Compatibility between 60 cm and 24 in gauge

[Bob Meckley]

This will be my first post in a very long time, but I have technical question that was brought up last night by a friend. Can 60 cm (WW1 Trench Railroad) gauge cars and locomotives run on 24" gauge track? He thought that the 23.622 track gauge would be in tolerance to the nominal 24" but that the wheel back to back spacing might not let the wheels pass through a turnout. Are there any other issues that would be a problem?

Bob Meckley

[John L Dobson]

The back-to-back distance in wheelsets is critical, even when the nominal track gauge is the same. Here in Wales, locomotives and rolling stock from the Ffestiniog can run safely on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, but not vice-versa because the VofR back-to back is less than that of FR stock and would therefore ride up on check rails.

[Ted Miles]

I think the Boothbay Railway Village is running both kinds or measurements of wheels on their railroad. I do not think that those German industrial locomotives are very fussy about the track and switches they run through.

Ted Miles, WW&F Lfe Member