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Australia Mill |
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Australia Mill's more normal claim to fame is that it acted as Castro's communication centre during the invasion at the Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón) which is on the southern coast of the island nearby. This fact possibly accounts for it maintaining its pre-revolutionary name. Among steam enthusiasts, it is best known as a mill with a large and active steam fleet which is easily chased along the single long line which serves a series of loading points to the east. A particular bonus is that the further loading points have 'wyes' which mean that smokebox first empty working is a regular feature and often it is possible to follow alternately trains out and then incoming workings throughout the day, although the quality of light at midday would suggest the time would be better spent laid up at the nearby watering holes at Jagüey Grande and Aguada de Pasajeros. It is connected to the main line by a branch to Calimete although I have yet to see a picture of steam on this section. In recent years, there has often been a class 37 diesel based here, although its influence has been lessened by its habit of breaking down and also the fact that it appears to work only a single shift. For most visitors, the photographic highlight of the system is the flat crossing of the Havana - Santa Clara autopista. The light in the late afternoon is just perfect for this and trains at this time are fortunately a regular feature of operation. |
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