Narrow Gauge Railways of Cuba

Narrow Gauge Railways of Cuba

From the 1860s to the Present Day

Following years of research, this is the first substantial survey and history of the narrow gauge railways of Cuba. It is a comprehensive analysis of the rich narrow gauge heritage of this fascinating Caribbean island from the first initiatives in the 1860s up to the present day including public common carrier railways, sugar mill systems, recreational lines, other industrial railways, and as a pioneer user of portable railway systems: where every known narrow gauge line is recorded. Detailed historic rosters of many systems feature, including all known internal combustion locomotives from the first arriving in 1910 right up to post revolution Ministry of Sugar ["Minaz"] all-time diesel lists.

This is an exploration of the breadth and diversity of Cuban narrow gauge ranging from hand-worked lines, steam powered passenger consists and mixeds, homemade railcars ambling along by-ways, certainly not just limited to sugar cane haulage and also serving a surprising range of other industries. Substantial public railways carrying passengers and a variety of freight operating extensive networks with purpose-built stations have now disappeared, but their history and relics are explored. Early motive power from Britain was followed by classic locomotives from the USA dominating the rosters, with continental European builders making some contributions. Gauges ranging from miniature to four feet are featured.
216 pages, 370 illustrations.