Cape Government Railways (fl. 1873-1910)

Organization

Staff Only

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 2 Collections and/or Records:

Item

Kimberley, General view of De Beer's workings, 1900 - 1910

Item

Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y305J/19

Scope and Contents

199 x 147 mm. A view looking down onto a network of railway lines, factory buildings and plant at Kimberley with part of an excavated pit (?the 'Big Hole') visible at the right of the print. De Beers Consolidated Mines was the company formed by Cecil Rhodes, Alfred Beit and others in 1888 which took over the De Beers, Kimberley, Bultfontein and Dutoitspan mines.

Dates: 1900 - 1910

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