February 22, 1873.
Svit Palace.
Ernst had convened all senior officials from the East African government and the East Africa Railway Company to discuss the construction of railways in East Africa. Riding the favorable wind of the economic crisis, East Africa's railways could finally begin construction as well.
At the meeting, Ernst gave everyone a detailed description of the preliminary blueprint for East Africa's railway construction:
"This railway plan is divided into four parts. The first is an extension of the First Railway, which will be renamed the Central Railway upon completion. It will connect the East African coast, the East African Highlands, Katanga Plateau, Lunda Plateau, Matabele Plateau, and South African Plateau."
"The Central Railway will form a T-shape, with a total length of more than 4,600 kilometers. It will begin in Dar es Salaam city and pass through First Town, Mbeya city, Lubumbashi City, Lusaka City, Harare city, Bulawayo city, and Pretoria city."
"The second is the Northern Railway, with a total length of more than 1,000 kilometers. It will begin in Mombasa city, pass through Nairobi city, and terminate in Kisumu city."
"Once these two railways are complete, East Africa's railway network will total roughly 5,600 kilometers, effectively linking the nation's territory. The Central Railway will handle cross-regional passenger and freight transport between eastern, western, and southern East Africa, while the Northern Railway will connect the Great Lakes Region with the coast."
(Figure)
Ernst said to the East Africa Railway Company's chief technical adviser, "Mr. Nodding, now give everyone a detailed account of the specific construction conditions and plans. If there are any difficulties, you may speak of them directly!"
Nodding then said, "Gentlemen, even before construction of the First Railway began, we had already started surveying railway routes within East Africa. It took nearly three years