The inwardly curving portions of railway passenger carriages at the point where the carriage sides join the underframes is also called the tumblehome. Tumblehome styling of railway carriages was particularly prevalent in Britain and Ireland (or on railways influenced by British engineers or equipment builders) in the 19th century and "wood body" era of the early 20th century. This enabled a wooden step running the length of the carriage to remain within the dimensions of the loading gauge, while still allowing maximum width for the main body of the carriage. Thus there was space to place a foot when entering or leaving the carriage.