Narrow-gauge railway: Difference between revisions
m tweak |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Narrow gauge railroads cost less to build because they are lighter in construction, using smaller cars and locomotives as well as smaller bridges, smaller tunnels and smaller curves. Narrow gauge is thus often used for mountain railways. Likewise, the lighter construction suits narrow gauge to [[timber]] work where roads must be moved after the work is done. Some narrow-gauge timber lines were built almost entirely on trestles through the woods with virtually no roadbed. |
Narrow gauge railroads cost less to build because they are lighter in construction, using smaller cars and locomotives as well as smaller bridges, smaller tunnels and smaller curves. Narrow gauge is thus often used for mountain railways. Likewise, the lighter construction suits narrow gauge to [[timber]] work where roads must be moved after the work is done. Some narrow-gauge timber lines were built almost entirely on trestles through the woods with virtually no roadbed. |
||
Famous narrow gauge railways include the Festiniog in [[Wales]] and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway in [[Kent]], [[England]]. There are many narrow gauge railways in [[Switzerland]]. The French National Railways run a considerable number of meter-gauge lines, as does the Southern Railway of [[India]]. Many African and Asian nations have narrow-gauge lines, and many island nations. |
Famous narrow gauge railways include the Festiniog in [[Wales]] and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway in [[Kent]], [[England]]. There are many narrow gauge railways in [[Switzerland]]. The French National Railways used to run a considerable number of meter-gauge lines, as does the Southern Railway of [[India]]. Many African and Asian nations have narrow-gauge lines, and many island nations. |
||
Since the 1990s, India has decide that cities on the metre gauge network have a second rate train service, and is now converting most of the metre gauge network to broad gauge. In other words, the advantages of uniformity and interoperability overshadow supposed benefits of non-uniform gauges. |
|||
In the [[United States]] a major narrow gauge railway system was built in the mountains of [[Colorado]] by the [[Denver and Rio Grande Railroad]]. Small remnants of that system are tourist attractions which run in the summer, the [[Toltec and Cumbres]] railway which runs from Antonito, Colorado in the [[San Luis Valley]] to Chama, [[New Mexico]]; and the train which runs in the [[San Juan Mountains]] between [[Durango, Colorado|Durango]] and [[Silverton, Colorado|Silverton]]. The famous [[cable car]]s of [[San Francisco]] have a gauge of 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in). |
In the [[United States]] a major narrow gauge railway system was built in the mountains of [[Colorado]] by the [[Denver and Rio Grande Railroad]]. Small remnants of that system are tourist attractions which run in the summer, the [[Toltec and Cumbres]] railway which runs from Antonito, Colorado in the [[San Luis Valley]] to Chama, [[New Mexico]]; and the train which runs in the [[San Juan Mountains]] between [[Durango, Colorado|Durango]] and [[Silverton, Colorado|Silverton]]. The famous [[cable car]]s of [[San Francisco]] have a gauge of 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in). |
||
Revision as of 10:11, 1 December 2002
Narrow gauge railways are railroads with track spaced at less than the standard gauge. In practice, the economics of narrow gauge dictate a gauge of approximately three feet or less. The one-meter gauge, or in the US three foot gauge, are most common, although many other widths are seen. In India there is 3,794 km (2300 mi) of track with widths of only 0.610 m (24 in) and 0.762 m (30 in).
Narrow gauge railroads cost less to build because they are lighter in construction, using smaller cars and locomotives as well as smaller bridges, smaller tunnels and smaller curves. Narrow gauge is thus often used for mountain railways. Likewise, the lighter construction suits narrow gauge to timber work where roads must be moved after the work is done. Some narrow-gauge timber lines were built almost entirely on trestles through the woods with virtually no roadbed.
Famous narrow gauge railways include the Festiniog in Wales and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway in Kent, England. There are many narrow gauge railways in Switzerland. The French National Railways used to run a considerable number of meter-gauge lines, as does the Southern Railway of India. Many African and Asian nations have narrow-gauge lines, and many island nations.
Since the 1990s, India has decide that cities on the metre gauge network have a second rate train service, and is now converting most of the metre gauge network to broad gauge. In other words, the advantages of uniformity and interoperability overshadow supposed benefits of non-uniform gauges.
In the United States a major narrow gauge railway system was built in the mountains of Colorado by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Small remnants of that system are tourist attractions which run in the summer, the Toltec and Cumbres railway which runs from Antonito, Colorado in the San Luis Valley to Chama, New Mexico; and the train which runs in the San Juan Mountains between Durango and Silverton. The famous cable cars of San Francisco have a gauge of 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in).
There were considerable two-foot gauge lines in the Maine forests early in the 20th century. Although essentially for transport of timber, the Maine lines even had passenger service. Some cars and trains from these lines are now on display at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Portland, Maine after having spent years on the Edaville Railroad on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
See Also: Standard gauge, Broad gauge