Question

Differentiate between broad gauge and metre gauge rail lines.

Hint:

Difference between broad gauge and metre gauge

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Rail gauge is the distance between the inner edges of the two rails of a track, and Indian Railways historically used more than one gauge width.

Step 2: Define broad gauge.
Broad gauge has a track width of 1.676 metres and is the standard gauge across most of India today, able to carry heavier loads at higher speed.

Step 3: Define metre gauge.
Metre gauge has a narrower track width of exactly 1 metre, once common on lighter, low-traffic branch lines, and it is now being converted to broad gauge across most of the network.

Final Answer:
Broad gauge (1.676 m) is the wider, higher-capacity track, while metre gauge (1 m) is the narrower track used for lighter traffic; India is converting most metre gauge lines to broad gauge.\[ \boxed{\text{Broad gauge: 1.676 m; Metre gauge: 1 m}} \]