In message , at 18:40:46 on Sat, 15 Feb
2014, D A Stocks remarked:
The [lack of] correspondence between various mapping efforts, and where
tube lines actually are, has been discussed quite frequently (on u.t.l
at least). Even when such a maps claims to be geographical, it often
merely relies on "joining the dots" (ie the stations).

A quick look at Google maps ought to make this more obvious, rather than
less, for example here at Ealing Broadway (the District being the most
egregiously wrong): http://goo.gl/maps/xDyNf

Curiosly the Google map does show, as faint lines, the real routes of
the lines. It is even worse south of Acton Town.

If you switch off the 'Public Transport' option it looks sensible. It
looks to me like the coloured 'public transport' lines are only there
in order to provide the routeing engine with something to use when you
ask for a route on public transport.

Yes, but you look at the RAIB report it shows the Northern northwest of
Old Street as an example where the "Google track" differs from the real
one, with the implication that some builders will be using Google maps
to work out if their site is over a railway line.

(Not helped by the Angel station entrance being some way to the north of
the actual station).

And of course the Waterloo and City is shown as a straight line, rather
than the S-bend that it really is.
--
Roland Perry