Standard gauge was initially 4'8", the half inch was added when the flanges started to bind.
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Standard gauge was initially 4'8", the half inch was added when the flanges started to bind.
Standard gauge was not "standard" initially - Stephenson just used the gauge that the colliery he was working for had always used (and the origin of this was lost in the mists of time). Other collieries did not use the same gauge, although they tended to be around the same length, being about the same as typical carts in the area. The gauge became standard as Stephenson's influence spread, but there were a wide variety of gauges used in the early railways. Even in England, the home of modern railways, standard gauge did not become (more or less) standard until 1892 when the last broad gauge train ran, although all new lines were supposed to be standard from 1846. But in Ireland, 5'3" was set as the standard.
Brunel used a 7 ft gauge!Quote:
Originally Posted by JDNSW
He always thought big.Quote:
Originally Posted by p38arover
Yes, the 1892 date i gave was when the last 7' gauge service ran. Brunel thought that the rolling stock should be in between the wheels, not on top of them. His broad gauge may have caught on if he had used a loading gauge much larger as well, but his loading gauge was not significantly bigger than that of standard gauge lines.
The broad gauge gave a better ride, although this advantage tended to fade as the standards of permanent way improved. As against this, the cost of the roadbed was much greater, sleepers had to be much longer, and a larger curve radius was needed.
Interestingly, it seems a lot of track in England in the period 1846-1892 was dual gauge (as is a significant amount of track in Victoria today).
Back to who invented the first Land Rover?
God, & she did a pretty good job of it!
Of course she did...perfectly designed to cost men a lot of money.....[bigwhistle]Quote:
Originally Posted by jonesfam
Standard guage was agreed upon...Quote:
Originally Posted by JDNSW
One of the reason behind it was the axle lengths... Axle loadings are reduced when the axle lengths increase...
The number of railways world wide that followed the gauge we call standard, also dictated towards the standard gauge...
The narrow gauge lines prevaled where tracks had to go around sharper curves, like the track that Puffing Billy runs on... Here in WA we started at 3'6" due to the hills we had to go over and the timber railways had the influence of needing mainline trackage to move lumber...
Broad gauge was good on country that didnt need tight curves but axle loadings where an issue...
England had track gauges from 15 inch upto 7ft... I think they even take into account the mine gauge of 12 inch too, but not sure...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraithe
Something worth knowing about Pomgolian manufacturing and their Bad reputation is that before the 70's turmoil they actually did quite good work.
The whole Bodgy Men in sheds rep is undeserved and mainly an early 70's to mid 80's issue more than anything.
Having owned numerous British Marques I generally avoid certain known model dates (Like SII Jags and Leyland lol ) but the engineering is almost always awesome, Sadly at times the execution was flawed.
The other thing is that most of these cars where never meant to last as long as they have nor operate in the conditions they inhabit and our own personal experiences also dictate out levels of enjoyable ownership.
Ive bought Jags that leaked and burned huge amounts of oil and cured them by cleaning a brass mesh breather and using the right oil and after replacing blown seals never had another issue..
Same with Rangies with the wrong oils in the driveline or badly rebuilt swivel hubs etc and the Humble engines also need care and know how.
British cars are a popular target but for their time they where mostly excellent things to own once you'd sorted them properly.
Seems a bit harsh when it was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.