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   600 mm, Two foot 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 ft 11 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 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)   Six foot 1,829 mm (6 ft)   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 · Australia

Track gauge conversions include:

List

• 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.
• The list also contains
  • proposed conversions
  • preparations for conversions

Target (mm)	Origin (mm)	Date	Location	Description
600	1435	1960s	Sweden	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.
891	1435	1934	Sweden	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.
1000	1435	1920 onward	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 3⁄8 in) (metre gauge) making the whole system metre gauge.[1]
1067	610	1910	Mozambique /  Zimbabwe	Beira – Salisbury
1067	1435	1923	Japan	Iyo Railway, Japan, regauged from 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in).
1067	610	1930s	Namibia	Namibian Railways, much of which was 610 mm (2 ft)
1067	762	1932	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Matadi–Kinshasa Railway converted to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) on new alignment.
1067	1000		Angola	Luanda Railway
1067	600	1950s	Angola	Angola Namibe Railway, 1950s, was 600 mm (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in)
1067	1000	1956	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 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.
1067	750	1915	Norway	Sulitjelma Line 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.
1435	1524	1844	United Kingdom	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).
1435	1473	1866	USA New Jersey	Morris and Essex converted in 12 days from 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm) [2]
1435		1881	USA Colorado	Denver to Pueblo from 3 ft (914 mm) to dual gauge on Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.[3] This began a progressive and gradual conversion to standard gauge across Colorado, wherever the traffic justified the conversion
1435	1676	1880s	Canada	Numerous Provincial Gauge railways in Canada from 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in).
1435	1067	1881	Canada	Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway, Canada from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
1435	1067	1883	Canada	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.
1435		1886	United States	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.[4] See Track gauge in the United States, United States broad gauge
1435		1892	United Kingdom	The last GWR broad (7 ft 1⁄4 in [2,140 mm] ) converted to 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) gauge.
1435	1067	1922	Norway	Skøyen–Filipstad Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
1435	1067	1922	Norway	Trondhjem–Støren Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
1435	1000	1924	Denmark	Skagen Line in Denmark (was 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in))
1435	1067	1935	Norway	Arendal Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
1435	1524	1938	China	China - Russian-owned line converted from 1,524 mm (5 ft) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in).[5]
1435	1520	1941	Germany	Brest-Minsk[6]
1435	1067	1944	Norway	Ålgård Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
1435	1067	1941	Norway /	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.
1435	1067	1949	Norway	Grevskap Line in Norway (was 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in))
1435	750	1964/65	Germany	Zabergäu Railway 750 mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
1435		1970	Australia	Indian Pacific; Sydney to Perth
1435		1980	Australia	Adelaide–Darwin railway; the first stage to Alice Springs. Replaced a narrow gauge line on a different, more floodprone alignment.
1435	1524	2001	Panama	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).
1435		2000s	Spain	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.
1435		2008 - 2010	Victoria	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.
1435	914	2009	Peru	Peru from Huancayo to Huancavelica from 3 ft (914 mm) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in); 147 km.[7]
1435		2012	Victoria	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.[8] However both gauge conversion and electrification works have been suspended due to funding constraints, with work unlikely to proceed for the foreseeable future.
1435	1067	(proposed)	Sierra Leone	Port Pepel iron ore line, from derelict 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)[9]
1435	1050	(proposed)	Syria	Hejaz Railway - convert from 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 11⁄32 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
1520	1067		Russia	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.[10]
1524	1829	1897	Russia	The first railway in Russia connecting Saint Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo converted from 1,829 mm (6 ft) to 1,524 mm (5 ft)
1668		2004	Portugal	The Guimarães line in Portugal was electrified and converted from metre gauge to Iberian broad gauge in 2004.
1676			India	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
1676	762	2006	Pakistan	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.[11] Conversion completed in 2006.[12]

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.

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.

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. On 9 April 2010, a four-way deal was signed.^[13] 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.

2009

• The 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) gauge Oaklands railway line was converted to standard gauge to avoid becoming an orphan when the Seymour-Albury line was also converted fully to standard gauge.

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.^[14]

2015

• In Victoria several wheat lines, amounting to about 1100km of track, are to be converted to standard gauge, including: ^[15]
• Maryborough to Mildura, Yelta and Murrayville ; Sea Lake and Manangatang.
• Converted to dual gauge between Gheringhap to Maryborough.

See also

• Break-of-gauge
• Track gauge

References

External links