214 Rnitways.

It eventually reached Khartoum North (Halfaya) on the last day of 1899. The Suakin-Berber railway was boldly taken in hand during the Suakin expedition in the spring of 1885, but only a few miles were laid, and it was then abandoned.

The route for the future Nile-Red Sea railway has now been decided on and surveyed (1902-03), and the laying has been commenced from both ends.

The present lines from Haifa to Khartoum North and Dongola (Kerma) were laid primarily to supply an army in the field ; the route, method of laying, and materials, were all chosen with this object in view.

Partly as a consequence of this, nearly 50 per cent, of the line is in the desert. The main line is 575 miles, and the Kerma line is 203 miles long. The gauge of the lines is 3 feet 6 inches, the same as the Cape railways. Single line throughout (except at the crossing-places).

Goods trains on the Khartoum line have to carry 7,000 gallons of water to enable them to cross the waterless desert sections ; this considerably reduces the useful carrying power of the line.

The Kerma line runs through very rocky country, and has sharp curves and steep gradients. It is liable to washouts, and,. as its cost is prohibitive in proportion to the traffic receipts, it will be abandoned in December, 1904, and the Dongola Province will be later connected to the main line by a branch line to Abu Hamed.

Khartoum line, steepest gradient 1 in 125 ; sharpest curve 9G0 feet radius. Kerma line, steepest gradient, 1 in 50 ; sharpest curve 500 feet radius. The Nile-Red Sea line will leave the main line about the mouth of the Atbara, will run up this river to about Khor Hudi (15 miles), and then branch off north-eastwards over the desert to Suakin, via Sinkat Pass. It is now in course of construction, and should be finished by the summer of 1906. Besides this and the Abu Hamed-Merowe branch, which is to be shortly commenced, other projected railway extension is from Omdurman to El Obeid, Suakin to Kassala, and Khartoum (N.) to opposite Wad Medani.

KHAETOUM LINE.

List of Stations. Miles from Haifa. Remarks.

Haifa* Haifa (Camp)t ... Nos. 1 to 9 Abu Haniedt Dagash Abu Dis Shereik Abu Sillem Abidiat Berber North* Berber South Suakin Junction .. Atljara El Damert Zeidab Aliab Mntmir Eabnsliia ...

Tnragma Shendit El Goz Wad Ban Naga £1 Meiga Jebel Gerri Eovan Wa<l Ramla Kubalab ... Khartoum North t See pp. 23 and 85 for description.

„ P- 23 In desert — these are only loops for crossing trains ; wells at miles 77 (No. 4) and 126 (No. 6) ; telegraph station at latter, be.sides small shops and engine pit. Battlefteld is H miles south of Station. Bath rooms in Station for use of passengers. Country between here and Berber little inhabited or cultivated.

In desert.

Starting point for desert roads to Suakin and Kassala.

Line from Suakin will join in here. Girder bridge over the Atbara, 1,050 feet long. Many villages from here onwards ; much cultivation and cattle. Thick scrub in parts ; fertile soil. Chief town of Berber Province.

Pyramids of Merowe about 3 miles north of Kabushia, about 2j miles east of railway.

Headquarters of Cavalry. District Headquarters of railway — Southern Section— and office of District traffic manager. Nagaa temples 23 miles to the S.E. {vide Appendix D).

Zubeir Pasha's residence (Geili) close by.

Terminus — on right bank of Blue Nile, opposite Khartoum.

• Telegraph office in town, t „ „ station.