306 Mr Anderson on the Railways of Belgium. 



more, of the remaining lines had been completed. On taking 

 an average of the cost of the British railways, it will be found 

 that those in England cost fully double, and those of Scotland 

 and Ireland fully a third, more than those of Belgium. Even 

 the French railways, on the following average, are constructed 

 at nearly double the expense of the Belgian lines : — 



Per Mile. 



The line from Lyon to St Etienne cost, in round numbers, . L. 19,000 



Paris to Versailles, 26,000 



Paris to St Germain, 39,000 



In the Belgian lines, both parallel and fish-bellied rails are 

 used. There is nothing particular in their mode of laying 

 them down. The ballasting consists of sand and gravel, and, 

 from various circumstances, formed a considerable item in the 

 expenditure : — 



The rails were furnished in 1834-35-36-37, and at different 

 times in the following years, in lengths of 15 feet, 16 "4 feet, 

 and 14'8 feet. Those of 15 feet were furnished of different 

 weights, weighing 40-1 lb., 397 lb., 35-3 lb., 437 lb., 54-5 lb. 

 to the lineal yard ; those of 16'4 feet weighing 50-4 lb., and 

 those of 14-8 feet weighing 50-4 and 48*8 lb. to the lineal 

 yard. The Avhole rails are of the manufacture of the country, 

 with the exception of about 200 tons, which were brought from 

 England in 1834, to serve as models. Their price during the 

 first four or five years varied very much ; no doubt from the 

 competition to which the extensive demand gave rise. The 



