"السكك الحديدية وسياسة [خطوط الاتصالات]، بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III" [و‎‎٢‎٧‎٢] (٥٤٩/٥٤٤)

line were constructed on metre gauge I estimate that we
should he able to carry 2,000 tons daily through to Baghdad
with metre gauge locomotives and stock already arranged for
Asides providing for Kut-el~Amarah Khanikin and Basra
Amarah lines.
2nd* Standard gauge stock thus released from (?)Hillah
line v/ould he available for additional traffic on the
Tekrit line and unless a very considerable extension is
made would obviate further demands.
3rd* As traffic would be largely decreased on Kut^el*
Amarah line it is not considered that any large increase
in railway personnel would be required and in addition we
should save a'great deal of labour now used for tranship-*
ment at Kut«*el« Amarah and A'arah* We should also save
a large number of personnel in l.W.T. since substantial
reduction could be made in the fleet*
4th* Railways (see Page 183 Mesopotamia Transport
Commission of India) work about twice as many (?) ton
ip.iles per ton of fuel expended as loW.T*, therefore saving
in fuel would be very considerable* Steamers burn a
large amount of fuel here compared, with their tonnage
capacity, owing 1o strong current and shallow channel at
low river* In addition the winding of the river increases
the distances to be traversed considerably.
5th* Railway would be able to carry quantities of
supplies now brought by river as the proposed route goes
through the most fertile country in Mesopotamia.
6th. Saving in time would be great. It is estimated
that the ordinary goods train could run through in 36 hours
Shortest time now taken by rail and river is 5 days.
Advantage and economy of this are obvious. Under existing
orders 'fl&ilwa^will shortly start new bridge over the
Euphrate s/