'Minutes memos despatches etc' [‎5r] (9/156)

C
.(.THIS DOCUMENT-' IS THE FaOPIBTY OF HI3 KAJSSTY'S GOT.
'■ T . )
TAR C A E I H E T.
RASTERS COlg. ITT2S.
Prom:- G.C.C^, Mesopotamia.
To Jar Office; repeated C.-in-C., India.
Handed in 2.25 p.m., 20.9*
deceived 7 p.m., 21.9.18.
X. 2357. 19th September.
Continuation of X.1847 of September 5th.
1. In continuation of my a. 1847 September 5th.A practicable
route for a railway to reman shah has been found as a result of
further reconnaissance. This route diverges from the line now
under construction to pai Tak at Sar-i-pul about 20 miles east of
Qasr-i-Shirin and thence follows a valley south of the KarL-vl
Valley for about 30 miles after which valley (? groups
and thence follows approximately the road to berm an shah AOuut
15 miles heavy v;ork is involved by this route but there are na
serious obstacles such as long tunnels or large bridges vYhy.i
exception of those 15 miles remainder is fairly easy . n several
places but gradients up to i in 30 will have to be accepted
It is certain that no easier route exists to I\ernanshnh L and we
therefore propose, if you agree, to arrange for cons true gi >n of
t}iis line and start work as soon as ? survey is sufficiently
advanced and labour is available.
2. The 60 miles 'track promised from past Africa will just
enable us to reach Pai and we estimate that we shall require at
least an additional 130 miles track including sidings to complete
to Kermanshah of which 2o miles will be needed in Pebruary or »
l.arch next in order to get construction material to the Arbige
Y. here the heaviest work lies. Therefore we shall have to ask
India for 20 miles track in .February next as the Put-el-Amarah-
Baghdad material will net be available by then. I will wire
more fully as regards rur requirements of track and also as
regards increase of railway personnel which this project will
involve.
3. provision as regards rolling-stock and locomotives has
so far only been made as far as Khanikin. It is not possible at
present accurately to foresee what our full requirements to
Kerman shall will be but we estimate roughly that to carry 200 tons
a day to Kerman shah as -.ell as personnel we shall need 30 heavy
locos and 250 wagons in addition to stock already on order. Of
the above ve shall need 10 heavy locos and ICO wagons in January
next to work from Khanikin to pai and we must ask India for them
unless certain of supply of these within that period. If they
can be delivered out here within the next 12 months cr less it
is recommended that the bala,ncc, viz. 20 heavy locos and 150 wagons
be ordered at once in England or Amerioa. If you concur in
railv/ay will wire you suggested specifications, de further ask
that in addition to above an order be placed for additional
10 locos and 400 wagons for delivery within 12 months to meet
possible increases in traffic in kesowotamia and depreciation
of stock and extensions beyond Kerman shall if th- t/ar goes on
long enough.
4. As
£>. i j C n jj _T.
E.C.-1632.