Question

why was their a need for forest timber for spread of railways

Answer 1

Timber was essential for spread of railways as, FOREST TIMBER was used to make Sleepers(Wooden Planks) which were laid under Railway Lines thus providing them Stability and Firmness.

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Answer 2

Answer:

Wood was needed as fuel and to lay railway lines sleepers were essential to hold the tracks together. Each mile of railway track required between 1760 and 2000 sleepers. (ii) From the 1860's the railway network expanded rapidly. As the length of the railway tracks expanded a very large number of trees were felled.