In 1881, France is reshaping the world: Panama, Suez... And the Sahara!
Paul Flatters, Lieutenant-Colonel is conducting a study of feasibility for an ambitious railway from Algers (Algeria) to Bamako (Mali) and further to Dakar, across the Sahara.
In the middle of the desert, he, and all his expedition, died in a Touareg ambush, killing the project for the next 70 years.
But what if there had been no such attack? What if he went through and decided it was feasible (as was said 70 years later)?
Vichy tried, and failed yes, but it was in a particularly difficult time. Due to climatic conditions, most machines failed onsite so they had the same technical capabilities, but the IIIrd Republic might have a bigger budget thanks to not being occupied and at war.
So, could the Transsaharian have been built in the original time frame? What would have been the impact? Let me know your thoughts!
Paul Flatters, Lieutenant-Colonel is conducting a study of feasibility for an ambitious railway from Algers (Algeria) to Bamako (Mali) and further to Dakar, across the Sahara.
In the middle of the desert, he, and all his expedition, died in a Touareg ambush, killing the project for the next 70 years.
But what if there had been no such attack? What if he went through and decided it was feasible (as was said 70 years later)?
Vichy tried, and failed yes, but it was in a particularly difficult time. Due to climatic conditions, most machines failed onsite so they had the same technical capabilities, but the IIIrd Republic might have a bigger budget thanks to not being occupied and at war.
So, could the Transsaharian have been built in the original time frame? What would have been the impact? Let me know your thoughts!