Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/429

 3. International, extension of the Southern Pacific and "Sunset Route" system (from San Francisco to New Orleans) from Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande, to the Pacific, probably, tapping the Central at or near Durango, receiving much valuable through traffic from the south, and sending a direct line to San Luis Potosi.

4. Mexican National, between Laredo, on the Rio Grande (Texas), and Mexico City, with line also from latter point to the Pacific at Manzanillo; narrow gauge; about 2,000 miles, including all concessions.

5. Mexican Oriental, an extension of the vast and comprehensive Missouri Pacific system southward from St. Louis. Shortest and most direct route (when completed) to the capital, where, or at Puebla, it is to connect with the Mexican Southern (Grant road) and extend to the isthmus of Tehuantepec. Total length, about 1,400 miles.

6. Mexican Railway, from Vera Cruz to city of Mexico; length, with branches, about 300 miles. Finished in 1873. The pioneer road of Mexico.

7. Mexican Southern (projected) from the port of Anton Lizardo, south of Vera Cruz, to city of Oaxaca and to Tehuantepec, with connections with Puebla and city of Mexico; total length (proposed), about 500 miles; consolidated with the Oriental,

8. Interoceanic, a proposed narrow-gauge, partly built, between Vera Cruz and Acapulco, of which the Morelos road is the western portion.

9. Tehuantepec, crossing the isthmus at the narrowest part, a little over a hundred miles; formerly granted to an American company, but retroceded to the Mexican government.

10. Yucatan railways: from Progreso (port) to Merida, 26 miles long, broad gauge, steel rails, all equipped; from Merida to Peto (building), narrow gauge; Calkini and Campeche (started); and the "Eastern Railway," from Merida to Valladolid, a much needed road.

First in point of historic importance is the line known as the