This template accepts a track gauge and returns that defined track gauge well formatted, plus the converted size value by another unit:

  • {{Track gauge|1520 mm}}1,520 mm (4 ft 11 2732 in)
  • {{Track gauge|4 ft}}4 ft (1,219 mm)

Extra options are available:

  • {{Track gauge|1520 mm|al=on|lk=on}}1,520 mm (4 ft 11 2732 in) Russian gauge

The first parameter specifies the gauge:

  • {{Track gauge|1435 mm}}1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
  • {{Track gauge|4 ft 8.5 in}}4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
  • {{Track gauge|4 ft 8 1/2 in}}4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
  • {{Track gauge|56.5 in}}4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
  • {{Track gauge|Standard gauge}}1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)

Rail track gauges can be entered as they are defined: in units mm or ft in. Also common accepted names can be used, see below.

The input value (a length, in metric or imperial units) must be a defined track gauge. Currently 137 gauges are defined by metric units, and 136 by imperial units. Some are defined in both unit sytems, in both, such as the standard gauge.

  • When an input value is not recognised by the template, the template simply returns the input as it is: {{Track gauge|25in}} → 25in
The page with this unknown input is also listed in a maintenance category, in the background, that signals interested editors that there is a new rail gauge used in Wikipedia. More on this below.
  • Some gauges in metric are defined in metres: 1m is recognised. However, it is not available for all metric defined gauges. Using mm is a safer bet.

When entering a track gauge (like {{Track gauge|1435mm}}, these are formatting options. Keep in mind that only defined gauges are recognised.

Spacing is free, and fractions can be used in imperial units. Primes (' and ") may be used for [foot, inch]. Any [foot, inch] size can be entered in all-inches (4 ft 8 1/2 in equals 56 1/2 in and 56.5 in).

Input options, examples
Parameter
input
Result Note
1435 mm 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge, by name
4 ft 8.5 in 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, this way puts imperial units first
UK sg 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, this way puts imperial units first
56.5 in 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, by all-inches
56.5" 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, using primes
56 1/2 in 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, using slash for fraction
1 m 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 38 in) 1 m is recognised, but not many more in m. Better use mm
16.5 mm 16.5 mm (0.65 in) HO scale model railway
16.5 in 16 12 in (419 mm) Miniature railway
7 ft 0.25 in 7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm) Brunel
2140 mm 2140 mm Not recognised (so no converted value). This track gauge, Brunel's, is not defined in mm.
65 in 65 in Input not recognised (so no converted value); output copies the input.
This is a good way to enter an uncovered rail gauge on a page: other editors will notice (and can add a new gauge to the template!).
{{Track gauge
|
| lk=on
| first=imp, met
| disp= s, /, 1, br, [], <any literal text>
| al=on
| allk=on
| nowrap=off (default), on, all
| addcat=no
| unitlink=on
}}
Optional parameters
Parameter What it does Example (code) Example (output)
lk=on Links the defining measure (first measure)
"defined size" depends on input
{{Track gauge|3ft6in|lk=on}}

{{Track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}

3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
al=on Adds the alternate name after the gauge measurement values {{Track gauge|sg|al=on}} 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
allk=on Adds a wikilink to the alternate name where applicable {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}} 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
first=imp
first=met
Puts the requested measure first (metric, imperial) {{Track gauge|1000mm|first=imp}} 3 ft 3 38 in (1,000 mm)
disp=any text The text will be written between the measurements, two spaces added. Brackets are omitted. Text must be 2 characters or more. (codes for |disp= are processed as described: 1, s, /, br). {{Track gauge|sg|disp=also defined as being}} 1,435 mm also defined as being 4 ft 8 12 in
disp=s or / Uses a slash as a separator rather than parentheses {{Track gauge|sg|disp=s}} 1,435 mm/​4 ft 8 12 in
disp=[] Uses a square brackets rather than parentheses {{Track gauge|sg|disp=[]}} 1,435 mm [4 ft 8 12 in]
disp=1 Only shows the first measure (may be used when repeated on a page
or in conjunction with first= to display the output only)
{{Track gauge|sg|disp=1}} 1,435 mm
disp=br Forces a line break after the first size (and also before any gauge name) {{Track gauge|sg|disp=br}} 1,435 mm
(4 ft 8 12 in)
nowrap=off (default), on, all Sets possible line break (line wrap): after between the measurements (off=defalt), not (on, all), or not at all when named gauge is present. (note: until May 2014, default behaviour was no break between the measurements. This has changed.) {{Track gauge|sg|nowrap=on}} 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
addcat=no Will not add a maintenance category {{Track gauge|sg|addcat=no}} 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
unitlink=on Adds wikilinks to the measurement unit labels {{Track gauge|sg|unitlink=on}} 1,435 mm (ft 8 12 in)
  • Names can be universal, being defined worldwide. For example: Iberian gauge, 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 2132 in) Iberian gauge. Other names can be localor culturally restricted, for example the name "Cape gauge" is used in South Africa for 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm), but not in Japan (in Japan that same track gaugfe is not named).
  • Also, two sizes can lead to one gauge name.

Established gauge names can be entered. The word "gauge" can be omitted. Case-insensitive (A=a). See also the |al=, |allk= parameters (below), to show a gauge name in the outcome.

Input Result Note
{{Track gauge|Baltimore gauge}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm)
{{Track gauge|Baltimore}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) Omitting " gauge", same effect
{{Track gauge|baltimore}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) Case-insensitive (A=a)
{{Track gauge|baltimore|al=on}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) Baltimore streetcar gauge |al=on shows the alternative (name)
{{Track gauge|baltimore|allk=on}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) Baltimore streetcar gauge |allk=on shows the alternative (name), linked
{{Track gauge|baltimore|lk=on|al=on}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) Baltimore streetcar gauge |lk=on links the size (as always)
{{Track gauge|Baltimore streetcar gauge}} 5 ft 4 12 in (1,638 mm) This one has more names
{{Track gauge|Bosnian}} 760 mm (2 ft 5 1516 in)
{{Track gauge|Brunel}} 7 ft (2,134 mm)
{{Track gauge|Cape}} 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
{{Track gauge|Iberian}} 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 2132 in)
{{Track gauge|Indian}} 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
{{Track gauge|Victorian}} 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
{{Track gauge|Irish}} 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
{{Track gauge|metre}} 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 38 in)
{{Track gauge|Ohio}} 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm)
{{Track gauge|Pennsylvania}} 5 ft 2 12 in (1,588 mm)
{{Track gauge|Pennsylvania trolley}} 5 ft 2 12 in (1,588 mm)
{{Track gauge|Russian}} 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 2732 in)
{{Track gauge|Scotch}} 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm)
{{Track gauge|standard gauge}} 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) Also: "sg", "metsg" (metric units first)
{{Track gauge|US sg}} 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) Also: "imp sg", "UK sg", "NA sg" (imperial units first)
{{Track gauge|Swedish three foot}} 891 mm (2 ft 11 332 in)
{{Track gauge|Swedish}} 891 mm (2 ft 11 332 in)
{{Track gauge|Toronto}} 4 ft 10 78 in (1,495 mm)

Why not use {{Convert}}?

संपादन करीं

To convert a track gauge, using {{Convert}} comes to mind. For example, standard gauge:

  • {{Convert|1435|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} → 1,435 मिमी (4 फुट 8.5 इंच)
However, this has some disadvantages. First of all, track gauges are defined by an institute, not just measured. The list of defined track gauges is limited, and oversee-ablle (today: some 260 sizes, by mm, are defined).
Using {{Track gauge}} allows us to track (follow) all articles with a specific gauge (see the options-list on this page, and श्रे:Articles that mention a specific track gauge).
Also, the track definition can be directly linked to the sourcing article: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in).
Further more, the template allows to recognise named gauges such as "Russian gauge".
{{Track gauge}} detects that an undefined gauge is entered, and signal for maintenance (for example, metre gauge is only defined in metric. Entering an imperial size would categorise that article in श्रे:Articles using template 'Track gauge' with unrecognized input).
Sources
  • Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA)
  • Morrisson, Allen (2013). "Electric transport in latin america". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help) Latin America is very well covered
  • "A world of trams and urban transit". Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA)). UK based, covering most countries
Scaled rail models