what is the technical word for the distance between the inside of each wheel - eg. front wheels?
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Is it? Wouldn't track be to the centre of the wheel, just as wheelbase is to the axle, not the edge of the tyre?
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It's the only part which can give a constant value as depending on toe in/out, camber the value will vary depending on which position of the wheel you take the measurement from.
The front track measurement should be taken in the straight ahead position as turning action will distort the front axle track width.
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Like CP, I believe the track measurement as given in basic specification is to the centre line of the wheel, not the inside rim.
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I believe it is gauge. Broad, Narrow, Standard and Metre. ;)
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_gauge
Completely OT, but I had no idea how many different gauges are in use, even in Europe.
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Just imagine into what trains might have evolved, had Brunel's 7-foot gauge been adopted in the UK.
Sadly, transport policy was as short-sighted then, as now. Mind you, when did anyone listen to Engineers, anyway :-(
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Just imagine into what trains might have evolved had Brunel's 7-foot gauge been adopted
Of course trains would have been much better, more comfortable and faster with safety. But the gauge arguments took place when railways were being built at huge speed, everywhere, by private companies of course. No doubt some canny speculation by landowners was going on too.
So Brunel lost the argument for reasons of cost, the 7ft gauge eating up twice as much land as what became standard gauge. Bean-counters ruled then as now.
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>>the 7ft gauge eating up twice as much land as what became standard gauge
Not at all. The loading gauges were fairly close in size. Whilst the rails were further apart, the carriages were not hugely wider. The ride quality was, however, hugely better. Remember, the north side of the Circle Line underground line was built Broad Gauge.
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>>the 7ft gauge eating up twice as much land Not at all. The loading gauges were fairly close in size.
Perhaps twice as much was an exaggeration, but more anyway. Over hundreds of miles it would mount up.
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