Now, this kin be taken two ways ok. When I worked on a rail road gang we were changing out 85 pounds per foot rail to 110, a heavier gauge. Or it could be the width the rails r separated. With a thread like this details are important. Other than that I know SFA about model trains you friggn nerd.
When I was younger, as in no kids, house , wife and 2 full time jobs. I was into h.o. model railroading. Been eyeballing model railroader magazine at the grocery store lately. Something to do when it's to [bleep] to fish or shoot. Today being a perfect example.
Now, this kin be taken two ways ok. When I worked on a rail road gang we were changing out 85 pounds per foot rail to 110, a heavier gauge. Or it could be the width the rails r separated. With a thread like this details are important. Other than that I know SFA about model trains you friggn nerd.
A rail has 3 parts. The top is referred to as the "ball". The thin part in the middle is called the "web" and the bottom is called thd "foot".
"Gauge" is the distance between two rails measured "web to web". Standard "gauge" is four foot, eight and a half inches. Check the standard width of the Roman chariot, 4' 8 1/2"! The Roman road (iter) was wide enough for a two horse chariot. As draft vehicles and roads developed, everyone kind of adapted the width of the Roman chariot. When the "railroad" concept came about, the "carriages" were pulled by teams of horses. When locomotives came of age, the standard "Roman chariot" gauge, or 4' 8 1/2" was adopted. Even today's highways are based on the same basic measurement.
So today's rail gauge is the width of two horses asses! 😉
