Does Ukraine use the same rail gauge as Russia?

Russia and Ukraine use what are known as broad-gauge rails, meaning that the width between a pair of rails is approximately 100 mms wider (1520 mms) than in Europe. Whenever a train from Ukraine crosses into EU territory, goods are moved from broad-gauge to normal-gauge wagons.



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The standard Russian railway gauge of 1,524 mm quickly spread throughout the Russian Empire, reached Warsaw, Vladivostok, Murmansk, and Baku.

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The main difference between Russian and European track gauges is the width of the rails. Russian track gauge is 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27/32 in), while European track gauge is 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1/2 in). This means that Russian trains cannot run on European tracks, and vice versa.

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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.

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Germany has rail links with the following countries. All are to countries of the same gauge (1435 mm), although electrification (15 kV AC 16.7 Hz) and other systems such as signalling may differ.

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The “standard” track gauge in the UK and across much of the globe — approximately 55% of the world's railways use it — is set to 1435mm or four feet and 8.5 inches.

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Finland uses 1524 mm (5') gauge since times when it was a part of the Russian Empire (1809–1917) and does not change it, rolling stock is cross-compatible with very minor limitations (Allegro trains between St.

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All are built for standard gauge (1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1/2 in)) and run using a catenary wire at 50 Hz 25 kV AC. All trains have electric heating.

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Japan's Shinkansen lines are all built to Standard Gauge, because trains are more stable, and can go faster, on wider track. Some other lines in Japan use 1,372 mm (4' 6”) or 762 mm (30”) gauge. But the majority, over 83% in terms of distance, of Japan's railways are built to Cape Gauge, 1,067 mm (3' 6”).

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Some countries such as the Netherlands have modified their track gauge, but in Spain it is still used, except on high-speed lines, where the European international track gauge of 1435 mm is used, as opposed to the Iberian gauge of 1668 mm.

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