➧ Topic: Rail Gauge | Different Types of Rail Gauges | Selection of Rail Gauge| Broad Gauge | Standard Gauge | Metre Gauge | Narrow Gauge | Feeder Track Gauge | Light Gauge ➧ Subject: Railway Engineering | RBT ➧ Courses: Diploma | B.Tech | Competitive Exam’s ➧ Trade: Civil Engineering ➧ Subscribe our YouTube channel for explanation of Slides's! https://www.youtube.com/@civiltechmate

2. The clear horizontal distance between inner faces of two rails forming a
track is called Gauge.
Gauge
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3. Railway Gauges can be divided into following categories
Type's of Rail Gauge
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▪️Broad Gauge (B.G)
▪️Standard Gauge (S.G)
▪️Metre Gauge (M.G)
▪️Narrow Gauge (N.G)

4. Broad
Gauge
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When the clear distance between inner faces of the two rails is 1.676 m
(1676 mm), the gauge is called Broad Gauge. It is also known as Wide
Gauge. The first railway line built in India was Broad Gauge line in
1853. Broad Gauge have high load capacity then another type of
gauges.
1. 1.676 m

5. Standard
Gauge
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When the clear distance between inner faces of the two rails is 1.435 m
or 1.451 m, the gauge is called Standard Gauge. Standard Gauge isn't
used in Indian Railways.
2. 1.435 m
It is used only for urban rail transit systems like Metro, Monorail, and
Tram. But all these are operated separately from Indian Railways.

6. Metre
Gauge
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When the clear distance between inner faces of the two rails is one
metre (1000 mm), the gauge is called Metre Gauge. Metre Gauge line
reduce the overall cost of railway project.
3. 1.000 m
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway still using Metre Gauge. Other metre
gauge railway lines are converted into broad gauge.

7. Narrow
Gauge
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When the clear distance between inner faces of the two rails is 0.762 m
(762 mm), the gauge is called Narrow Gauge. Now the narrow gauge
lines are being converted into broad gauges. Trains with small rolling
stocks now will no longer be able to see much.
4. 0.762 m
When the narrow gauge is 0.610 m then it is called feeder track gauge
or light gauge.

8. 1. Available Funds: Selection of the railway gauge is depend on funds
available for the railway project. Broad gauge need more funds due to
wider gauge as compare to metre or narrow gauge.
Selection of Gauge
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2. Traffic : To achieve maximum load capacity, wider gauges are
preferred. Where railway line is need to provide, have heavy traffic of
passengers or goods then wider gauge are provided. It reduce the
operating cost and increase load capacity and speed of train.

9. 3. Topography of Area: Topography and physical features of the
ground also affect the selection of railway gauge. In hilly areas , narrow
gauge can be provided due to steep gradients and limited space.
Selection of Gauge
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4. Future Development: Wider gauges are generally preferred in area
which have the prospect of future development. Due to development of
a particular area the intensity and nature of traffic changes. So once
track laid then it is not possible to upgrade or reconstruct track again.

10. 5. Speed of Train: The speed of a train is almost proportional to gauge.
Speed is depend on wheel diameter and diameter is limited by which
gauge used. For higher speed of traffic broad gauge are preferred.
Selection of Gauge
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