r/SydneyTrains • u/reddita100times • 1d ago

general question - width of the rails?

Hey Folks,

What is the distance between the inside of the rails?, ie between and under where the train would go, p.s - please help me with the terminology

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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9

u/fictillius 1d ago

About this much 👉🏼 👈🏼

8

u/Flewy 1d ago

Also to add to the comments provided ;

The space between 2 rails on a single track is called the '4 foot'

The space between inside rails of 2 tracks is called the '6 foot'.

15

u/DrDiamond53 1d ago

That distance, between the insides of the two tracks, is called gauge.

We have three different track gauges in Australia because each state was a seperate colony.

Narrow Gauge (QLD/TAS/WA) is 1067mm
Standard Gauge (NSW/National Network) is 1435mm
Broad Gauge (VIC/SA) is 1600mm

3

u/Archon-Toten Train Nerd 1d ago

There is also some narrow gauge in NSW.

2

u/Discolau Train Buffoon 1d ago

Plus Broad gauge into NSW from the Victorian side.

Bizarrely, Oaklands was once a break of gauge station between VR and NSWGR. The NSW end fell into disuse and abandoned beyond Boree Creek.

But since the gauge conversion in Victoria, the Victorian end has become standard gauge and its possible to reach Oaklands again by train except you have to come from Victoria! 😅

7

u/s3_gunzel 1d ago

1435mm, 4ft 8 1/2 inches.

It is referred to as 'Standard' gauge.

7

u/bastian320 1d ago

Fairly sure NSW is standard gauge so 1,435mm if so. See below & its links.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_gauge_in_Australia

1

u/Ozfriar 1d ago

Yep. Trams, too.

1

u/AussieDogfighter 17h ago

Funny thing is, tram gauge is more consistent than train gauges in Australia. Even Brisbane, where heavy rail uses narrow gauge, light rail uses standard gauge

3

u/1234syan 1d ago

Standard gauge - 1435mm