Issue 1494 - Fortnightly, 2007

• "Ghost Express" - story by David Bishop and art by Cesar Spadari.

Writer David Bishop and artist Cesar Spadari have combined to put together the saga of a self-proclaimed engineering genius who sets out to build a train line across Africa from the Mediterranean to the Cape of Good Hope. Look at a map of the vast continent, consider the topography and engineering challenges and you will understand why such a project has yet to be attempted!

Part of the engineer’s scheme involves constructing a tunnel through a huge mountain and laying down what would be the world’s longest underground road or railway tunnel.

All this with unskilled labour, enormous supply problems and in the pre-computer era!

Think about the difficulties encountered in building the operating tunnel under the English Channel, rail lines through, over and under the Canadian Rockies and many rail and road transportation tunnels throughout  Europe. Not to mention the infamous cross-Sydney road tunnel and the recently opened Lane Cove tunnel in the same city!

The story commences so long ago, the 21st Phantom has to delve into the Chronicles to look for clues when traces of the original line are re-discovered!

His search for the truth brings to light, as you will discover, many unbelievable things….a huge town built within a mountain, survivors of a kidnapped tribe of natives who have lived for an extraordinary long time in semi-darkness, Caleb Stromness, the demented engineer who has survived with them - and wonder of wonders, a Fountain of Youth!

A fascinating mystery which only The Phantom can unravel!  There have been Phantom adventures involving trains before, but none so engrossing as The Ghost Express!