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Broad gauge railway network proposed by the Nazis

The Breitspurbahn (, translation: broad gauge railway) was a planned 3000 broad gauge railway, proposed during the time of Nazi Germany, supposed to run with double deck coaches between major cities of Grossdeutschland, Hitler's expanded Germany, and neighbouring states.

Since reparations due after World War I had to be paid, the German railway company Deutsche Reichsbahn lacked money for appropriate expansion and sufficient maintenance of their track network and rolling stock. Commercial and civilian traffic increased due to economic stimulation after the rise of the NSDAP and Hitler's seizure of power. Deutsche Reichsbahn was now faced with a serious capacity problem. As a result, in part driven by its military objectives, the government began to prepare plans to modernize the railway network and increase transport capacity. Hitler believed that the standard Stephenson gauge was obsolete and was too narrow for the full development of railways.

Originally proposed to run on a track, the Breitspurbahn was ultimately developed with a track gauge of 3, more than double the width of the common standard gauge track, and three times the width of the common semi narrow metre gauge track. Planning called for a ballastless track (much as was developed 30 years later for San Francisco BART and 40 years later for German high speed lines) which consisted of two parallel pre stressed concrete "walls" sunk into the ground, joined at the top by a flat transverse slab. The rails were fixed on top of the "walls", with an elastic material between rail and concrete. Because it did not have conventional railway sleepers, this track would also have formed an ideal road for maintenance and military purposes. The rails would be either (Pennsylvania special; tall) rails or proposed (height width ratio of 1:1) rails. The passing loop length would be more than a mile (11/2 km). The intended Russian territory included within Hitler's Lebensraum (sub Breitspurbahn system) plans had been using the slightly wider 5ft and 1520 Russian gauge since the mid 19th century, barely half the width of the 3 meter gauge that was eventually chosen.

Forty one different locomotive designs were suggested by the industry partners. These ranged from classical steam locomotives through steam turbine, gas turbine electric and diesel hydraulic to electric locomotives. The designs ranged from 12 axles (UIC: 3′Fo3′, Whyte: 6 12 6) to 52 axles (UIC: 2′Fo′Fo′2′ + 5T5 + 5T5 + 2′Fo′Fo′2′, Whyte: 4 12 12 4 + 10 10 + 10 10 + 4 12 12 4). Power ranged from All locomotives would have automatic couplers, ranged from Janney couplers to SA3 couplers. Several designs were short listed with passenger locomotives to be mainly electric and diesel hydraulic with SA3 couplers, and freight locomotives to be mainly conventional steam with Janney couplers.

Diesel and electric multiple units of between five and eight coaches were proposed for shorter distance journeys. Despite being of somewhat lower standard, proposed designs included promenades, bars, lounges and large dining rooms.

The proposal was that high performance locomotives should pull 8 axle double floor carriages with a length of , width of and height of
1st/2nd class day car: 48 first class seats in 12 compartments, 144 second class seats in 24 compartments, bar, lounge, reading room, luggage compartments, 12 toilets. 3rd class day car: 460 seats in 56 compartments, lounge, 12 toilets. 1st/2nd class dining car: 130 seats at 24 tables, kitchen, pantry. 3rd class day car with dining room: 244 seats in 28 compartments, 176 seat dining room, kitchen, pantry. 1st/2nd class sleeping car: 16 first class beds in 16 cabins, 41 second class beds in 19 cabins, breakfast room, kitchen, washrooms, 10 toilets. 2nd class sleeping car: 104 beds in 104 cabins, washrooms, 12 toilets. 3rd class sleeping car: 264 beds in 44 cabins, breakfast room, kitchen, shower rooms, 10 toilets. Day/night car for Ost Arbeiter: 480 seats in 52 cabins, kitchen, washrooms, staff room. Theatre car: 196 seat theatre. Observation car: 16 first class seats in four compartments, 32 second class seats in eight compartments, 160 third class seats in 20 compartments, galley, cold buffet, bar, observation deck. Mail car: mail storage and sorting, parcel space, crew room, space for 6 automobiles, dog kennels. Baggage car: baggage rooms, space for two automobiles, dog kennels, canteen, crew room, multiple 20 mm anti aircraft guns, ammunition storage and gun crews.

After Nazi Germany collapsed, several super broad gauge railways were proposed, with track gauges ranging from Locomotive options added nuclear powered locomotives, and passenger carriages lengths ranging from Most passenger carriages would have Dutch doors (with retractable staircase), with some exceptions being low level boarding only designs.

A ride on Breitspurbahn is featured in Wolfenstein: The New Order video game. The railway network is also mentioned in novels Fatherland and The Fuhrer's Orphans. An American version of the Breitspurbahn is depicted in the TV series Supertrain. In the television series Snowpiercer, the titular train bears many similarities to the Breitspurbahn.