I08 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



Moody, in British Columbia, the western terminus of the line, 

 within a fortnight of leaving Liverpool. The importance of 

 this line as a means of communication with Eastern Asia 

 cannot be over-estimated. Apparently, by it and a quick 

 service of steamers from Vancouver to Yokohama, and 

 by the Suez Canal and overland route, it will be quite possible 

 to carry out Jules Verne's idea of " round the world in eighty 

 days." Throughout the world almost, railway extension pro- 

 gresses, penetrating even into Lapland, the first train upon the 

 Lulea Ofolen line having passed the Arctic circle in October 

 of last year, while in Burmah two lines have been opened 

 within the past three years. Others are projected in Siam, 

 which, when completed, will make Moulmein a port both for 

 Siamese and Chinese trade. In 1886, the Trans-Caspian Rail- 

 way was opened so far as Merv, and the complete line to 

 Samarcand was to have been opened in May last, thus enabling 

 the journey from Michaelovsk on the Caspian to Samarcand to 

 be completed in a day and a half. 



In somewhat minor matters, but more immediately concern- 

 ing ourselves, we have had, in the period under review, the sub- 

 stitution of steel for iron in rails and tires, the general adoption 

 of the block system, and also that of continuous brakes, the 

 taking up of water en route from tanks between the metals, and 

 the introduction of drawing-room, dining, and sleeping cars. 

 The various improvements in railway travelling, while tending 

 to increased speed, have not been accompanied with diminished 

 safety, but quite the reverse, for the average number of persons 

 killed annually, from causes beyond their own control, has been 

 reduced from 35 in the quinquennial period ending in 1878, to 

 16 in that ending in 1887. One outcome of the undertaking 

 of vast engineering works such as those to which I have re- 

 ferred, has been the development of special machinery for their 

 execution. In the Mont Cenis Tunnel, compressed air was 

 used as the motive power in the drilling machinery, and, having 

 done its duty in that way, served a further use in ventilating 

 the workings. The same power was used in sinking the 



