Anglo-Egyptian ] 83 RAILWAYS one mile above Kosti , and 238 miles by rail from Khartum , it crosses the White Nile by the Kosti bridge, which was built by an English firm . It then continues westward to El Obeid in Kordofan , another 192 miles , which place it reached in 1911. The construction of this portion of the line was of considerable difficulty, the country over which it passes, especially between Kosti and the terminus, being full of scrub and scattered trees.

From the first the railway was a paying concern, as the natives quickly realised the benefits which its opening conferred upon them , For years they had been content to float their produce down the Nile on flimsy rafts of reed and bamboo, and it would not have been surprising had they hesitated long before making the outlay necessary to secure transport by the new and more rapid means. Gum-arabic from the Kordofan province, to the extent of thousands of tons yearly , now reaches Khartum in a day and a half by rail, as com pared with a fortnight's transport by camel, or the long camel and river journey via El Dueim .

The gauge of the Sudan Government railways is 3 ft . 6 in . As yet all are single tracks. English engine drivers are employed on the expresses . There are four important bridges , viz . , the Atbara, the Blue Nile , the White Nile , and the rolling-lift bridge connecting the two sides of the harbour at Port Sudan . "There are few culverts and no gradients exceeding 1 in 100 . Through bookings on the Egyptian as well as the Sudan railways are in operation both for passengers and goods.

Projected Railways .—The following are among the extensions contemplated or under consideration by the Sudan Government: ( 1 ) From Thamiam , a railway station 124 miles from Port Sudan , to Kassala , a total distance of 214 miles. This may at some future time be extended to Gedaref.