Cuban Steam Locomotives for Sale

This article first appeared in 2004. I believe it created a lot of interest, I suspect mainly among dreamers and armchair enthusiasts, but equally I doubt a single serious offer let alone a signed contract ever materialised. Now I am told (30th March 2010) that the would be sale has been halted and the locomotives will stay on the island. Some have already been cosmetically restored and moved to preservation sites. I am not sure if any of them were ever scrapped when it became clear that no sale was ever likely to happen.

Please understand this when you read what is written below...

Following the contraction in the Cuban sugar industry over the last couple of years, MINAZ (sugar ministry) has officially placed 55 steam locomotives on sale. These are considered surplus to the requirements of a heritage core which will be retained. Buyers will be required to remove their purchases from the island, but there is no restriction on their eventual destination, given the fact that the majority are of American origin (Baldwin, Alco, Vulcan), it is obvious where the they might be most in demand even if they might have to follow an indirect route to their new homes. Almost all have worked in recent years and all but two feature on my Zafra CD-ROM.

The full list is given below but does not include technical details - these are in the IRS book, Industrial Steam Locomotives of Cuba, full details are on the IRS Book Page.

The sale is being coordinated by the ARMF, Apaerado 62, 25080 LLEIDA Ciudad, Spain, office phone ++ (34) 973 216 441, ask for Manel Ramos. If speaking in English you will have to speak clearly and slowly and be patient. Sr. Manel Ramos is the CME of the ARMF which is the society which operates the Spanish Garratt, they are not in this project for profit, merely to help Minaz find good homes for their redundant steam locomotives.

The assessed condition of each of the locomotives is available which will no doubt affect the asking price, but in particular boiler standards in Cuba do not always reach European operational levels. 

An early indication of interest is requested, many other steam locomotives have already been scrapped within the last year. 

Narrow gauge (2'3¾")

 Narrow gauge (2'6")

Narrow gauge (3'0")

 Standard gauge (4'8½")