Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE CAPE TO CAIRO RAILWAY. 159 EMBARKING A LOCOMOTIVE ON PONTOON FOR FERRYING ACROSS THE KAFUÉ RIVER TO WORK THE LINE ON THE NORTHERN SIDE DURING THE ERECTION OF THE KAFUÉ BRIDGE. (Photo, by permission of Mr. W. L. Lawley.) and certainly one of the warmest, supporters. Considerable surprise has been expressed in many quarters that further extension north- wards was not undertaken immediately this money became available. Those at the head of affairs, however, decided to obtain further and more detailed information as to the char- acter of the country northwards to Lake Tan- ganyika, its resources, and the possibility of this portion of the line paying its way, before and west to the sea. Until some possibility of these “ feeder ” lines being constructed became apparent therefore, the authorities decided that it was better policy to stay their hands at Broken Hill. As will be seen a little later, the possibility of several of these branch lines being built has at length (February 1909) taken definite shape. The portion of the line from the Victoria Falls to Broken Hill was pushed forward with extraordinary speed. This section of the line, 375 miles in length, was com- pleted in June 1906, the last Exter,s’°” 1 Broken Hill. 241 miles of the line being laid in 346 days. The average rate of progress was about a mile a day, but in twelve hours on September 26, 1905, no less than 5| miles of track were laid, an easy record in plate-laying. From 3,000 to 5,000 labourers were constantly employed upon this portion of the line, super- vised by a staff of about 350 white men. Fully 50 miles of the line to the north of the Zambesi were laid before the bridge over the Victoria Falls was completed, the necessary plant, material, and equipment being con- veyed across the gorge by the electric trans- porter. taking any definite steps. It must be borne in mind that experience all the world over goes to show that the rail- ways that pay best are those which have several outlets to the sea. In the case of the trans-African line, the only branch of this description that it possesses at the pres- ent time is the line from Bulawayo and Salisbury to Beira. The Central African portion of the railway there- fore can hope to pay for many years after its con- struction only by means of branch lines running east LOCOMOTIVE CROSSING THE KAFUE RIVER ON PONTOON. (Photo, by permission of W. L. Lawley.)