New Baker Atlas (13th Edition) - due April

[MidnightFlyer]

http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/railway/uk/rail-atlas-great-britain-and-ireland-13th-edition.htm

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rail-Atlas-Great-Britain-Ireland/dp/0860936511

Amazon implies it's due to be published on 18 April. According to the write-up below the product on either page, the new edition includes:
- 'the major revision of facilities' at Reading;
- the scheduled OHLE-ing of the Manchester-Leeds et al and God's Wonderful Main Line;
- Airdrie-Bathgate and the Tweedbank line;
- the 'completion' of the first stages of the Edinburgh tram network, as well as the ongoing works in Manchester and Nottingham;
- the indication of the HS2 route from London to the West Midlands.

As much as I like Baker's work, I think I'll save up money for the new Midlands & North West Quail map, whenever that gets released. I'm sure it was due in winter 2011 initially, but the TrackMaps website now indicates it's due early this spring. I'm sure it'll be worth it

 

[theblackwatch]

In my view, nothing has come anywhere near the Baker's Bible. It is a very clear and easy to understand publication (unlike the 'Ball' efforts of the past), although I did notice there were quite a few errors in the last edition that was produced - hopefully these will have been dealt with and corrected. The book's popularity showed on the recent UKR tour to High Marnham, where one of my group counted no less than 27 copies on tables in just a few carriages as he walked through the train.

The Trackmaps/Quail publications are good for layout information (and a useful reference) but I wouldn't consider them to be in competition with Baker.

 

[Mojo]

The only criticism of the Baker atlas, or at least the two versions that I've got, is that there is no overlay where things are shown twice on the same page, like Road atlases. This has meant I often wonder if I'm missing something, or get lost between lines in some areas, but overall I agree it is very useful.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

To be fair, the Baker atlas does now cover much basic information that will suffice for the average enthusiast. I have all issues from the 2nd to the current 12th editions in my archives The spread of the light rail system is now an established feature of the atlas.

Does anyone think the Ireland section is an area that could be improved upon?

I have just carefully added Conon Bridge on the map on page 87 in my current 12th edition.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Isn't Ireland identcially covered compared to the rest of it? What do you think needs improving? I do like the inclusion of county boundaries there though, could do with that on the GB maps.

Wasn't Mr Baker also quite vocal in the IEP debate, being staunchly for it?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The only criticism of the Baker atlas, or at least the two versions that I've got, is that there is no overlay where things are shown twice on the same page, like Road atlases. This has meant I often wonder if I'm missing something, or get lost between lines in some areas, but overall I agree it is very useful.

The overlay matter is indeed something of a drawback, but I cannot see them acceding to wishes to change their current policy with regards the production of this atlas.

 

[Anon Mouse]

I like it in its current format, but then I've grown up with it. The Quail maps are canny for route learning/refreshing but for enthusuast purposes the Bakers is indispensable!

 

[theblackwatch]

I do like the inclusion of county boundaries there though, could do with that on the GB maps.

Counties were included up to the 8th edition, but were sadly dropped in the 9th, being reduced to PTE areas only for the mainland - a bit of a retrograde step.

 

[RichmondCommu]

The Baker Atlas is in indispensable, along with the Joe Brown London Railway Atlas.

 

[BlythPower]

Regarding counties, the problem probably stems from things like Cleveland, Humberside and Avon which have ceased to exist and been replaced by unitary authorities. Similarly, the likes of York and Darlington (and no doubt others) have been split off from their counties.

A small overlap would certainly help with the orientation when turning pages. A bit more in terms of rivers/bridges/viaducts might be useful too.

 

[Buttsy]

I have found it a indispensable guide and a great way of detailing the lines and stations I've bashed over the years. The only serious bit of black line left is the Ebbw Vale branch. Bring on Crossrail!!!

 

[thedbdiboy]

I have all issues from the 2nd to the current 12th editions in my archives The spread of the light rail system is now an established feature of the atlas.

I am fortunate to have every edition form the 1st one - the first two were acquired secondhand but the 3rd edition was the first one my brother and I bought 'new' and this brings me to another valuable aspect of this atlas, in that it effectively provides at a pretty detailed level as history of the network from 1977 on. Whilst the 'Beeching' closures are well documented, I think without Baker it would be hard to pin down the big changes in the network since, particularly the final dramatic loss of freight only mileage in the 80s and 90s contrasted by the expanding pace of passenger line and station re-openings and new construction.

 

[D6975]

The first line of the book's description made me smile:

To the railway enthusiast fraternity, Baker's Rail Atlas is 'the Bible'.

To a real rail enthusiast, 'Bible' means only one thing...
and it isn't Baker's rail atlas.

 

[Anon Mouse]

The first line of the books description made me smile:

To the railway enthusiast fraternity, Baker's Rail Atlas is 'the Bible'.

To a real rail enthusiast, 'Bible' means only one thing...
and it isn't Baker's rail atlas.

and the real Bible of course is the National Railway Timetable

 

[theblackwatch]

The first line of the books description made me smile:

To the railway enthusiast fraternity, Baker's Rail Atlas is 'the Bible'.

To a real rail enthusiast, 'Bible' means only one thing...
and it isn't Baker's rail atlas.

I always knew the All Line Timetable as being 'The Bible'. The Rail Atlas was 'Baker's Bible'.

 

[ian1944]

I have a Baker 4th edition, but to me the bible will always be the Ian Allan Pre-Grouping Atlas and Gazetteer, not for current lines obviously. Can there be anyone not entranced by this? The favourite page is FORTY-THREE, SOUTH WALES, getting immersed in this always makes me wish that I'd known Taff's Well in its coaly prime.

 

[theblackwatch]

I have a Baker 4th edition, but to me the bible will always be the Ian Allan Pre-Grouping Atlas and Gazetteer, not for current lines obviously. Can there be anyone not entranced by this? The favourite page is FORTY-THREE, SOUTH WALES, getting immersed in this always makes me wish that I'd known Taff's Well in its coaly prime.

And for a more detailed version, there's the Cobb Atlas which was discussed at http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30358 some time ago,

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

And for a more detailed version, there's the Cobb Atlas which was discussed at http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30358 some time ago,

Was that the one that retailed at somewhere in the region of well over one hundred pounds ?

 

[theblackwatch]

Was that the one that retailed at somewhere in the region of well over one hundred pounds ?

Yes. I think we paid £110 or £130 for a copy. Fascinating book and despite the high cost, I thought it was well worth the money.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Yes. I think we paid £110 or £130 for a copy. Fascinating book and despite the high cost, I thought it was well worth the money.

I think my wife would file for divorce if I paid that for a railway book!

 

[Requeststop]

I have a Baker 4th edition, but to me the bible will always be the Ian Allan Pre-Grouping Atlas and Gazetteer, not for current lines obviously. Can there be anyone not entranced by this? The favourite page is FORTY-THREE, SOUTH WALES, getting immersed in this always makes me wish that I'd known Taff's Well in its coaly prime.

I too like my Ian Allan Pre-Grouping Atlas, but I find that as I get older, I need a magnifying glass to read it. My 5th edition reprint is not too clear. I recently bought A railway Atlas Then and Now by Paul Smith and Keith Turner also published by Ian Allen (ISBN 978 0 7710 3695 6) It shows a comparison of Rail lines from 1923 and 2012 on opposite pages. It has some lovely photo's of trains and stations at different times since 1923, a legend to show smaller branches of lines, and on the 2012 pages, a legend to show what has happened to the abandonded lines and stations with websites where possible.

I also have the British Raiways Atlas of 1947, 1955, and 1970. Also, I have both editions of Trackatlas of Mainland Britain, the 2rd edition is so much better than the first, and my Quail Track Diagrams. On my wall, I have 2 copies of the Thomas Cook Rail Map.

Much prized are my World Rail Atlases by Neil Robinson.

I'd love to own a Cobb. I can never find one when I visit the UK, but I'll keep looking. Not having a wife, I don't have the threat of a divorce.

 

[theblackwatch]

I see that, having previously slipped from April to May, the new atlas is now listed on Amazon as being published on June 6th. This does seem to be a regular problem with Ian Allan, the publisher being unable to stick to its publication dates. It is currently priced at £11.20 (vice RRP of £17.50) if ordered via our Amazon store at http://astore.amazon.co.uk/rafo04-21

 

[LE Greys]

I always knew the All Line Timetable as being 'The Bible'. The Rail Atlas was 'Baker's Bible'.

Surely it's "The Catechism"!

I too have one (11th edition) which I bought after I met the man at the DfT to discuss my lenghty letters criticising IEP. If I'd connected the two names, I would definitely have bought one the day before and got him to autograph it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Someone informed me that they had a very good 2nd edition copy of Complete British Railway Maps and Gazetteer 1825-1985 by C.J.Wignall published by the Oxford Publishing Company, which must be well out of print by now. I think the ISBN code is 0-8609-3294-X. Were any 3rd or more editions ever printed? Has any forum member ever used this book and if so, what was its page size?

On the matter of the thread, I too am patiently awaiting notification that the 13th edition of the Baker Atlas is being sent to me....sounds like unlucky number 13.

 

[Condor7]

I think my wife would file for divorce if I paid that for a railway book!

Yes but less complicated than an affair.

On a serious note (come to think of it I was serious anyway) I have the 12th addition of Bakers, but is Quails Track Atlas a better alternative, and if not why please?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Depends on if you're into detail or not - if you don't care about layouts, tunnels, viaducts etc and want a clear, basic atlas then go for a Baker. If you are interested in the track layouts, platform numbering, even things like rivers and distance markers go for the Track Atlas. If you're seriously hardcore about the latter, go for a Quail Map (5 regionally cover Britain; Scotland, Eastern, Western, Midlands & NW, Southern).

I have the last two Bakers, the two editions of the Track Atlas and 13 Quail Maps. I'm very much track-orientated (first time anyone's ever said that!) and the more detail the better, so I go for Quail, Track Atlas then Baker, but it will vary person by person.

 

[Condor7]

Depends on if you're into detail or not - if you don't care about layouts, tunnels, viaducts etc and want a clear, basic atlas then go for a Baker. If you are interested in the track layouts, platform numbering, even things like rivers and distance markers go for the Track Atlas. If you're seriously hardcore about the latter, go for a Quail Map (5 regionally cover Britain; Scotland, Eastern, Western, Midlands & NW, Southern).

I have the last two Bakers, the two editions of the Track Atlas and 13 Quail Maps. I'm very much track-orientated (first time anyone's ever said that!) and the more detail the better, so I go for Quail, Track Atlas then Baker, but it will vary person by person.

Thanks an excellent summary, I will give that some serious thought.

 

[RPM]

Someone informed me that they had a very good 2nd edition copy of Complete British Railway Maps and Gazetteer 1825-1985 by C.J.Wignall published by the Oxford Publishing Company, which must be well out of print by now. I think the ISBN code is 0-8609-3294-X. Were any 3rd or more editions ever printed? Has any forum member ever used this book and if so, what was its page size?

On the matter of the thread, I too am patiently awaiting notification that the 13th edition of the Baker Atlas is being sent to me....sounds like unlucky number 13.

I had a copy of this, not sure which edition, but I got rid of it because it was absolutely riddled with errors.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I had a copy of this, not sure which edition, but I got rid of it because it was absolutely riddled with errors.

Thanks for the feedback. I will not now be making an offer for this book.

 

[theblackwatch]

This book has finally appeared - I've been away this weekend and got home to find my copy, which I ordered through the RailUK Amazon Shop (http://astore.amazon.co.uk/rafo04-21), has arrived. I've not had chance to look at it yet but will report in the next few days,