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>Stephenson’s narrow tracks had been introduced first. Originally designed to carry engines transporting coal for the northern mining industry, they were tailor
by trhway 5y ago
>Stephenson’s narrow tracks had been introduced first. Originally designed to carry engines transporting coal for the northern mining industry, they were tailored to match the width needed for accommodating a horse between wagon shafts.
there is also interesting related interpretation of Space Shuttle Booster width back to Roman times through the British narrow railway gauge http://www.astrodigital.org/space/stshorse.html http://www.astrodigital.org/space/stshorse.html
- yyyk 5y agoIt's somewhat of a false myth. First, as the article notes, the reason was related to coal transport in mines, not wagon wheel width. Second, different mines in the world use different widths, many mines being narrower. Third, the victory of this gauge was incidental. Had Brunel picked a broader, but not so huge gauge - like many people did across the world - perhaps the result would have been different. Lastly, the actual standard gauge is a bit broader than what Stephenson had in mind in the beginning. Though he may have agreed to it. I dimly recall a quote by him that if he had done it again he would have taken a few more inches but not many.