[Tracking the Gauges, Gauging the Tracks 01] • Gauges and Wheels

This is Part 1 of a seven-part Serialized book that brings to life the story of the world’s railway gauges. Far from being a boring compendium of facts and figures, Part 1 of this book – Gauges and Wheels – describes the part played by railway gauges in the 200 year history and development of the railway. Chapters in Part 1 include an introduction, a short summary of common gauges round the world, how Standard gauge came about, gauge wars, how railway gauge differences changed world history at times of war, rail and wheel interfacing, how gauges affect the quest for speed, and a final chapter on gauge changes and breaks of gauge – something that happens on nearly every continent.

Parts 2 to 7, to be published at approximately three week intervals, will take the reader on an odyssey around the world, from the United Kingdom, where railways started, through Western and Eastern Europe, the African continent, the Middle East, ‘Area 1520’, Central and South-East Asia, Australasia, and ending with the Americas. Each Part covers not only main-line railways in virtually every country in the world, but includes narrow gauge lines, as well as trams (streetcars) and metros. Profusely illustrated, including many maps, this story of the world’s railway gauges is at times provocative, certainly informative, hopefully interesting, and if nothing else a wonderful reference for anyone with even the remotest interest in railways. (Note: while Part 1 is free for a short while, and can be borrowed under Amazon’s Select program, remaining Parts will be priced.)