Not sure how to estimate these and ended up just doubling the main routes
Assuming miles of railway per capita in the UK is typical of the world this implies 700k miles of lines.
(Miles of railways per land area seems less accurate—e.g. Siberia will have loads of area but relatively few miles of railway.)
I guess the UK is actually higher than average. I think China, Japan, Europe and India have lots of railways but even then possibly less railways per capita. I think US, South America and Africa less.
I’m just going to halve it as most of the effect per capita will be driven by China and India both of which I guess are in that region.
Argh I’m an idiot I just read magfrump’s estimate and realised I forgot to include that most lines are doubles so double my estimate back to 700k! I know, that’s cheating so accept my first answer.
q1:
UK railways are I estimate ~6,000 miles
Main routes ~2,000 miles
UK is ~600 miles long and 150 miles wide
Multiple north-south and east-west lines
Minor routes ~4,000 miles
Not sure how to estimate these and ended up just doubling the main routes
Assuming miles of railway per capita in the UK is typical of the world this implies 700k miles of lines.
(Miles of railways per land area seems less accurate—e.g. Siberia will have loads of area but relatively few miles of railway.)
I guess the UK is actually higher than average. I think China, Japan, Europe and India have lots of railways but even then possibly less railways per capita. I think US, South America and Africa less.
I’m just going to halve it as most of the effect per capita will be driven by China and India both of which I guess are in that region.
So: 350k miles
Argh I’m an idiot I just read magfrump’s estimate and realised I forgot to include that most lines are doubles so double my estimate back to 700k! I know, that’s cheating so accept my first answer.