"Origins of potholes” and “Why is the standard British railway gauge 4feet 8½ inches".

The answers to two of those mysteries we have always wondered about!

Due to the absence of our scheduled speaker, Rtn Phil Payne kindly offered to give a short talk on ‘The Origins of Potholes’ and ‘Why the standard British Railway gauge is 4feet 8½ inches.

The two topics may seem far apart but it soon became clear that the two are irrevocably linked in British Roman history.

Chariots on the main trading routes caused ruts on the roads which eventually produced a quagmire of clay, which in turn was used to manufacture clay pots, hence potholes!

In later times the first railways followed the Roman roads and as the width of the wheels/ruts were fixed at 4feet 8½ inches, it was logical to follow the same gauge for the railways!

Sounds like an episode of ‘Would I lie to you’.

Phil also mentioned his previous association with the British Motor Museum, members may like to check out their website at British Motor Museum | Home