area. The perimeter of the void area is collected as an unattributed line, unless it is defined by a railroad.

3.8.4 Line Attribute Codes

This code identifies a railroad line shown by symbols 117 through 123, 127 through 130 (A); 112.11 through 112.14 (B); 512.1 through 512.5, 512.10 through 512.13 (C); or 2104.01 through 2104.06, 2104.10, 2104.11 (D).

If shown by symbols 117, 118, 119(A); 112.11(B); 512.1, 512.2(C); 2104.01, 2104.02, 2104.03(D), this code is used alone.

If shown by symbols 120, 121, 122, or 123(A); 112.12(B); 512.3, 512.4, or 512.5(C); 2104.04, 2104.05, 2104.06(D), add parameter code 181 ---- to encode number of tracks. At 1:24,000 scale, digitize a centerline between the two tracks.

If shown by symbols 127, 128(A); 112.13(B); 512.10, 512.11(C); 2104.10(D), add descriptive code 180 0606 to describe narrow gauge.

If shown by symbols 129, 130(A); 112.14(B); 512.12 or 512.13(C); 2104.11(D), add parameter code 181 ---- to encode number of tracks and add descriptive code 180 0606 to describe narrow gauge.

This code identifies a railroad located in a road. It is used only when the railroad is shown by symbols 124(A), 112.25(B), 512.8, 512.9 (C), or 2104.07(D), in which the road symbol is superimposed on the railroad symbol.

This code identifies a carline shown by symbols 131, 132, 133 (A); 112.27(B); or 512.14, 512.15(C).

This code identifies a special purpose railroad such as a cog railroad, incline railway, or logging tram as shown by symbols 188(A), 112.23(B), 512.24(C), or 2110.02(D). Must be labeled to indicate it is one of the special purpose railroads listed.

This code identifies a railroad ferry crossing shown by symbols 150(A), 112.21(B), 512.23(C), or 2105.09(D). The ferry crossing is digitized as a line, from shoreline to shoreline.

This code identifies a railroad siding that is one or more single tracks branching off from a main line of a railroad and shown by symbols 126(A), 112.16(B), 512.7(C), or 2104.09(D). This code is used only to identify short sidings that are used for passing, temporary storage, or loading and unloading of railroad cars. Often, but not always, the siding is shown with a line weight of 0.003 inch to distinguish it from the main line, which is shown by a line weight of 0.005 inch.

Sidings are not collected within railroad yards.

Do not use this code to collect spur tracks, which can travel some distance to a facility. Spur tracks are collected as general case railroads (180 0201).

A railroad yard is an area with six or more adjacent tracks, including both primary tracks and sidings. Any areas within a yard that are not covered with tracks are included in the yard. The yard begins at the point where multiple sidings diverge from the primary line and ends at the point where multiple sidings converge on the primary line, or where the lines terminate.

Railroad yards are shown with symbols 125(A), 112.15(B), 512.6(C), or 2104.08(D) and are mapped to scale with the main line through the yard and the outermost tracks that form the perimeter shown in true position. The rest of the tracks in the yard are shown by a representative pattern.

Railroad yards are collected as areas. The outline of the area follows the outermost tracks and is unattributed, unless the outermost track is the mainline through the yard. Any open ended portion of a yard is closed off with an unattributed line.

Where it can be distinguished, the main line through the yard is digitized and described by the appropriate railroad code. Sidings within the yard are not collected. Turntables (180 0401) and roundhouses (180 0402) are collected. Other buildings are collected in Manmade Features.

This code is no longer used.

This code is no longer used.

This code is described in section 3.0.6.3.

3.8.5 Single-Point Attribute Codes

There are no single-point attribute codes in this category.

3.8.6 General Purpose Attribute Codes

This code identifies a railroad station. If the station is shown by symbols 136(A), 112.18(B), 512.18(C) or 2104.14(D), digitize a node on the line that represents the railroad. If the station is less than 0.05 inch on the longest side, and is not on the railroad line, digitize a degenerate line. If the station is greater than or equal to 0.05 inch on the longest side, digitize it as an area.

This code identifies a railroad turntable. If the turntable is shown by symbols 134(A), 512.17(C), or 2104.13(D) and is 0.06 inch in diameter, digitize a node on the railroad line. If the turntable is shown to scale (greater than 0.06 inch in diameter), digitize it as an area. This code is not used on 1:100,000-scale maps.

This code identifies a railroad roundhouse as shown by symbols 135(A), 112.22(B), 512.16(C), or 2104.13(D). It is digitized as an area.

3.8.7 Descriptive Attribute Codes

This code is no longer used.

This code identifies the portion of a railroad that is shown as being in a tunnel by symbols 144(A), 112.19(B), 512.22(C), or 2105.03(D). The code is applied only to the portion of the railroad between the wing ticks (see code 180 0002 for coding the wing ticks).

This code identifies the portion of a railroad that is on a bridge indicated by wing ticks as in symbols 141, 142, 143 (A); 112.17(B); 512.21(C); or 2105.02, 2105.05 (D). This code is used only when wing ticks are present and the code is applied only to the portion of the railroad between the wing ticks (see 180 0001 for coding the wing ticks). Where a railroad on a bridge passes under another railroad or road as indicated by a break in the railroad on the bridge, it is necessary to collect both overpassing, on bridge and underpassing (see code 180 0605).

Do not use this code for drawbridges (see code 180 0611).

This code is no longer used. Any feature labeled "Abandoned" is collected using the appropriate feature code.

This code is no longer used. Any feature labeled "Dismantled" is not collected.

This code identifies the portion of a railroad whose symbol has been broken to indicate that it passes under, rather than intersects, another feature (i.e. railroad, road, building, runway, canal). It is shown by symbols 145(A), 112.20(B), 512.20(C), or 2105.06(D). Digitize a line connecting the dropped portions of the railroad and apply this code. Where a railroad on a bridge passes under another railroad or road as indicated by a break in the railroad on the bridge, it is necessary to collect both overpassing, on bridge and underpassing (see code 180 0602).

This code further describes a railroad that is shown by symbols 127 through 130(A); 112.13, 112.14(B); 512.10 through 512.13(C); or 2104.10, 2104.11(D).

This code is no longer used. Snowsheds or other structures are collected in Manmade Features as building (general case).

This code is no longer used. Any feature labeled "Under Construction" is not collected.

This code identifies any feature that is labeled "elevated." This code is not used on bridges (see code 180 0602).

This code further describes a railroad that is labeled to indicate it is used for rapid transit. Must be labeled "Rapid Transit."

This code identifies the portion of a railroad that is shown as being on a drawbridge indicated by wing ticks and a circle as in symbols 143(A), 512.21(C), or 2105.02(D). This code is used only when wing ticks and the circle are present and this code is applied only to the portion between the wing ticks. See 180 0001 for coding the wing ticks. See code 180 0007 for coding the circular portion of the drawbridge symbol. This code does not apply to 1:100,000-scale maps.

This code further describes a railroad that is labeled "Private."

This code further describes a railroad labeled as belonging to the U.S. Government.

This code is no longer used. Railroads shown with the symbol for juxtaposition, 123(A), 512.5(C), 2104.06(D) are collected as multiple track railroad (180 0201 plus 181----).

3.8.8 Parameter Attribute Codes

This code is described in section 3.0.6.4.

This code is used to encode the number of tracks only on railroads shown with the multiple track symbol. Do not collect number of tracks where sidings branch off from the mainline. The number of tracks is entered in the spaces, flush right, one to four digits. If a railroad is shown with the multiple track symbol, and the number of tracks is not labeled, then the number of tracks is 2. Do not encode the number of tracks shown in railroad yards.

This code is no longer used.

This code is no longer used.

This code is no longer used.