Variable gauge
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A variable gauge system allows railway vehicles in a train to travel across a break of gauge between two railway networks with different track gauges. For through operation, a train must be equipped with special bogies holding variable gauge wheelsets which contain a variable gauge axle (VGA).
Variable gauge axle DR III for 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) and 1,524 mm (5 ft) gauge, developed in 1957
A Talgo gauge changing system in Lleida, Spain
The Japanese third-generation GCT "Gauge Change Train" EMU on a test run in November 2014
The first-generation "Gauge Change Train" EMU in May 2003
Break of gauge
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With railways, a break of gauge occurs where a line of one track gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock generally cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, leading to passengers having to change trains and freight requiring transloading or transshipping; this can add delays, costs, and inconvenience to travel on such a route.
A cartoon depicting the "horrors of goods transfer" at the break of gauge at Gloucester in 1843
Bogie-exchange station in Ukraine
Variable gauge axles on a Spanish train designed for intercity travel to France
A train on 1435 mm standard-gauge track leaving Russia. It is bound for Manzhouli, China, having replaced its 1520 mm-gauge bogies with standard-gauge bogies at the bogie exchange yard in the distance.