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Ifraín Alfonso Mill |
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Few visitors to Cuba fail to spend some time at Ifraín Alfonso Mill. It is equally famous for both the flat crossing of the Havana - Santa Clara autopista and being the home of the only active Mikados (2-8-2s) on the island. Some years ago trains here were worked by three medium sized locomotives in the 16xx number range when a temporary power shortage caused the mill to borrow large Alco 2-8-0 1823 from Unidad Proletaria Mill. They obviously liked the experience because within a short time Baldwin 2-8-2 1850 and Alco 2-8-2 1910 had been towed half the length of the island from their homes in the far east where they had lain out of use for many years. By 1996 they were both back in service on extremely long trains. Apart from the autopista crossing, the main field line which runs to Pozo is not unattractive and readily accessible. Trains convey a caboose because they traverse a short section of the Ferrocarriles de Cuba main line between Ranchuelo and Santa Maria. At times when not all the mills in the area are working, visitors need to watch out for inter-mill trains to Carlos Caraballo and Diez de Octubre Mills. |
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