Gauge OmniScriptum Gauge conversion: Rail tracks, Rail gauge, Dual gauge, Break-of-gauge, Bogie exchange, Variable gauge, Railroad tie, List of gauge conversions Paperback

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. In rail transportation, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks. An alternative to gauge conversion is dual gauge track, or gauge conversion of the rail vehicles themselves. Ideally railways should all be built to the same gauge, since a wide range of gauges from narrow to broad are of similar value in carrying heavy loads at low cost, while small differences of gauge create tremendous break-of-gauge costs and inconvenience. Steam locomotives are difficult to convert unless this is already allowed for in the design, such as in some East African Railways Garratts, and in steam locomotives built for Victoria after 1930s. In the event, few have been so converted, but one such is Victorian Railways R class R766.