Standard gauge
Sir - Kazakhstan has begun constructing a standard gauge east-west railway route which will link China and Europe (RG 8.04 p452), isolating broad gauge Russia. This should hopefully lead to the idea of dual gauging other ex-Soviet and Finnish broad gauge routes.
It is highly desirable that Finland and the Baltic states become accessible by standard gauge trains from Sweden and Poland, with a corridor through St Petersburg. If this model thrives, more lines could be equipped, such as the Brest and St Petersburg to Moscow routes and the Trans-Siberian. I believe the planned spread of standard gauge in Spain (p459) won't leave Portugal unaffected, despite the existence of Spanish gauge-changing technology.
To continue with different gauges is, in my opinion, a type of folly, with all the intelligent technical possibilities at our disposal nowadays. Countries whose leadership still hasn't understood this may need some external influence to help them realise the potential of standard gauge links. This is where Kazakhstan's standard gauge line can play a major role.
Michael Laudahn
Zürich, Switzerland
Driverless firsts
Sir - I read the 100th Anniversary Issue with much interest, especially your selection of developments of the last 100 years (RG 7.04 p376). But on one point I cannot agree with you; when VAL began revenue service in Lille in 1983 it was not the world's first driverless metro.
Kobe's Portliner started driverless revenue operation in February 1981 with an attendant in front, moved the attendant to the rear in December 1981 and began unmanned operation with no staff at fixed locations outside the control room in April 1982 (letters, RG 10.84 p800).
Prof Satoru Sone
Department of Electrical Engineering,
Kogakuin University,
Tokyo, Japan
