The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-08 00:00:00

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PhIC;-±. 4D. STAMPED, SD.

the Lake of Geneva, which have already been put
in communication much more directly and much
more easily by the Mont Cenis route. I do not think
it necessary to busy myself more with this project,
for it can never be advisable to make such a
long circuit, even on a railway, when it is pos-
sible to go a great deal more rapidly by a
straight route. The St. Gothard line has several
advantages.
pleading in its favour. It is intended to
pass by the Lake Maggiore ; it would also be the
most direct route to Basle, but, on the other hand,
it would be necessary to make a circuit to reach
the Lake of Constance, and on that account it is
less recommendable than the line of Luckmanier.
The ground is favourable for engineering works
between Novara and Biasca, but between Biasca
and Faido the valley of the Ticino assumes a savage
character. Civilisation has disappeared, the moun-
tains rise up sharply on the two sides of the route ;
earth-slips are frequent. The valley is not wide
enough to allow the line a sufficient development;
and finally, the works to be constructed are im-
mense, and will cost enormously. The tunnel to
be constructed is not, perhaps, an obstacle more
difficult to overcome here than at any other point ;
but, on the other side of the Alps, how many diffi-
culties must be removed by patience, perseverance,
and expense of every kind before bringing the line
to Lucerne. Very great sums and long works
would scarcely suffice to make a tolerable line
where it is necessary to create a great international
communication of interest to the whole of Europe.
" To those who, like myself, have often visited the
valleys leading to the Luckmanier from the two
sides of the Alps, it seems clear and incontestable
that the best international line can be constructed
by turning to amount these valleys, which appear
to have been truly designed by nature in order to
form an important passage for international com-
munication.
" Should the commission decide in favour of the
direct route between Locarno and Coire, a railway
may be made leaving nothing to desire, and which
will be as useful and as practical as our best roads,
by which the mountains may be traversed at great
speed, precisely like those which have been created
in ordinary districts.
" As the line of the Splugen, it is surrounded by
difficulties—first, as I had occasion to remark above,
the Lake of Como is more than 30 metres lower than
the Lake Maggiore, and being at the same distance
from the culminating point of the Alps, where the
tunnel must be cut, and where the line must reach
its highest elevation, it follows that it is necessary
to gain this height, by sharper ascents, or else by
prolonging the line; but it is clear that either of
these courses, if adopted for tho purpose of obviat-
ing difficulties determines the incontestable advan-
tage of the line passing the shore of the Lake
Maggiore.
" But, moreover, the whole route of this line is at
variance with the conditions of success in a great
railway. The district from Colico, as far as the
Splugen, is very slightly civilised. The town of
Chiavasso is one of the dirtiest to be met with, and
the valley leading thence to the mountain of the
Splugen is little else than a ravine. It is a species of
gorge, where there is hardly the space requisite for
the passage of the waters of the mountain torrents,
and for the present route. It would be neces-
sary to adapt the line to the ground by sharp curves,
which would prevent the trains from running with
great rapidity. Now this is not, so to speak, a
good foundation for a railway. It will be neces-
sary to cut into the rock in order to obtain a plat-
form for one, or at the most, two lines of rail; and
if, after a short time, it became necessary to enlarge
the railway, in compliance with the exigencies of a
great traffic, certain to spring up in a well con-
structed line, what then could be done?
" We have met with similar difficulties in Eng-
land, in consequence of not having sufficiently fore-
seen the immense traffic accruing, in the course of
time, to the great railway lines when they have
once begun to attract the travellers and goods that
previously took different directions; and if these
observations are applicable to the portion of the route
between Chiavasso and the mountain, how much
more justified would they be when you arrive at
the other side, at the Via Mala. Here, in truth,
one ought never to dream of 'making a railway
unless that formed the only passage. The difficul-
ties, the expenses, and the dangers of this route
will be immense, incalculable.
" The proposed line by the Septimer is no better.
As one must pass by the Lake of Como, the line
will be compelled to surmount the 30 or 35 metres,
already surmounted when one passes by the Mag-
giore.
"It must be remarked that this line traverses
a considerable distance before reaching the moun-
tain, and in addition to the loss of time, passengers
and goods would be affected by the loss of money
consequent on this increase of distance. It must
further be observed that, notwithstanding thegreat
circuit taken by'the route, the rising of the ground
is far too considerable for a railway of great speed.
A sharp rising here and there may be tolerated,
provided it does not exceed certain limits ; but one
long continued, such as would have to be encoun-
tered in this line, would have the effect of ren-
dering it wholly impracticable.
" It is proposed to make this line by pursuing, for
its entire length, the Lake of Como, and passing by
the poor though large town of Chiavasso, in order
afterwards to eater into the narrow and rapid valley,
or rather into the ravine of Bregalia, which is not
at all fitted for the formation of a railway, and in
which I do not see the possibility of obtaining the
necessary height in order to pierce the tunnel ; but
this is a matter of detail. What is more important
is the fact, that after having passed the Septimer
the difficulties become greater than ever. The
valley of the Albula is very narrow at several
places. It is extremely winding, and at certain
points not wide enough for the the waters which
it receives, and which frequently overflow their
banks, occasioning great earth-slips, quite sufficient
to prevent the regular course of the trains.
" Finally, the proposed line joins that of the
Splugen at Thusis, and there it will meet with the
difficulties of which I have spoken when discussing
the project of the Splugen, and particularly the
confluence of the two Rhines, Henter-Rhine and
Vorder-Rhine, difficulties which will also be met on
the line of the Splugen, passing equally by Thusis.
Then it will be necessary to take into consideration
that the great line of railway will not be in the
least degree productive if it be not established
from its very commencement with all the ele-
ments of a route of the first order, capable of
being subsequently enlarged, as soon as it
shall receive a greater development, and I fax,-
see the day when four lines, that is to say eight
rails, will not be too many to meet all the require-
ments of so great and so important a line of com-
munication. It will be necessary also to take into
consideration that the speedrequired, as one of the
elements of the success of the line, may be that
necessary for the Indian mail in its course on the
French railways between Marselles and Calais,
thus compelling the commission to impose a limit
on the ascent of the line, that it may not exceed
a certain inclination.
"These considerations ought not to be neglected.
They should, on the contrary, enter largely into
the calculations before finally adopting the best
line ; and I am convinced that I have only to
point them out in order that the commission
may weigh them carefully. These are not tech-
nical questions, depending often on the opinions
of engineers, and also on the point of view
from which they are regarded. They are truths,
bases evident to all the world. It is sufficient to set
them forth, and I am firmly convinced that the
various conditions necessary for the establishment
and success of a line will be found combined in no
other except the one passing by the Lake Maggiore,
and going directly to Coire.
" Being here absent from home, I have not all
the necessary maps and plans before me, so that I
am unable to submit to you certain other important
considerations worthy of finding a place after the
foregoing. I reserve them for another occasion,
for the moment when probably I shall speak of the
other Italian lines which must form part of the
great network of railways throughout Europe.
" Begging you, sir, toexamine
the observations
which I have here the liberty of submitting to you,
I pray you to receive the assurance of my high
consideration.
(Signed) " VILLIERS SANKEY,
gi Hotel Feder.' Directing Engineer.

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