Why 60% of Global Railways Use 1435mm Gauge?
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- Issue Time
- Dec 25,2025
Summary
In 1830, George Stephenson's "Rocket" established the 1435mm (4 feet 8.5 inches) gauge as the world's standard.
1830, George Stephenson's "Rocket" established the 1435mm (4 feet 8.5 inches) gauge as the world's standard.
“I believe many people assume that this must be the most scientific and reasonable dimension, determined only after extensive calculations and experiments by scientists, designers, and engineers.”
However, the historical answer might be more surprising: it was largely the result of industrial convention, historical contingency, and the widespread adoption of an early successful technology, rather than purely optimal calculation.
Path Dependence Theory
The development path of a system (such as technology, institutions, or enterprises) is profoundly influenced by its initial state and early historical events. Once a particular path is chosen, factors such as switching costs, learning effects, coordination effects, and adaptive expectations may "lock" the system into that path, making it difficult to change even if superior alternatives exist.
The origin of the 1435mm standard gauge is a textbook case of Path Dependence Theory.
Key Facts About Standard Gauge
⚪ Global Coverage: Approximately 60% of railways use 1435mm gauge
⚪ Historical Origin: Traces back to ancient Roman chariot wheel spacing
⚪ Geographic Distribution: Major economies including Europe, North America, China
⚪ Economic Impact: Standardization reduces interoperability costs by over 30%
The Historical Timeline of Railway Gauge Development
| Roman Era
The wheel spacing of chariots was approximately 1435mm, establishing the foundation for European road standards.
| Early 19th Century
Colliery railways adopted existing wagon road standards, which George Stephenson later formalized and standardized.
| 1845
The British Parliament passed the Gauge Act, legally establishing 1435mm as the standard gauge.
| 20th Century – Present
Globalization has propelled 1435mm to become the foundational standard for international railway interoperability.
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