Chapter VII. RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION. The existing railroad system of Nicaragua consists of two separate divisions. The first commences at the port of Corinto, on the Pacific, and terminates at Momotombo, on the northwestern shore of Lake Managua, where it connects with the line of steamers plying on the lake. The second division commences at the capital, Managua, on the southern shore of the lake of that name, and terminates at Granada, on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. From Managua to Sabana Grande.... Campuzano Nindirí Masaya San Blas Granada.. The distance from the port of Corinto is therefore: Corinto to Momotombo, by railroad... Momotombo to Managua, by lake steamboat . Miles. 8 II 14 17 19 21 32 Miles 58 32 32 122 At Granada, connection is made with the steamboat service on the lake and San Juan River, running to San Juan del Norte (Greytown), on the Caribbean coast, thus forming an interoceanic trunk line of communication through the country. The above-named railroads and steamboat line on Lake Managua are owned and operated by the Government. The railroads were only completed throughout in 1886, but they had an immediate and most gratifying effect on the commerce and progress of the country. The total cost for the Government amounted to $2,005,583.90, most of which was paid out of economies made in several branches of the public service. The first division of the railroad was opened to the public on February 27, 1884, the second on May 1, 1886. There are three classes of passenger coaches in use on these roads, first, second, and third class. The charge for first-class passengers is a little over 5 cents per mile, but in the third-class, the fare is somewhat less than 2% cents per mile. First-class passengers are allowed 40 pounds of baggage free; third-class passengers, 25 pounds. All above this quantity is charged as first-class freight. The rolling stock is all of American manufacture; the locomotives use wood as fuel. The first-class cars have a smoking compartment at one end, but in other respects are like the first-class cars used in the United States. The third-class cars are similar to the ordinary smoking cars run on the railroads in the United States, and they are used in the same way, as the women of the laboring classes smoke as much as the men. The cars are clean and comfortable, and the roads are well managed. Freight is divided into six classes, and is carried at rates varying from about 25 cents per ton per mile for first class to about 6 cents per ton for that of the fifth class. The sixth class is for dyewoods, which are charged at about 3 cents per ton per mile. According to Señor Gamez, this railroad yields annually to the Government a net profit of about $100,000. representing an interest of a little over 6% per cent per annum. The movement of passengers in 1890 was as follows: The topography of Nicaragua, especially all along the Pacific coast, is very favorable for the construction and preservation of wagon roads. Nature itself aids the Government in keeping them in good condition. The carreta, drawn by oxen, is the principal means of transportation used on these roads. There are two lines of stages between Granada and Rivas (51 miles), and between Masaya and Jinotepe (18 miles), subsidized by the Government, the former with $150 per month, and the latter with $50 also per month. They make daily trips during the dry season. TRAFFIC ON LAKE MANAGUA. The steamers plying on the lake belonged originally to a private company liberally subsidized by the Government. The charges which they made were so onerous that it became necessary for the commercial interests either to establish a new line, which would make competition with the old one in existence, or to induce the Government to buy the whole concern and organize the service upon a satisfactory basis. In pursuance of this plan a second company was organized, but when it was about to receive a steamer |