| 2. HAVANA REGION Gregorio Arlee Manalich Boris Luis Santa Coloma Amistad con los Pueblos Ruben Martinez Villena |
| 3. MATANZAS Reynold Garcia Jesus Rabi Australia Jose Smith Comas Granma Victoria de Jaguajay Cuba Libra Julio Reyes Cairo |
| A BRIEF HISTORY Although China was the 'big show' in terms of numbers, for sheer variety and diversity there was probably nowhere else in the world quite like the island of Cuba. The steam activity was mainly to be found on the railways belonging to MINAZ, the government's 'Ministry Of The Sugar Industry', although it was sometimes necessary for trains to use the state railway (FCC) to move between mills. Most lines only operated during the Zafra, or sugar harvest, which normally occurs from the beginning of January until the end of May although exact dates may vary from mill to mill and are dependent on location and weather conditions. Almost all of the steam locomotives were of American origin and were built by companies such as Baldwin, ALCO and Porter although there were still a few Henschels, Orenstein & Koppels and Borsigs from Germany to be found in use during the 1990's when these pictures were taken. This reflected the fact that most of the mills were in American ownership until the Revolution in 1959 brought them under state control. The locomotives were of considerable vintage with several remaining operational despite being well over 100 years old. Unlike the more modern steam used in China, the most recently manufactured engine in use in 1996 was constructed as long ago as 1935. There are four different gauges in use on the island although the majority of lines are standard gauge. Each line has its own particular attractions and features together with its own unique pattern of operation. With the decline in the world demand for sugar, and the fall in price, the government has recently announced its intention to close over 100 mills on the isaland. This further reduced steam operation and by 2005 almost all steam was confined to the back of the engine sheds, the scrap lines or newly established museums. By 2011 steam traction had been eliminated from the sugar cane fields and mills of the island and all that remains are a few museum lines and tourist trains which are almost a travesty of the 'real thing'. Despite this there are still enthusiast trips to Cuba but no-one should hope or expect to recapture any of the scenes illustrated on the following pages. |
| Like so much of this site the pages relating to Cuba now serve simply as an historic record of working steam. Photographs in this section of the website are arranged geographically to reflect the main areas where steam still operated during the years 1996 to 1998. Only the main mills are illustrated - many more still had some limited steam operation. Click on the name of the region using either the key to the map above or on the panels below which identify by name the main steam mills that were to be found in each of the areas. |
| 4. VILLA CLARA Luis Arcanos Bergnes Marcelo Salado Ifrain Alfonso Diez de Octobre |
| 5. CIENFUEGOS Mal Tiempo Ciudad Caracas Antonio Sanchez Espartaco Primero de Mayo Marta Abreu Pepito Tey |
| 6. SANCTI SPIRITUS Obdulio Morales Simon Bolivar |
| 7. CIEGO DE AVILA Orlando Gonzales Ramirez Ecuador Ciro Redondo Venezuela |
| 8. HOLGUIN Rafael Freyre |
| ALCO 2-6-0 No.1510 at Boris Luis Santa Coloma - a lack of paint led to locomotives being operated with undercoat as livery! |
| Baldwin 2-8-0 No.1513 crossing the Great Cuban Freeway whilst working at Australia mill |
| 2-8-2 ALCO No.1910 at Ifrain Alfonso, This was a former mainline locomotive that was transferred to MINAZ and was the largest locomotive at work on the island during the 1990's. |
| Fireless Baldwin 0-4-0 No.1239 at Marta Abreu |
| Vulcan 2-8-0 No.1904 at CAI Ecuador |
| Balwdin 2-8-0 No.1360 on narrow gauge at Simon Bolivar |
| Even during the days of 'real steam' in the late 1990's it was sometimes necessary to arrange special workings. Baldwin No.1386 sets out along the port branch on a photographers special at the 2'6" gauge Rafael Freyre system in 1997 |
| 1. WEST OF HAVANA Augusto Cesar Sandino Pablo de la Torriente Brau Eduardo Garcia Lavandero |
| Henschel 2-6-0 No.1405 at Augusto Cesar Sandino |
| CUBA STEAM IN PARADISE |
| KEY TO MAP 1. WEST OF HAVANA 2. HAVANA REGION 3. MATANZAS 4. VILLA CLARA 5. CIENFUEGOS 6. SANCTI SPIRITUS 7. CIEGO DE AVILA 8. HOLGUIN |
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THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF DAVID EATWELL 1931 - 2015
Edward David Eatwell-Williams was a lifelong steam enthusiast who for many years carried his camera to the line-sides of
Britain, photographing working steam in the 60s and the early days of preserved steam in this country. He then travelled
extensively behind the Iron Curtain in the 1970’s and 80’s, sometimes camping in farmer’s fields and on at least one occasion
at a local police station! He also set out for other destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. His passion
for steam in all shapes and sizes was unquenchable and it was he who who persuaded me to travel with him to Cuba to
photograph the sugar railways on the island - my first overseas foray for steam.
His idiosyncrasies are almost too numerous to mention. Anyone travelling with David very quickly became aware of his
aversion to oranges, polo mints and smoking. Despite his extensive travels he never really took to foreign food and on at least
one occasion in Cuba he sustained himself on a diet composed entirely of sausage rolls and chocolate bars which he had
carefully packed into his suitcase prior to departure.
I have much to blame him for and even more to thank him for! He is sadly missed and will always be in my thoughts when I
look at pictures taken during those halcyon days. And David - you DID fall asleep whilst driving up the Great Cuban Highway!
Edward David Eatwell-Williams was a lifelong steam enthusiast who for many years carried his camera to the line-sides of
Britain, photographing working steam in the 60s and the early days of preserved steam in this country. He then travelled
extensively behind the Iron Curtain in the 1970’s and 80’s, sometimes camping in farmer’s fields and on at least one occasion
at a local police station! He also set out for other destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. His passion
for steam in all shapes and sizes was unquenchable and it was he who who persuaded me to travel with him to Cuba to
photograph the sugar railways on the island - my first overseas foray for steam.
His idiosyncrasies are almost too numerous to mention. Anyone travelling with David very quickly became aware of his
aversion to oranges, polo mints and smoking. Despite his extensive travels he never really took to foreign food and on at least
one occasion in Cuba he sustained himself on a diet composed entirely of sausage rolls and chocolate bars which he had
carefully packed into his suitcase prior to departure.
I have much to blame him for and even more to thank him for! He is sadly missed and will always be in my thoughts when I
look at pictures taken during those halcyon days. And David - you DID fall asleep whilst driving up the Great Cuban Highway!