The operation of the gauge changing facility of the new railway line Rail Baltica

Abstract

This article describes the operation mode for the trains gauge changing facilities. These facilities enables the trains specially constructed or adapted for the gauge changing to run on the two gauge systems that will coexist in Lithuania, namely European Standard (UIC) gauge 1435mm and Wide (Russian) gauge 1520mm. Several gauge-changing systems are available in the international market. The description below is based on the Talgo system. This system is state of the art and well proven. It operates on the Spanish - French Border (Irun/Hendaye) as well as on the connections of the Madrid - Seville Highs Speed Line (1435 mm gauge) and Spanish conventional rail network (1668mm) in Cordoba and Seville.