List of gauge conversions

Track gauge

By transport mode
Tram · Rapid transit Miniature · Scale model
By size (list)
Minimum   Fifteen inch 381 mm (15 in) Narrow   Two foot and 600 mm 597 mm 600 mm 603 mm 610 mm (1 ft 11 1⁄2 in) (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in) (1 ft 11 3⁄4 in) (2 ft)   750 mm, Bosnian, Two foot six inch, 800 mm 750 mm 760 mm 762 mm 800 mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in) (2 ft 6 in) (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in)   Swedish three foot, 900 mm, Three foot 891 mm 900 mm 914 mm (2 ft11 3⁄32 in) (2 ft 11 7⁄16) (3 ft)   Metre 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)   Three foot six inch, Cape, CAP, Kyōki 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)   Four foot six inch 1,372 mm (4 ft 6 in)   Standard 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Broad   Russian, Five foot (Finnish) 1,520 mm 1,524 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) (5 ft)   Irish 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)   Iberian 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in)   Indian 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)   Brunel 2,140 mm (7 ft 1⁄4 in)
Change of gauge
Break-of-gauge · Dual gauge · Conversion (list) · Bogie exchange · Variable gauge
By location
North America · South America · Europe

Track gauge conversions include:

During World War I and World War II, gauge conversion occurred backwards and forwards between Germany and Russia as the fronts and national borders chopped and changed.

Timeline

1844

• The Eastern Counties Railway, constructed in 1839 and the connecting Northern and Eastern Railway, constructed in 1840, converted from 5 ft (1,524 mm) to 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm).

1886

• After extensive preparation, the entire rail network in the southern United States is converted from 5 ft (1,524 mm) gauge to (essentially) standard gauge over the course of two days.^[1] See Track gauge in the United States

1892

• The last GWR broad (7 ft ¹⁄₄ in [2,140 mm] Brunel gauge) converted to 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm) gauge.

1897

• The first railway in Russia connecting Saint Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo converted from 1,829 mm (6 ft) to 1,524 mm (5 ft)

1923

• Iyo Railway, Japan, regauged from 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in).

1934

• The short and isolated standard gauge tram line Långängsbanan built in 1911 in the northern Stockholm suburb of Stocksund, was converted to the narrow Swedish three foot gauge of the adjacent Roslag Railway in 1934. Långängsbanan was closed in 1966.

1938

• China - Russian-owned line converted from 1,524 mm (5 ft) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in).^[2]

1941

• Brest-Minsk converted from 1524 to 1435 mm^[3]
• / Røros Line in occupied Norway converted from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge by German forces.

1964/65

• Zabergäu Railway 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

2000

• India conversion of 17,000 km (11,000 mi) of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) gauge to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge under project Unigauge
• Melbourne to Adelaide – 600 km (370 mi) of convertible sleepers installed in 1990 to facilitate quick conversion in 1995.
• Adelaide – convertible sleepers installed should gauge conversion be needed in future.
• Port Harcourt – Onne, Nigeria – convertible sleepers installed since gauge conversion not imminent.
• The Mount Gambier, South Australia line was fitted with some 3-gauge steel sleepers when it was "temporarily" converted from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) in the 1950s, pending later proposed conversion to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in), which is yet to occur.
• Central Asia – while China and Europe are connected by rail, and while both are mainly 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in), the intervening Central Asia Railways are 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in) gauge. Intervening lines are gradually been made gauge convertible to facilitate and eventual linkage of the Chinese and European standard gauge system.
• Tanzania in 2008 is proposing 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) steel sleepers and 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)/1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) concrete sleepers to suit gauge conversion.

2001

• The Panama Canal Railroad, by then dilapidated state, was reconstructed and relaid, from 5 ft (1,524 mm) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in).

2004

• The Guimarães line in Portugal was electrified and converted from metre gauge to Iberian broad gauge.

2006

• Bostan – Zhob 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in). Report suggests conversion to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) in before.^[4] Conversion completed in 2006.^[5]

2008

A Russian broad gauge line reaches out into Slovakia to carry minerals without the need for transshipment which would be required if the gauge changed at the border. In 2008, it is proposed to extend this line to Vienna.^[6] On 9 April 2010, a four-way deal was signed.^[7] As a general rule, transshipment is minimised if breaks-of-gauge occur at or near major hubs or major origins and destinations of traffic.

• 4-6-4 R766 of the Victorian Railways, Australia, being designed for ease of conversion from 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in), was so converted.

2010

• In Western Australia, the iron ore railways serving or to serve Geraldton port, and the new port at Oakajee are narrow gauge, but will be designed for ease of conversion to standard gauge.^[8]

By target gauge

During WWI and WWII, gauge conversion occurred backwards and forwards between Germany and Russia as the fronts and national borders changed.

Conversion to 600 mm

• The 600 mm (1 ft 11 ⁵⁄₈ in) mm railway Östra Södermanlands Järnväg in Mariefred mostly runs on tracks which were converted from standard gauge when it was remade into a heritage railway in the 1960s.

Conversion to 891 mm

• The 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 ³⁄₃₂ in) Swedish three foot gauge of the adjacent Roslag Railway in 1934. Långängsbanan was closed in 1966.

Conversion to 1000 mm (metre gauge)

• 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 ³⁄₈ in) (metre gauge) making the whole system metre gauge.^[9]

Conversion to 1067 mm

Integrated with Southern African railways

• / Beira – Salisbury – 1910 – was 610 mm (2 ft)
• Namibian Railways, 1930s, much of which was 610 mm (2 ft)

Isolated

• Matadi–Kinshasa Railway – 1932 – was 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) ; converted to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) on new alignment.
• Luanda Railway, Angola, was 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)
• Angola Namibe Railway, 1950s, was 600 mm (1 ft 11 ⁵⁄₈ in)
• Kindu (Lualaba River port) – Kibombo – Kongolo – Kabalo (Lualaba River port and junction with Katanga line) – Nyunzu – Niemba – Kalemie (the port on Lake Tanganika), 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm). This line was isolated 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) until 1955, when the gauge was changed for the connection with the Katanga line in 1956.
• 1915 Sulitjelma Line in Norway converted from 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) to dual gauge with 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) and when later closed was converted to a road.

Conversions to 1435 mm (standard gauge)

• (in date order)

1840-1879

• 1844 The Eastern Counties Railway, constructed in 1839 and the connecting Northern and Eastern Railway, constructed in 1840, converted from 5 ft (1,524 mm) to 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm).
• 1866 Morris and Essex converted in 12 days from 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm) ^[10]

1880-1919

• 1881 Denver to Pueblo from 3 ft (914 mm) to dual gauge on Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.^[11] This began a progressive and gradual conversion to standard gauge across Colorado, wherever the traffic justified the conversion
• 1880's Numerous Provincial Gauge railways in Canada from 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in).

• 1881 Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway, Canada from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

• 1883 Toronto and Nipissing Railway, Canada from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) with third rail stage.

• 1886 After extensive preparation, the entire rail network in the southern United States is converted from 5 ft (1,524 mm) gauge to (essentially) standard gauge over the course of two days.^[12] See Track gauge in the United States

• 1892 The last GWR broad (7 ft ¹⁄₄ in [2,140 mm] Brunel gauge) converted to 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm) gauge.

1920-1939

• 1922 Skøyen–Filipstad Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
• 1922 Trondhjem–Støren Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
• 1924 Skagen Line in Denmark (was 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in))
• 1935 Arendal Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
• 1938 China - Russian-owned line converted from 1,524 mm (5 ft) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in).^[13]

1940-1949

• 1941 Brest-Minsk^[14]
• 1944 Ålgård Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
• / Røros Line in occupied Norway converted from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge by German forces.
• 1949 Grevskap Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))

1950-1969

• 1964/65 Zabergäu Railway 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

1970-1979

• 1970 Indian Pacific; Sydney to Perth

1980-1989

• 1980 Adelaide–Darwin railway; the first stage to Alice Springs. Replaced a narrow gauge line on a different, less floodprone alignment.

2000-2009

• 2001 The Panama Canal Railroad, by then dilapidated state, was reconstructed and relaid, from 5 ft (1,524 mm) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in).
• 2000s Spain is building its High Speed lines to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge, even though the existing system is 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²¹⁄₃₂ in); new cutoff lines are being built with gauge convertible sleepers for easy conversion to standard gauge when required.
• 2008 to 2010 – North East railway line in Victoria. A 200 km (120 mi) section between Seymour and Albury was converted from 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in), changing two parallel tracks of different gauges to double track. The Oaklands branchline that would otherwise have been left as an orphan was converted in 2009.
• 2009 Peru from Huancayo to Huancavelica from 3 ft (914 mm) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in); 147 km.^[15]

since 2010

• 2012 South Australia planned to convert its suburban 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) (broad gauge) network to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) (standard gauge), in 2012, in conjunction with proposed electrification works. The Outer Harbour Line and Belair Lines have already been rebuilt with gauge convertible sleepers, whilst resleepering of the Gawler Central line commenced in 2010. The Noarlunga Line Gawler Central line will commence once the Gawler line is completed.^[16] However both gauge conversion and electrification works have been suspended due to funding constraints, with work unlikely to proceed for the foreseeable future.

Proposed

• Port Pepel iron ore line, from derelict 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)^[17]
• Hejaz Railway - convert from 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 ¹¹⁄₃₂ in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

Conversions to 1520 mm (broad gauge)

• The railways of Sakhalin Island are to be converted from 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) to 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in). As the conversion is going to be done in sections, the conversion plans provide for 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 will be removed.^[18]

Conversions to 1668 mm (broad gauge)

• The Guimarães line in Portugal was electrified and converted from metre gauge to Iberian broad gauge in 2004.

Conversions to 1676 mm (broad gauge)

• India conversion of 17,000 km (11,000 mi) of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) meter gauge to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge under project Unigauge

Other

• Melbourne to Adelaide – 600 km (370 mi) of convertible sleepers installed in 1990 to facilitate quick conversion in 1995.
• Adelaide – convertible sleepers installed should gauge conversion be needed in future.
• Port Harcourt – Onne, Nigeria – convertible sleepers installed since gauge conversion not imminent.
• The Mount Gambier line in South Australia was fitted with some 3-gauge steel sleepers when it was "temporarily" converted from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) in the 1950s, pending later proposed conversion to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in), which is yet to occur.
• Central Asia – while China and Europe are connected by rail, and while both are mainly 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in), the intervening Central Asia Railways are 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in) gauge. Intervening lines are gradually being made gauge convertible to facilitate an eventual linkage of the Chinese and European standard gauge system. (variable gauge trains)
• Tanzania in 2008 is proposing 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) steel sleepers and 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)/1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) concrete sleepers to suit gauge conversion.

Variable gauge axles

Gauge conversion may become less important with the development of a number of different variable gauge axle systems, also called Automatic Track Gauge Changeover Systems, such as the SUW 2000.

See also

• Break-of-gauge
• Track gauge

References

External links

Track gauge (list) Minimum gauge 15 in (381 mm) 400 mm (15 3⁄4 in) 18 in (457 mm) 500 mm (19 3⁄4 in) Narrow gauge 2 foot and 600 mm 750 mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) 760 mm (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in) Bosnian gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in) 891 mm (2 ft 11 3⁄32 in) Swedish three foot 900 mm (2 ft 11 7⁄16 in) 3 ft (914 mm) 950 mm (3 ft 1 3⁄8 in) Italian metre gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in), metre gauge 3 ft 6 in/​1,067 mm 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm), Scotch gauge List of narrow tram track gauges Standard gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in/​1,435 mm, Stephenson gauge List of standard gauge tram tracks Broad gauge 1445 mm gauge 1,445 mm (4 ft 8 7⁄8 in) 4 ft 10 7⁄8 in (1,495 mm), Toronto 5 ft/​1,524 mm and 1520 mm, Russian gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), Irish gauge 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in), Iberian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in), Indian gauge 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm), Brunel gauge 3 m (9 ft 10 1⁄8 in), Breitspurbahn List of broad tram track gauges Gauge differences Bogie exchange Break-of-gauge Dual gauge Gauge conversion list Variable gauge Categories by country by imperial units by metric units by name lists of track gauges