by D Alex
On a different thread where we were talking about the Portageville bridge, somebody postulated that it would be wider because it was originally made for the wider gauge. On another thread, somebody claimed that over-width loads were sent by the Erie because the right-of-way was wider, having been designed for the old 6' broad gauge.
After thinking about it, I doubt that either comment was true, unless Erie made their cars wider. The main reason for broad gauge was stability, which I would think meant that the cars were the same width, just with wider axles. Also, wouldn't the distance between the centers of each track be the same, just the outside rails were closer?
Does anybody have some good information about this?
After thinking about it, I doubt that either comment was true, unless Erie made their cars wider. The main reason for broad gauge was stability, which I would think meant that the cars were the same width, just with wider axles. Also, wouldn't the distance between the centers of each track be the same, just the outside rails were closer?
Does anybody have some good information about this?