index, ill, maps, p227.non-fictionTells the story of the gauge problem in Australia, how it happened, why it happened and why there has been faliure to fix the problem and the consequences of the ongoing problem. "From the early days of Australia’s rail networks in the 1850s, different colonies adopted various rail gauges for their own reasons. Even after the Federation on January 1, 1901, the new nation’s leaders missed the chance to create a unified national policy for rail gauges and chose to avoid addressing the issue. This book, generously supported with photographs, timelines, and insights from seasoned rail industry experts, covers a span of 170 years. It examines the political and social attitudes of the time and highlights the missed opportunities to resolve the rail gauge problem dating back to the 1880s."--Publisher's blurb.railroad gauges -- social aspects -- australia -- history, railroad gauges -- australia -- history.