Track gauge origins

[zardoz]

jeffhergert

zardoz

And when we figure out this issue, we can begin to discuss the origins of the C&NW's  left-handed (on double track) operations.

Because the current of traffic on Roman chariot roads was left handed. 

Jeff

That was a good one - I'd never heard THAT variation! 

[mudchicken]

zardoz

jeffhergert

zardoz

And when we figure out this issue, we can begin to discuss the origins of the C&NW's  left-handed (on double track) operations.

Because the current of traffic on Roman chariot roads was left handed. 

Jeff

That was a good one - I'd never heard THAT variation! 

OK - Then what about the underhanded operations? Dark Territory?

[Deggesty]

zardoz

jeffhergert

zardoz

And when we figure out this issue, we can begin to discuss the origins of the C&NW's  left-handed (on double track) operations.

Because the current of traffic on Roman chariot roads was left handed. 

Jeff

That was a good one - I'd never heard THAT variation! 

And, now we know why the British drive on the left with the steering wheels and throttles on the right side.

[thebarnet]

ah the resion that we Drive on the left apparently is because of this Jousting knights with their lances under their right arm naturally passed on each other's right, and if you passed a stranger on the road you walked on the left to ensure that your protective sword arm was between yourself and him.

much like the distance between the two side in the houses of Parliament is two swords leanths apart 

[mhurley87f]

Something I was never taught at school in my Latin course (and only recently discovered on one of the History Channel programmes) was that the Romans were very skilled at pre-fabricating all the paraphernalia they would undoubedly need when planning an invasion such as that of Britain. I undestand they went as far as pre-fabricating the wooden walls they'd need for a quick build fort on a defensive position, and it follows that they might well bring over their own pre-fabricated wagons to carry their war materiel in the support of the campaign.

History is invariably created by the victors, so the dimensions of their standardised wagons might have been adopted by the native cartwrights and wainwrights in Britain at that time (certainly if they knew what would be best for them !! ).

In this way, a standard gauge for wagons in England, Scotland, and Wales, of around 5 feet from the outside of one wheel to the outside of the other might have come about.

Much later, plateways were constructed, whereby lengths of angle iron were laid on stone blocks, such that the horizontal section bore the weight and the vertical section kept the wagon wheels from straying from the "track" thus bringing about a gauge of around 56 inches when those wagon wheel were later built with a fange on the inner side.

Just a thought.

Hwyl,

Martin.

 

 

[mhurley87f]

Sorry, in my rush to post the above, I omitted that the Romans' pre-fabrication would have gone hand in hand with standardisation of dimesnions, materials etc .

Hwyl,

Martin.