ABSTRACT
To construct a railroad of over 500 miles in length, under the most favourable conditions and in the most highly-civilized country, is not a task to be lightly undertaken; but when a work of such magnitude has to be carried out in the heart of the Dark Continent of Africa the difficulties are well-nigh appalling — and, judging by what has been done or attempted by foreign Governments in their African dependencies, only surmountable by British engineers and under British administration. Some of the engineering difficulties connected with the construction of the Uganda Railway have been very great, and in many places tremendous gradients have to be negotiated. The highest of these summits is that at Mau, with an altitude of 8,300 feet, whence there is a sheer drop of nearly 5,000 feet to the level of Lake Victoria. Equator Camp is in reality on the old caravan route, and situated some little way beyond the Eldoma Ravine Station.
