I realize that distinctions between railway=rail + usage=* tags is subjective (even as OpenRailwayMap — ORM — renders main orange and branch yellow). Full disclosure: I have tried to sharpen focus in contributing to https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OpenRailwayMap/Tagging and related wiki re OSM rail tagging. I am in a listening mode as I do so and don't wish to be too aggressive in positing anything too new or too controversial.
I have not done a comprehensive review of how many Class II railroads (a category of regional railroad in the USA which is not usually as "short line" as Class IIIs, but neither is it as large as the mighty Class Is) are tagged usage=main vs. usage=branch. I suppose I now toss out as an interesting question in the USA (Overpass Turbo can query) a wider beginning of consensus regarding Class II railroads being tagged usage=main instead of usage=branch. In short, all discussion is welcome: calling all interested parties. Starting with Central Oregon and Pacific (reporting mark CORP, in rail-speak) now being tagged usage=branch, might this better be tagged usage=main? Should other USA Class II railroads be tagged usage=main as a matter of course? I'm leaning in that direction, suggesting that CORP and other Class II railroads see usage=* tags become main (if not main, be changed from branch to main). Comments? This includes soliciting Comments from overseas readers, like in Germany...those who wrote the ORM renderer and "watch" (and at least pay attention) to such things. (The concept of "Class II" railroad might literally be a foreign concept, but I believe European, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, pan-Asian, African, Australian, South American...all worldwide OSM rail mapping watchers can understand Class II in the context of "USA Rail"): these are "medium/regional-sized" railroads, measured economically by revenue as "between large interstate carriers and short line/more-local carriers." If you are a rail fan / rail buff or otherwise find OSM rail-useful, please consider chiming in here and now as a way to better establish a modicum of sub-community (OSM-US rail interest). I have heard from many over the years and consider hearing from others a polite nod in this direction. I also welcome all others and all "new comers" (from my limited perspective) — those with whom I have no idea you are "out there." Thank you. Perhaps https://wiki.osm.org/wiki/Talk:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging_in_North_America is a place to further discuss, as at least one open issue is under discussion there (by happy5214) now. Or, we can discuss here. Happy holiday weekend (perhaps belated as you read this), SteveA California _______________________________________________ Talk-us mailing list Talk-us@openstreetmap.org https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us
