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A southeast Florida laid back beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor who lives on island time.
HISTORY LESSON . . .
The US Standard railroad gauge (distance between rails) is 4 feet, 8.5
inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way the first railways were built in England, and the
first US railroads were built by English expatriates.
Why did the English people build them like that? Because the first
rail lines in Europe were designed and built by the same people who
built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
Why did "they" use that gauge then? Because the people who designed and
built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for
building wagons, which used that same wheel spacing.
Okay, why did the wagons use that odd wheel spacing? Well... when
they tried to use any other spacing, the wagons were prone to breaking
down on some of the old, long distance roads, because that's the
spacing of the old wheel ruts.
So who created these old rutted roads? The first long distance roads in
Europe were built by the Legions of Imperial Rome for the same reason
the autobahns were built by **** and the Interstates were constructed
in the U.S. To facilitate the movement of troops and supplies throughout
the Empire - Reich - Country.
And the ruts? The initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for
fear of destroying their wagons, were first made by Roman war chariots.
Since the chariots were all made to certain specifications for or by
Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing.
Thus, we have the answer to the original questions. The United States
standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches derives from the original
specification (Military, as it were) for an Imperial Roman army war
chariot.
But one "nagging" question still remains. Why did the design of the
Roman army war chariots incorporate that specific wheelbase?
Answer: Because the chariots were designed to be just wide enough to
accommodate the back ends of two war horses.
So, the next time you are handed some odd ball specification and you
assume that some horse's **** was responsible for coming up with it, you
may be exactly right!
inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way the first railways were built in England, and the
first US railroads were built by English expatriates.
Why did the English people build them like that? Because the first
rail lines in Europe were designed and built by the same people who
built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
Why did "they" use that gauge then? Because the people who designed and
built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for
building wagons, which used that same wheel spacing.
Okay, why did the wagons use that odd wheel spacing? Well... when
they tried to use any other spacing, the wagons were prone to breaking
down on some of the old, long distance roads, because that's the
spacing of the old wheel ruts.
So who created these old rutted roads? The first long distance roads in
Europe were built by the Legions of Imperial Rome for the same reason
the autobahns were built by **** and the Interstates were constructed
in the U.S. To facilitate the movement of troops and supplies throughout
the Empire - Reich - Country.
And the ruts? The initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for
fear of destroying their wagons, were first made by Roman war chariots.
Since the chariots were all made to certain specifications for or by
Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing.
Thus, we have the answer to the original questions. The United States
standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches derives from the original
specification (Military, as it were) for an Imperial Roman army war
chariot.
But one "nagging" question still remains. Why did the design of the
Roman army war chariots incorporate that specific wheelbase?
Answer: Because the chariots were designed to be just wide enough to
accommodate the back ends of two war horses.
So, the next time you are handed some odd ball specification and you
assume that some horse's **** was responsible for coming up with it, you
may be exactly right!
A southeast Florida laid back beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor who lives on island time.
Replies
"Well Gary, the easiest way to look tall is to stand in a room full of short people." - Curtis Bostick
"All these forums, with barely any activity, are like a neglected old cemetery that no one visits anymore."- anonymouse
A southeast Florida laid back beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor who lives on island time.
Leastwise that is the way I remember when I was forced to go.
A southeast Florida laid back beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor who lives on island time.
Lets not redirect your gullibility in re-posting chain emails most grandmothers would reject with healthy skepticism as historically or otherwise valid to my spiritual preference and doctrine , if you please.
Thank you.
"Well Gary, the easiest way to look tall is to stand in a room full of short people." - Curtis Bostick
"All these forums, with barely any activity, are like a neglected old cemetery that no one visits anymore."- anonymouse
No, but I did rescue my 1956 Lionel Bluebird train set from my 5 year old nephew.
Shattering the eccentricities of old people who believe everything sent to them in chain emails is a lot more fun as well as a public service and private kindness.
"Well Gary, the easiest way to look tall is to stand in a room full of short people." - Curtis Bostick
"All these forums, with barely any activity, are like a neglected old cemetery that no one visits anymore."- anonymouse
Thank YOU! . . . from the land of spurious assumptions.
A southeast Florida laid back beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor who lives on island time.
"Well Gary, the easiest way to look tall is to stand in a room full of short people." - Curtis Bostick
"All these forums, with barely any activity, are like a neglected old cemetery that no one visits anymore."- anonymouse
Typed while driving in traffic. Thank you for understanding any errors.
"toyotas aren't made for towing" - GToyFish
when we say the same thing about welfare recipients, you cry like a wounded buffalo Sopchoppy
It's their money, they spend it how they like. Truth and honesty have nothing to do with it. - Mr Jr
"“A radical is one who advocates sweeping changes in the existing laws and methods of government.” "