[Gary]

What is it that links a horses backside and the Space Shuttle?

Happy modelling
Gary

PS There is a very interesting article on this subject in the latest Warley Model Railway Club magazine which is a massive 30 pages of very good reading and no adverts and all part of the club membership. Would readers of this magazine please not reveal the answer! There is bound to be somebody here who knows the answer to this trivia question anyway!

 

[poliss]

Nothing, it's an urban myth.

 

[goedel]

QUOTE (Gary @ 14 Jul 2007, 19:34) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>What is it that links a horses backside and the Space Shuttle?
It must be something to do with thrust or escape velocities?

Goedel

 

[poliss]

Nope, it's supposed to be about Roman war chariots and 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches "Standard Gauge". The myth is debunked here http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazine/34.html amongst other places.

 

[goedel]

QUOTE (poliss @ 14 Jul 2007, 20:24) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Nope, it's supposed to be about Roman war chariots and 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches "Standard Gauge". The myth is debunked here http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazine/34.html amongst other places.
But what have Roman war chariots got to do with the Space Shuttle??!

Goedel

 

[poliss]

The Space Shuttle part of this very old myth is explained at http://www.snopes.com/history/american/gauge.htm

 

[goedel]

How disappointing, I was hoping the connection was going to be funny!

Goedel

 

[Gary]

If you read the article closely the author starts by saying it is a myth (to capture the reader) and then goes on to suggest that maybe it is not based on the facts of the case!

Basically 2 horses backsides = 1 Space Shuttle fuel rocket.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[double00]

"Hot gases!"

 

[60134]

What bugs me is the assumption that a chariot's wheels need to be spaced at the width of two horses - why? Two horses use a common shaft between them that attaches to the centre of the chariot / wagon which could be any width. A single horse uses a pair of shafts and might, just, dictate the width of the vehicle but then horses come in all shapes and sizes which vary the height of the shafts and the spacing between them. A device called a swingle tree is often used which allows complete flexibility if need be so the idea that chariots set the gauge of our railways is laughable. What gauge did the ancient greeks use for their tramways around Corinth? And why don't we still use that gauge?

60134 (horseman and amateur whip)

 

[goedel]

QUOTE (60134 @ 15 Jul 2007, 12:41) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>60134 (horseman and amateur whip)
I think that the Father of the Forum, HRH The Prince Philip should be petitioned for a ruling on this matter given his expertise with all things horsical...

Goedel

 

[34C]

A more respectable theory on gauge choice concerns axle length. The accumulated experience at the time of early industrialisation on the maximum length of axle which would perform reliably in service effectively 'set the gauge' of the horse tramways which were converted to steam traction.

 

[double00]

Where does the "shuttle" come into the equation

 

[Gary]

QUOTE Where does the "shuttle" come into the equation

To summerise the Space Shuttle fuel tanks were designed to pass through a railway tunnel. The size of the tunnel was determined by the width of two horses backsides as the wheels of the Roman chariot that they hauled were the same distance apart as standard gauge railway lines.

What this means of course is that horses in Ireland and Spain have got fat backsides!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[pedromorgan]

Were these american horses backsides or continental backsides?

Unfortunatly as several have pointed out this is an urban myth.

Did you know that Hitler wanted to build broad gauge in the 1930's? what a railway that could have been! broad gauge 4-8-4's......

Peter

 

[60134]

Blimey! Brunel must have had big gees!

60134

 

[7113]

But what have the Romans ever done for us?

Well...................................

Regards

John