Who's got the biggest?
 

Now I have a question regarding rolling stock dimensions. Japanese narrow guage seems to have similar stock size to UK at least in width and length terms. I am not sure about height. My query is that if JR can have double deck cars on 3'6" gauge with the lower deck in the well between the trucks why can't it be done in the UK? :confused:

Because the loading gauge is more restrictive.
In other words the hole in space that the train has to fit through.
In general a result of building to what was needed then and not allowing enough room for expansion.

Yes I realise that. But the Japanese loading giage seems to be almost the same as the UK as I have searched the net to find out. So if that is the case why can't we have DD tarins also?

We have had in the past !

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=47988

The Southern railway used them in service I believe, they were designed by Bullied.

http://www.yellins.com/transporthist...l/ddtrain.html

It may be possible in the future as some of the freight routes are having their loading gauge increased due to the new taller Containers

Yes I rode on those a few times when I lived down there. Seem to remember they caused bad tempers when folk were trying to get in before everyone was out!

Can't see why it's not possible now really and the loading gauges on JR and UK stock are virtually identical according to my research.:confused:

Double deck coaches were used by the SR but they were withdrawn because of poor loading/unloading times causing station delays.

No one commented on the size of the carriage in this clip.

Was it a mock up ?

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=47988

That was the one used on the "Southern" as mentioned in other posts.