Template:Wikitable sortable

Wikitable Sortable

An important use of the wikitable sortable function, is that enables loosely related data to be combined into a single table, the sortable function being used to reorganise the data to focus on a particular characteristic.

Consider the dimensions of tunnels, which might be one table A.

Consider the dimensions of rolling stock, which might be table B.

Consider the dimensions of loading gauge and structure gauge, which might be table C.

Tables A, B and C, might be scattered onto several pages, which will mean that the connections between them are hard to see.

• Tunnels are after all a structure gauge thing.
• Rolling stock are after all a loading gauge thing.

But these tables can be combined into a single table ABC, with the main proviso being that the total width of the new table should not exceed the width of the screen, or the width of the paper when printed.

The table Template:Moelwyn Tunnels Old & New is an advanced version of Table ABC. It considers tunnels that have fume problems, and so that comparisons can be made, an example is given of the Swan View tunnel, even though this is obviously not an FR tunnel. A comparison does after all need more than one example.

An important claim to fame for the Festiniog Railway, which had world-wide implications, was that its smaller tunnels (aka structure gauge) save money and helped the FR into early and sustained profitability. It would be helpful, therefore, that Table ABC included the dimensions of the mainline standard gauge structure gauge, even though the mainline structure gauge is not, strictly speaking, part of the FR. At the moment the actual dimensions of the mainline UK structure gauge are unknown, but can be added when this information becomes available.

Antipodes

Template:Antipodes gauge (table) combines a number of sets of data.

It starts off by listing the gauges that the FR is reported in the Antipodes to have had, including 2ft 6in, which is clearly erroneous.

There is a column detailing how often that gauge value was reported (tagged), so far.

There is a column stating the earliest date that that value of gauge was reported.

To determine whether the successful FR may have influenced the choice of narrow gauge rather than standard gauge in the Antipodes, the dates of opening of railways in the various states of the Antipodes are also listed. In some cases, the FR gauge comes before the Antipodes opening dates, and there may have been causality. A first sod date rather than opening date would be better, if this data is available.

So far, this table fits within the width of the screen and page, which is good.

The entry for Festiniog Quarry indicates that Festiniog slate was known before the FR itself was ever heard off. The single-f spelling of Festiniog is also more commonly known.

Rename needed

Template:Moelwyn Tunnels Old & New was a suitable name when this table was first started, but as the data expanded into loosely connected fields, a new name is needed, but this has yet to be determined.