2027 Print Edition - R255 Cover

Pre-orders for the 2027 Edition are now open.

After placing your order you should receive a emailed link to download the PDF version. Printed books will ship during the first week of November.

What's New for 2027: The entire Long Island Rail Road!

Last year was just a teaser. This year the entire LIRR has been mapped out from the West Side Yard all the way to Montauk, Greenport, and everything in between, across a 34 page dedicated section. Every track and track name, every station and every yard, with closeups of every interlocking along the way. Milepost distances, siding lengths, station platform capacities and a myriad of other details are shown as well. 

The New York and Atlantic's freight services are also depicted, including industrial sidings along the Bay Ridge Branch, the NYAR Secondary (ex-Lower Montauk Branch), the Bushwick Lead and the Main Line out to Riverhead. There are also closeup details of the NYAR Fresh Pond Yard and Junction, the CSX Fremont Secondary (ex NY Connecting Railroad), Morris Park Yard, Sheridan shops, the Advance and Receiving Yards, the Hillside complex, and Holban Yard.

There's also a 6-page section of signs and signals, with every possible signal type and indication, along with their associated rules, including position lights, pedestal signals, color light signals and the new Reduced Aspect Signals that have been rolling out over the last few years.

As was the case in previous years, there are multiple front and rear covers are available for this year's book.  The contents of the book are otherwise identical; it's just the cover images that are different. The PDF file has all three front and rear cover images for the year. And speaking of PDFs, starting this year that's a PDF Extras file that will feature extra-large closeups of LIRR trackage to show interlocking limits at F, Harold, Jay, Hall, and Dunton, and signal numbers where known. This extras file is still in its infancy and will grow over time. It's included at no extra cost and will be updated regularly as new information is received and documented.

As always, though, the subway system is the book's primary focus. And just as always, the book depicts every track (with track numbers), every yard, every station, every chaining line and zero point, and and most (if not all) mainline diverging route home signals and their indications. The book also encompasses the latest capital plan items, signal changes and track/signal renewal projects. As with past editions, Grand Central, the Park Avenue tunnels, Penn Station, PATH, and the Staten Island Railway track maps are also included. Current fleet data and train service requirements have also been updated.

The front cover image was taken at 207th St on the IRT, featuring two R255 locomotives on the flyover track from the IND 207th St. Yard, one of four interconnections between the A- and B-Divisions. It was taken by first-time contest winner Liam Collins in April 2026. The back cover photo featuring two R68s was taken looking west from the 9th Avenue station, with the 36-38th St. yard leads in the background. This image was taken by another first-time contest winner, Justin Figueroa.

Note that the PDF version is intended strictly for on-screen viewing and is not printable.