RE: (erielack) Re: EL Mail List Digest V3 #2356

["John C. Strole" <strole.jc_@_verizon.net>]

Then too, there was 4 ft 9 in, 4 ft 10 in use, as well as the later 5 ft 2
1/2 in, all around the magic 4 ft 8 1/2 inch!  Of course, horses weren't all
exactly the same, and presummably wagon tracks varied also.  So why the odd
number of 4 ft 8 1/2 inches?  Wouldn't 4 ft 9 in (4 3/4 ft) or 4 ft 10 in (4
5/6 ft) seem equally acceptable and more easily measured?

Isn't this thread becoming a bit frayed (I'm doing my part!)?

<><   john   ><>

- -----Original Message-----
From: Peter Heimbach [mailto:plh5_@_charter.net]
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 1:52 PM
To: 'EL Mail List'
Subject: RE: (erielack) Re: EL Mail List Digest V3 #2356


Maybe because Erie liked 6'0" for their gage, however, I am sure they had a
good reason.  Prior to Abe Lincoln telling the UP and CP to use our present
standard gage 4' 8 1/2" on the continental railroad we had lots of strange
gages for lots of railroads.  From 2 footers in main to 6 footers on the
Erie and DL&W.

Fascinating history.

Pete


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