. Our iron roads: their history, construction and administration . r consideration. The term is, asa matter of fact, applied to that por-tion of a line that is the least perma-nent of the whole, and it requirescontinual repairs and replacement tomaintain it in proper condition. Theword, however, is employed in contra-distinction from the temporary waylaid down for the use of the contractor in the construction ofthe line. Here at the outset we may deal with the question of subject has involved a large expenditure of time, discussion,and money. The original width of the coal tramroads
. Our iron roads: their history, construction and administration . r consideration. The term is, asa matter of fact, applied to that por-tion of a line that is the least perma-nent of the whole, and it requirescontinual repairs and replacement tomaintain it in proper condition. Theword, however, is employed in contra-distinction from the temporary waylaid down for the use of the contractor in the construction ofthe line. Here at the outset we may deal with the question of subject has involved a large expenditure of time, discussion,and money. The original width of the coal tramroads in theNorth of England, which virtually determined the British gauge,was not fixed on any scientific theory ; it was adopted simplybecause of its practical convenience, five feet being the customarywidth of the gates through which the way-leaves led. Whenthe Liverpool and Manchester line was projected, Mr. GeorgeStephenson, the engineer, saw no reason to depart from the Initial letter represents Conway Castle and part of its Tubular and Sus-pension Bridges. 227. 2 28 OUR IRON ROADS. gauge generally established, and the Liverpool and ManchesterRailway was laid down with the gauge of four feet eight inchesand a half. The branch lines were necessarily constructed inthe same way, since the engines and carriages would otherwisehave been unable to pass from one to the other ; and when thegreat main lines were planned to lead southwards to the metro-polis, uniformity of gauge was indispensable. Some engineers were of opinion that the narrowness of thegauge thus selected involved a crowding of the machinery ofthe engines that was inconvenient both to the builder and thecleaner ; and regret was expressed that the gauge had not beenfixed a few inches wider. Further experience, however, showedthat these difficulties might be surmounted, and the requisitemeans for the prevention of the evils referred to were, to a greatextent, provided. The question was under discussion when a great chang
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectrailroa, bookyear1883
