A very interesting fact specific to the Iberian peninsula is that we have a different track gauge measurement to that used in the international European framework. In fact, it is known as the “Iberian gauge”. This can be traced back to 1844, when a group of technicians stated that, due to the Spanish and Portuguese orography, the width of the inner sides of the tracks had to be increased. The report took into account the fact that Spain has always been plagued by mountains and hilly terrain, making it difficult for trains to run on tracks with a narrower internal gauge.
A Spanish track gauge, all were advantages?
This enabled trains to travel through the Spanish valleys and mountains. However, it wasn’t all positive. By not meeting the standards of the tracks in the rest of Europe, Spain faced a serious problem in terms of economic relations. In order to pass through France by train, both people and cargo had to be transferred, causing serious economic and communication problems with the rest of the neighbouring countries. As a result, many passengers found it difficult to use this mode of transport. Some countries such as the Netherlands have modified their track gauge, but in Spain it is still used, except on high-speed lines, where the European international track gauge of 1435 mm is used, as opposed to the Iberian gauge of 1668 mm.
In Spain, there are currently seven different track gauges. However, the connection between them has not been neglected. As a result, track gauge changers emerged, allowing the gauge of a train’s tracks to be modified, thus improving the Spanish railway system. Portugal also adopted a wide track gauge (known by the Portuguese as the “bitola portuguesa”) in order to be able to communicate with Spain and the rest of Europe with a single track gauge change at the French border.
