| REYNOLD GARCIA MATANZAS REGION |
Originally called Araujo, this mill was renamed after Reynold Garcia Garcia (born December 1929)
who led a revolutionary group which was not attached to either the July 26 Movement nor to the
Revolutionary Directorate but which believed in democratic freedoms. In his hometown of
Matanzas, he joined together different groups opposed to the government tyranny and directed and
starred in many street protests and sabotage, for which he suffered imprisonment and torture. His
influence spread to many other towns within the province.
On 29 April 1956 he led an attack on the Goicuria Barracks, the military headquarters in Matanzas,
with the aim of seizing weapons and kidnapping Colonel Pilar Garcia, the military commander,
before attacking other public buildings in the city. The truck carrying Reynold Garcia managed to
successfully enter the barracks but was hit by an avalanche of bullets which killed him and fourteen
other young revolutionaries under his command.
who led a revolutionary group which was not attached to either the July 26 Movement nor to the
Revolutionary Directorate but which believed in democratic freedoms. In his hometown of
Matanzas, he joined together different groups opposed to the government tyranny and directed and
starred in many street protests and sabotage, for which he suffered imprisonment and torture. His
influence spread to many other towns within the province.
On 29 April 1956 he led an attack on the Goicuria Barracks, the military headquarters in Matanzas,
with the aim of seizing weapons and kidnapping Colonel Pilar Garcia, the military commander,
before attacking other public buildings in the city. The truck carrying Reynold Garcia managed to
successfully enter the barracks but was hit by an avalanche of bullets which killed him and fourteen
other young revolutionaries under his command.
Reynold Garcia was a mill frequently visited in passing but where very
little seemed to happen with engines mainly idle. My first visit in 1996
was rewarded with two engines in steam. Baldwin 2-6-0 No.1517 (built
1907) was busy shunting empty cane wagons just in front of the mill
buildings
little seemed to happen with engines mainly idle. My first visit in 1996
was rewarded with two engines in steam. Baldwin 2-6-0 No.1517 (built
1907) was busy shunting empty cane wagons just in front of the mill
buildings
The other working engine on this
occasion was Vulcan 2-6-0
No.1518 built in 1916.
Unfortunately the tender became
derailed shortly after our arrival -
a not uncommon occurrence - and
there was no further movement
from this engine
occasion was Vulcan 2-6-0
No.1518 built in 1916.
Unfortunately the tender became
derailed shortly after our arrival -
a not uncommon occurrence - and
there was no further movement
from this engine
The following year saw ALCO 2-8-0
No.1594 at work, an engine which
was normally based at Victoria de
Yaguajay and which was presumably
on loan to the mill at Reynold Garcia
No.1594 at work, an engine which
was normally based at Victoria de
Yaguajay and which was presumably
on loan to the mill at Reynold Garcia
The side on view of No.1594 clearly
shows the tender bearing the name
of its's 'home mill' of Victoria de
Yaguajay
shows the tender bearing the name
of its's 'home mill' of Victoria de
Yaguajay
Vulcan 2-6-0 No.1518 was in
steam again in 1997 and is seen
leaving the shed area at Reynold
Garcia
steam again in 1997 and is seen
leaving the shed area at Reynold
Garcia
To the north of the mill was this
wonderful signal box on stilts
designed to guard the crossing of
the FCC by the sugar lines of
Reynold Garcia and Rene Fraga
wonderful signal box on stilts
designed to guard the crossing of
the FCC by the sugar lines of
Reynold Garcia and Rene Fraga
1998 once again found Baldwin
2-6-0 No.1517 at work and it is
seen here shunting cane wagons at
the loading point near the mill
2-6-0 No.1517 at work and it is
seen here shunting cane wagons at
the loading point near the mill
No.1517 taking water just beyond
the engine shed which can be seen
in the background
the engine shed which can be seen
in the background