Goods trains on the Khartoum line have to carry 7,000 gallons of water to enable them to cross the waterless desert sections; this considerably reduces the useful carrying power of the line.
The Kerma line runs through very rocky country, and has sharp curves and steep gradients. It is liable to washouts, and, as its cost is prohibitive in proportion to the traffic receipts, it will be abandoned in December, 1904, and the Dongola Province will be later connected to the main line by a branch line to Abu Hamed.
Khartoum line, steepest gradient 1 in 125; sharpest curve 960 feet radius.
Kerma line, steepest gradient, 1 in 50; sharpest curve 500 feet radius.
The Nile-Red Sea line will leave the main line about the mouth of the Atbara, will run up this river to about Khor Hudi (15 miles), and then branch off north-eastwards over the desert to Suakin, viâ Sinkat Pass. It is now in course of construction, and should be finished by the summer of 1906. Besides this and the Abu Hamed-Merowe branch, which is to be shortly commenced, other projected railway extension is from Omdurman to El Obeid, Suakin to Kassala, and Khartoum (N.) to opposite Wad Medani.
KHARTOUM LINE.
| List of Stations. | Miles from Halfa. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|
| Halfa[136] | 1 | See pp. [23] and [85] for description. |
| Halfa (Camp)[137] | 0 | „ [p. 23] „ „ |
| Nos. 1 to 9 | In desert—these are only loops for crossing trains; wells at miles 77 (No. 4) and 126 (No. 6); telegraph station at latter, besides small shops and engine pit. | |
| Abu Hamed[137] | 230 | Battlefield is 1½ miles south of Station. Bath rooms in Station for use of passengers. |
| Dagash | 248 | Country between here and Berber little inhabited or cultivated. |
| Abu Dis | 267 | |
| Shereik | 291 | |
| Abu Sillem | 318 | In desert. |
| Abidia[137] | 343 | |
| Berber North[136] | 361 | Starting point for desert roads to Suakin and Kassala. |
| Berber South | 363 | |
| Suakin Junction | 384 | Line from Suakin will join in here. |
| Atbara | 385 | Girder bridge over the Atbara, 1,050 feet long. |
| El Damer[137] | 392 | Many villages from here onwards; much cultivation and cattle. Thick scrub in parts; fertile soil. Chief town of Berber Province. |
| Zeidab | 404 | |
| Aliab | 416 | |
| Mutmir | 429 | |
| Kabushia | 448 | Pyramids of Merowe about 3 miles north of Kabushia, about 2½ miles east of railway. |
| Taragma | 460 | |
| Shendi[137] | 471 | Headquarters of Cavalry. District Headquarters of railway—Southern Section—and office of District traffic manager. |
| El Goz | 483 | |
| Wad Ban Naga | 496 | Nagaa temples 23 miles to the S.E. (vide [Appendix D]). |
| El Meiga | 511 | |
| Jebel Gerri | 524 | |
| Royan | 538 | |
| Wad Ramla | 547 | Zubeir Pasha’s residence (Geili) close by. |
| Kubalab | 560 | |
| Khartoum North[137] | 575 | Terminus—on right bank of Blue Nile, opposite Khartoum. |
From about 1st April to 15th December there are two expresses each way weekly between Halfa and Khartoum North; one of them has sleeping and dining cars attached with a restaurateur, but the other has only ordinary first, second, and third class carriages.
Passengers travelling by the latter must make their own arrangements for meals; the first and second class carriages have small kitchens in them for the use of passengers’ servants.
From about 15th December to 1st April there are two expresses weekly, each having sleeping and dining cars and restaurateur. There are also two local passenger trains each way weekly between Abidia and Khartoum North all the year round.