Chapter 209: Approving the First Railway Project
In mid-September, the personnel from the former Rowens Railway Company arrived in East Africa, and the company's name was changed to the East African Railway Company, with no significant alterations in other aspects. Chief engineer Nuoding took on the role of technical consultant for the East African Railway Department.
In October, the East African Railway Company staff began studying the topographic data provided by the East African government. Eventually, Engineer Nuoding and his team were invited to participate in a working meeting with the East African government to discuss railway construction matters.
Prince Constantine set the tone for the meeting, emphasizing its significance for the future of the East African Railway. He encouraged open discussion to determine the most suitable railway gauge for East Africa, considering its unique circumstances.
Engineer Notting commenced the meeting with a brief overview of railways, catering to the audience's varying levels of familiarity, as some officials had only primary school education.
Afterward, the discussion turned to the crucial topic of railway gauge. Stewart, as Ernst's confidant, was the first to express his opinion. He proposed a gauge of 1500mm, advocating an intermediate number.
Yarman, who had experience with trains during his military service, suggested a gauge of two meters for improved comfort in train carriages.
Other officials chimed in, some supporting the use of the common 1435mm gauge while others favored using the metric system and rounding up to a more convenient number.
However, some officials raised concerns about connecting with the wider world, as Britain and France were colonial powers in Africa, and they might develop their own railway standards in the future. To safeguard East Africa's interests, they proposed adopting a wide gauge similar to Russia's.
In response, Engineer Notting clarified that the gauge shouldn't exceed three meters for practicality and safety reasons. He also suggested that an ultra-wide gauge like this could have significant potential, given future technological advancements.
Felix, the new army commander-in-chief, proposed a gauge of 2500mm, which was met with support, especially since it resonated with the geography of East Africa, resembling that of Tsarist Russia.
After further deliberation, East Africa decided to adopt the unconventional gauge of 2500mm, primarily due to its similarities with the Russian standard gauge and the belief in its potential.
Ernst had initially leaned towards a narrower gauge of 1500mm but was intrigued by the arguments in favor of a wider gauge. He was willing to invest more in the project, believing that land occupation wasn't a significant issue in sparsely populated East Africa.
The first railway project in East Africa, known simply as "The First Railway," was officially established. It would span 59 kilometers, connecting the first town and Dar es Salaam, taking into account defense considerations.
This decision prompted Ernst to recognize the need for technical advancements, especially in steam locomotive technology. He also had a trump card in the form of the Berlin Energy Power Company, which was developing internal combustion engines. Ernst planned to allocate more resources to this field to explore the potential applications of internal combustion engines in locomotives and automobiles.
With the first railway project approved and a unique gauge selected, East Africa was on the path to developing its transportation infrastructure, potentially paving the way for future technological breakthroughs.