Prez Sez: Vern Dale-Johnson (vern_dj@msn.com)

MSCCC Toronto Area Christmas Party, December 11, 1999:

Thank you to Russ & Sylvia Balfour for hosting this year’s MSCCC Christmas party. Attended by the Shier’s, Beer’s, Knight’s (with daughter and grandson), Toma’s, Glenn Nigh & friend, Morgan’s, VDJ (without family), Balfour’s, Sand’s, & Birch’s. Hope I’ve not forgotten anyone as my memory in mid January is a bit foggy! We missed the Kuzyk’s as Lynn was fighting off the flu. The event started during the late afternoon both to allow for additional drinking and chat time before we got into the heavy eating and time to move most of the alcohol through the system before hazarding the drive home. Getting to the Balfour’s this year was a challenge as the major highway was blocked up for miles in each direction due to a serious (read fatal) accident. Those who were listening to the reports hit the secondary routes and enjoyed the scenary.

Thanks to Sylvia also for her efforts to get the 6 issues of the Blurb out during 1999. Despite some "teething" issues with printers (our apologies for the poor photos and stapling) and not enough personal time to make the Blurb what Sylvia would like to see, the efforts are very appreciated. And, for those who have asked for a print size increase instead of having to resort to a magnifying glass, this issue has been increased a font size – hope it helps! Keep those cards and letters coming….

Pub Brunches have been sparsely attended. In December "The Prez" enjoyed lunch on his own while catching up on all the MOG newsletter gossip from around the world. No word on attendance, if any, at the January Brunch. Next Brunch is Feb 6. See you there?

New Year’s with the Aussies:

The DJ’s were off to Australia for Christmas and the Millennium celebrations. Sydney was more akin to Vancouver – great place for ducks (it rained most of our stay with only one brief visit to the beach). Regardless, the relaxation and family time was most enjoyable. For New Year’s Amanda & Vern were on Sydney harbour (just across from the Opera House for those who were watching the festivities). We were with 3 other couples in a water taxi, a civilized and luxurious way to spend the evening as we were able to enjoy a lovely evening meal complete with great Australian wines then walk down to the wharf to catch the taxi about 10:30 – enough time for a couple of glasses of champers before welcoming the new year. The immensity of the celebration was too much -- from the hugh barge-mounted "fish" lanterns, to the crowd on the water, and then there was the 30 minute display of fireworks from several points on the harbour! We were between the main fireworks at the Harbour Bridge/Opera House and the display towards the heads. What a blast! Topping it off was the CNN coverage of celebrations in Tokyo and Seoul (at 2 am) and Beijing (at 3) before we retired to get up in time for Paris, Rome, and London then a break as New Year’s celebrations worked their way around to St. John’s Newfoundland. Sorry, but after that the CNN coverage was primarily on US cities and we lost interest after New York. Needless to say, we were prepared to stay in Oz should the Y2K bug have caused some major problems!

A call to Stan & Jenny Jodeikin of the Morgan Owners’ Club of Australia resulted in a visit with them, along with Rudi & Sylvia Rencoret, for the usual swapping of regalia and stories – Stan gave me a copy of Bryan Reading’s cartoon booklet, some are new to me and will make publication in future issues of the Blurb. We had more than our share of catching up to do as it had been close to 2 year’s since we last met. This was not the only Morgan encounter however. On New Year’s eve, while walking around Cremorne Point to view the crowds gathered for the midnight festivities, I stepped back for a photo and noticed the fellow closest to me had a Morgan crest on his shirt. A quick look took in a traditional green and white golf umbrella as well. It was Max Scott of the Australian club with family. We quickly realized we knew each other from previous visits, in fact Max "owns" one of the stirling silver buckles Greg Kaufman had made a couple of year’s ago. Truly a small world!

And the usual plea – please pay your 2000 Dues! We’re asking for $25 (Canadian Beaver Bucks for those in Canada, US Greenbacks for those in the US and overseas) so we can keep this party rolling! Check the mailing label on the front of the envelope. If it says "99" after your name this means either you haven’t paid your dues (in which case please sit down right now and write out your cheque) or, have paid but the accounting info hasn’t caught up with the label maker yet (in which case thank you and expect to see the needed "00" after your name on the next mailing). Those who have not paid by the end of February will bring the wrath of Morganeering upon themselves as we will strike them from our membership and mailing lists.

Several members have asked for a listing of members names and phone numbers. Some years ago it was decided this list would not be made public. We have, over the past year, issued information on email addresses (updated list enclosed, please email Vern DJ if your address is not included or is incorrect). As this has not caused any known complaints, we are prepared to issue a complete list of members names and their city. If you do not want your name on this list please advise Vern DJ or Sylvia B before the end of February 2000.

Coming events:

Y2K TREK UPDATE (May 19-22, 2000): 

There is considerable excitement developing for our first run of 2000 – the Queenston to Tobermory Y2K trek. Mary has been working on the accommodation and rest stops while Ray has been analyzing all known maps of the area to find the most appropriate route paralleling the famous "Bruce Trail".

The schedule is looking like this:  Group photo at The Bruce Trail cairn in Queenston Heights Park at 8:30 am on Saturday May 20; departure from park at 9:00 am; 30 minute stop at the Welland Canal; Lunch at a winery TBA; a 30  minute stop at Mt.  Nemo for  a  spectacular view; a pit stop in Limehouse.

Saturday accommodation in the Orangeville area at the Hockley  Highlands  Inn  and  Conference  Centre   just  east  of  Highway #10  off  the  Hockley  Valley  Road.  Website  is: www.hockleytrails.com Please  reserve  before  April  1 at 800 -767 - 8071 addressing  your  enquiries  to Reservations under  the  Morgan  Sports  Car  Club  of  Canada. Room  rates  are:  $75  for a  regular  room  with  3 - piece  bath  or  $80  for a  deluxe ( larger room  with  4 - piece bath) One  building  accomodates  pets. Dinner  will  be  $30 pp while a  buffet  breakfast is available at $10 pp. Mary’s  friend  highly  recommends  the  cuisine.

Another early start on Sunday with  accommodation  in  Tobermory at  the  Princess  Inn. Please  call  before  April 1 at 877 - 901 - 8282  anytime  after  10 am  and  speak  to  Shirley  or Carol. Refer to MSCCC. Rooms will be  $80 (smoking or non). Dinner and breakfast will be  $50  for  2  people (taxes & gratuity included).
 

And of course a group photo op at the  northern cairn of the Bruce Trail in beautiful downtown Tobermory before dark. 

On Monday May 22, you can either head back  down "The Bruce" or board the Chi-Chi-Maun for a Manitoulin  Island experience. Some websites to surf in your spare time:

http://www.niagara-on-the-lake.com http://www.brucetrail.org
http://www.escarpment.org

More details will be available as they happen.   

Mary & Ray Shier 905-877-1427 shier@bserv.com  

MOG South 25^th Anniversary, April 14-16:  

For those who just can’t wait for May, check out Charlie King’s Mog South 25^th Anniversary event coming up in Charleston April 14-16. Charlie and Carolyn King attended our last MSCCC Fall Weekend and it would be a fitting gesture to have some of the Canadian group return the visit. Headquarters for the meet will be The Hampton Inn Riverview. Charlie is the organizer of this event and can be reached at 843-762-4545.

MCC DC MOG 30, June 30 – July 3:

First information on MOG 30 is starting to trickle in from the Washington DC club. This year’s event will feature Morgan trikes (first time since MOG 23 in Charlottesville). This year’s event will be at the Shawnee Inn on the Delaware River near East Stroudsburg on the Pennsylvania – New Jersey border (Northeast of Allentown, Southeast of Scranton). Events start Friday June 30 in the afternoon with a concours & rally on Saturday July 1, autocross & gymkana on Sunday July 2. For those staying over for Monday there will be a driving tour of the area or a canoe trip on the river. The Shawnee Inn was built in 1916 so offers not only fine accommodation but plenty of nostalgic charm. 65 rooms have been reserved under the MCC DC. Call early at 800-SHAWNEE. Rate is $110 + 16% tax per night. Room have also been reserved at the nearby Ramada Inn (East Stroudsburg ??) 800-2RAMADA also under the MCC DC name. Rate is $100 + tax and service. Rooms will be held until May 30, 2000.

As has been the custom for past MOG’s, the MCC DC has kindly offered a concession to Canadians attending – a reduced registration fee. As this year’s MOG is several hours closer to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal it would be great to see a significant Canadian "Rumble of Morgans" attend this year. For more info call Ed Geiger at 703-620-0659 or email Ed at efgea@aol.com

4th British Car Drivers Week, May 20 – 28, 2000:

You will notice that both opposing weekends are included this year for more driving time for those of you who are more likely to get your cars out and drive them during the weekends.  You will also notice that the word "Drivers" has been added to the title.

As many of you may already know, next spring marks the fourth annual British Car "Drivers" Week.  This is a worldwide event for all British marques with the intent that it will continue to grow in popularity as the years go by. This "awareness" week is intended for all British car owners to get their cars out on the roads in their locality, to have some fun with them, and promote them for all to see and appreciate

By getting our cars out on the roads at the same time during this week, we can create an awareness in our own part of the world that these unique, charming, fun cars are still around and doing well, thus hoping to create some new or renewed interests in them to help keep our hobby and related clubs and businesses going strong.

.This past May, I noticed an upsurge of British cars driving around my home town during BC Week as well as some classic German and Italian models that I hadn't seen before the week started, and haven't seen since the week ended. Maybe we've got some competition!! Thanks for your time, and hope to see you on the road. Scott Helms Visit the web page:  http://members.aol.com/Trmgafun/britishcarweek.html

MOA III 2000 "The Eastern Experience":

I’m still looking for co-drivers! If your interested please email or call me. You don’t have to commit to the entire trip as long as you’re willing to make your own arrangements to catch the group en-route. I expect I’ll be leaving for the drive to New Orleans about Sept 3. Plan at this time is to take our Morgan on a trailer towed by the Isuzu so the convoy has the use of the trailer when and if needed during the run. This does assume we have at least two valid drivers licenses available at all times as I don’t plan on trailering OLBDII’s over the entire route!

More details of the run are trickling in. The organizers, Steve Roake, Kathy Tollworthy and Elaine Fisher have developed a "logo" (with the help of Peter Schmidt of the Norther California MSCC) while Kathy is working on a badge and other regalia with the help of Steve Kellerman. Elaine is working to develop a web page.

Current plan is to meet in New Orleans on Thursday Sept 7, leaving New Orleans on Saturday Sept 9 and finishing up in Hershey Pennsylvania at the Antique Automobile Show on Friday Oct 6 with the final banquet on Saturday Oct 7.

Morgan clubs along the route are being contacted to invite them to meet up with the "rumble" or to join in activities. If you can offer assistance (in Canada, the route is Montreal through to Halifax) cotact Steve Roake at the phone or email address listed below.

On this side of the pond contact Kathy Tollworthy (925-462-6378, trikenut@aolcom), Steve Roake (415-864-2260, togetsteve@aol.com), or Elaine Fisher (925-930-6030), elainef@ibm.net or Elaine.fisher@jmmdhs.com .

Central Canada Morgan Events:

March 5 MSCCC Pub Brunch, Queens Head Inn, Brant St, Burlington 12 noon (VDJ 416-530-4599)

April 2 MSCCC Pub Brunch, Queens Head Inn, Brant St, Burlington 12 noon (VDJ 416-530-4599)

April 16 Ancaster British Car Flea Market

May 7 MSCCC Pub Brunch, Queens Head Inn, Brant St, Burlington 12 noon (VDJ 416-530-4599)

May 19-22 Y2K run from Queenston to Tobermory, Ray & Mary Shier (905-877-1427, shier@bserv.com )

June 18 Classics Against Cancer, Georgetown

June 30-July3 MOG 30, Shawnee Inn Penn, Ed Geiger 703-620-0659, efgea@aol.com

West Coast Events for MSCCC and MOG NW:

Feb 13 MOGNW Notherne Centre Hearts & Tarts Run, Steve & Liz Blake 604-943-6416

Eastern Canada Events for MSCCC and GoMoG:

May 7 GoMoG Annual Spring Brunch, The Tea Room in Pakenham. Ed Burman 613-839-3140
May 27 Old Port of Montreal Car Show. Ed Burman 613-839-3140
May 28 Oxford Mills Car Show Anglican Church in Oxford. Ed Burman 613-839-3140
June 25 The Richmond Car Show. Ed Burman 613-839-3140
July 1 Canada Day Car Show, Arnprior. Ed Burman 613-839-3140

July 15 The Trembling Tremblant Run, Mt Tremblant. Ed Burman 613-839-3140
Aug 12 The Hurst Marina Boat and Car Show. Ed Burman 613-839-3140

Aug 27 Moggies on the Grass. Ed Burman 613-839-3140

Sept Quyon/Healey Cornroast naturally held in Quyon (date TBA). Ed Burman 613-839-3140
Oct 21 La  Runne de la Grosse Citrouille. Ed Burman 613-839-3140

Other Events of interest:

April 14-16 MOG South 25^th Anniversary, Charlie King 843-762-4545

May 20-28 4th British Car Drivers Week (get out and exercise the beast!)

Aug 17-21 MOG 2000, Canterbury (U of Kent Campus plus trip to Le Touquet France) info tel: 01306 887046, fax: 01306 884562 or check the website http://www.itmc.net/mog2000

Sept 10 18^th Annual Battle of the Brits, Sterling Heights Mich, Sue Snyder 810-9794875 snydley@home.com

Sept 9-Oct 8, 2000 Morgans Over America, The Eastern Experience (see above)

Morgan Memorabilia:

Our run of millennium badges has sold out. We do have a good supply of "pins" available (these are mini-badges – high quality and only C$12 each!). Silver belt buckles (from Greg Kaufman or Vern Dale-Johnson) are again available at a price of $200 each. Also, don’t forget the MSCCC crest can be embroidered on clothing of your choice. Other regalia – the input has been tremendously non-existent however we are considering some high quality pewterware or crystal objects d’ art. Direct all input and enquiries to Vern Dale-Johnson.

The ¾ club has asked if we’d advise Morganeers of a new embroidered "patch" they have available. 2.5 inches high by 3.5 inches wide (wingtip to wingtip). Gold with white wings, black "+" and gold lettering on a green triangle. Price is US$10 or 3 for US$25. Order from Jim Dickson, 690 Plympton St, New Milford, NJ 07646.

Notes from the East: Ed Burman (elburman@cyberus.ca)

Ed, our "Interclub Coordinator" has been getting very lonely so…. The following is his plea to Morgan visitors to our fair shores for use of his services:

DO YOU LIKE MEETING INTERESTING NEW PEOPLE WITH A COMMONALITY OF INTERESTS? If you answered either YES or MAYBE to this question, please get in touch with me!   The plan is to set up a network of Canadian Morgan owners who are willing to host visiting Morgan owners from other parts of Canada, the USA, Mexico, or from overseas.   This would be a two-way street of course, since we hope to establish a  network of contact people who are willing to reciprocate for Canadian visitors.   You would merely have to contact your "Interclub Coordinator" who will, hopefully, provide a contact for you at your travel destination.

Edward L. Burman  (1969 Morgan 4/4 four seater)
PO Box 268, Carp, Ontario.  K0A 1L0
Email:  <elburman@cyberus.ca
Phone:  [613] 839-3041
...Morgan ownership can bring both Joy and Pain, but it's worth it !...

Afternoon Vern. The summer events that were scheduled for GoMoG are as follows.

May
- Annual Spring Brunch, Sunday the 7th May at The Tea Room in Pakenham. A marvellous location resplendid scenery, antiques for sale and we are going to savour the grub.
- Old Port of Montreal Car Show 27th May.
- Oxford Mills Car Show, 28th May at the Anglican Church in Oxford. A very homey show where the exhibitors don't pay and the Ladies Auxiliary prepare the culinary delights.
June
- The Richmond Car Show the 25th June at Richmond, Triumph organized and that says it all.
July
- Canada Day Car Show the 1st July at Arnprior, a Kaufman tradition.  A fun day for the car enthusiast.
- The Trembling Tremblant Run, the 15th July at Mt Tremblant. A day of golf, dogs and lounging in any order you wish.
August
- The Hurst Marina Boat and Car Show the 12th August at Hurst Marina. Vintage boats and vintage cars, what a combination.
- Moggies on the Grass the 27th August, location to be confirmed.
September
- Quyon/Healey Cornroast naturally held in Quyon, date to be confirmed.
October

- La  Runne de la Grosse Citrouille 21st Oct, starting location and destination still a secret, we don't want the Triumphs to schedule this run for September.

For further information please contact, the Magnificent, Omnipotent and Almighty Edward Burman (The Modest/Humble) at 1-613-839-3140 or E-mail elburman@cyberus.ca

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In December "The Prez" received a call from a young lady indicating her mother was visiting Toronto from Riga, Lativa and that her father owns a Morgan. A visit was arranged with the opportunity to expand our circle of Morgan friends into Eastern Europe. Shortly thereafter the following arrived on "The Prez’s" computer:

Dear Mr. Dale-Johnson, Thanks to my friends [daughter & son-in-law] in Toronto, who visited you, I learned about you and your MSCCC. Thank you for the souvenirs - I received your badges [crest and lapel pin] and 2 copies of The Blurb, one of them with a photo of your Morgan +4 (# 4/99).

For 18 years already, I am an honorary member of the MSCC in the UK. I own a Morgan 4/4 (1936). It is one of the first four-wheel Morgans with the Coventry-Climax engine. It is the only one in the vast areas of the former USSR, so I do not have colleagues here. Beside Morgan, I have a Bedford B-6 (England, 1925), DAS "Victoria" (Germany, 1907, a replicar), and several cars and motorcycles from 1943-60 (USSR, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary), mostly, from the so-called Stalin era.

I live in Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is a former Soviet republic, now an independent state. I am a member of the Latvian Antique Car Club (AAK), with owners of various cars and bikes as members. Riga has one of the biggest antique car museums in Europe with a nice display of vintage cars and motorcycles.

I would be happy to learn more about you and MSCCC. My address: 41-2 Janogu St., Riga

LV-1063, Latvia.

Merry Christmas and happy new Millennium to you and all the Canadian Morgan enthusiasts!

Best regards, Gennady Michailov

Notes from the West: Ron Theroux (ronsmog@home.com)

The annual "Robbie Burns Run" took place on January 23^rd. Sorry a suitable representative from the Eastern executive couldn’t be there this year folks – know you will have had great weather (while we froze our @$#$ in Toronto) and enjoyed the "Flying Beaver".

Mike Powley’s Seasons Greetings from Canada were truly meant to cater to all sexes, all religions and all nationalities. In their entirety:

"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all."

"May you have a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2000, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Canada great, (not to imply that Canada is necessarily greater than any other country), and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual orientation of the wishee."

"By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher."

"This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."

Couldn’t have said it better.

Thanks Mike!

Notes from the Web:

From: BARTHAM@aol.com [SMTP:BARTHAM@aol.com]
To: morgans@autox.team.net
Subject: Need Morgan Opinions

I'm a "First Time Listener", "First Time Caller".  I just joined the list because I've found in the past that this is not the place to find shy and retiring people that don't like to share opinions.  I'm in the hunt for my first Morgan (I'd list previous cars but there is an electron shortage on the web).  This is a dangerous question but I'd like to get preferences from people that own MOGs about 4's vs 8’s and old vs new.  I'm almost certain that I'll go with a +8 (non-propane, no offense) but new vs old is still up in the air.  This car will get driven although not in the winter or in REAL bad weather.  I've owned a lot of English sports cars and it's time for a MOG.

I've really just started the hunt and I'm looking for information to narrow my selection.  I'm sure that most of the people on the list would be bored by much of this (or it could start a very hot thread) so replies off-list are welcome. Thanks, Bart

Bart,

I have read the many replies to your request for comments and I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth as a first time plus 4 owner. I also have owned many British cars in the past and I can say I have had fun with all of them. However I can also say that I am having great fun with the Morgan. I find the difference is when I get into the Morgan it just screams at me to drive it hard. I like sliding around corners and just doing all kinds of crazy things that I didn't really get the urge to do with my other British cars. Maybe I am entering my second childhood, but I am having fun. I have now even become very interested in racing. I was interested in watching vintage racing when I had my other cars, but with the Morgan I want to race it.

My car is a 67 plus 4 and I spent last winter taking it apart. It was supposedly restored, but that definition varies greatly from person to person. I ended up taking apart the engine, trani, radiator, gas tank and rear end. I also totally rebuilt the brakes since before that I felt I was pushing my foot through the floor to stop the car. Anyway it has been great this past summer and I did not break down even once. However I did smoke some wires in early November when I was heading to an autocross. Apparently my headlight wiring shorted and I ended up having to totally rewire that circuit. Luckily I shut off the head lights before those wires melted into other critical wires. Now I get almost as much pleasure from working on the car as I do driving it. I love to tinker and rebuilt things so this car is an excellent fit.

I have never driven a +8 and only drove a 4/4 once, but I am sure they are all similar and great fun. I have read considerable discussions about "hot" 4/4's and it has made me think that may be the next car I look for.

So anyway what I believe is great about these cars is that they are fun to drive and there is always something to do on them, either to fix something or making it run better/faster/etc. Good luck in your search, Phil Roettjer 67 +4 & 67 MGB

Well as you know I did the deed and sold my Mog. Had to really as Claude Jacque’s offer was really very good. A very traumatic parting after 13 years of ownership. I am consoled by thoughts of building up a +8 to the same level as the +4 but with cubes!!!!  I'll use the same engine builder and have some fun. Keep your eyes open for an 8. Yeah I know I have to stand in line behind the Pres himself.

I have been on line a lot with the guy from NY who bought the Kuzyk’s Comp 4/4. Geoff Wheatley (the buyer) is trying to put a Spax gas shock kit on the car and asked me for advice. I referred him to you and told him to think twice
about dumping the Selecta Rides. You will probably hear from him. Keep in touch. Just because I sold it doesn't mean I don't care!! David Rees-Potter

You do not read "Road & Track" to find out about sedans?  You read "Consumer Reports" to find out about sedans.  You read "Road & Track" to find out about Sports Cars (and read Dennis Simanaitis' column). Gerry Willburn

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The January 2000 issue of Road and Track lists the 1936 Morgan and all subsequent models among the top 100 cars of the past 100 years. Now the rest of the world knows what we've known all along!

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Check out the Jan 2000 issue of "Classic & Sports Car". There is a full comparison of 5 +8’s from 69, 76, 86, 94, and 99. Great comparison. Also the Jan 2000 issue of "British Car" has a good pictorial of Morgan’s at Pebble Beach and a "how to" from Malcolm Terry on building a 327 hp +6 from a basket-case 59 +4 roadster.

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For Sale / Morgans Wanted:

1970 4/4, 2 seater, 43000 miles, BRG.  Older restoration, engine rebuilt in the past 5000 miles. Very good condition, full wood dash and door panels, wire wheels, lots of Mog bits (mirrors, lights, badge bar).
Cdn$28,000. Photos available. Call Brian Wallace (604) 534-7651, wallace@istar.ca

58 Morgan, previous owner replaced Ford 105E with Cortina 1600 GT c/w Weber downdraft, transmission and dif are original. Sound basic car with no frills. Stainless exhaust, Americanized electricals, no bumpers or side curtains. Body & frame sound, true mileage unknown, driven summers and stored in a indoor heated garage.  Located in Elliot Lake Ontario (Northwest of Sudbury).  Asking $15,000, offers?  Contact Paul Fuller 705-461-9080 pfuller@canada.com

And you thought you knew everything…

The US (and Canadian) standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet 8.5 inches. That’s an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used? Because that’s the way they built them in England and English expatriates built the US railroads. Why did the English build them like that? Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that’s the gauge they used. Why did "they" use that gauge? Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools they used for building wagons and they used that wheel spacing. Okay! Why did the wagons have that particularly odd wheel spacing? Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long distance roads in England because that was the spacing of the wheel ruts. So who built those old rutted roads? Well, the first long-distance roads in Europe (and England) were built by Imperial Rome for their legions. The roads have been used ever since. And the ruts? Roman war chariots made the initial ruts and everyone else had to match the width for fear of destroying their wagon wheels and wagons. Since the chariots were made for, or by, Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing. Thus, we have the answer to the original question. The North American standard railroad gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches derives from the original specification for an Imperial Roman war chariot.

Specifications and bureaucracies live forever. So, the next time you are handed a specification and wonder which horse’s ass came up with it, you may be exactly right. Because the Imperial Roman was chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses. And now, the twist to the story….. When you see a Space Shuttle sitting on the launch pad, there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid fuel rocket boosters, or SRB’s. Thiokol makes the SRB’s at their factory in Utah. The engineers who designed the SRB’s might have preferred to make them a bit fatter but the SRB’s had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line from the factory runs through a tunnel in the mountains. The SRB’s had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track is about as wide as two horses asses. So the major design feature of what is arguably the worlds most advanced transportation system was determined by the width of a horse’s ass!