Components of a permanent way, Gauge, Factors affecting for adoption of perticular gauge, Problems Caused by Change of Gauge

Components of a railway track or permanent way:

1. Formation or subgrade
2. Ballast
3. Sleepers
4. Rails
5. Fixtures and fastenings

Gauge: Gauge is defined as the minimum clear horizontal distance between the inner (running) face of two rails. Various gauges are adopted by different railways within the world. This are given below

Types of gauge	Gauge (mm)	Countries
Broad gauge	1676	India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Brazil, Argentina
Standard gauge	1435	England, USA, Canada, Turkey, Persia, and China
Cape gauge	1067	Africa, Japan, Java, Australia, and New Zealand
Meter gauge	1000	India, France, Switzerland, and Argentina
Narrow gauge	760 and 610	India (hilly area)

Factors affecting for adoption of particular gauge:

1. Intensity of population 
2. Intensity of traffic
3. Industrial and commercial development of the locality
4. funds available for railway project
5. prospect future development of area
6. Topographical and geological features of the country

Problems Caused by Change of Gauge:

1. It cause much inconvenience to the passengers to climbing stairs and crossing bridges, Transporting luggage, 
2. It cause delay movement of people and goods
3. It results in wastage of time. 
4. Extra labour  need for loading and unloading the large volume of goods at trans-shipment points.
5. Duplicate equipment and facilities such as yards, platforms, godowns, sheds need to be provided for both gauges at trans-shipment points.
6. As wagons need to move empty within the direction of the trans-shipment point, they're not fully utilized. Similarly, idle wagons of 1 gauge can't be moved on another gauge.