A few links to some useful, in my opinion lesser known sites that simplify planning my journeys and track bashings.
Drehscheibe Online: Link list to printed timetables and train formations throughout Europe (German)
An always-up-to-date overview of printed timetable, national journey planners, train formations and much more for railways throughout Europe. A regular source of information when planning new journeys.
Lars’ Transport Maps
A huge number of maps covering many European countries, especially in Western and Northern Europe as well as German speaking countries.
LOOM Global Transit Maps
A project by the University of Freiburg offering automated visualisation of underground and tram networks worldwide based on OpenStreetMap data. For me an exciting way to get a quick overview of new-to-me networks without having to search for official network maps. Quality varies, of course, depending on the degree of coverage in OpenStreetMap.
UrbanRail.Net
Known to many, but still underrated in my eyes. Robert Schwandl’s Urban Rail website, which covers metro and tram maps all over the world.
Japan: Ekispert journey planner
A lean, clear journey planner for train, bus and metro in Japan. In my opinion an easier to use one than the more popular Navitime journey planner.
Japan: Ekispert route map
Great schematic overview map for the entire Japanese rail network, including all private railways, metro, monorail and tram lines, boat connections, cable cars as well as selected bus lines. Nice to know for JR Pass holders: JR lines are highlighted in black, while private railways are shown in a more subtle grey. The names of all lines are also listed. This simplifies further research, e.g. on history, fares or timetables.
Japan: Greater Tokyo Map by Navitime
A very nice map from Japanese timetable provider Navitime covering rail services in the Greater Tokyo area with separate colour coding for each single line. JR lines are highlighted with a special pattern, which is useful for holders of both a JR Pass and a Greater Tokyo Pass (which is explicitly not valid on JR lines).
Japan: Greater Tokyo Map by JR East
Another overview map of rail transport in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Covering a wider area, compared to the Navitime map above, but without colour differentiation for several lines within an operator’s network. (look for ‘Major railway and Subway Route Map: Metropolitan Area’)