0
The short answer is because it is a good compromise between narrow gauge rails which allow tighter radius curves and broad gauge which allows higher speed.
A gentleman called George Stephenson used the 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) gauge for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, authorized in 1826 and opened 30 September 1830. The success of this project led to George Stephenson and his son Robert being employed to engineer several other larger railway projects.
In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a Royal Commission in 1845 reported in favor of a 4 ft 8½ in standard gauge because there was seven times the track laid at that gauge. Great Britain was the main exporter of railroad technology at that time so that became the standard.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How many ft equal 1020 in?
85 ft.
85 inches equals?
85 inches = 7 ft 1 inch
How long are the lines on the highway and how far apart are they?
10 ft in the states and 30 ft apart 3 ft in Canada and 9ft apart. I'm not 100% sure about the Canada one :/
What is 85 feet in meters?
1 ft = 0.3048m ⇒ 85ft = 85 x 0.3048m = 25.908m
85 inches equal how many feet?
There are 12 inches in 1 foot. 85 in. * (1 ft./12 in.) = 7.0833 ft. Therefore, 85 inches equals approximately 7.1 feet.
If you are approaching a railroad crossing and a train is coming how many feet away from the tracks should you stop?
15
What is the distance between the railroad tracks called?
It is called a gauge. The North American railroad system's gauge is 4 ft. 8 1/2 in. in width. It is the width of a Roman chariot.
What is the width between two railroad tracks called?
The Gauge. In America we use standard gauge - 4 ft 8,1/2 inches.
How far apart are the tracks of a railraod?
Sixty percent of the world's railways use a gauge of 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
How many ft equal 1020 in?
85 ft.
How many feet in 85 meters?
278.87 ft Direct Conversion Formula 85 m* 1 ft 0.3048 m = 278.8713911 ft
85 inches equals?
85 inches = 7 ft 1 inch
How long are the lines on the highway and how far apart are they?
10 ft in the states and 30 ft apart 3 ft in Canada and 9ft apart. I'm not 100% sure about the Canada one :/
What is the distance between railroad ties?
2 ft
How man meters are in 85 ft?
25.908m
How tall is a railroad tank car?
It is about 12 ft tall.
What is 85 feet in meters?
1 ft = 0.3048m ⇒ 85ft = 85 x 0.3048m = 25.908m
