User:Luziyca/Sandbox
| File:IGRlogo.png | |
| Reporting mark | IGR |
|---|---|
| Locale | Imagua |
| Dates of operation | 1867–1981 |
| Track gauge | 2 ft (610 mm) |
| Headquarters | Cuanstad, Imagua and the Assimas |
Imaguan Government Railways (Etrurian: Ferrovie del governo imaguano) was the sole railway operator on the island of Imagua, operation from 1867 until its closure in 1981. (TBC)
History
Establishment
Since the first factories opened in Cuanstad in the early nineteenth century, there were calls from owners of sugar plantations in the Glen Valley to build a rail line from Cuanstad to go up the valley in order to help deliver their crops to market faster. However, the fact that there were no natural resources like coal hampered efforts to establish a rail line, while the geography of the island meant that it would be too expensive to have a standard gauge line.
In 1859, Governor (TBD) ordered the construction of a rail line down the Glen Valley to connect Cuanstad with Altaithe. As a way to save costs, he ordered that the line be built with a gauge of two feet, as it was judged to be the narrowest "efficient" gauge that can handle exports of sugarcane and nutmeg while at the same time accommodating the Imaguan geography.
Over the next eight years, labourers built the rail line and its associated infrastructure: this would require the construction of bridges across the rivers, levelling natural features that stood in the way of the rail line while going around those that could not easily be levelled.
On 21 December, 1867, the Glen Valley Line was opened, with six railway stations, connecting Altaithe with Cuanstad. This meant that for the first time, there was a railway line on the island of Imagua.
(TBC)
Golden age
(TBC)
In 1919, Imaguan Government Railways began a major expansion to the Glen Valley Line, with the intention to extend the line from New Lumbridge to Saint-André in Saint Hubert's, which was meant to provide Imagua with a true "coast-to-coast" line. By 1924, the first phase of the extension was opened, connecting it to Westgate, as well as a branch line to Wuburuku.
However, the golden age of Imaguan Government Railways came to an end in 1926 when the Great War put an end to any expansion of the network, as all effort was put into defending Imagua and the Assimas from foreign attack.
Decline
Following the end of the Great War, the Imaguan Government Railways initially planned to resume construction on their expansion, but with the outbreak of the Solarian War, these plans were put to a halt. By the conclusion of the Solarian War, the Imaguan government was more interested in investing in the nation's road infrastructure.
(TBC)
Routes
Imaguan Government Railways operated three primary routes, which were:
- Glen Valley Line, which ran from New Lumbridge to Cuanstad, and had eight stations, excluding:
- Western Line, which ran from Nua Taois to Cuanstad, and had seventeen stations, excluding:
- Wensley Spur, which ran from Wensley to Baldwin, serving Wensley, Chesterfield, and Baldwin
- Southern Line, which ran from Bellmare to Cuanstad, and had nine stations, excluding:
At its peak in 1924, Imaguan Government Railways operated forty stations, with six stations planned to be built.
(TBC)