Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 13 June 1938, page 5


BREAK OF GAUGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

Sir.—In the year 1919 the railways of Siam consisted of more than 1,000 kilometres of 1.435 metre gauge running from Bangkok in easterly north-easterly and northerly directions and about 1,300 kilometres of one metre gauge running in a southerly direction.

The inconvenience resulting from the

difference gauges caused the Government of Siam to decide upon unification and about the year 1920 commencement was made with the laying of a third rail inside the broader gauge in order to reduce it to the metre gauge. This work was eventually concluded over the whole length of the eastern, north-eastern and northern lines and the rolling stock of the southern or metre gauge, line then worked throughout the country.

As the various units of rolling stock of the broader gauge became condemned, they were replaced by metre gauge vehicles and when the whole of the former had been scrapped the third outer rail was removed and Siam had overcome its break of gauge problem.

I am, etc.,

MERCURY. Mittagong. June 9.