Question

Lin has a scale model of a modern train. The model is created at a scale of 1 to 48. On the scale model, the distance between the wheels on the left and the wheels on the right is 1 1/4 inches. The state of Wyoming has old railroad tracks that are 4.5 feet apart. Can the modern train travel on these tracks?

Answer 1

No, modern train cannot travel on old railroad.

Explanation:

In rail transport, track gauge is the spacing of the rails on a railway track and is measured between the inner faces of the load-bearing rails.

Most of the modern train are based on broad gauge. The separation in broad gauge is about 5 ft and 6 inches and in the standard gauge the separation between the tracks is 4 ft and inches. So for the modern train it is not possible to travel on the tracks whose separation is no more than 4.5 feet.