International Railroad Discussion > Triple gauge track and switches

Several years ago, I saw in a magazine (I believe it
was Trains Magazine) a photo of a junction in Australia
where all three gauges of the Australian railways came
together. To accomodate the trains of all three gauges
on one track the track was constructed with four rails - one
common rail, one for 42" gauge, another for standard gauge (56 1/2")
and the forth rail for 5'3" broad gauge. My question is were
there any triple gauge switches at this juction? The photo
in the magazine didn't show one. Does any one know where
I might find a photo of such a switch?

C.P,

There is a small photo at the top of this website:

http://www.sydney.cyber.net.au/~mainline/gall.html

Also many exceptional images from some of Australia's leading rail photographers! If you email the webmaster, he might be able to supply a bigger version for your viewing pleasure! :-)

Dave.

In ADtranz(former Henschel)Kassel Germany there is a multi gauge (I suppose five or six gauges)switch.
In Växjö,Sweden,there was a triple gauge switch for 1435,1067 and 891 mm but it was only possible for the broadest and the smallest to use the switch as a switch.The 1067 could only run through stright.

About four months ago, I stumbled onto an Australian web-site that showed triple-gauge trackage. The communities of Port Pirie, Peterborough, and Gladstone all had triple-gauge junctions/trackage.
I'm still searching to find the web-site again! Here is a web-site showing triple-gauge trackage in the United States on the Cincinatti, Georgetown, and Portsmouth RR: http://narrowmind.railfan.net/triple-gauge-track.JPG

CP,

I have some pic somewhere of a triple gauge turntable at Peterborough in South Australia with a broad gauge steam engine standing on it, this same turntabel is still in use for narrow gauge excursion trains.

I also have some pics of triple gauge switches.

email if interested and I go find them.

Matt