The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-05-29
PROGRESS oN LONGEST LIME ~
THE WORLD
Train of Experimental cars Run
Every Luxury That American Lines
supply and Few More.

Commercial Agent Greener Of Nladi-
Vostock, writes about the Siberian
Railway as follows.
MIR. Khilkoff, Minister OF Ways and
Communications, had a special train
sent to him on the Great Siberlal Rail-
road some months ago. There were Ave
coaches-one first-class, two second
class, one dining. and one baggage car.
All the appointments We're excellent.
There were. besides the usual library,
pianos, writing conveniences found in
American cars), "A barber shop, a gym
nasium, a good supply of ice, patent
water boilers, dials which indicate the
next station and the length Of stop,
double windows to protect from dust
and the extreme Siberian cold; and an
observation car at the rear On this
train We're attendants speaking Eng
lish, French and German. The cars
are lighted throughout by electricity.
There is no charge for the barber or
for medical attendance. The bath costs
rubles SD. From st. Petersburg to
Irtusk the transit occupies about seven
DAYS; from Moscow about six.
"The total length of the line to Nlad-
livestock will be AHA miles. The cost
will be $500, 100000
THE section just completed as far as
Stretinsk is important because it marks
the connection with Vladivostock, some
] 500 miles. and gives a continuous all
rail travel Of over 5000 miles from Mos
COW. As is well known there will no
any necessity for slIirting the Amur by
railway since the acquisition of transit
rights in Manchuria gives an almost
traight line from Stretinsk, via Tsitsi-
kar. Hardin, Nikolsk then south three
hours ride to Vladivostock. The last
rail on the Moscow StretinSk division
was laid December IS, 1899.
Lake Baikal is as long as England,
covers an area of 12.4S0 square miles,
and is the formidable obstacle to be
overcome. 1t is 1861 feet above sea lev
ell has a shore line of nearly LOO miles,
a depth varying not less than S19 feet
on an average, and a distinct ebb and
flow. Four thousand five hundred feet
have been sounded and in one instance
1900 feet is the record.
after crossing Lake Baikal-by rails
over the ice in winter by boat in sum-
mer-the road ascends the Yabloni
Mountains and attains its lOftiest ele-
walton. 3,412 feet above sea level. From
this point it descends to the Amur
LAS at present planned, there will be
three branches, all via Hardin; to Mix
DISK, VladiVostOck: to Pekin, via Muk-
den and Niuchwang; and to a point not
vet given out The Nikolsk- Hardin
branch is rapidly going forward from
the Ni1olsk terminus, and that to Muk-
den is now complete.
1.-TWO travellers, who have made the
overland journey, arriving at NladlVos-
stock within a week, were six weeks
from Moscow including stopoVer OF
nine days. About the food there are
VARYING reports. Some say even at re-
mote stations the restaurants are eX-
cellent with substantial dinners at 90
cents; others say the charges are eX-
travagant. 1t depends much, imagine,
on the philosophy and patience or the
| traveller My own experience on the
| Ussuri branch to Khabofsk is good
food, reasonable prices, and every at
! tention. The entire road is divided in
| TO sections of two thirds of mile each.
At each station is the cottage where
| the station master lives with his fami-
| " and guards Between the Urals and
Tomsk, there are said to be nearly 1000
of these guards. When travellers speak
| in a critical manner of the number or
| soldiers found on the cars and along
the road it is to be remembered that II
is the same as if our conductors brake
men, flag and switch men all wore the
same uniform.
Word has Just been received that the
administration of the Central Siberian
Railroad intends to do some good work
| in shaping up the line and increasing
/ the speed according to plans fully ma
| tured The cost of this work Will pc
about $4,000 900 rubles ($2S, ,OOO), and
the varied improvements will require
seven years.
Prom OBJ to Irkutsk, 1854 versts
! q 1853 miles, the following program
will be carried out: % All the rails
will be changed (2) all wooden bridges
will be replaced by iron ones; 90 sta
lions and crossings will be widened; (4
several new crossings will be construct
ed, and CO. passenger accommodations
will be provided as well as houses for
railroad employees, freight warehouses,
provision stations for the army and also
! for immigrants"