Re: Some Questions

["Dave Proctor" <daproc@spambait.ozemail.com.au>]

"Goldie" <goldicom@powerup.com.au> wrote in message 39ed6e65@grissom">news:39ed6e65@grissom...

[...snipped...]

> NSW was originally going to be 5'3" in agreement with Vic.  A change of
> engineers before construction began brought a change to std gauge.  Vic
> already had rolling stock on the water so decided to remain with 5'3".
>
> So the gauge fiasco is due to a change of mind - after initial sensible
> agreement (even if it may be argued the original choice of gauge may not
> have been the best - in hindsight).

Sort of correct - all three colonies (NSW, Victoria and SA) had agreed on
standard gauge - then NSW got an Irish engineer, who convinced NSW to change
to 5' 3" - the other colonies changed suit as well to remain compatible. NSW
then got a new Scottish engineer who convinced them to change back to 4'
8½" - but by then, Victoria and SA had ordered locos and rolling stock, and
refused to change back.

Dave