3 ms·

Why not build parallel tracks, but with the same gauge? > This can be a lesson on how to run complex systems in general. This sounds like cargo culting. Japan

Why not build parallel tracks, but with the same gauge? > This can be a lesson on how to run complex systems in general. This sounds like cargo culting. Japan has great train system, it has to be because of separate gauges!

throwup238 3y ago
> Why not build parallel tracks, but with the same gauge? Jevon's paradox [1] probably. The most profitable part of the rail system will grow to crowd out and interfere with the rest. By keeping it different gauges, they all operate independent of each other's incentives. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox
- The_Colonel 3y ago
  I don't really see this dynamic working in rail. In Japan, many of the companies operate trains on two gauges. People read too much into this, it's mostly just historical reasons. Most slow Japanese rail has a quite narrow gauge which is less suitable for high speed trains. The interoperability benefit is limited since you typically won't want to operate both Shinkanzens and local trains on the same rail. Having different gauges provides no real benefit. It's just that unifying gauges provides too little benefit to justify the massive investment required. I expect this to be the same for most other countries. (and for similar problems like different railway electrification systems within/across countries)
  - feitingen 3y ago
    > The interoperability benefit is limited since you typically won't want to operate both Shinkanzens and local trains on the same rail. > Having different gauges provides no real benefit. The only place it would be beneficial to have the same gauge would be at stations, to have fewer, more flexibile platforms and smaller train stations.
    - The_Colonel 3y ago
      I can see other advantages like having same maintanence rail cars, emergency rail cars, ability to divert traffic in case of accidents. I guess there are even more such minor advantages.
  - pvaldes 3y ago
    >Having different gauges provides no real benefit Unless you live in the Europe of Napoleon or Hitler, when they were built. Then the benefit is huge and obvious. Imagine how much easier the life would had been for Ukranians if the Russian trains that transport heavy army stuff would operate by default in a different rail width
enaaem 3y ago
Because different countries might have different gauges. Japanese system is great not because they have different gauges, but because they don’t see it as a problem if there are different gauges. In general, Japan has many train companies that run on totally separate systems.
pvaldes 3y ago
Many of this tracks cross big cities. Doubling the rails in those places would need to demolish thousands of extant buildings

throwup238 3y ago

> Why not build parallel tracks, but with the same gauge? Jevon's paradox [1] probably. The most profitable part of the rail system will grow to crowd out and interfere with the rest. By keeping it different gauges, they all operate independent of each other's incentives. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox

The_Colonel 3y ago
I don't really see this dynamic working in rail. In Japan, many of the companies operate trains on two gauges. People read too much into this, it's mostly just historical reasons. Most slow Japanese rail has a quite narrow gauge which is less suitable for high speed trains. The interoperability benefit is limited since you typically won't want to operate both Shinkanzens and local trains on the same rail. Having different gauges provides no real benefit. It's just that unifying gauges provides too little benefit to justify the massive investment required. I expect this to be the same for most other countries. (and for similar problems like different railway electrification systems within/across countries)
- feitingen 3y ago
  > The interoperability benefit is limited since you typically won't want to operate both Shinkanzens and local trains on the same rail. > Having different gauges provides no real benefit. The only place it would be beneficial to have the same gauge would be at stations, to have fewer, more flexibile platforms and smaller train stations.
  - The_Colonel 3y ago
    I can see other advantages like having same maintanence rail cars, emergency rail cars, ability to divert traffic in case of accidents. I guess there are even more such minor advantages.
- pvaldes 3y ago
  >Having different gauges provides no real benefit Unless you live in the Europe of Napoleon or Hitler, when they were built. Then the benefit is huge and obvious. Imagine how much easier the life would had been for Ukranians if the Russian trains that transport heavy army stuff would operate by default in a different rail width

enaaem 3y ago

Because different countries might have different gauges. Japanese system is great not because they have different gauges, but because they don’t see it as a problem if there are different gauges. In general, Japan has many train companies that run on totally separate systems.

pvaldes 3y ago

Many of this tracks cross big cities. Doubling the rails in those places would need to demolish thousands of extant buildings