Iberian gauge (Spanish: ancho ibérico, trocha ibérica, Portuguese: bitola ibérica) is a track gauge of 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in), most extensively used by the railways of Spain and Portugal. A broad gauge, it is the second-widest gauge in regular use anywhere in the world, with only Indian gauge railways, 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm), being wider (by 8 mm (5⁄16 in)).
As finally established in 1955,[1] the Iberian gauge is a compromise between the similar, but slightly different, gauges adopted as respective national standards in Spain and Portugal in the mid-19th century. The main railway networks of Spain were initially constructed to a 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+13⁄16 in) gauge of six Castilian feet. Those of Portugal were instead built to a 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) and later railways to a 1,664 mm (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge of five Portuguese feet – close enough to allow interoperability with Spanish railways.[2]
Since the beginning of the 1990s new high-speed passenger lines in Spain have been built to the international standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), to allow these lines to link to the European high-speed network. Although the 22 km from Tardienta to Huesca (part of a branch from the Madrid to Barcelona high-speed line) has been reconstructed as mixed Iberic and standard gauge, in general the interface between the two gauges in Spain is dealt with by means of gauge-changing installations, which can adjust the gauge of appropriately designed wheelsets on the move.[3][4]
Plans exist to convert more of the Iberian-gauge network in Spain and Portugal to standard gauge, an indication of which is the use, on several stretches of recently relaid broad-gauge track, of concrete sleepers pre-drilled with additional bolt holes allowing for repositioning of one rail to adjust the track to standard gauge (or to dual gauge) or the narrowing of the gauge by moving both rails closer together maintaining the perfect alignment of the loading gauge.[5][6]
Similar gauges and compatibilityedit
The Indian gauge (1,676 mm or 5 ft 6 in) is closely similar, with only 8 mm (5⁄16 in) difference, and allows compatibility with the rolling stock. For example, in recent years Chile and Argentina have bought second hand Spanish/Portuguese Iberian-gauge rolling stock. 1,668 mm trains can run on 1,676 mm gauge without adaptation, but for better stability in high-speed running a replacement wheelset may be required (for example, the Russian-Finnish train Allegro is built for a 1,522 mm track gauge, intermediate between the Russian 1,520 mm and the Finnish 1,524 mm). Backward compatibility—1,676 mm trains on 1,668 mm gauge—is possible, but no examples and data exist. Due to the somewhat narrower gauge, a strong wear of the wheels may occur if the wheelset is not replaced.
Infraestruturas de Portugal network. Adjusted from the original 1,664 mm (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in) in the 19th century. Other gauges used in Portugal: 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm)[7] or 7 ft (2,134 mm)[8] (Azores), 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), 900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in), and 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in)
Adjusted from the original 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+13⁄16 in) in the 19th century. Adif-managed national railway network (except new high-speed railway lines). Although Lleida–La Pobla de Segur Line is both managed and operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), it was formerly part of the national railway network and was constructed to the 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) gauge. Barcelona Metro line 1 still uses the former 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+13⁄16 in) gauge.
^Christian García Enseleit (November 2010). [Automatic gauge changing systems in Spain] (PDF) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
^The gauge of the early Portuguese lines built to the "English" (later: international) gauge was subsequently altered to Iberian to ensure interoperability – Assim, em 20 de Junho de 1860, funda a Companhia Real dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses que se propõe explorar as Linhas do Norte e do Leste e as linhas de que posteriormente obtivesse concessão. Thus, on June 20, 1860, founded the Society of Real Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses it proposes to exploit the lines of North and the East and the lines that subsequently obtain concession. De imediato a Companhia Real muda a bitola (1,44 metros) da linha já construída entre Lisboa e Asseca (68 Km.), passando-a para a bitola ibérica, com 1,67 metros, sem haver qualquer interrupção no serviço ferroviário. From immediate changes to the Company Real gauge (1.44 m) of the line already built between Lisbon and of Asseca (68 km), passing it to gauge the Iberian, with 1.67 metres, without any interruption in rail service. [Short History of the Railways in Portugal]. Archived from the original on 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2009-10-13. [1]
^Churcher, Colin. . Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011. ... the broad gauge of 7 feet 0¼ inches ... was that chosen by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway.
^Kers, Ernst. . Archived from the original on March 14, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011. ... Stöckl did measure the gauge himself: 7 foot / 2134 mm! The gauge which was favoured by Brunel in the 19th century in England ...
April 19, 2024
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Iberian gauge Spanish ancho iberico trocha iberica Portuguese bitola iberica is a track gauge of 1 668 mm 5 ft 5 21 32 in most extensively used by the railways of Spain and Portugal A broad gauge it is the second widest gauge in regular use anywhere in the world with only Indian gauge railways 5 ft 6 in 1 676 mm being wider by 8 mm 5 16 in As finally established in 1955 1 the Iberian gauge is a compromise between the similar but slightly different gauges adopted as respective national standards in Spain and Portugal in the mid 19th century The main railway networks of Spain were initially constructed to a 1 672 mm 5 ft 5 13 16 in gauge of six Castilian feet Those of Portugal were instead built to a 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in and later railways to a 1 664 mm 5 ft 5 1 2 in gauge of five Portuguese feet close enough to allow interoperability with Spanish railways 2 Contents 1 Standard gauge 2 Similar gauges and compatibility 3 Iberian gauge railway networks 4 See also 5 ReferencesStandard gauge editSince the beginning of the 1990s new high speed passenger lines in Spain have been built to the international standard gauge of 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in to allow these lines to link to the European high speed network Although the 22 km from Tardienta to Huesca part of a branch from the Madrid to Barcelona high speed line has been reconstructed as mixed Iberic and standard gauge in general the interface between the two gauges in Spain is dealt with by means of gauge changing installations which can adjust the gauge of appropriately designed wheelsets on the move 3 4 Plans exist to convert more of the Iberian gauge network in Spain and Portugal to standard gauge an indication of which is the use on several stretches of recently relaid broad gauge track of concrete sleepers pre drilled with additional bolt holes allowing for repositioning of one rail to adjust the track to standard gauge or to dual gauge or the narrowing of the gauge by moving both rails closer together maintaining the perfect alignment of the loading gauge 5 6 Similar gauges and compatibility editThe Indian gauge 1 676 mm or 5 ft 6 in is closely similar with only 8 mm 5 16 in difference and allows compatibility with the rolling stock For example in recent years Chile and Argentina have bought second hand Spanish Portuguese Iberian gauge rolling stock 1 668 mm trains can run on 1 676 mm gauge without adaptation but for better stability in high speed running a replacement wheelset may be required for example the Russian Finnish train Allegro is built for a 1 522 mm track gauge intermediate between the Russian 1 520 mm and the Finnish 1 524 mm Backward compatibility 1 676 mm trains on 1 668 mm gauge is possible but no examples and data exist Due to the somewhat narrower gauge a strong wear of the wheels may occur if the wheelset is not replaced Iberian gauge railway networks editCountry territory RailwayPortugal Infraestruturas de Portugal network Adjusted from the original 1 664 mm 5 ft 5 1 2 in in the 19th century Other gauges used in Portugal 7 ft 1 4 in 2 140 mm 7 or 7 ft 2 134 mm 8 Azores 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 000 mm 3 ft 3 3 8 in 900 mm 2 ft 11 7 16 in and 600 mm 1 ft 11 5 8 in Spain Adjusted from the original 1 672 mm 5 ft 5 13 16 in in the 19th century Adif managed national railway network except new high speed railway lines Although Lleida La Pobla de Segur Line is both managed and operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya FGC it was formerly part of the national railway network and was constructed to the 1 668 mm 5 ft 5 21 32 in gauge Barcelona Metro line 1 still uses the former 1 672 mm 5 ft 5 13 16 in gauge See also edit nbsp Trains portalHistory of rail transport in Portugal History of rail transport in Spain Rail transport in Portugal Rail transport in SpainReferences edit Christian Garcia Enseleit November 2010 Sistemas automaticos de cambio de ancho de via en Espana Automatic gauge changing systems in Spain PDF in Spanish Archived from the original PDF on 2012 01 19 Retrieved 2021 12 05 The gauge of the early Portuguese lines built to the English later international gauge was subsequently altered to Iberian to ensure interoperability Assim em 20 de Junho de 1860 funda a Companhia Real dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses que se propoe explorar as Linhas do Norte e do Leste e as linhas de que posteriormente obtivesse concessao Thus on June 20 1860 founded the Society of Real Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses it proposes to exploit the lines of North and the East and the lines that subsequently obtain concession De imediato a Companhia Real muda a bitola 1 44 metros da linha ja construida entre Lisboa e Asseca 68 Km passando a para a bitola iberica com 1 67 metros sem haver qualquer interrupcao no servico ferroviario From immediate changes to the Company Real gauge 1 44 m of the line already built between Lisbon and of Asseca 68 km passing it to gauge the Iberian with 1 67 metres without any interruption in rail service Pequena historia dos Caminhos de Ferro em Portugal Short History of the Railways in Portugal Archived from the original on 2008 03 27 Retrieved 2009 10 13 1 Talgo Date 2008 09 04 Archived 2007 09 28 at the Wayback Machine CAF Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles we create railway solutions Archived 2012 02 04 at the Wayback Machine Verkehrsrundschau 2007 04 30 Archived from the original on 2019 01 29 Retrieved 2010 08 21 Reisebranche TRAVEL INSIDE Churcher Colin Broad Gauge Railway Relics in the Acores Archived from the original on June 28 2011 Retrieved May 3 2011 the broad gauge of 7 feet 0 inches was that chosen by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway Kers Ernst Acores Broad gauge harbor line Archived from the original on March 14 2011 Retrieved May 3 2011 Stockl did measure the gauge himself 7 foot 2134 mm The gauge which was favoured by Brunel in the 19th century in England Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Iberian gauge railways amp 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