66-669: All lines are Kintetsu unless otherwise noted The Shima Line ( 志摩線 , Shima-sen ) is a railway line in Mie Prefecture , Japan, operated by private railway operator Kintetsu Railway , connecting Toba Station in Toba with Kashikojima Station in Shima . The line connects with the Toba Line at Toba Station. The Yamada Line , Toba Line, and Shima Line form a single train line that begins at Ise-Nakagawa Station and serves
132-616: A gauge of 5 ft 6 in ( 1,676 mm ), and the Ulster Railway of 1839 used 6 ft 2 in ( 1,880 mm ). Locomotives were being developed in the first decades of the 19th century; they took various forms, but George Stephenson developed a successful locomotive on the Killingworth Wagonway , where he worked. His designs were successful, and when the Stockton and Darlington Railway
198-580: A novelty in the shape of a mixed-gauge goods train was introduced between Truro and Penzance. It was worked by a narrow-gauge engine, and behind the narrow-gauge trucks came a broad-gauge match-truck with wide buffers and sliding shackles, followed by the broad-gauge trucks. Such trains continued to run in West Cornwall until the abolition of the Broad Gauge; they had to stop or come down to walking pace at all stations where fixed points existed and
264-431: A rail network must have wheelsets that are compatible with the track gauge. Since many different track gauges exist worldwide, gauge differences often present a barrier to wider operation on railway networks. The term derives from the metal bar, or gauge, that is used to ensure the distance between the rails is correct. Railways also deploy two other gauges to ensure compliance with a required standard. A loading gauge
330-525: A request was made to members of an already-established railway company, Tokyu Corporation , to see if the plan drawn up by Shima Electric Railway was sound. In the end, the only recommendation made was that the terminus be extended from Ugata to a nearby uninhabited island in Ago Bay called Kashiko Island , citing the island's natural beauty as conducive to establishing a profitable resort and tourism industry catering to travelers and pilgrims already coming to
396-469: A seat pitch of 1,300 mm (51 in). The intermediate "Regular" cars will have 2+2 abreast seating and a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in). Seating in both types of accommodation will consist of fixed-back shell seats. In May 2022 Kintetsu announced that new commuter trainsets, classified as 8A would be in service for October 2024. Kintetsu accepts ICOCA , PiTaPa , and other compatible nation-wide IC cards throughout their network except on
462-657: A slight variation from the nominal gauge for pragmatic reasons. The gauge is defined in imperial units , metric units or SI units. Imperial units were established in the United Kingdom by the Weights and Measures Act 1824 . The United States customary units for length did not agree with the imperial system until 1959, when one international yard was defined as 0.9144 meters and, as derived units, 1 foot (= 1 ⁄ 3 yd) as 0.3048 meter and 1 inch (= 1 ⁄ 36 yd) as 25.4 mm. The list shows
528-503: Is a Japanese passenger railway company, managing infrastructure and operating passenger train service. Its railway system is the largest in Japan, excluding Japan Railways Group . The railway network connects Osaka , Nara , Kyoto , Nagoya , Tsu , Ise , and Yoshino . Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. On September 16, 1910, Nara Tramway Co., Ltd. ( 奈良軌道株式会社 , Nara Kidō )
594-420: Is a two-dimensional profile that encompasses a cross-section of the track, a rail vehicle and a maximum-sized load: all rail vehicles and their loads must be contained in the corresponding envelope. A structure gauge specifies the outline into which structures (bridges, platforms, lineside equipment etc.) must not encroach. The most common use of the term "track gauge" refers to the transverse distance between
660-422: Is generally known world-wide as being 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ). Terms such as broad gauge and narrow gauge do not have any fixed meaning beyond being materially wider or narrower than standard. In British practice, the space between the rails of a track is colloquially referred to as the "four-foot", and the space between two tracks the "six-foot", descriptions relating to
726-554: Is the dominant gauge in countries in Indian subcontinent, the former Soviet Union ( CIS states, Baltic states, Georgia and Ukraine), Mongolia, Finland (which still uses the original Soviet Gauge of 1524mm), Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile and Ireland. It is also used for the suburban railway systems in South Australia , and Victoria , Australia . The term "medium gauge" had different meanings throughout history, depending on
SECTION 10
#1732794586122792-552: Is the dominant or second dominant gauge in countries of Southern, Central Africa, East Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Central America and South America, During the period known as " the Battle of the gauges ", Stephenson's standard gauge was commonly known as "narrow gauge", while Brunel's railway's 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ) gauge was termed " broad gauge ". Many narrow gauge railways were built in mountainous regions such as Wales ,
858-669: Is the owner and operator of the lines. All lines operate with 1,500 V DC overhead catenary except for the Keihanna Line, which operates on 750 V DC third rail. Following line belongs to Kintetsu's Type II Railway Business ( 第二種鉄道事業 , Dai-nishu tetsudō jigyō ) under the Railway Business Act. This means that Kintetsu operates trains on the line, but the owner of the railway trackage is a separate company. Following lines belong to Kintetsu's Type III Railway Business ( 第三種鉄道事業 , Dai-sanshu tetsudō jigyō ) under
924-506: Is typically greater for track limited to slower speeds, and tighter for track where higher speeds are expected (as an example, in the US the gauge is allowed to vary between 4 ft 8 in (1,420 mm) to 4 ft 10 in (1,470 mm) for track limited to 10 mph (16 km/h), while 70 mph (110 km/h) track is allowed only 4 ft 8 in (1,420 mm) to 4 ft 9 + 1 ⁄ 2 in (1,460 mm). Given
990-410: Is undertaken when no other alternative is available. The nominal track gauge is the distance between the inner faces of the rails. In current practice, it is specified at a certain distance below the rail head as the inner faces of the rail head (the gauge faces ) are not necessarily vertical. Some amount of tolerance is necessarily allowed from the nominal gauge to allow for wear, etc.; this tolerance
1056-550: Is used between China and Central Asia, and between Poland and Ukraine, using the SUW 2000 and INTERGAUGE variable axle systems. China and Poland use standard gauge, while Central Asia and Ukraine use 1,520 mm ( 4 ft 11 + 27 ⁄ 32 in ). When individual railway companies have chosen different gauges and have needed to share a route where space on the ground is limited, mixed gauge (or dual gauge) track, in which three (sometimes four) rails are supported in
1122-594: The ATS system, a new switching network, and gentler curves. The renovated Shima Line and the newly built Toba Line opened together in March 1970, and Kintetsu began running limited express trains from Kintetsu Namba and Kintetsu Nagoya to Kashikojima just in time for the beginning of the World's Fair. The sharp increase of passengers on the line also motivated Kintetsu to invest money in a variety of tourism business enterprises in
1188-599: The Bratislava – Lviv train, and the Romania/Moldova border on the Chișinău – Bucharest train. A system developed by Talgo and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) of Spain uses variable gauge wheelsets ; at the border between France and Spain, through passenger trains are drawn slowly through an apparatus that alters the gauge of the wheels, which slide laterally on the axles. A similar system
1254-528: The Great Western Railway adopted a gauge of 7 ft ( 2,134 mm ), later eased to 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ). This became known as broad gauge . The Great Western Railway (GWR) was successful and was greatly expanded, directly and through friendly associated companies, widening the scope of broad gauge. At the same time, other parts of Britain built railways to standard gauge, and British technology
1320-574: The Ise-Shima tourist region. LO Local (普通 futsū ) LE Limited Express (特急 tokkyū ) NS Non-stop Limited Express (ノンストップ特急 nonsutoppu tokkyū ) SV Premium Express Shimakaze (しまかぜ Shimakaze ) During the Meiji era , travelers coming to modern-day Shima walked along the Ise-Isobe road, now known as Mie Route 32 . In 1911, as
1386-615: The Ise-Shima , especially along the Shima Line. In 1986, it was decided that a second track on the Shima Line would assist in increasing the speed and number of trains on the line. Construction took several years and now most but not all of the line has dual tracks. The Aomine Tunnel between Shiraki and Gochi was also added to the line during this phase. Kintetsu Railway Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd. ( 近畿日本鉄道株式会社 , Kinki-nippon Tetsudō Kabushiki-gaisha ) , referred to as Kintetsu ( 近鉄 ) and officially Kinki-Nippon Railway ,
SECTION 20
#17327945861221452-686: The Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway (1826) in the West of Scotland used 4 ft 6 in ( 1,372 mm ); the Dundee and Newtyle Railway (1831) in the north-east of Scotland adopted 4 ft 6 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,384 mm ); the Redruth and Chasewater Railway (1825) in Cornwall chose 4 ft ( 1,219 mm ). The Arbroath and Forfar Railway opened in 1838 with
1518-1013: The Rocky Mountains of North America, Central Europe and South America. Industrial railways and mine railways across the world are often narrow gauge. Sugar cane and banana plantations are mostly served by narrow gauges. Very narrow gauges of under 2 feet (610 mm) were used for some industrial railways in space-restricted environments such as mines or farms. The French company Decauville developed 500 mm ( 19 + 3 ⁄ 4 in ) and 400 mm ( 15 + 3 ⁄ 4 in ) tracks, mainly for mines; Heywood developed 15 in ( 381 mm ) gauge for estate railways . The most common minimum gauges were 15 in ( 381 mm ), 400 mm ( 15 + 3 ⁄ 4 in ), 16 in ( 406 mm ), 18 in ( 457 mm ), 500 mm ( 19 + 3 ⁄ 4 in ) or 20 in ( 508 mm ). Through operation between railway networks with different gauges
1584-489: The Toba Line , and to make direct service possible between the Shima Line, the under-construction Toba Line, the Yamada Line, and beyond, the Shima Line was closed for four months in late 1969 and early 1970 to change the gauge to 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) and double the voltage to 1,500 V DC to match the other Kintetsu lines it would connect with. Other improvements were added such as
1650-496: The Transmongolian Railway , Russia and Mongolia use 1,520 mm ( 4 ft 11 + 27 ⁄ 32 in ) while China uses the standard gauge of 1,435 mm. At the border, each carriage is lifted and its bogies are changed . The operation can take several hours for a whole train of many carriages. Other examples include crossings into or out of the former Soviet Union: Ukraine/Slovakia border on
1716-543: The GWR's broad gauge continued to grow. The larger railway companies wished to expand geographically, and large areas were considered to be under their control. When a new independent line was proposed to open up an unconnected area, the gauge was crucial in determining the allegiance that the line would adopt: if it was broad gauge, it must be friendly to the Great Western railway; if narrow (standard) gauge, it must favour
1782-405: The GWR, there was an extended period between political intervention in 1846 that prevented major expansion of its 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ) broad gauge and the final gauge conversion to standard gauge in 1892. During this period, many locations practicality required mixed gauge operation, and in station areas the track configuration was extremely complex. This
1848-530: The Ikoma cable car and Katsuragi ropeway. Various discount tickets are also available from their website or ticket machines, with varying valid areas and usage periods. Surutto Kansai passes can be used in the Keihanshin area, west of Aoyamachō and north of Tsubosakayama stations. Rail gauge In rail transport , track gauge is the distance between the two rails of a railway track . All vehicles on
1914-560: The Meiji era neared its end, the government-owned Sangū Line (now owned by JR Central ) was extended from the city of Ujiyamada (modern-day Ise ) to Toba , making Toba the default origin of any railroad to Shima, and not Ujiyamada. During the 1910s, as the Taishō period began, many plans were put forth by various members of the railroad industry, but none were implemented. In 1923, Shima Electric Railway ( 志摩電気鉄道 , Shima Denki Tetsudō )
1980-829: The Railway Business Act. This means that Kintetsu is the owner of the railway facility, but the trains are operated by separate companies. Until September 30, 2007, those lines were part of the Category 1 railway business. Kintetsu trains also run on the Osaka Metro Chūō Line (all Keihanna Line trains), the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line , and the Hanshin Railway Hanshin Namba Line , but such lines are not Kintetsu lines. To separate both former Kankyū lines and Nankai Railway lines, on June 1, 1947,
2046-402: The allowed tolerance, it is a common practice to widen the gauge slightly in curves, particularly those of shorter radius (which are inherently slower speed curves). Rolling stock on the network must have running gear ( wheelsets ) that are compatible with the gauge, and therefore the gauge is a key parameter in determining interoperability, but there are many others – see below. In some cases in
Shima Line - Misplaced Pages Continue
2112-404: The area to visit nearby Ise Grand Shrine . Executives at Shima Electric Railway incorporated this suggestion into their plan and decided the line would include two stations on Kashiko Island: Kashikojima Station for tourists, and Shinjukō Station ( 真珠港駅 , lit: Pearl Port Station) , the new terminus, for use as a freight station by the area's marine industry. However, the people living near Ugata,
2178-561: The convenience in laying it and changing its location over unimproved ground. In restricted spaces such as tunnels, the temporary way might be double track even though the tunnel will ultimately be single track. The Airport Rail Link in Sydney had construction trains of 900 mm ( 2 ft 11 + 7 ⁄ 16 in ) gauge, which were replaced by permanent tracks of 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) gauge. During World War I, trench warfare led to
2244-448: The earliest days of railways, the railway company saw itself as an infrastructure provider only, and independent hauliers provided wagons suited to the gauge. Colloquially the wagons might be referred to as "four-foot gauge wagons", say, if the track had a gauge of four feet. This nominal value does not equate to the flange spacing, as some freedom is allowed for. An infrastructure manager might specify new or replacement track components at
2310-593: The first private railway service from Osaka to Nagoya. Another subsidiary Sankyū bought Kansai Express Electric Railway on January 1, 1940 and continued the service on its own. Then, Sankyū consolidated Yoro Railway Co., Ltd. ( 養老鉄道株式会社 , Yōrō Tetsudō , not the present Yoro Railway Co., Ltd.) on August 1. Daiki consolidated its largest subsidiary Sankyū on March 15, 1941 and was renamed Kansai Express Railway Co., Ltd. ( 関西急行鉄道 , Kansai Kyūko Tetsudō , Kankyū (関急)) . Kankyū consolidated Osaka Railway Co., Ltd. ( 大阪鉄道株式会社 , Ōsaka Tetsudō , Daitetsu (大鉄), owner of
2376-690: The following lines were transferred to Nankai Electric Railway Co. Ltd. that was renamed from Kōyasan Electric Railway Co., Ltd. As of 1 April 2017 , Kintetsu operates a fleet of 1,905 electric multiple unit (EMU) vehicles, the second largest fleet for a private railway operator in Japan after Tokyo Metro (2,766 vehicles). The newest Hinotori 80000 series EMU trainsets entered revenue service on limited express services between Osaka Namba and Kintetsu Nagoya in spring 2020. Eight six-car sets and three eight-car sets, 72 vehicles in total, will enter service by 2021. The end cars in each set will be designated "High Grade cars" with 1+2 abreast seating and
2442-404: The gauge selection was pragmatic: the track would have to fit the rolling stock. If locomotives were imported from elsewhere, especially in the early days, the track would be built to fit them. In some cases standard gauge was adopted, but many countries or companies chose a different gauge as their national gauge, either by governmental policy, or as a matter of individual choice. Standard gauge
2508-610: The growing problem, and this led to the Regulating the Gauge of Railways Act 1846 , which forbade the construction of broad gauge lines unconnected with the broad gauge network. The broad gauge network was eventually converted—a progressive process completed in 1892, called gauge conversion . The same Act mandated the gauge of 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ) for use in Ireland. As railways were built in other countries,
2574-423: The imperial and other units that have been used for track gauge definitions: A temporary way is the temporary track often used for construction, to be replaced by the permanent way (the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers/ties and ballast (or slab track), plus the underlying subgrade) when construction nears completion. In many cases narrow-gauge track is used for a temporary way because of
2640-416: The inside surfaces of the two load-bearing rails of a railway track , usually measured at 12.7 millimetres (0.50 inches) to 15.9 millimetres (0.63 inches) below the top of the rail head in order to clear worn corners and allow for rail heads having sloping sides. The term derives from the "gauge", a metal bar with a precisely positioned lug at each end that track crews use to ensure the actual distance between
2706-463: The line came under its current name and ownership. In acquiring the line, Kintetsu now had a problem because the Shima Line, which originated at Toba Station, was not connected with the rest of Kintetsu's extensive rail network which stretched only as far as Ujiyamada Station in Ise. Moreover, the railway gauge and voltage used on the Shima Line were different from the majority of Kintetsu lines, including
Shima Line - Misplaced Pages Continue
2772-552: The local dominant gauge in use. In 1840s, the 1,600 mm ( 5 ft 3 in ) Irish gauge was considered a medium gauge compared to Brunel's 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ) broad gauge and the 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) narrow gauge, which became the modern standard gauge . In modern usage, the term "narrow gauge" generally refers to track spaced significantly narrower than 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ). Narrow gauge
2838-404: The narrow portion side-stepped to right or left. In rare situations, three different gauges may converge on to a rail yard and triple-gauge track is needed to meet the operational needs of the break-of-gauge station – most commonly where there is insufficient space to do otherwise. Construction and operation of triple-gauge track and its signalling, however, involves immense cost and disruption, and
2904-451: The nearby Yamada Line which terminated at Ujiyamada. For the time being, Kintetsu offered bus service between Ujiyamada and Toba, but in the late 1960s they decided it was worthwhile to create a rail connection between the two in hopes of attracting customers from the upcoming 1970 World's Fair in Osaka by offering direct rail service to the area. This was the impetus for the construction of
2970-427: The original plan had been drafted. In 1944, Shima Electric Railway, along with six other companies, merged to form Mie Transport ( Sanco ). Twenty years later, the railway department of Sanco split off to become a separate company called Mie Electric Railway ( Sanden ), however this organization was short-lived as it was bought up by railway giant Kinki Nippon Railway ( Kintetsu ) the following year, and thus in 1965
3036-448: The original terminus, opposed the new plan because they felt having the line's endpoint in their area would bring economic benefit. This period of opposition lasted for four years, during which people living near Ugata refused to sell the land needed by Shima Electric Railway to lay track leading to Kashiko Island, thereby delaying construction. After an agreement was reached, the line was finally completed and opened in 1929, five years after
3102-416: The other companies. The battle to persuade or coerce that choice became very intense, and became referred to as "the gauge wars" . As passenger and freight transport between the two areas became increasingly important, the difficulty of moving from one gauge to the other—the break of gauge —became more prominent and more objectionable. In 1845 a Royal Commission on Railway Gauges was created to look into
3168-494: The present Minami Osaka Line ) on February 1, 1943 and moved its headquarters from Uehommachi to Osaka Abenobashi. Kankyū was renamed Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd. ( 近畿日本鉄道株式会社 , Kinki Nippon Tetsudō , Kinki Nippon (近畿日本) or Kin-nichi (近日)) after it consolidated Nankai Railway in June 1944: it maintained the name when Nankai regained its independence in 1947. After World War II , Kintetsu branched out and became one of
3234-545: The rails lies within tolerances of a prescribed standard: on curves, for example, the spacing is wider than normal. Deriving from the name of the bar, the distance between these rails is also referred to as the track gauge. The earliest form of railway was a wooden wagonway, along which single wagons were manhandled, almost always in or from a mine or quarry. Initially the wagons were guided by human muscle power; subsequently by various mechanical methods. Timber rails wore rapidly: later, flat cast-iron plates were provided to limit
3300-604: The respective dimensions. In modern usage the term "standard gauge" refers to 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ). Standard gauge is dominant in a majority of countries, including those in North America, most of western Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and China. In modern usage, the term "broad gauge" generally refers to track spaced significantly wider than 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ). Broad gauge
3366-418: The same day Kintetsu Corporation was split, it was renamed as Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. as a holding company, while Kintetsu Split Preparatory Company, Ltd. was renamed as Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd. Following lines belong to Kintetsu's Type I Railway Business ( 第一種鉄道事業 , Dai-isshu tetsudō jigyō ) and Cableway ( 索道 , sakudō ) Business under the Railway Business Act. This means that Kintetsu
SECTION 50
#17327945861223432-416: The same track structure, can be necessary. The most frequent need for such track was at the approaches to city terminals or at break-of-gauge stations. Tracks of multiple gauges involve considerable costs in construction (including signalling work) and complexities in track maintenance, and may require some speed restrictions. They are therefore built only when absolutely necessary. If the difference between
3498-463: The track could be extended from the immediate vicinity of the mine or quarry, typically to a navigable waterway. The wagons were built to a consistent pattern and the track would be made to suit the needs of the horses and wagons: the gauge was more critical. The Penydarren Tramroad of 1802 in South Wales, a plateway, spaced these at 4 ft 4 in ( 1,321 mm ) over the outside of
3564-617: The two gauges is large enough – for example between 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) standard gauge and 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) – three-rail dual-gauge is possible, but if not – for example between 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) and 1,000 mm ( 3 ft 3 + 3 ⁄ 8 in ) metre gauge – four rails must be used. Dual-gauge rail lines occur (or have occurred) in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan, North Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia and Vietnam. On
3630-452: The upstands. The Penydarren Tramroad probably carried the first journey by a locomotive, in 1804, and it was successful for the locomotive, but unsuccessful for the track: the plates were not strong enough to carry its weight. A considerable progressive step was made when cast iron edge rails were first employed; these had the major axis of the rail section configured vertically, giving a much stronger section to resist bending forces, and this
3696-415: The wear. In some localities, the plates were made L-shaped, with the vertical part of the L guiding the wheels; this is generally referred to as a "plateway". Flanged wheels eventually became universal, and the spacing between the rails had to be compatible with that of the wagon wheels. As the guidance of the wagons was improved, short strings of wagons could be connected and pulled by teams of horses, and
3762-825: The world's largest travel agencies, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd., opening offices in the United States of America (Kintetsu International Express, Inc.) and other countries. The first charged limited express train service started between Uehommachi and Nagoya in 1947, and this is the start of the present Kintetsu limited express trains. The rail network was mostly completed by consolidating Nara Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 奈良電気鉄道株式会社 , Naraden (奈良電)) , Shigi-Ikoma Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 信貴生駒電鉄株式会社 ) , Mie Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 三重電気鉄道株式会社 , Mieden (三重電)) and other companies. Kintetsu moved its headquarters again from Osaka Abenobashi to Osaka Uehommachi on December 5, 1969. On June 28, 2003, Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd.
3828-441: Was compounded by the common rail having to be at the platform side in stations; therefore, in many cases, standard-gauge trains needed to be switched from one side of the track to the other at the approach. A special fixed point arrangement was devised for the purpose, where the track layout was simple enough. In some cases, mixed gauge trains were operated with wagons of both gauges. For example, MacDermot wrote: In November 1871
3894-543: Was established by Kakuya Morimoto, and by 1924 the plan for a railroad to Shima was finally approved. This plan specified Toba Station as the origin, as well as a track gauge of 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in ), allowing the line to connect directly with the Sangū Line (also 1,067 mm ) in Toba. The original plan also specified that Ugata Station would be the terminus. However, shortly before construction began,
3960-550: Was exported to European countries and parts of North America, also using standard gauge. Britain polarised into two areas: those that used broad gauge and those that used standard gauge. In this context, standard gauge was referred to as "narrow gauge" to indicate the contrast. Some smaller concerns selected other non-standard gauges: the Eastern Counties Railway adopted 5 ft ( 1,524 mm ). Most of them converted to standard gauge at an early date, but
4026-877: Was founded and renamed Osaka Electric Tramway Co., Ltd. ( 大阪電気軌道株式会社 , Ōsaka Denki Kidō , Daiki (大軌)) a month after. Osaka Electric Tramway completed Ikoma Tunnel and started operating a line between Osaka and Nara (present-day Nara Line ) on April 30, 1914. The modern Kashihara, Osaka, and Shigi lines were completed in the 1920s, followed by the Kyoto Line (a cooperative venture with Keihan Electric Railway ). Daiki founded Sangu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 参宮急行電鉄株式会社 , Sangū Kyūkō Dentetsu , Sankyū (参急)) in 1927, which consolidated Ise Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 伊勢電気鉄道株式会社 , Ise Denki Tetsudō , Iseden (伊勢電)) on September 15, 1936. In 1938, Daiki teamed up with its subsidiary Kansai Express Electric Railway Co., Ltd. ( 関西急行電鉄株式会社 , Kansai Kyūkō Dentetsu ) to operate
SECTION 60
#17327945861224092-497: Was further improved when fish-belly rails were introduced. Edge rails required a close match between rail spacing and the configuration of the wheelsets, and the importance of the gauge was reinforced. Railways were still seen as local concerns: there was no appreciation of a future connection to other lines, and the choice of track gauge was still a pragmatic decision based on local requirements and prejudices, and probably determined by existing local designs of (road) vehicles. Thus,
4158-582: Was opened in 1825, it used his locomotives, with the same gauge as the Killingworth line , 4 ft 8 in ( 1,422 mm ). The Stockton and Darlington line was very successful, and when the Liverpool and Manchester Railway , the first intercity line, was opened in 1830, it used the same gauge. It too was very successful, and the gauge, widened to 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in or 1,435 mm and named " standard gauge ",
4224-532: Was originally impossible; goods had to be transshipped and passengers had to change trains. This was obviously a major obstacle to convenient transport, and in Great Britain, led to political intervention. On narrow gauge lines, rollbocks or transporter wagons are used: standard gauge wagons are carried on narrow gauge lines on these special vehicles, generally with rails of the wider gauge to enable those vehicles to roll on and off at transfer points. On
4290-413: Was renamed Kintetsu Corporation. The corporation was split on April 1, 2015. Its railway business division was succeeded by Kintetsu Split Preparatory Company, Ltd. (founded on April 30, 2014), while its real estate business division by Kintetsu Real Estate Co., Ltd., its hotel business division by Kintetsu Hotel Systems, Inc., and its retail business by Kintetsu Retail Service Corporation, respectively. On
4356-556: Was well on its way to becoming the established norm. The Liverpool and Manchester was quickly followed by other trunk railways, with the Grand Junction Railway and the London and Birmingham Railway forming a huge preponderance of standard gauge . When Bristol promoters planned a line from London, they employed the innovative engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel . He decided on a wider gauge, to give greater stability, and
#121878