'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia: About 1889-1890' [‎299r] (617/1486)

3
I decidedly differ from the opinion expressed by the Hon’ble George Curzon
in his article to the Times of December 6th. “ The Russians have in view later on
to construct a line of rails along this road for the entire distance from Askabad
to Meshad, upon which should run a steam tramway or a small railway.” Had
he seen the road I do not think he would have hazarded such a statement, that
he did not see it is proved by his saying in the same article: “ At the frontier,
not having started from Askabad till sun down and having no one to guide me,
I lost my way.”
I repeat that no Engineer could have laid out the Askabad Badjghira Sec
tion, as it is, if he had had the slightest idea it might be required to carry a rail
way, and the same remark holds good for many of the 48 miles between the
frontier and Kuchan. At present wagons come from Guek Tepe by the pass
of Garmal which is situated to the north of a line drawn from Kuchan to Buj-
nurd, then via Kuchan to Meshad.
That a steam tramway might be run from Meshad to Kuchan on the exist
ing road, there is no doubt; but then I contend bulk would have to be broken
up and wagons used on to Askabad unless an enormous expense is incurred in
improving the remainder of the road—and why should Russia go to such
expense when by striking a branch line from Dushak on the Trans-Cas
pian Railway a five-feet gauge line can be taken to Sarakhs, a distance of
some 55 miles at ^"4,000 per mile (all in the direction of Herat) and thence a
similar line be made over ground described by Thomson and Macgregor as easy
throughout, vid Pul-i-Khatun or the Akdarband pass to Meshad.
The Akdarband route Sir Charles Macgregor makes to be 96^ miles.
The Pul-i-Khatun Sir R. Taylor Thomson makes 107 miles to Meshad.
HENRY S. WELLS, Major, R.E.
Table
Showing progress being made on road between Meshed and Askabad.
From
To
No.
of
miles.
Remarks.
1 st Meshad
Nanbahar . . .
34
Road completed; bridges and culverts all
finished.
and Nanbahar . •
Chinaran
to
Roadway completed ; but bridges and culverts
not yet built.
3 rd Chinaran ,
Kuchan . •
66
Received damage from floods not long since ;
but the necessary repairs are going on.
4 th Kuchan .
Tang-i-Darbadam.
32
Completed, including the greater part of the
rock cutting and building of retaining
walls.
5 th Tang-i-Darbadam .
The frontier of Bajghira .
16
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