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The Control on the Right or Left --Why??
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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill</i> <br /><br />Daniel: The story that Roman chariots had something to do with standard gauge is urban legend. <br />[/quote] <br />Many ancient Roman roads are grooved leading some to believe they were worn that way. And at something like todays standard gauge. <br />Although Roman wagon wheels had iron bands this alone did not groove the pavement. Roman roads were well constructed and can be found in use today. Because the front axle on wagons was not articulated they were difficult to maneuver around curves and corners. So Roman road builders grooved the pavement on dangerous mountain lanes and at intersections in cities to help guide them. The two grooves were 4' 9 1/2" apart. Most of the wagon traffic was military or for hauling building materials. Their wagons were designed to operate with this system of gooves Animal drawn wagons remained in use for 2000 more years. And wagons are still in use today on farms and on 18 wheelers. <br />Early railroads were nothing more than animal drawn wagons operating on strap iron rails. The gauge was what ever fit the particular wagon in use. Many gauges were in use. But most of them were in the five foot range. We can thank the British for standard gauge. They decided to standardize the gauges in 1845 (Gauge Act) at 4' 8 1/2".
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