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Finland announces migration of its rail network to international gauge

(yle.fi)
461 points axelfontaine | 2 comments | 20 May 25 07:40 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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apexalpha ◴[20 May 25 10:38 UTC] No.44039969[source]▶
At least the Russian gage is broader than the European one.

Imagine the cost if it was the other way around... Nevertheless, a valiant effort by the Finnish.

I guess we eventually have to do Ukraine (and Iberia?) too, so hopefully the lessons learned can be applied there.

replies(1): >>44041049 #
IAmBroom ◴[20 May 25 12:57 UTC] No.44041049[source]▶
Why would it matter much? Either way, a new railway has to be built (others have pointed out dual-gauge is not workable).
replies(1): >>44041170 #
1. apexalpha ◴[20 May 25 13:06 UTC] No.44041170[source]▶
If you have to go from a smaller gauge to a bigger one you most likely have to also expand corridors, buy new land, fix bridges and tunnels etc...

While a downshift if usually much esier since a smaller gauge simply fits inside the larger one so all bridges and tunnels are wide enough by definition.

replies(1): >>44044756 #
2. crote ◴[20 May 25 19:01 UTC] No.44044756[source]▶
That's mostly an issue with loading gauge, not track gauge. The train is usually significantly wider than the tracks, so width-wise the space should already be available.