AH Challange: Cape to Singapore Railroad

Here's a challenge, how can we get the world to see a Cape Town, South Africa to Singapore railroad under the control of a single nation. Bonus points if said controller is not Britain. :D And how will this affect the world.

Some sort of quicker Entente victory might work along with a different Anglo-French Entente (divide Thailand instead of guarenteeing its indepedence). Britain takes German Southeast Africa and Palestine and Mesopotamia. Grabs Perisa when Russians are distracted and Britain has itself a Cape to Singapore railroad.

For other powers, it is very difficult. If somehow the Portuguese or Dutch are able to keep their hold on discovery and keep it.. well that opens up another can of butterflies.
 
That would have been pretty cool actually. Did anyone have floating bridge technology unlocked back then?

That length? Not a chance with 19th century technology. A 30-mile bridge is a massive engineering challenge today, with computers, high-grade steel, tensioned concrete and all kinds of gadgetry.
 
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