File 3142/1903 'Hedjaz Railway' [‎109v] (225/488)

' , Small repairing sheds, similar to those existing at Maan, Haiffa, and Deraa r
should he established at Mudaini-Salih, at Idiom. 950; Medina, kilom. 1,400; and
Mecca, kilom. 1,800.
Concluding Observations.
To sum up, the Hedjaz Railway has been well built, and the work has progressed
at the rate of 150 kilom. a-year, which may he said to be a satisfactory result.
The High Commission, having guaranteed the necessary sums for purchases and
the building operations, and measures having been taken for the works to advance at
the rate of 150 kilom. a-year, the Hedjaz Railway, wdiich is one of the greatest works
of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, will be completed in eight years.
The Board of Management and of Works have succeeded in obtaining the best
results.
The work done by the Imperial troops has been highly satisfactory and beyond
all criticism. But for their services it would have been impossible te have made such
rapid progress. The completion of this great line will successfully crown one of the
many works of His Imperial Majesty, our August Sovereign.
Moukhtar Bey, who worked with me for six years, and who lately surveyed the
line as far as Mecca, has not only shown technical ability of high order, but has now
proved himself to be an efficient inspector. Several other engineers also accompanied
me, and I can affirm that amongst the graduates of the Civil School of Engineers
there are a number of young men who are well qualified for posts of assistant engineers,
and even sectional chiefs. By acquiring practical knowledge they wbll become first-
rate engineers. The employment of troops on the line has greatly contributed
towards the progress of the works. The contractors would have found workmen as
far as Oman and Maan, but not beyond these places.
As a matter of fact, it is thanks to the soldiers that the work on the line has so
rapidly advanced, and, taking into consideration the fact that the salaries, clothing,
and rations were paid by the Seraskierate, the expenditure is following a normal
course.
Generally speaking, the railway is worthy of all praise. The building operations
have been carried out satisfactorily, and all the material used is of good quality.
As the line crosses level country, bridges and tunnels are comparatively few.
Beyond Oman, however, on the Airi-Zorka incline, a gradient of 20 millim. had to
be adopted, curves of 100 metres built, a superficies of 3 kilom. filled in, bridges
erected 20 metres high, with ten arches each of 12 metres span, in order to obtain a
level over valleys 340, 951, and 610 metres broad. The work on this section of the
line has entailed triple expense, as well as thrice the time of construction compared
with the other sections. On the other side of Maan, too, there is a slope of 150
metres, called the Batn-Ghoul, and this required a gradient of 18 millim., curves
of 100 metres, and the levelling of an area of 8 kilom. The earthworks were
executed hy 400 soldiers, who also dug a cutting of 80,000 cubic metres within five
months, which is likewise a brilliant achievement.
Progress of the work depends on supplying food and water to the soldiers,
engineers, masons, and the workmen employed on the works of levelling and construc
tion. As it is difficult to transport these supplies by camel, the railway has to be used.
A train service has been organized for this purpose at Maan.
The line crosses several valleys which have had to be spanned by bridges ranging
from 3 to 60 metres in length; but as there is a bed-rock at a slight depth serving for
foundations, and there is little fear of floods to undermine them, the bridges could be
built without inconvenience with an opening of 4"3 and 6*5 metres.