Note 26 — JOURNEYS IN PERSIA AND KURDISTAN (continued 4)
Reading edition
There are only two roads, properly so called, in Persia, though in the summer wheeled carriages with some assistance can get from place to place over several of the tracks. These two are the road from Kûm to the capital, formerly described, and one from Kasvin to the capital, both under 100 miles in length. Goods are everywhere carried on the backs of animals.
The distance between Bushire and Tihran is 698 miles.
The summer freight per ton is £14 1 8
The winter do. 20 2 0
The distance between Tihran and Resht on the Caspian is 211 miles.
The summer freight per ton is £4 0 5⅘
The winter do. 8 0 11⅗
From the Caspian to the Persian Gulf
the summer freight per ton is £18 2 3
The winter do. 28 3 4
inclusive of some insignificant charges.
The time taken for the transit of goods between Bushire and Tihran is forty-two days, and between Resht and Tihran twelve days.
The cost per ton by rail, if taken at Indian rates, between the Gulf and the Caspian, would be £3:11:10.
On these figures the promoters of railway enterprise in Persia build their hopes.