铁路,在近代史中扮演着极其重要的角色,工业革命以后西方各强国无不以发展铁路为国家规划的重中之重。铁路提高了时效,促进了贸易和资本的流通,在十九世纪后名副其实地成为经济发展的大动脉。清政府在经历过洋务运动特别是中法战争以后,亦逐渐注意到铁路在经济和军事上的重要意义,将其视为强国之路所必需,与兴办水师一并列入首要发展项目,即使在赔款期间国库极度空虚的情况下,仍没有将修路计划搁置,先后策划 The railway plays an extremely important role in modern history. After the industrial revolution, all the western powers all took the development of the railway as the top priority for their national planning. The railroad improved timeliness and facilitated the circulation of trade and capital and became the real artery of economic development after the nineteenth century. After experiencing the Westernization Movement, especially the Sino-French War, the Qing government also gradually noticed the economic and military significance of the railway, regarded it as a necessity for the road to strengthening the country, and included it in the primary development projects with the establishment of navy. Even in the case of extremely treacherous treasury during the indemnities, the road construction plan has not been shelved, has been planning