1. Which of the following is/are problems caused due to trans-shipment of goods?
a) Causes damage to goods only
b) Causes both damage to goods and delay in delivering goods to their destination
c) Causes delay in delivering goods to their destinationonly
d) Causes no problems
Explanation: Whenever a change of gauge is encountered, trans-shipment of goods needs to be done. During this process, damage of goods can take place and there will be delay in delivering these goods. Therefore, a change of gauge should also be avoided in goods transportation.
2. Which of the following is a possible solution for change of gauge?
a) Installation of check rails
b) Installation of guard rails
c) Installation of dual gauge
d) Installation of dial gauge
Explanation: A dual gauge rail is the one which allows trains of different gauges to pass without stoppage. It is also known as the mixed gauge rail. In order to resolve the break of gauge problem, dual gauge track can be installed permanently. It can also be installed temporarily till conversion of gauge takes place.
3. Which country was benefitted by the change of gauge problems in World War 2?
a) Russia
b) Germany
c) Australia
d) Poland
Explanation: Russia chose a gauge of 1520 mm rather than the conventional gauge size of 1435 mm. The choice benefitted them largely as it saved Moscow from being seized completely by Hitler in 1941. The German army transported most of its men and supplies through train. But when they reached Russia, they had to change the gauge of all the tracks. This slow process helped Russia in avoiding the defeat.
4. Which country uses “Automatic Gauge Changeover” system to overcome the change of gauge problems?
a) India
b) Australia
c) England
d) Spain
Explanation: Spain has currently three types of gauges namely: Iberian gauge (1668 mm), Standard gauge (1435 mm) and Metre gauge (1000 mm). To overcome the problems faced due to change of gauge, it uses “Automatic Gauge Changeover” system. In this system, the train passes through fixed gauge installations while the train wheels are altered. During this process, the train moves at a very low speed of 15 km/hour.
5. If there is more than one type of gauge present in a rail route, the journey time ______
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains same
d) Depends on the climate
Explanation: If more than one type of gauge is encountered in a rail route then problems due to change of gauge occurs. The passengers will need to transfer their luggage to another train causing the delay. Hence, more time will be taken to complete the journey.
6. Which five year plan did the Government of India introduce “Project Unigauge”?
a) 1985 to 1990
b) 1992 to 1997
c) 1997 to 2002
d) 2002 to 2007
Explanation: In the eighth five year plan (1992 to 1997), the Government of India introduced the plan of Indian Railways to convert 6000 km of metre gauge lines to broad gauge. This started the largest project of Indian Railways, i.e. “Project Unigauge”.
7. Which line was first converted to broad gauge as a part of Project Unigauge?
a) Lumding to Silchar
b) Guwahati to Lumding
c) Silchar to Jiribam
d) Badarpur to Baraigram
Explanation: On July 3 1992, the Prime Minister of India, P.V. NarsimhaRao launched the conversion of Guwahati to Lumding rail line. This marked the inauguration of Project Unigauge in India. This line conversion was eventually completed in January 1994.
8. Why did Indian Railways convert all the rail lines to broad gauge instead of standard gauge?
a) Broad gauge lines have less maintenance and operating cost as compared to standard gauge lines
b) Almost 50% of the rail lines in India were of broad gauge in the year 1992
c) Broad gauge gives more stability to the wheels than Standard gauge
d) Broad gauge offers more speed to the train than Standard gauge
Explanation: In the year 1992 (when the Project Unigauge started), almost 50% of the Indian rail lines were of broad gauge, 43% of metre gauge and remaining 7% of narrow gauge. Adopting a different gauge apart from these would mean converting all the existing lines. This was economically impossible to achieve. So, broad gauge was chosen which meant converting only metre and narrow gauge.
9. What was the disadvantage of choosing broad gauge for Project Unigauge?
a) Non access to readily available rolling stock and poor technological development
b) Costlier in the long run
c) Poor carrying capacity and handled less traffic
d) Speed of the train was reduced
Explanation: As the Standard gauge was the most widely used gauge in the world, most of the technological development was done on it. If India had chosen this gauge, it would have easy access to readily available rolling stock and track. Choosing broad gauge made India design its own locomotives and rolling stock.
10. India still faces the problems due to change of gauge.
a) true
b) false
Explanation: True. The Indian Railways had decided to convert all the lines to broad gauge line. It has been able to successfully convert most of the gauges. But, still some lines are remaining where conversion is under progress. For example: Ahmedabad to Botad rail line is a metre gauge of 177 km. Its conversion to broad gauge is still under progress.