• {{Track gauge|1520 mm}} → 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in)
• {{Track gauge|4 ft}} → 4 ft (1,219 mm)

Extra options are available:

• {{Track gauge|1520 mm|lk=on}} → 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in)
• {{Track gauge|1520 mm|al=on}} → 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in) Russian gauge
• {{Track gauge|1520 mm|allk=on}} → 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in) Russian gauge

The first parameter specifies the gauge:

• {{Track gauge|1435 mm}} → 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
• {{Track gauge|4 ft 8.5 in}} → 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
• {{Track gauge|4 ft 8 1/2 in}} → 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
• {{Track gauge|56.5 in}} → 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
• {{Track gauge|Standard gauge}} → 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

Rail track gauges can be entered as they are defined: in units mm or ft in. Also common accepted names can be used, see below.

The input value (a length, in metric or imperial units) must be a defined track gauge. Currently 135 gauges are defined by metric units, and 148 by imperial units. Some are defined in both unit systems, such as the standard gauge.

• When an input value is not recognised by the template, the template simply returns the input as it is: {{Track gauge|25in}} → 25in
  

The page with this unknown input is also listed in a maintenance category, in the background, that signals interested editors that there is a new rail gauge used in Wikipedia. More on this below.

• Some gauges in metric are defined in metres: 1 m is recognised. However, it is not available for all metric defined gauges. Using mm is a safer bet.

Track gauges in bold font are definitions. Track gauges in regular font are merely conversions (calculations).

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When entering a track gauge (like {{Track gauge|1435mm}}, these are formatting options. Keep in mind that only defined gauges are recognised.

Spacing is free, and fractions can be used in imperial units. Primes (' and ") may be used for [foot, inch]. Any [foot, inch] size can be entered in all-inches (4 ft 8 1/2 in equals 56 1/2 in and 56.5 in).

{{Track gauge
|
| lk=on
| first=imp, met
| disp= s, /, 1, br, [], <any literal text>
| al=on
| allk=on
| nowrap=off (default), on, all
| addcat=no
| unitlink=on
}}

• Names can be universal, being defined worldwide. For example: Iberian gauge, 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) Iberian gauge. Other names can be localor culturally restricted, for example the name "Cape gauge" is used in South Africa for 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm), but not in Japan (in Japan that same track gauge is not named).
• Also, two sizes can lead to one gauge name.

Established gauge names can be entered. The word "gauge" can be omitted. Case-insensitive (A=a). See also the |al=, |allk= parameters (below), to show a gauge name in the outcome.

This template defaults to UK-English. For articles written in US-English, set parameter |engvar to |engvar=en-US. In this situation, the US-English spelling is shown:

{{track gauge|1000mm|allk=on|engvar=en-US}} → 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) meter gauge

As of 2016, the only two gauges impacted are the 1000 mm and 1009 mm gauges. In UK-English these are spelled metre, in US-English these are spelled meter.

To convert a track gauge, using {{Convert}} comes to mind. For example, standard gauge:

• {{Convert|1435|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} → 1,435 mm (4 ft 8.5 in)

However, this has some disadvantages. First of all, track gauges are defined by an institute, not just measured. The list of those defined track gauges is limited, and overseeable (today some 270 physical sizes are defined).

Using {{Track gauge}} allows us to track (follow) all articles with a specific gauge. This way the list can be made more accurate, correct and complete.

Also, the track definition can be directly linked to the sourcing article: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in).

Further more, the template allows to recognise named gauges such as "Russian gauge".

{{Track gauge}} detects that an undefined gauge is entered, and signal the page for maintenance. For example, metre gauge is only defined in metric. Entering an imperial size would categorise that article in Category:Articles using Template:Track gauge with unrecognized input (15).

• {{Track gauge/status}} - talkpage infobox of a track gauge, to be used on the talkpage
• List of scale model sizes
• Rail transport modelling scales
• Category:Rubber-tyred metros (24)
• Category:Dual gauge railways (6)

Sources

• Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA)
• Morrisson, Allen (2013). "Electric transport in latin america". Latin America is very well covered
• "A world of trams and urban transit". Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA)). UK based, covering most countries

• de:Liste_der_Spurweiten (checking here in Template talk:Track gauge/dewiki list)

Scaled rail models

• "S-3.1 Trackwork, Proto & Fine Scales". NMRA. 2004.
• "S-3.2 Trackwork Standard Scales (metric)" (PDF). NMRA. 2010.

DGEG (German) Spurweiten_Auswahl 107-Spurweiten_Auswahl Spurweiten_Auswahl