THE FIRST RAILWAY IN CHINA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 148, 11 October 1876, Page 3

THE FIRST RAILWAY IN CHINA.

Commenting on the difficulties encountered in first introducing the railway system in China, the Loudon Titm* of July IT, says :—A step which paved the way for the introduction of railways into China had, however, been taken by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., of London and Shanghai, and their friends, who had succeeded in purchasing ground for a carriage-road from Shanghai to Woosung. The advantage of making a railway along the route soon became apparent, and estimates were prepared for the tine which was ten miles in length. The amount of the estimates, however, represented a sum which was considered to be too heavy to be risked at the outset, seeing that the capital was to be found for the most part by a comparatively few subscribers in England and China, and, seeing also, that the speculation was attended with considerable risk, owing to the known opposition of the Chinese authorities to any innovations of the kind. In the meantime, Messrs. Rensorase and Rapier had designed and constructed the smallest practicable ta-'omotive to send to China, to break the ice as it were, when any opportunity should offer. This engine wetghtd thirty ewt. only, but it gave a speed of about fifteen miles an hour. The opportunity | resentty arose for thus sending it, and for placing it upon Messrs. Jardine'* proposed railway, and it was accordingly forwarded to China to fulfil the mission indicated for its name —the Pioneer. This point attained, estimates for a cheap light line were prepared by Mr. Rapter, at a more practicable total of £30,000; and upon this basis a contract was speedily arranged with Mr. Dixon, of London, for the construction of the linns: The capital to be expended I being limited, Mr. Rapier designed a light ! railway to be made on abont half the scale j usual for English lines, it is a single line ■ with a guage of 2ft. Urn., and is laid with j a 271b. rail Vignoks section on cross \ sleepers, the idea being that half a line, i ! so* to speak, would be better than no rail- ; way, while only a small amount of capital ■ would be risked in a country where it was felt the whole was liable to be lost. The | contractor's staff, with the materials, ar-. [ rived on the scene of operations in January : last, and the works have so far advanced as to enable the first half of the line—the ; section from Shanghai to Kangwan, a dis- | tance of live miles—to be opened last Fri- : day week, as previously stated. The I second half—from Kangwan to Woosung—is nearly completed, and it is expected that it will be opened in the course of the prei sent month.

The locomotives by wliieh the traffic on this line is worked are two in number, besides the little Pioneer. They are larger than the Pioneer, of a special type, and were designed and constructed by Messrs. fiansomes and Kapier. They arc six-wheeled, coupled side-tank engines, the working weight of each being about nine tons. They have outside cylinders Sin. in diameter, with lOin. stroke, and have been named—one the Celestial Empire, and the other the Flowery Land. They are built mainly of Low Moor iron, and every part is machined. In order to make all sure as regards safety, the boilers were tested to 2001b. to the square inch. The railway carriages are of plain but neat design, and are first, second, and third class respectively. The line was easily, and therefore cheaply constructed, presenting no engineering difficulties. Upon the occasion of the opening there was a large concourse of people present, including a number of foreigners, who assisted at the ceremony. The Chinese were permitted to travel free of payment throughout the day following the opening, and from telegrams which have since been received, it would appear that large numbers gladly availed themselves of the privilege. Nor is this the only circumstance which serves to encourage the hope that the first railway in China is already popular, and will prove a success. A subsequent telegram states that the regular working commenced on Monday week, and that there were twelve trains running daily—-six each way—which were crowded with passengers, the cash receipts being highly satisfactory.