Editing Track gauge (section)

==Future==
Further convergence of rail gauge use seems likely, as countries seek to build inter-operable networks, and international organisations seek to build macro-regional and continental networks. Almost all new [[high-speed rail]] lines are built to standard gauge, except in Uzbekistan and Russia.

===Europe===
The [[European Union]] has set out to develop inter-operable freight and passenger rail networks across its area, and is seeking to standardise gauge, signalling and electrical power systems. EU funds have been dedicated to assist [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]], and [[Estonia]] in the building of some key railway lines ([[Rail Baltica]]) of [[standard gauge]], and to assist Spain and Portugal in the construction of high-speed lines to connect Iberian cities to one another and to the French high-speed lines. The EU has developed plans for improved freight rail links between Spain, Portugal, and the rest of Europe.

===Trans-Asian Railway===
{{main|Trans-Asian Railway}}
The United Nations [[Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific]] (UNESCAP) is planning a [[Trans-Asian Railway]] that will link Europe and the Pacific, with a Northern Corridor from Europe to the Korean Peninsula, a Southern Corridor from Europe to Southeast Asia, and a North–South corridor from Northern Europe to the Persian Gulf. All these would encounter breaks of gauge as they cross Asia. Current plans have mechanized facilities at the breaks of gauge to move [[Intermodal container|containers]] from train to train rather than widespread gauge conversion. The Northern Corridor through Russia already operates since before year 2000, with increasing volumes China–Europe.

===The Americas===
{{Update section|date=May 2023}}
* 2008: Proposed link between [[Rail transport in Venezuela|Venezuela]] and [[Rail transport in Colombia|Colombia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/1066-colombia-and-venezuela-to-build-railroad.html|title=Colombia and Venezuela to build railroad|access-date=27 May 2011|archive-date=25 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325105831/http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/1066-colombia-and-venezuela-to-build-railroad.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=May 2023}}
* 2008: Venezuela via Brazil to Argentina – [[standard gauge]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/21/content_9565433.htm| agency=Xinhua| title=Venezuela, Argentina begin construction of railway linking their capitals| work=China Daily| date=2008-08-21| access-date=2008-08-21| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304211950/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/21/content_9565433.htm| archive-date=2009-03-04}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=May 2023}}
* 2008: A proposed [[metre gauge]] line across Southern [[Rail transport in Paraguay|Paraguay]] to link Argentina at [[Resistencia, Chaco|Resistencia]] to Brazil at [[Cascavel]]; both those lines are {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}}, and the new line would allow "bioceanic" running from the Atlantic port of [[Paranaguá]] in [[Rail transport in Brazil|Brazil]] to that of [[Antofagasta]] in [[Rail transport in Chile|Chile]] on the Pacific.{{Update inline|date=May 2023}}

===Africa===

The [[East African Railway Master Plan]] is a proposal for rebuilding and expanding railway lines connecting [[Transport in Ethiopia|Ethiopia]], [[Transport in Djibouti|Djibouti]], [[Transport in Kenya|Kenya]], [[Transport in Uganda|Uganda]], [[Transport in Rwanda|Rwanda]], [[Transport in Burundi|Burundi]], [[Transport in Tanzania|Tanzania]], [[Transport in South Sudan|South Sudan]] and beyond.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 April 2008|url=http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/16610.html|title=East Africa: Countries Move to Upgrade Railway Network|publisher=Business Daily (South Africa)|first=Zeddy|last=Sambu|access-date=13 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514054108/http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/16610.html|archive-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> The plan is managed by infrastructure ministers from participating [[East African Community]] countries in association with transport consultation firm [[CPCS Transcom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=East Africa: EAC Railway Master Plan to Be Redesigned|access-date=13 May 2014|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200904200007.html|date=20 April 2009|first=Gashegu |last=Muramira|publisher=[[New Times (Rwanda)]]}}</ref> Older railways are of {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}} or {{Track gauge|3ft6in|lk=on}} gauge. Newly rebuilt lines will use [[standard gauge]]. Regular freight and passenger services began on the standard gauge [[Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway|Mombasa–Nairobi]] railway in 2017 and on the standard gauge [[Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway|Addis Ababa–Djibouti]] railway in 2018.

Lines for iron ore to [[Kribi]] in [[Transport in Cameroon|Cameroon]] are likely to be {{Track gauge|1435mm|allk=on}} with a likely connection to the same port from the {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}} Cameroon system.{{Update inline|date=May 2023}}

[[Rail transport in Nigeria|Nigeria's railways]] are mostly {{Track gauge|3ft6in|lk=on}} Cape gauge. The [[Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway]] is a [[Track gauge conversion|gauge conversion]] project by the Nigerian Government to create a north–south standard gauge rail link. The first converted segment, between [[Abuja]] and [[Kaduna (city)|Kaduna]], was completed in July 2016.

The [[African Union]] has a 50-year plan to connect the capital cities and major centres by high-speed railways.