Email Titled Railroads?

Question

"We've always done it like that" quote ring a bell with anyone? Why are the railroad track built a certain gauge apart?

Answer 1

There is a well done rumor circulating that it was beause the Roman Chariots were 4' 8 1/2" wide thats why train tracks are that width (standard gauge).

BUT...Snopes.com puts the kibosh to that... So who knows?

Honestly, I don't know...I'm sure if I asked anyone else on the railroad they'd say "because we've always done it that way" and want to know why I'm asking them...and when I've done trackwork...its because the next set of wheels to come along are going to be that width...never crossed my mind why...

Answer 2

I happen to know the ansdwer to this question.  Back in the late 1700's and early 1800's, before railroads came into existence, wagon wheels that were used on dirt roads had a width of four foot eight and a half between the two wagon wheels.  railroads, in turn, took that emasurement and made the width between the two rails that size.