szélesnyomtávú

Szélesnyomtávú is a Hungarian adjective meaning "broad gauge". It is most commonly used in the context of railways to describe a railway track with a gauge wider than the standard gauge. In Hungary, the standard gauge is 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). Broad gauge railways in Hungary typically have a gauge of 1,524 mm (5 ft). This wider gauge is a legacy of the Russian Empire's railway network, which influenced the development of railways in neighboring countries.

The primary example of szélesnyomtávú railway lines in Hungary is the line connecting Záhony, a town on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, with the rest of the Hungarian railway network. This line is crucial for freight transport, allowing for direct transit of goods between Eastern Europe and Western Europe without the need for transloading. The broad gauge allows for the use of rolling stock designed for wider tracks, which can often carry heavier loads or have different structural specifications.

While predominantly used for freight, the broad gauge infrastructure at Záhony also facilitates some passenger services, particularly those connecting to Ukraine. The existence of this szélesnyomtávú line represents a significant piece of railway infrastructure that facilitates international trade and connectivity, bridging different railway gauge systems. The term itself is descriptive, literally translating to "wide track".