What's so "gappy" about Watford Gap?

What's so "gappy" about Watford Gap?

Author
Discussion

Somewhatfoolish

Original Poster:

4,806 posts

200 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
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

53,854 posts

212 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
It's a low point between hills, rather than a gap. Watford Gap sounds better than Watford Low Point.

Somewhatfoolish

Original Poster:

4,806 posts

200 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
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

53,854 posts

212 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
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

Original Poster:

4,806 posts

200 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
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

14,344 posts

229 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
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

20,246 posts

225 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
sherman said:
Most trains can only do a 1 in 4 iirc.
hahahahohohohehe, 1 in 20 maybe!

sherman

14,344 posts

229 months

Thursday 12th September 2024
quotequote all
BertBert said:
sherman said:
Most trains can only do a 1 in 4 iirc.
hahahahohohohehe, 1 in 20 maybe!
Hence the iirc rolleyes

Fusion777

2,450 posts

62 months

Friday 13th September 2024
quotequote all
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

30,351 posts

187 months

Friday 13th September 2024
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Many years ago there was a Watford tree growing there...

Riley Blue

22,217 posts

240 months

Friday 13th September 2024
quotequote all
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.