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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.

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16y ago
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Q: Why are railroad tracks 4 ft 8.5 in apart?
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