On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 16:14:26 +0100, "Jeremy Parker"
wrote:


"Boltar" wrote in message
. com...
I was reading a book by Brian Hardy about the tube trains on the
Isle of
Wight and he states that the LUL track gauge is 4 foot 8.75 inches
but the
BR gauge is 4 ft 8.5 and that this caused issues initially. Is this
a true
statement (perhaps he was misinformed?) as it seems amazing to me
and if it
is does it cause any operational issues on shared tracks such as on
the
Bakerloo and Met?

I seem to recall that the track gauge in the south of the USA is
different from the rest. At one time, I know, the gauge in the S.
was 5', but eventually they had a big switchover like the GWR did
here. Why the S. didn't become exactly identical to the N. I don't
know. What the exact numbers are, I don't know. Anyway, the
difference apperently doesn't matter

Jeremy Parker


There are regional variations in the UK albeit by only a tiny margin.

The Liverpool & Manchester 4' 8"
The London Tube 4' 8 3/8"
Uk Standard Guage 4' 8 1/2" (4' 8 " on tight curves)

and (I think) the Glasgopw Underground was 4' 7"

Nigel