What is the width of the railways in Europe?
What is the width of the railways 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.
Which country has the largest railway system in Europe?
Today, with more than 33,000 km, the railway network in Germany is the longest in Europe.
Why do most countries use different railway gauges?
If locomotives were imported from elsewhere, especially in the early days, the track would be built to fit them. In some cases standard gauge was adopted, but many countries or companies chose a different gauge as their national gauge, either by governmental policy, or as a matter of individual choice.
Why are train tracks so narrow?
Narrow gauge railroads tend to cost less to build, but may have lower weight limits. Standard gauge lines may cost more initially, but typically weight limits will be higher.
What country has the widest train tracks?
Broad gauge of 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in), commonly known as Indian gauge, is the dominant track gauge in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Chile, and on BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the widest gauge in common use anywhere in the world.