'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎109v] (223/308)

constructed, as it would cross no stream, would run alons: land with an even
slope without valleys or hills, very little excavation would be wanted—stone can
be obtained nearly all along the route, and the river is near for supplying water
to the working parties.
But it would run entirely through the desert, at a distance from villages
and cultivation, and it would run a long way from A1 Hauta, and on the other
side of the large Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. A1 Khabir. It would be on the wrong side of the river
at Nobat, and from north of Jaida would run through the land of a tribe not
friendly.
A line running close to A1 Ilauta, which is, if possible, very desirable, as
A1 Hauta is the only large town on the route, would run through 8 or 10 miles
of cultivated land, and on emerging from this would be between two large
Wadis, subject to heavy floods, and necessitating a large bridge. The Sultan
of Lahej is very averse to taking a strip of land through the cultivated country.
On the whole the line shewn on the plan seems advisable. A station at Dar A1
Amir, specially required by the Sultan of Lahej, as it is the first place in his
territory. A station near Fiyush, cross the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. As Sighir north of Eiyush,
where it is small, and the railway will be mostly on a small embankment, and
then running north-west near the east of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. As Saghir. Another station
might be near Zaida.
From Nobat further extension would probably, eventually, be up the
Tibban valley. There seems to be no difficulty in reaching, at any rate,
Musemir—above that, the country is not well enough known to give any
opinion.
In Aden it is suggested that a station should be located south-west of
Maala, and a small branch line run to Maala Wharf. From Maala the best
line seems to be to tunnel under the hill, and run out through the Small
Isthmus. Stations are also proposed at Khormaksar and Sheikh Othman.
It would be a great convenience to extend the line from Maala to Steamer
Point which can be done by running the line on the north side of the main road
with a terminus on the newly reclaimed land at Tawahi.
B. LFIGH, Lieut. Col. R.K,
Assistant Commanding Loyal Engineer,
Aden Brigade.