Jump to content

Metre-gauge railway: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Disambiguating links to Rail transport in the United Kingdom (link changed to Rail transport in Great Britain) using DisamAssist.
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 25 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Sidebar track gauge}}
{{Sidebar track gauge}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
'''Metre-gauge railways''' are [[narrow-gauge railway]]s with [[track gauge]] of {{Track gauge|1000mm}} or 1 [[metre]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raja|first1=K|title=Complete information on Railway Gauges|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012020422668/complete-information-on-railway-gauges.html|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>
'''Metre-gauge railways''' ([[American English|US]]: '''meter-gauge railways''') are [[narrow-gauge railway]]s with [[track gauge]] of {{Track gauge|1000mm}} or 1 [[metre]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raja|first1=K|title=Complete information on Railway Gauges|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012020422668/complete-information-on-railway-gauges.html|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>


The metre gauge is used in around {{convert|95000|km|mi}} of tracks around the world. It was used by European colonial powers, such as the French, British and German Empires. In Europe, large metre-gauge networks remain in use in [[Switzerland]], [[Spain]] and many [[List of town tramway systems in Europe|European towns with urban trams]], but most metre-gauge [[voie ferrée d'intérêt local|local railways in France]], Germany and [[Vicinal tramway|Belgium]] closed down in the mid-20th century, although many still remain. With the revival of urban rail transport, metre-gauge [[Medium-capacity rail transport system|light metros]] were established in some cities, and in other cities, metre gauge was replaced by [[standard gauge]]. The slightly-wider {{Track gauge|1009mm}} gauge is used [[trams in Sofia|in Sofia]].
Metre gauge is used in around {{convert|95000|km|mi}} of tracks around the world.{{cn|date=March 2024}} It was used by several European colonial powers including France, Britain and Germany in their colonies. In Europe, large metre-gauge networks remain in use in Switzerland, Spain and many [[List of town tramway systems in Europe|European towns with urban trams]], but most metre-gauge [[voie ferrée d'intérêt local|local railways in France]], Germany and [[Vicinal tramway|Belgium]] closed down in the mid-20th century, although some still remain. With the revival of urban rail transport, metre-gauge [[Medium-capacity rail transport system|light metros]] were built in some cities. The slightly-wider {{Track gauge|1009mm}} gauge is used in [[trams in Sofia|Sofia, Bulgaria]]. Another similar gauge is {{TrackGauge|lk=on|3ft 6in}}.
__TOC__
{{clr}}


==Examples of metre-gauge==
==Examples of metre-gauge==
Line 27: Line 29:
|[[Rail transport in Belgium|Belgium]]
|[[Rail transport in Belgium|Belgium]]
|
|
* [[National Company of Light Railways]] — ceased operations, except:
*[[Charleroi Metro|Charleroi Light Metro]] (operating)
*[[Antwerp Tram]] (operating)
** [[Coast Tram (Belgium)|Belgian Coast Tram]] (operating)
*[[Ghent Tram]] (operating)
** [[Charleroi Metro|Charleroi Light Metro]] (operating)
** Several "museum lines" kept in operation for tourists by volunteers: tramway to the [[Caves of Han-sur-Lesse]], [[Tramway touristique de l'Aisne]], etc.
*[[Coast Tram (Belgium)|Belgian Coast Tram]] (operating)
* [[Antwerp Tram]] (operating)
* [[Ghent Tram]] (operating)
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Benin|Benin]]
|[[Rail transport in Benin|Benin]]
Line 71: Line 75:
|[[Narrow-gauge railways in China|China]]
|[[Narrow-gauge railways in China|China]]
|
|
*[[Kunming–Hai Phong Railway|Kunhe Railway]] (formerly the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway) (operating).
*[[Kunming–Haiphong railway|Kunhe Railway]] (formerly the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway) (operating).
*[[Dujiangyan–Siguniangshan mountain railway]] <small>[</small><small>[[:zh:都江堰至四姑娘山山地铁路|zh]]</small><small>]</small> (in construction).
*Former [[Datong–Puzhou railway]] and [[Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway|Zhengding-Taiyuan Railway]]. All regauged to [[standard gauge]].
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Croatia|Croatia]]
|[[Rail transport in Croatia|Croatia]]
Line 84: Line 90:
|Several metre gauge railways
|Several metre gauge railways
|-
|-
|[[Narrow gauge railways in Denmark#Metre gauge railways|Denmark]]
|[[Rail transport in Denmark|Denmark]]
| See [[Narrow gauge railways in Denmark#Metre gauge railways|Metre gauge railways in Denmark]] and [[Narrow-gauge railways in Denmark]]. A few [[List of town tramway systems in Denmark|local railways]]. Only one remains, but [[Track gauge conversion|regauged]] to standard gauge.
|
A few [[List of town tramway systems in Denmark|local railways]]. Only one remains, but [[Track gauge conversion|regauged]] to standard gauge.
*[[Århus tramway]] (closed), [[Danish Tramway Museum]].
*[[Århus tramway]] (closed), [[Danish Tramway Museum]].
|-
|-
Line 101: Line 106:
* Blanc-Argent Railway, from Salbris to Valençay (operating)
* Blanc-Argent Railway, from Salbris to Valençay (operating)
* Chemins de fer de la Provence ([[Train des pignes]]) (operating)
* Chemins de fer de la Provence ([[Train des pignes]]) (operating)
* [[Chemins de fer de la Corse]]; [[Chemin de fer de La Mure]] (operating)
* [[Chemins de fer de la Corse]] (2 operating lines)
* [[Chemin de fer de La Mure]] (operating)
* [[Rack railway of Puy de Dôme|Panoramique des Domes]] (operating)
* [[Panoramique des Dômes]] (operating)
* [[Tramway de Lille]] (operating)
* [[Lille tramway]] (operating)
* [[Saint-Étienne tramway|Tramway de Saint-Etienne]] (operating)
* [[Saint-Étienne tramway]] (operating)
* [[Chemin de fer du Finistère]] (operating)
* [[Chemins de fer départementaux du Finistère]] (closed in 1946)
* Chemin de fer de la Baie de Somme (operating)
* [[Chemin de fer de la Baie de Somme]] (operating)
* ''[[Ligne de Cerdagne]]'', ''Le Petit Train Jaune'' (Little Yellow Train), operating in the French Pyrenees.
* [[Ligne de Cerdagne]], ''Le Petit Train Jaune'' (Little Yellow Train), operating in the French Pyrenees.
* [[Saint-Gervais–Vallorcine railway]] through [[Chamonix]] (operating)
* [[Mont Blanc tramway]] (operating)
* [[Chemin de fer du Montenvers]] (operating)
* [[Guignicourt–Rethel railway]]
|-
|-
|[[Narrow-gauge railways in Germany|Germany]]
|[[Narrow-gauge railways in Germany|Germany]]
Line 144: Line 154:
|[[Railways of Greece|Greece]]
|[[Railways of Greece|Greece]]
|The [[Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways]] used to be the largest metre-gauge network in Europe but are now largely abandoned. Only the [[Proastiakos#Proastiakos Patras|suburban rail]] service of [[Patras]], and the Olympia–Katakolo tourist railway still use the network.
|The [[Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways]] used to be the largest metre-gauge network in Europe but are now largely abandoned. Only the [[Proastiakos#Proastiakos Patras|suburban rail]] service of [[Patras]], and the Olympia–Katakolo tourist railway still use the network.
|-
|[[Hungary]]
|
* [[Szombathely]] tram (1897-1974)
* [[Sopron]] tram (1900-1923)
* [[Borsodnádasd]] record factory (defunct)
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in India|India]]
|[[Rail transport in India|India]]
|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] (operating)
|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] (operating)
[[Mailani Junction railway station|Mailani]] - [[Nanpara]] Railway (operating)
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Iraq|Iraq]]
|[[Rail transport in Iraq|Iraq]]
Line 170: Line 187:
|[[Rail transport in Kenya|Kenya]]
|[[Rail transport in Kenya|Kenya]]
|
|
*[[Uganda Railway]] run by [[Kenya Railways Corporation]]. Metre gauge link from [[Nairobi Terminus|Nairobi Standard Gauge station]] to city centre (operating)
*[[Kenya Railway]] run by [[Kenya Railways Corporation]]. Metre gauge link from [[Nairobi Terminus|Nairobi Standard Gauge station]] to city centre (operating)
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Laos|Laos]]
|[[Rail transport in Laos|Laos]]
Line 221: Line 238:
* [[Trams in Łódź]] (including suburban lines) (operating)
* [[Trams in Łódź]] (including suburban lines) (operating)
* [[Trams in Olsztyn]] (defunct 1965, newly-built system in 2015 is standard gauge)
* [[Trams in Olsztyn]] (defunct 1965, newly-built system in 2015 is standard gauge)
* [[Gryficka Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
* [[Seaside Narrow-Gauge Railway|Gryficka Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
* [[Koszalińska Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
* [[Koszalin Narrow Gauge Railway|Koszalińska Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
* [[Piaseczyńska Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
* [[Piaseczyńska Kolej Wąskotorowa]] (operating as a tourist railway)
|-
|-
Line 250: Line 267:
|[[Rail transport in Russia|Russia]]
|[[Rail transport in Russia|Russia]]
|
|
*[[Kaliningrad]] tramway (operating)
*[[Trams in Kaliningrad|Kaliningrad tramway]] (operating)
*[[Pyatigorsk]] tramway (operating)
*[[Pyatigorsk]] tramway (operating)
|-
|-
Line 271: Line 288:
|
|
*[[Euskotren Trena]] inter-city, commuter & metro lines and [[Euskotren Tranbia]] ([[Bilbao tram|Bilbao]] and [[Vitoria-Gasteiz tram|Vitoria-Gasteiz]]) tram lines
*[[Euskotren Trena]] inter-city, commuter & metro lines and [[Euskotren Tranbia]] ([[Bilbao tram|Bilbao]] and [[Vitoria-Gasteiz tram|Vitoria-Gasteiz]]) tram lines
*[[Cercanías Bilbao|C-4 (Cercanías Bilbao)]] (Bilbao La Concordia-La Calzada)
*[[Renfe Feve]] lines in north-west Spain, including the ''[[Transcantábrico]]'' (operating)
*[[Renfe Feve]] lines in north-west Spain, including the ''[[Transcantábrico]]'' (operating)
*[[Cercanías Asturias|C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9 (Cercanías Asturias)]] (operating)
*[[Barcelona Metro line 8]]; [[Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya]] suburban lines S4, S8, R5 and R6 (operating)
*[[Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya|FGC]] [[Llobregat–Anoia Line]] and [[Barcelona Metro line 8]]
*[[Metro Bilbao]] (operating)
*[[Metro Bilbao]] (operating)
*[[C-9 (Cercanías Madrid)|Cercanías Madrid C-9]] (Cercedilla–Cotos) (operating)
*[[C-9 (Cercanías Madrid)|Cercanías Madrid C-9]] (Cercedilla–Cotos) (operating)
Line 283: Line 302:
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Switzerland|Switzerland]]
|[[Rail transport in Switzerland|Switzerland]]
|
|Many [[List of railway companies in Switzerland#Narrow gauge|narrow-gauge railways]]: [[suburban rail]]ways, [[Mountain railway#Switzerland|mountain railway]]s, [[Rack railways#Switzerland|rack railway]]s, some long-distance railways and [[List of town tramway systems in Switzerland|trams]].
*[[Albula Railway]] and [[Bernina railway|Bernina railway (crosses into]] [[Italy]]). These railways share [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] status as part of the [[Rhaetian Railway]] (operating)
*[[Albula Railway]] and [[Bernina railway]] (crosses into [[Italy]]). These railways share [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] status as part of the [[Rhaetian Railway]] (operating)
*[[Appenzell–St. Gallen–Trogen railway]], [[Altstätten–Gais railway line]], [[Gossau–Wasserauen railway line]], runs in the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (operating)
*[[Appenzell–St. Gallen–Trogen railway]], [[Altstätten–Gais railway line]], [[Gossau–Wasserauen railway line]], runs in the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (operating)
*[[Dolderbahn]], Funicular railway in Zurich converted into a rack railway and extended in the early 1970s. (operating)
*[[Dolderbahn]], Funicular railway in Zurich converted into a rack railway and extended in the early 1970s. (operating)
Line 303: Line 322:
*[[Chemin de fer Yverdon–Ste-Croix]], (operating)
*[[Chemin de fer Yverdon–Ste-Croix]], (operating)
*[[Chemin de fer Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher]], (operating)
*[[Chemin de fer Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher]], (operating)
*[[Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland Bernois]], (operating)
*[[Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line]], (operating)
*[[Transports Publics du Chablais]], (operating)
*[[Transports Publics du Chablais]], (operating)
*[[Frauenfeld-Wil-Bahn]], (operating)
*[[Frauenfeld-Wil-Bahn]], (operating)
Line 313: Line 332:
*[[Trams in Geneva]], (operating)
*[[Trams in Geneva]], (operating)
*[[Berner Oberlandbahn]], (operating)
*[[Berner Oberlandbahn]], (operating)
*[[Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway line]], (operating)
*[[Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line]], (operating)
*[[Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway|Montreux Bernese Oberland Railway]], (operating)
*[[Gornergratbahn]], (operating)
*[[Gornergratbahn]], (operating)
*[[Trams in Zürich]], trams in Zürich city and Glattal (operating)
*[[Trams in Zürich]], trams in Zürich city and Glattal (operating)
*[[List of narrow-gauge railways in Switzerland]]
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Tanzania|Tanzania]]
|[[Rail transport in Tanzania|Tanzania]]
Line 338: Line 355:
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Uganda|Uganda]]
|[[Rail transport in Uganda|Uganda]]
|
|[[Uganda Railway]] run by [[Uganda Railways Corporation]]
* [[Uganda Railway]] run by [[Uganda Railways Corporation]]. Metre gauge link from [[Malaba, Uganda|Malaba]] to Kampala city centre (operating, under rehabilitation)
* Metre gauge link from [[Malaba, Uganda|Malaba]] to Tororo (operating)
* Metre gauge link from Tororo - Gulu - Pakwach to Tororo (under rehabilitation)
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Ukraine|Ukraine]]
|[[Rail transport in Ukraine|Ukraine]]
Line 356: Line 376:
|[[Rail transportation in the United States|United States]]
|[[Rail transportation in the United States|United States]]
|
|
*Sierra Lumber Company Railroad. A metre-gauge railway built in 1881 from [[Lyonsville, California]] into the [[Sequoioideae|redwood]] forests. It used three steam locomotives and worked until 1907.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sierra Lumber Company |first=Andrew |last=Brandon |url=http://www.pacificng.com/template.php?page=roads/ca/slco/index.htm |publisher=Pacific Narrow Gauge}}</ref>
*Sierra Lumber Company Railroad. A meter-gauge railway built in 1881 from [[Lyonsville, California]] into the [[Sequoioideae|redwood]] forests. It used three steam locomotives and worked until 1907.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sierra Lumber Company |first=Andrew |last=Brandon |url=http://www.pacificng.com/template.php?page=roads/ca/slco/index.htm |publisher=Pacific Narrow Gauge}}</ref>
*Honda Express at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]]
*Honda Express at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]]
* The [[Red Car Trolley]] at the [[Disney California Adventure]] theme park in California
|-
|-
|[[Rail transport in Vietnam|Vietnam]]
|[[Rail transport in Vietnam|Vietnam]]
Line 372: Line 393:


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://archive.today/20120713100348/http://parovoz.com/spravka/gauges-en.php Railroad Gauge Width]
* [https://archive.today/20120713100348/http://parovoz.com/spravka/gauges-en.php Railroad Gauge Width]


{{Navbox track gauge}}
{{Navbox track gauge}}

Latest revision as of 10:59, 29 December 2024

Metre-gauge railways (US: meter-gauge railways) are narrow-gauge railways with track gauge of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) or 1 metre.[1]

Metre gauge is used in around 95,000 kilometres (59,000 mi) of tracks around the world.[citation needed] It was used by several European colonial powers including France, Britain and Germany in their colonies. In Europe, large metre-gauge networks remain in use in Switzerland, Spain and many European towns with urban trams, but most metre-gauge local railways in France, Germany and Belgium closed down in the mid-20th century, although some still remain. With the revival of urban rail transport, metre-gauge light metros were built in some cities. The slightly-wider 1,009 mm (3 ft 3+2332 in) gauge is used in Sofia, Bulgaria. Another similar gauge is 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm).

Examples of metre-gauge

[edit]
Country/territory Railway
Argentina 11,080 km (6,880 mi)

Ferrocarril General Manuel Belgrano

Austria
Bangladesh 1,830 km (1,140 mi), out of which 365 km (227 mi) are dual gauge with 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) gauge
Belgium
Benin 578 km (359 mi)
Bolivia 3,600 km (2,200 mi)
Brazil

23,489 km (14,595 mi)

  • Mostly in cargo railways, including E.F Vitoria-Minas Passenger/Cargo Line and R.R. (operating)
  • Fortaleza Metro (operating)
  • Teresina Metro (operating)
Bulgaria 154 km (96 mi) of 1,009 mm (3 ft 3+2332 in) gauge
Burkina Faso
Burma 3,200 kilometres (2,000 mi) 160 kilometres (99 mi)
Cambodia 612 km (380 mi)
Cameroon 1,104 km (686 mi)
Chile 2,923 km (1,816 mi)
China
Croatia
Czech Republic Like other Sudeten cities, the trams of Liberec used metre gauge in the past. All lines however have been rebuilt to standard gauge.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Several metre gauge railways
Denmark See Metre gauge railways in Denmark and Narrow-gauge railways in Denmark. A few local railways. Only one remains, but regauged to standard gauge.
Egypt
Finland
France Historically used in many local and regional railways, only a few of which remain today.
Germany
Greece The Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways used to be the largest metre-gauge network in Europe but are now largely abandoned. Only the suburban rail service of Patras, and the Olympia–Katakolo tourist railway still use the network.
Hungary
India Nilgiri Mountain Railway (operating)

Mailani - Nanpara Railway (operating)

Iraq Mesopotamian Railways
Israel Sections of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) railways, later converted to 1,050 mm (3 ft 5+1132 in) or 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) gauge
Italy
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Laos A 3.5 km extension of the metre-gauge State Railway of Thailand network across the border into Laos
Latvia Liepāja tramway (operating)
Madagascar 875 km (544 mi). There are two unconnected systems operated by Madarail
Malaysia
Mali

641 km (398 mi) Dakar–Niger Railway

Malta Malta Railway
Morocco Several industrial railways in former Spanish Morocco
New Zealand Wellington Cable Car (operating)
Norway
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal Several mainly mountainous branch lines, mostly abandoned in the 1990s, never fully interconnected — connected to the REFER network by means of shared stations and some dual-gauge stretches. Metro de Mirandela and Vouga line remain in use. Other metric networks include Funchal rack railway (defunct in 1943), Coimbra trams (defunct in 1980), and Sintra trams.
Puerto Rico Full network of Puerto Rican 1000mm railways in 1920: 654 km (406 mi)[2]
Romania
Russia
Senegal Dakar–Niger Railway – 1,287 km (800 mi)
Serbia Belgrade Tram (operating)
Singapore Singapore span of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railway) for shuttle service.
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden Skansens bergbana (operating)
Switzerland
Tanzania Tanzania Railways Corporation – about 2,600 km (1,600 mi) (break of gauge with 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) TAZARA Railway)
Thailand State Railway of Thailand, 4,346 km (2,700 mi).
Togo 568 km (353 mi).
Tunisia 1,674 km (1,040 mi) used along with standard gauge (471 km (293 mi))
Turkey
Uganda
  • Uganda Railway run by Uganda Railways Corporation. Metre gauge link from Malaba to Kampala city centre (operating, under rehabilitation)
  • Metre gauge link from Malaba to Tororo (operating)
  • Metre gauge link from Tororo - Gulu - Pakwach to Tororo (under rehabilitation)
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam Vietnam Railways and KunHe Railway

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Raja, K. "Complete information on Railway Gauges". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  2. ^ «Los ferrocarriles de uso público en Puerto Rico (1870-1990)», Antonio Santamaría García (1994). Revista Complutense de Historia de América XX: pp. 207-228
  3. ^ Contexto histórico e inventario del ferrocarril en Puerto Rico, 1850-1953 - Primera parte: Trasfondo histórico
  4. ^ «Conservando una Romántica Tradición», Dave Deyo, Railroading, Number 43, Second Quarter (1972): pp. 6-18]
  5. ^ Brandon, Andrew. "The Sierra Lumber Company". Pacific Narrow Gauge.
[edit]