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It is interesting to see the variety, but the data is sort of conaminated by industrial users, particulaly east coal companies... If we limit the list to common carriers, the list will have fewer gauges. Doug's first list was an eye opener if only because of how many narrow gauge locomotives were purchased in the 1860's... we tend to think of narrow gauge starting with the D&RG in 1871.
Good points. There are a lot of "name of private comapne or individual "- for -" ultimate used on a common carrier. I took it to be sort of like an early version of equipment trusts.
It was nasty business going through this list. since dropping out secondary and later owners may have lost information.
It is really confused during WWI and WWII when there was a list "U.S.A. c/o somebody for use at" and then at the end of the war they were deaded or sold to a common carrier.
Another item I saw happen was the only destination was such-and-such docks NYC. or the destination was Spain or Bolivia with no ultimate user.
Much information might not have been on the TXT document I had - either lost or unknown.
One gauge I loved was someting like 23 3/5"
The 1870 list shows a lot of gauges that are 1/2" off. Or maybe 0.4cm off. Like 4mm is not in the tolerance zone.
Doug vV