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Cape Government Railways (fl. 1873-1910)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: fl. 1873 - 1910

Biography

Cape Government Railways was established by the Cape Government around 1873 to operate lines previously administered by the Cape Town Dock and Railway Company, with the commissioners of crown lands and public works in charge. The first general manager, Charles Bletterman Elliott, was appointed in 1880 and he was responsible for a significant improvement in the efficiency of the administration. He remained in the post for nearly 25 years.

Between 1875 and 1880 the total distance of lines in the Colony rose from 154 to 913 miles. By 1899 this had reached 2001 miles. From 1889 to 1895 Cape Government Railways also operated the Orange Free State Railways. With the establishment of the Union of South Africa on 31 May 1910, the railway companies of the four separate territories (Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State) merged to form South African Railways and Harbours with Cape Government Railways contributing almost a half of the total mileage of 7577 miles (Lingen 1960, pp.1-27).

Sources:

Lingen, A. van (1960), 'A century of transport', Johannesburg: Da Gama Publications Limited.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

 Item

Aliwal North, corner of the Market Place, 1900 - 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y305J/29
Scope and Contents

190 x 144 mm. Showing the market square at Aliwal North with a bullock team and wagon in the foregrond. Founded in 1849, the town is situated on the Orange River and takes its name from the Battle of Aliwal, fought in India in January 1846 during the First Anglo-Sikh War.

Dates: 1900 - 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

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  • Subject: Aliwal North (inhabited place) X