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Rafael Freyre Mill |
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Rafael Freyre Mill (formerly Central Santa Lucía) is the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Cuban sugar mills. Although visitors had been to the island in search of steam since the early 1980s, it was only in 1987 that it was confirmed that this idyllic narrow gauge system was still running, almost exactly as it had done 60-70 years earlier when the majority of its fleet of seven 2ft 6in gauge Baldwin 2-8-0s was delivered. The reason for this is its relative isolation, several hours journey from the nearest significantly active steam mill. Indeed, the mill is some distance from any other sugar mill which means that despite the rumours that circulate from time to time, it will be unlikely that the mill will ever be closed for a year and its cane shipped out. However, facilities in the area are good as Guardalavaca is a popular tourist beach resort. Problems arise because parts of several of the roads shown on the accompanying map are in poor condition, passable by saloon cars only with care in good weather and impassable after rain. Rafael Freyre Mill is traditionally a late starter and in recent years it has been well into March before a full service has been inaugurated. The mill management has recognised the tourist value of its operation and is now willing to operate trains 'to order'. All the photographs in this compilation (except as noted) are of 'real' trains. |
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