What was the first railway line in Africa?

star_gazer

The first railroad in Africa, which was built in 1855, linked Cairo with Alexandria, and today Cairo has extensive rail facilities and is also a road and air hub. http://www.essayswap.com/fullessay/119650.htm Mar 19 09, 5:06 PM

author

This is correct. Quote: Already in 1833 Pasha Mohammad Ali consulted with Thomas Gallway about building a railway between Suez and Cairo to facilitate transit between Europe and India. Muhammad Ali had proceeded to buy the rail when the project was abandoned due to pressure by the French who had an interest in building a canal instead. The Suez Canal was eventually completed in 1869. After Mohamed Ali’s death Abbas I contracted with Robert Stephenson to link Alexandria and Cairo by rail. The first part of this railway between Alexandria and Kafer Eassa was opened in 1854, and the line was completed two years later representing the first railroad in Africa and in the Middle East.[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_National_Railways Mar 19 09, 5:18 PM