List of gauge conversions

Last updated


Track gauge
By transport mode
By size (list)
Track gauge.svg

Minimum
  Minimum
  Fifteen inch 381 mm(15 in)

Narrow
 
  • 600 mm
  • 610 mm
  • 686 mm
  • (1 ft 11+58 in)
  • (2 ft)
  • (2 ft 3 in)
 
  • 750 mm
  • 760 mm
  • 762 mm
  • (2 ft 5+12 in)
  • (2 ft 5+1516 in)
  • (2 ft 6 in)
 
  • 891 mm
  • 900 mm
  • 914 mm
  • 950 mm
  • (2 ft 11+332 in)
  • (2 ft 11+716 in)
  • (3 ft)
  • (3 ft1+1332 in)
  Metre 1,000 mm(3 ft 3+38 in)
  Three foot six inch 1,067 mm(3 ft 6 in)
  Four foot 1,219 mm(4 ft 0 in)
  Four foot six inch 1,372 mm(4 ft 6 in)
  1432 mm 1,432 mm(4 ft 8+38 in)

  Standard 1,435 mm(4 ft 8+12 in)

Broad
 
  • 1,445 mm
  • 1,450 mm
  • (4 ft 8+78 in)
  • (4 ft 9+332 in)
  Leipzig gauge 1,458 mm(4 ft 9+1332 in)
  Toronto gauge 1,495 mm(4 ft 10+78 in)
 
  • 1,520 mm
  • 1,524 mm
  • (4 ft 11+2732 in)
  • (5 ft)
 
  • 1,581 mm
  • 1,588 mm
  • 1,600 mm
  • (5 ft 2+14 in)
  • (5 ft 2+12 in)
  • (5 ft 3 in)
  Baltimore gauge 1,638 mm(5 ft 4+12 in)
 
  • 1,668 mm
  • 1,676 mm
  • (5 ft 5+2132 in)
  • (5 ft 6 in)
  Six foot 1,829 mm(6 ft)
  Brunel 2,140 mm(7 ft 14 in)
Change of gauge
By location
Rail gauge world.svg

This is a list of notable railway track gauge conversions, railway lines where the distance between the rails is broadened or narrowed. Conversions to broader gauge are generally to accommodate heavier loads or for wider cars, while conversions to narrower gauge tend to be for compatibility with other lines on a rail network. This list also contains instances of lines already prepared for conversion and those which are planned to be converted.

New gauge
(mm)
Original
(mm)
DateLocationDescription
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)Flag of Angola.svg  Angola Luanda Railway
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1950sFlag of Angola.svg Angola Moçâmedes Railway [1] [2]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1970Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Transcontinental line: Broken Hill to Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie to Perth as part of the Sydney–Perth rail corridor.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1980Flag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaCompletion of the penultimate link in the Adelaide–Darwin rail corridor, from Tarcoola to Alice Springs. The new line replaced the ancient narrow-gauge Central Australia Railway that was on a different, more floodprone alignment.[ citation needed ]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)1990-1995Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Melbourne–Adelaide rail corridor600 km (370 mi) of convertible sleepers installed in 1990 to facilitate quick conversion in 1995.[ citation needed ]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)2004Flag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaCompletion of the final link in the Adelaide–Darwin rail corridor, from Alice Springs to Darwin. For about half the distance, the new line replaced the ancient narrow-gauge North Australia Railway that was closed in 1976.[ citation needed ]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)2008–2010Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia North East railway line in Victoria. A 200 km (120 mi) section between Seymour and Albury was converted, changing two parallel tracks of different gauges to double track. The Oaklands line that would otherwise have been left as an orphan was converted in 2009. The cost of converting this 126 km (78 mi) line has been estimated as just over A$ 13,000,000. [3]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)2012Flag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaSouth Australia planned to convert its suburban (broad gauge) network to standard gauge in 2012, in conjunction with proposed electrification works. The Outer Harbour and Belair lines were rebuilt with gauge convertible sleepers and re-sleepering of the Gawler line commenced in 2010. The Seaford line was to commence once the Gawler line was completed. [4] However, both gauge conversion and electrification works were suspended due to funding constraints, with work unlikely to proceed for the foreseeable future.[ needs update ][ citation needed ]
1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) (temporary)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1950sFlag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaThe Mount Gambier line in South Australia was fitted with some 3-gauge steel sleepers when it was "temporarily" converted,[ ambiguous ] pending later proposed conversion to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) (which did not occur, the line being abandoned instead).[ citation needed ]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)Flag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaIn Western Australia, the narrow-gauge iron ore railways serving Geraldton port and the new port at Oakajee will be designed for ease of conversion to standard gauge. [5] [ needs update ]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)2016–presentFlag of Australia (converted).svg AustraliaIn Victoria, several wheat lines amounting to about 1,100 km (680 mi) of track, were (or are to be) converted to standard gauge, including: [6] Maryborough to Mildura, Yelta and Murrayville; Sea Lake and Manangatang. Lines will be converted to dual gauge between Gheringhap to Maryborough. This is part of the Murray Basin Rail Project.
900 mm (2 ft 11+716 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)2008–2009Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Pöstlingbergbahn
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)760 mm (2 ft 5+1516 in)1961Flag of Austria.svg Austria Tschagguns–Partenen railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)1854–1855Flagge Grossherzogtum Baden (1891-1918).svg  Baden Grand Duchy of Baden State Railway
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in),
2 ft 6 in (762 mm),
2 ft (610 mm)
ongoingFlag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
762 mm (2 ft 6 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1898Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados Barbados Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)1880sFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Numerous Provincial Gauge railways in Canada
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1881Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1883Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Toronto and Nipissing Railway with third rail stage.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)1938Flag of the Republic of China.svg  China Chinese–Russian-owned line [7]
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)Flag of the Republic of China.svg China South Manchuria Railway, during the Russo-Japanese War
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)Flag of the Republic of China.svg ChinaSouth Manchuria Railway, following the Russo-Japanese War
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Muzeum Průmyslových Železnic
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1956Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo Kindu (Lualaba River port) – Kibombo – Kongolo – Kabalo (Lualaba River port and junction with Katanga line) – Nyunzu – Niemba – Kalemie (the port on Lake Tanganyika): This line was isolated meter gauge until 1955, when the gauge was changed for the connection with the Katanga line in 1956.
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)762 mm (2 ft 6 in)1932Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Democratic Republic of the Congo Matadi–Kinshasa Railway converted to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) on new alignment.
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)610 mm (2 ft)Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Democratic Republic of the Congo Mayumbe line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1924Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Skagen Line in Denmark
500 mm (19+34 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)Flag of France.svg  France Chemin de Fer Touristique du Tarn
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,520 mm (4 ft 11+2732 in)1941Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany Brest–Minsk [8]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)1964/65Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Zabergäu Railway
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)2004Flag of Germany.svg Germany Malente-Gremsmühlen–Lütjenburg railway
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)2006Flag of Germany.svg Germany Waldheim–Kriebethal railway  [ de ]
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in),
2 ft 6 in (762 mm),
2 ft (610 mm)
ongoingFlag of India.svg  India Project Unigauge
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1923Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Iyo Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,372 mm (4 ft 6 in)1959Flag of Japan.svg Japan Keisei Electric Railway; converted for through-service into Toei Asakusa Line
1,520 mm (4 ft 11+2732 in)750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)early 1970sFlag of the Kazakh SSR.svg  Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic Kokchetav network, 305 km (190 mi), operational since 1954, partly regauged to Russian gauge. [9]
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)Flag of Laos.svg  Laos Don Det–Don Khon narrow-gauge railway
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia LiepājaRucava line, 52 km military line
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1950sFlag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia:
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  Macedonia
Ohrid line
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)610 mm (2 ft)1910Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique / Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe Beira–Salisbury
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1950Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia Moçâmedes Railway
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1915–1961Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia Otavi Mining and Railway Company
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1910–Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia Swakopmund–Windhoek line
914 mm (3 ft)610 mm (2 ft)1920Flag of Nauru.svg  Nauru Rail transport in Nauru
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)762 mm (2 ft 6 in)2018Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal Jaynagar–Janakpur railway was regauged.
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Canterbury Provincial Railways
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)762 mm (2 ft 6 in)1912–1914Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Bauchi Light Railway
Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria Port HarcourtOnne, convertible sleepers installed since gauge conversion not imminent.
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)1915Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Sulitjelma Line converted from 750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in) to dual gauge with 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) and when later closed was converted to a road.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1922Flag of Norway.svg Norway Skøyen–Filipstad Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1922Flag of Norway.svg Norway Trondhjem–Støren Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1935Flag of Norway.svg Norway Arendal Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1944Flag of Norway.svg Norway Ålgård Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1941Flag of Norway.svg Norway / Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany Røros Line in occupied Norway converted by German forces.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1949Flag of Norway.svg Norway Grevskap Line in Norway
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in),
2 ft 6 in (762 mm),
2 ft (610 mm)
2000Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan All narrow-gauge tracks in Pakistan were re-gauged or were dismantled.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)2001Flag of Panama.svg  Panama The Panama Canal Railroad, by then in a dilapidated state, was reconstructed and relaid.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)914 mm (3 ft)2009Flag of Peru.svg  Peru Peru from Huancayo to Huancavelica; 147 km (91 mi). [10] [11]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)2019–ongoingFlag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines The Philippine National Railways is reconstructing its dilapidated narrow-gauge network to standard gauge. [12] [13]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)after 1918Flag of Poland.svg  Poland In part of Poland under Russian control (Russian Partition), some railways were Russian broad gauge. These were converted to standard gauge after Poland gained independence, to unify the national system.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1924Flag of Poland.svg PolandWorld War I field railway connecting Nasielsk and Sierpc, 88 km long.
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1932Flag of Poland.svg PolandWorld War I field railway from Dūkštas to Druya. After the occupation of the Vilnius Region by Poland, the PKP regauged the line. [14] After World War II the majority of the line ended up in Belorussian SSR and closed in the 1970s. [15]
1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in)1,664 mm (5 ft 5+12 in)19th centuryFlag Portugal (1830).svg  Portugal
1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)2004Flag of Portugal.svg PortugalThe Guimarães line in Portugal was electrified and converted from metre gauge to Iberian broad gauge in 2004.
1,520 mm (4 ft 11+2732 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)2003-2019Flag of Russia.svg  Russia The railways of Sakhalin Island were converted in sections, first laying the third (outer) rail, making rail lines usable by both Japanese- and Russian-gauge trains. Once the railways throughout the island have been converted to the Russian gauge (by 2012), the inner rail was removed. [16]
–1918Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire / Flag of the German Empire.svg  German Empire World War I as fronts and borders changed
–1945Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union / Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi GermanyWorld War II as fronts and borders changed
1,524 mm (5 ft)1,829 mm (6 ft)1897Romanov Flag.svg Russian Empire The first railway in Russia connecting Saint Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)(proposed)Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone Port Pepel iron ore line, derelict [17]
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)610 mm (2 ft)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in)1,672 mm (5 ft 5+1316 in)19th centuryFlag of Spain (1785-1873, 1875-1931).svg  Spain
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1976Flag of Spain.svg SpainThe line from Cartagena to Los Blancos was converted at the same time it was extended to Los Nietos. [18]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in)2000sFlag of Spain.svg SpainSpain is building its high-speed lines to standard gauge, even though the existing system is Iberian; new cutoff lines are being built with gauge-convertible sleepers.
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)762 mm (2 ft 6 in)1996Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka The only narrow-gauge lines in Sri Lanka: Kelani Valley line was regauged while the 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) Uda Pussellawa railway was dismantled.
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1960sFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden The Östra Södermanlands Järnväg railway in Mariefred mostly runs on tracks which were converted from standard gauge when it was remade into a heritage railway in the 1960s.
891 mm (2 ft 11+332 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1934Flag of Sweden.svg SwedenThe short and isolated standard gauge tram line Långängsbanan built in 1911 in the northern Stockholm suburb of Stocksund, was converted to the narrow 891 mm (2 ft 11+332 in) Swedish three foot of the adjacent Roslag Railway in 1934. Långängsbanan was closed in 1966.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)891 mm (2 ft 11+332 in)1973-1978Flag of Sweden.svg SwedenThe railway between Kalmar and Berga was converted during the 1970s.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)891 mm (2 ft 11+332 in)1972Flag of Sweden.svg SwedenThe railway between Sandbäckshult and Mönsterås was converted between 1970 and 1972. In Sandbäckshult, the line connects to the Kalmar-Berga line. Both were converted to facilitate standard gauge transport to the pulp mill in Mönsterås.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)891 mm (2 ft 11+332 in)1953-1962Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Kinnekulle Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)1854Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Swiss Northern Railway
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)2022Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Waldenburg Railway Being converted as part of a modernisation of the line.
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)2010Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Swiss National Railway The former Nationalbahn line from Aarau to Suhr was converted to metre gauge to allow replacement of a street running section on the Menziken–Aarau–Schöftland railway line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,050 mm (3 ft 5+1132 in)(proposed)Flag of Syria.svg  Syria Hejaz Railway
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Tanzania in 2008 is proposed 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) steel sleepers and 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)/1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) concrete sleepers to suit gauge conversion.
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1920 onwardFlag of Thailand.svg  Thailand From 1920, the standard gauge part of the Siam railway amounting to 1,000 km (620 mi) was converted first to third rail, and then to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) (metre gauge) making the whole system metre gauge. [19]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)(proposed)Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia Tunis - Sfax Line
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)760 mm (2 ft 5+1516 in)1948–1949Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg  Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Beregovo region network, around 200 km (120 mi); initially built during the Hungarian Empire and regauged when Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union. [20]
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)760 mm (2 ft 5+1516 in)Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepublicUzhhorod region, 35 km (22 mi). [20]
750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in)600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepublicVapniarka railways, 140 km (87 mi).
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)1844Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg  England
The Eastern Counties Railway, constructed in 1839 and the connecting Northern and Eastern Railway, constructed in 1840.
610 mm (2 ft)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Eigiau Reservoir Tramway
381 mm (15 in)610 mm (2 ft)1916Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Fairbourne Railway
311 mm (12+14 in)381 mm (15 in)1986Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Fairbourne Railway
610 mm (2 ft)914 mm (3 ft)1986Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Gorseddau Junction and Portmadoc Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)2,140 mm ( 7 ft 14 in )1892Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg England / Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Great Western Railway
600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in)597 mm (1 ft 11+12 in)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg England
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)597 mm (1 ft 11+12 in)2002Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg England
Southport Pier Tramway
597 mm (1 ft 11+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1950Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg England
Southport Pier Tramway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)2,140 mm ( 7 ft 14 in )1872Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Teifi Valley Railway
603 mm (1 ft 11+34 in)597 mm (1 ft 11+12 in)1901–1902Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales
Vale of Rheidol Railway
825 mm (2 ft 8+12 in)610 mm (2 ft)1884Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom:
Flag of England.svg England
Volk's Electric Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,473 mm (4 ft 10 in)1866Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of New Jersey.svg  New Jersey
Morris and Essex converted in 12 days [21]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)1871Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of Maine.svg  Maine
Maine Central Railroad Company
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)914 mm (3 ft)1879Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of California.svg  California
Monterey Branch Line
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)914 mm (3 ft)1881Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of Colorado.svg  Colorado
Denver to Pueblo on Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. [22] This began a progressive and gradual conversion to standard gauge across Colorado, wherever the traffic justified the conversion
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)1886Flag of the United States.svg United States AN ACT to establish the gauge of the Pacific railroad and its branches. [23] set the standard for the First transcontinental railroad and encouraged previously laid lines to regauge. Southern railroads were not converted until 1886 [24] when they were regauged to 1448 mm (4 ft 9 in). This was functionally compatible with standard gauge, final conversions taking place as track was maintained.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,524 mm (5 ft)1906Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of California.svg  California
Market Street Railway Polk cable car rebuilt as standard gauge electric trolley following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake [25]
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1898Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of California.svg  California
San Diego Electric Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)914 mm (3 ft)1902Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
Burlington and Northwestern Railway
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)1906Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of California.svg  California
Venice Short Line when sold from the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad to the Pacific Electric
1,588 mm (5 ft 2+12 in)1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1997Flag of the United States.svg United States
Flag of Louisiana.svg  Louisiana
The Riverfront Streetcar Line of the New Orleans streetcar system was converted to conform with the rest of the historic streetcar system.
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,520 mm (4 ft 11+2732 in) Central Asia While China and Europe are connected by rail, and while both are mainly 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in), the intervening Central Asia Railways are 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+2732 in) gauge. There are discussions about facilitating an eventual linkage of the Chinese and European standard gauge system.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standard-gauge railway</span> Railway track gauge (1435 mm)

A standard-gauge railway is a railway with a track gauge of 1,435 mm. The standard gauge is also called Stephenson gauge, international gauge, UIC gauge, uniform gauge, normal gauge and European gauge in Europe, and SGR in East Africa. It is the most widely used track gauge around the world, with about 55% of the lines in the world using it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-gauge railway</span> Rail track gauge wider than standard gauge (1435 mm, 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

A broad-gauge railway is a railway with a track gauge broader than the 1,435 mm used by standard-gauge railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renfe Feve</span> Narrow gauge rail transport company of Spain

Renfe Cercanías AM, formerly known as Renfe Feve, is a division of state-owned Spanish railway company Renfe Operadora. It operates most of Spain's 1,250 km (777 mi) of metre-gauge railway. This division of Renfe was previously a stand-alone company named FEVE. On 31 December 2012, the Spanish government simplified the organization of state-owned railway companies by merging FEVE into Renfe and Adif. The rolling stock and the brand FEVE were transferred to Renfe, while the infrastructure was transferred to Adif.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Spain</span> Overview of rail transport in Spain

Rail transport in Spain operates on four rail gauges and services are operated by a variety of private and public operators. The total route length in 2012 was 16,026 km.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Track gauge</span> Spacing of the rails on a railway track

In rail transport, track gauge is the distance between the two rails of a railway track. All vehicles on a rail network must have wheelsets that are compatible with the track gauge. Since many different track gauges exist worldwide, gauge differences often present a barrier to wider operation on railway networks.

In railway engineering, "gauge" is the transverse distance between the inner surfaces of the heads of two rails, which for the vast majority of railway lines is the number of rails in place. However, it is sometimes necessary for track to carry railway vehicles with wheels matched to two different gauges. Such track is described as dual gauge – achieved either by addition of a third rail, if it will fit, or by two additional rails. Dual-gauge tracks are more expensive to configure with signals and sidings, and to maintain, than two separate single-gauge tracks. It is therefore usual to build dual-gauge or other multi-gauge tracks only when necessitated by lack of space or when tracks of two different gauges meet in marshalling yards or passenger stations. Dual-gauge tracks are by far the most common configuration, but triple-gauge tracks have been built in some situations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break of gauge</span> Meeting place of different width rail lines

With railways, a break of gauge occurs where a line of one track gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock generally cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, leading to passengers having to change trains and freight requiring transloading or transshipping; this can add delays, costs, and inconvenience to travel on such a route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in South Australia</span> Rail transport in South Australia

The first railway in colonial South Australia was a line from the port of Goolwa on the River Murray to an ocean harbour at Port Elliot, which first operated in December 1853, before its completion in May 1854.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 ft 6 in gauge railways</span> Railway track gauge (1067 mm)

Railways with a track gauge of 3 ft 6 in were first constructed as horse-drawn wagonways. The first intercity passenger railway to use 3 ft 6 in was constructed in Norway by Carl Abraham Pihl. From the mid-nineteenth century, the 3 ft 6 in gauge became widespread in the British Empire. In Africa it became known as the Cape gauge as it was adopted as the standard gauge for the Cape Government Railways in 1873, although it had already been established in Australia and New Zealand before that. It was adopted as a standard in New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Queensland in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Peru</span> Overview of rail transport in Peru

Rail transport in Peru has a varied history. Peruvian rail transport has never formed a true network, primarily comprising separate lines running inland from the coast and built according to freight need rather than passenger need.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail gauge in Australia</span> Narrow, standard and broad gauges of Australia

Rail gauges in Australia display significant variations, which has presented an extremely difficult problem for rail transport on the Australian continent since the 19th century. As of 2022, there are 11,914 kilometres (7,403 mi) of narrow-gauge railways, 18,007 kilometres (11,189 mi) of standard gauge railways and 2,685 kilometres (1,668 mi) of broad gauge railways. In the 19th century, each of the colonies of Australia adopted their own gauges.

The North East railway line is a railway line in Victoria, Australia. The line runs from Southern Cross railway station on the western edge of the Melbourne central business district to Albury railway station in the border settlement of Albury–Wodonga, serving the cities of Wangaratta and Seymour, and smaller towns in northeastern Victoria. The line is owned by VicTrack, but the standard gauge section leased to, and maintained by, the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Central America</span>

Rail transport in Central America consists of several isolated railroad lines with freight or passenger service. The most famous one is the Panama Canal Railway, the oldest transcontinental railroad in the world, connecting Panama City with Colón since 1855. Other railroads in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama were built by private and public investors mainly to facilitate the transport of local agricultural produce to export markets and harbors. Their market share and profitability went into decline in the second half of the twentieth century and most lines have been decommissioned by the end of the 1990s. As of 2018, railroads operate locally in Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama only; all rail transport has been suspended in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The railways still operating do not cross national borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bogie exchange</span> System for operating railway wagons on two or more gauges

Bogie exchange is a system for operating railway wagons on two or more gauges to overcome difference in the track gauge. To perform a bogie exchange, a car is converted from one gauge to another by removing the bogies or trucks, and installing a new bogie with differently spaced wheels. It is generally limited to wagons and carriages, though the bogies on diesel locomotives can be exchanged if enough time is available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrocarril de Langreo</span> Spanish railway company

Ferrocarril de Langreo or FC de Langreo (FCL) was a Spanish railway company which operated a 1,435 mmstandard gauge line, in the Autonomous Community of Asturias, in northern Spain. It was the third train line constructed in Spain and was built during the 1850s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Rail Australia</span> Former Australian railway operator

One Rail Australia was an Australian rail freight operator company. Founded by a United States short line railroad holding company, Genesee & Wyoming Inc, in 1997 as Australian Southern Railroad, and successively renamed Australian Railroad Group and Genesee & Wyoming Australia, it was renamed One Rail Australia in February 2020 after the American company sold its remaining shareholding. In July 2022, assets from the South Australian, Northern Territory and interstate operations of the company were sold to rail operator company Aurizon Holdings Limited. The remaining assets, relating to coal haulage in New South Wales and Queensland, were sold in February 2023 to Magnetic Rail Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in the Dominican Republic</span>

Rail transport in the Dominican Republic is provided by one state-owned operator and several private ones, mainly for sugar mills. There are no connections with the neighbouring Haiti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narrow-gauge railways in Spain</span>

In Spain there is an extensive 1,250 km (780 mi) system of 1,000 mmmetre gauge railways. The majority of these railways was historically operated by FEVE,. Created in 1965 FEVE started absorbing numerous private-owned narrow-gauge railways. From 1978 onwards, with the introduction of regionalisation devolution under the new Spanish constitution, FEVE began transferring responsibility for a number of its operations to the new regional governments. On 31 December 2012 the company disappeared due to the merger of the narrow-gauge network FEVE and the broad-gauge network RENFE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 ft and 600 mm gauge railways</span> Railway track gauge

Two foot and 600 mm gauge railways are narrow gauge railways with track gauges of 2 ft and 600 mm, respectively. Railways with similar, less common track gauges, such as 1 ft 11+34 in and 1 ft 11+12 in, are grouped with 2 ft and 600 mm gauge railways.

Traditionally, the gauge of the national railway in Spain, now managed by Adif, is 1,668 mm, known as Iberian gauge. This gauge was decided upon by a Parliamentary committee, after a report known as the Informe Subercase in 1844. Spain has 11,791 km of track with this gauge.

References

  1. Durrant, A.E., A.A. Jorgensen, C.P. Lewis. Steam in Africa, London, 1981, Hamlyn.
  2. "Railways in Angola". 11 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  3. "Jasper supports Oaklands rail line upgrade". Australia: Ken Jasper MLA, Member for Murray Valley. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. "Rail Revitalisation". South Australian Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
  5. "Murchison Metals Ltd – Projects : Oakajee Port and Rail". Mml.net.au. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  6. Railway Digest, October 2015, pg 36
  7. "ABOUT BOOKS". The Morning Bulletin . Rockhampton, Qld. 6 October 1939. p. 9. Retrieved 19 March 2014 via National Library of Australia.
  8. Stolfi, Russel H. S. (1991). "Chapter Eleven. German Logistics: Could the Germans Support an Advance into the Moscow-Gorki Space in the Summer of 1941?". Hitler's Panzers East: World War II Reinterpreted. Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press. Retrieved 1 December 2016 via Military Literature.
  9. "MPS-lines in Kazakhstan (part 1)". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  10. Trains, March 2009, p68
  11. Fender, Keith (8 December 2015). "High hopes for Peru's Andean railway". International Railway Journal. US. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  12. Barrow, Keith (9 August 2016). "Philippines adopts standard gauge for new lines". International Rail Journal. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  13. Ordinario, Cai (18 September 2020). "Neda says 104 flagship projects ready for implementation next year". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  14. "Linia Dukszty - Druja" (in Polish).
  15. "The TU2 pages". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  16. Сахалинская узкоколейная железная дорога (The narrow-gauge railways of Sakhalin) Archived 15 November 2013 at archive.today (in Russian)
  17. "allAfrica.com: Sierra Leone: African Minerals to Boost Bunbuna Hydro (Page 1 of 1)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2008.
  18. Ferropedia – Ferrocarril Cartagena – Los Nietos, http://ferropedia.es/wiki/Ferrocarril_Cartagena_-_Los_Nietos
  19. "Break of Gauge – Letters to the Editor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. 13 June 1938. Retrieved 1 June 2016 via Trove – National Library of Australia.
  20. 1 2 "MPS lines in Carpathian Ukraine". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  21. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/07/03/90433709.pdf The New York Times, 3 July 1866
  22. Wilkins, Tivis (Tiv) E. (1974). "Part II – Expansion And Consolidation". Colorado Railroads. Pruett Publishing Company.
  23. "An act to establish the gauge of the Pacific railroad and its branches". US: Congress. 1 March 1863. Retrieved 1 June 2016 via Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
  24. "The Days They Changed the Gauge".
  25. Smallwood, Charles A. (1978). The White Front Cars of San Francisco. Interurbans. p. 120. ISBN   9780916374327.