RAILWAY GAUGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1922, Page 8

RAILWAY GAUGES.

A RECENT INVENTION. The problem of either unifying ' the gauges of the railways, or of providing some means —economical, safe, and utilitarian— whereby the gauges can be broken effectually has agitated the minds of many people —experts and laymen (says the Melbourne Age). Several schemes have been placed before the powers that be, each one claiming to be the most‘suitable —in fact the only—scheme for* the lengthening and shortening of axles in rolling stock to meet the various gauges; there has been the scheme for laying several sets of rails; and there is always before us the costly and most unscientific yet, in the long run. the soundest scheme of unification throughout the whole of the Commonwealth. Neither of the first schemes appeal to the inventors of a recent scheme for breaking the gauges. This ccheme calls for the construction of wheels with two treads. That type of wheel, it is claimed, can be fixed to the rolling stock at present in use. The inner tread has a flange similar to that at present in use, and engages the. narrow gauge rails. The outer tread has a step to the inner tread, which will act as a flange to the outer tread. The inventors, who reside