What is Gauge? Explain its types

Gauge: Gauge in railways is defined as the minimum distance between the inner running faces of the two rails.

Gauges are generally of three types:

• Broad gauge

• Narrow gauge

• Meter gauge

60 % of that total railways in the world used standard gauge i.e. 1435 mm .This is also called as “International gauge “.

Broad gauge: In broad gauge, the distance between the two inner faces of running rails is 1676 mm.

This gauge is also known as “Standard gauge of India “and “Broadest gauge of the World “.

50 % of India’s railway track have been laid to broad gauge.

Broad gauge is used for the tracks in plane surface which are density populated.

These gauges are also suitable for the routes of maximum traffic intensities and places which are center of industries.

Meter gauge: In meter gauge, the distance between the two inner running faces of the rails are 1000 mm i.e. 1 m.

40 % of India’s railway track are laid to this type of gauge.

This type of gauge is suitable when the efficiency of traffic is moderate.

This type of gauge is used for the tracks in u der developed area and in interior areas.

These gauges are also used when the funds for the railway project are inadequate.

Narrow gauge: In narrow gauge, the distance between the two inner faces of running rails is 600 – 800 mm.

Only 10 % of the India’s railway track is laid to this gauge.

This type of gauges are used where the movement of rails are in low speed.

This type of gauges are used in hilly and very thinly populated areas.

This type of gauge is considered when the construction of the track with wider gauge is prohibited due to narrow bridges, tunnels, steep gradients, sharp curves, etc.