Track gauge 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. Narrow gauges are also in use.

Broad gauge

Russian gauge
- 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in): former Soviet Union states
- 1,524 mm (5 ft): Finland
(The difference is within tolerance limits, so it is possible to exchange trains between 1520 mm and 1524 mm networks without changes to the wheelsets.)
Irish gauge
- 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in): Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Iberian gauge
- 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²¹⁄₃₂ in): Portugal and Spain

Narrow gauge

High-speed rail

Apart from Russia and Finland, all high-speed rail in Europe uses standard-gauge (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)) tracks.

References

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Track gauge (list)
Minimum gauge	15 in (381 mm) 400 mm (15 ³⁄₄ in) 18 in (457 mm) 500 mm (19 ³⁄₄ in) 20 in (508 mm)
Narrow gauge	2 foot and 600 mm 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) 760 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁵⁄₁₆ in) 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 800 mm (2 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in) 891 mm (2 ft 11 ³⁄₃₂ in) Swedish three foot 900 mm (2 ft 11 ⁷⁄₁₆ in) 3 ft (914 mm) 950 mm (3 ft 1 ³⁄₈ in) Italian metre gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) metre gauge 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 ¹¹⁄₃₂ in), 1,055 mm (3 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in), 1,093 mm (3 ft 7 in), 1,100 mm (3 ft 7 ⁵⁄₁₆ in), 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 1,200 mm (3 ft 11 ¹⁄₄ in) 4 ft (1,219 mm) 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm), Scotch gauge 4 ft 6 ¹⁄₂ in (1,384 mm), Scotch gauge 4 ft 8 in (1,422 mm), almost standard gauge 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₄ in (1,429 mm)
Standard gauge	4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm, Stephenson gauge
Broad gauge	1,440 mm (4 ft 8 ¹¹⁄₁₆ in) 1,445 mm (4 ft 8 ⁷⁄₈ in) 1,450 mm (4 ft 9 ³⁄₃₂ in) 4 ft 9 ³⁄₈ in (1,457 mm) 1,458 mm (4 ft 9 ¹³⁄₃₂ in) 4 ft 10 ⁷⁄₈ in (1,495 mm), Toronto gauge 5 ft / 1,524 mm and 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in), Russian gauge. 5 ft 2 ¹⁄₄ in / 1,581 mm and 5 ft 2 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,588 mm, Pennsylvania gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), Irish gauge 5 ft 4 ¹⁄₂ in (1,638 mm), Baltimore gauge 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²¹⁄₃₂ in), Iberian gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm), Indian gauge 7 ft ¹⁄₄ in (2,140 mm), Brunel gauge 3,000 mm (9 ft 10 ¹⁄₈ in), Breitspurbahn
Gauge differences	Bogie exchange Break of gauge Dual gauge Gauge conversion list Variable gauge
Transport mode	Tram and light rail Rapid transit Miniature Scale model
Categories	by country by imperial units by metric units by name lists of track gauges

Track gauge in Europe

Broad gauge

Narrow gauge

High-speed rail

See also

References