Are Russian train tracks different?
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A standard-gauge railway refers to railways with a track gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1/2 in). This gauge is commonly known as Stephenson gauge after George Stephenson, and it is also referred to as international gauge, UIC gauge, uniform gauge, normal gauge in Europe, and SGR in East Africa. This gauge is the most extensively used globally, accounting for about 55% of the railway lines worldwide.
It's noteworthy that all high-speed rail systems predominantly employ standard gauge tracks, with some exceptions noted in Russia, Finland, Uzbekistan, and specific sections in Spain. The distance between the inner edges of the rails is conclusively defined as 1,435 mm, except in regions like the United States, Canada, and certain heritage lines in the UK, where it's specified in the customs/Imperial units as exactly "four feet eight and one half inches," equivalent to 1,435.1 mm.
History
As railways evolved, one critical factor was establishing the track gauge—the distance between the inner sides of the rails. Initially, different railways employed various gauges; when these varied gauges intersected, a "gauge break" would occur, necessitating the cumbersome unloading and reloading of goods from one wagon to another. This prompted the wide adoption of a "standard gauge" of 1,435 mm, enhancing interconnectivity and interoperability.
Origins
There's a popular tale regarding the origins of the 1,435 mm gauge, suggesting it dates back to rutted roads formed by Roman chariot wheels. Snopes evaluated this legend as "false," stating it could be better considered "partly true but trivial." The historical trend of positioning wheels of horse-drawn vehicles about 5 ft apart likely stems from the width needed to accommodate a carthorse between the shafts. Research supports the view that the standard gauge of railways could have roots in the intervals of wheel ruts from ancient carriages.
It's crucial to understand that while road vehicles' dimensions are typically measured from the outer rim, rail vehicles require a design that allows flanges to fit inside the rails, making the distance between the wheels paramount.
No specific standard gauge existed for horse railways; however, several rough groupings emerged in northern England, with the smallest being no less than 4 ft. Various systems had gauges like 5 ft for Wylam colliery and 4 ft 4 in to 4 ft 7+1/2 in in other areas. George Stephenson, the English railway pioneer, favored metrics close to what would lead to the adoption of the standard gauge.
Adoption
In 1846, a Royal Commission on Railway Gauges in the UK advocated for adopting a uniform gauge. Following this, the Gauge Act mandated that new passenger railways in Great Britain were to be constructed adhering to the 4 ft 8+1/2 in standard. It was noted that this gauge had alone been laid down for eight times longer than the competing wide gauge adopted by the Great Western Railway. Over a prolonged period of mixed-gauge operation, the Great Western Railway converted its tracks to standard gauge in 1892. The advantages of equipment interchange among various rail operators became increasingly apparent as the networks underwent changes throughout the years.
The evolution of track gauges across Europe reflected similar trends. While France and Belgium adopted a broader 1,500 mm gauge for their initial railways, many countries eventually aligned with the standard gauge for enhanced interoperability.
Railways
Current status
Primary usage
Countries presently utilizing the 1,520 mm gauge, known as the Russian gauge, include various states that were once part of the Russian Empire. This gauge was established under the governance of the Russian Empire in 1880.
For additional information, please visit Russion Standard Rails.
Use in rapid transit and light rail systems
While broad gauge remains rare in lighter rail systems worldwide, numerous tramways in the former USSR continue to employ broad gauge, which is classified as gauges narrower than 1,520 mm. Urban rapid transit systems, including the Moscow Metro and others in the former USSR, predominantly utilize Russian gauge. Finland's Helsinki metro, employing a unique gauge of 1,522 mm, provides a bridge between the Russian and broader gauges, showcasing the diverse gauge environment in which railways function today.
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