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, Switzerland ]] in Japan ]] Dual-gauge or '''mixed-gauge''' Railway is a special configuration of Railway Track , allowing trains of different gauges to use the same alignment. Generally dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and one inner allow a narrower gauge. Thus one of the rails is common to all traffic. This configuration is not to be confused with the electric Third-rail . REASONING In allowing railway tracks of different gauges to share the same alignment, costs can be reduced, especially where there are bridges and tunnels. Dual-gauge can replace two separate sets of tracks (having two rails each) with one set of track, with 3 rails. This allows one rail fewer for the stretch of the dual gauge line, but there are other complications and costs, which may offset the savings. One issue is s or mechanical interlocking arrangements. Mixed gauge is simpler to signal with electric signals than with mechanical signals. Since rails wear very slowly, the extra tonnage on the common rail is not a problem. Dual-gauge turnouts will be complicated, expensive, and suitable for low speeds only. CONFIGURATION , 4 ft 8½ in) and 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge (as found in Africa) are sufficiently dissimilar to allow three-rail dual gauge track.]] For dual-gauge to work with three rails, the difference between the gauges needs to be at least as wide as the foot of the rail, otherwise there is no room for the rail fastening hardware (spikes, clips, and the like). Thus 1435 Mm (4 Ft 8½ In , Standard Gauge ) and 1676 mm (5 ft 6 in) can be dual gauged without problem, while 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) and 1600 mm (5 ft 3 in, Irish gauge) can also be dual-gauged albeit with lighter narrow footed rails, as shown in Victoria, Australia (where the majority of the railways use the 1600 mm gauge). On the other hand, metre gauge (3 ft 3.4 in) and 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in) as found in Africa are too similar to work in three-rail dual gauge. If three-rail dual gauge is impossible, then four-rail dual gauge may be possible. CONFIGURATION FOR AFRICA 1067 mm and 1000 mm gauges found in Africa are too close to allow 3-rail dual gauge. 4-rail dual gauge is required. With a little care, the Sleepers for this dual gauge configuration can be made to support triple gauge, including the standard gauge of 1435 mm, at little extra cost. |
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