What's so "gappy" about Watford Gap?

[Somewhatfoolish]

Maybe a stupid question - but it was my understanding that WCML, M1, A5, some canal all go through the Watford Gap because it's a "gap" between some hills.

But if I look at it on Google Maps in 3d view it doesn't look like much of a gap to me? Local geography looks very tame?

[DickyC]

It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

[Somewhatfoolish]

DickyC said:

It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

But there's bugger all hills! I don't see why all those transport links had to go through there

[DickyC]

Somewhatfoolish said:

DickyC said:

It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

But there's bugger all hills! I don't see why all those transport links had to go through there

Cheaper than going over or through them. It's been like that since ancient times. Take the easiest route.

[Somewhatfoolish]

DickyC said:

Somewhatfoolish said:

DickyC said:

It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

But there's bugger all hills! I don't see why all those transport links had to go through there

Cheaper than going over or through them. It's been like that since ancient times. Take the easiest route.

Maybe this is Google Maps being rubbish. Cause I just don't see these hills you're talking about.

[sherman]

Somewhatfoolish said:

Maybe this is Google Maps being rubbish. Cause I just don't see these hills you're talking about.

Try Bing maps. It will give you OS maps as an overlay. You will then see the contours. Even a short climb can stop a railway. Most trains can only do a 1 in 4 iirc.

[BertBert]

sherman said:

Most trains can only do a 1 in 4 iirc.

hahahahohohohehe, 1 in 20 maybe!

[sherman]

BertBert said:

sherman said:

Most trains can only do a 1 in 4 iirc.

hahahahohohohehe, 1 in 20 maybe!

Hence the iirc

[Fusion777]

Trains do not like gradients. Even the Lickey Incline is only 1 in 37.7.

1 in 4 is super steep, for just about anything.

[Doofus]

Many years ago there was a Watford tree growing there...

[Riley Blue]

Somewhatfoolish said:

DickyC said:

It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

But there's bugger all hills! I don't see why all those transport links had to go through there

Less strain on the horses, canals and railways don't like inclines, cheaper to construct roads through etc. etc.