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Track gauge in Europe

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Track gauge in Europe

Most railways in Europe use the standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). Some countries use broad gauge, of which there are three types. Narrow gauges are also in use.

Contents

Broad gauge

  • Russian gauge
  • 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in): former Soviet Union states
  • 1,524 mm (5 ft): Finland
    • (The difference is within tolerance limits, so it is possible to exchange trains between 1520 mm and 1524 mm networks without changes to the wheelsets.)
  • Irish gauge
  • 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in): Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
  • Iberian gauge
  • 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 21⁄32 in): Portugal and Spain

    • High-speed rail

    Apart from Russia and Finland, all high-speed rail in Europe uses standard-gauge (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)) tracks.

    References

    Track gauge in Europe Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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