Re: NG v SG

[Barry Campbell <barryC@qimr.edu.au>]

Ben Staples wrote:
> 
> >Perhaps Australia would have been served better converting all lines to
> >1067 mm gauge: a gauge which has served Africa well.
> 
> Doesn't this go against the whole idea of having a Standard Gauge? Standard
> Gauge is Standard Gauge because that is the standard. Shouldn't countries
> try to implement the standard.
> 
<snip>

A standard is only a standard because everbody uses it. If all tracks
were converted to 1067mm gauge in Australia, that would be standard for
here because everybody uses it. There are no rail connections with
anywhere else as we are on an island. 

Standard gauge is only called that because it is the standard in most of
the English speaking world. BTW does anyone know what it is called in
other languages?


Barry Campbell