Trinidads Lost Railways Part 2

The Railway at Usine Sainte Madeleine once hauled sugar cane from the fields to the mill, or "factory" as they are locally known. This system once operated a vast area of standard gauge lines across the southern part of Trinidad and was at one time of greater track mileage than that of the Government Railway. The region, locally known as the Naparimas, was where Railways in Trinidad began as far back as 1839. The very first railway was the Cipero Tramway built by a Scottish Planter named William Eccles between San Fernando and the Cipero river loading point (Known as "Embarcadere").
And that was how Trinidad's Railways originated, primarily for cane haulage, a full thirty-seven years before the coming of the Trinidad Government Railway (TGR) in 1876 and ending thirty years after the TGR was abandoned in 1968.
This is mostly a collections of moving images, taken during the final operating years of the very last railway in Trinidad. This railway at Usine Sainte Madeleine ended in the same place where railways began, performing the very same task for which they were originally built so many years ago.
In this short presentation, I provide a snapshot of the period following total abandonment of the last railways in Trinidad.
The opening scene of Hunslet locomotive D10, heading towards Usine Sainte Madeleine, provides a representation of what really happened on the very last movement. D10 made its historic last run from the field to the loco shed on May 15th 1998.
Please leave your feedback and I hope that you enjoy this brief glimpse into the past.

[@Dalleyne11216]

This is indeed a sad thing to see, as a little girl, I used to pass these roads and grounds on the way to the pool in Usine, and all you saw for miles were cane fields. I would love to see them restored and shown to the generation now what living then was like. Thanks, it brought back memories.

[@neil2dbone1]

once upon a time when we were young an life was hard but simple.... a faded memory now...but sometimes i can remember the smell of the burnt sugarcane fields over night...it still lingers on..

[@Jezey07]

Glen I love this vid brought tears to my eyes... I was never able to see these before they were removed. .. I love the history of my country. .. today I'm going to take a trip down to knollys tunnel and enjoy the little there is

[@galbeadon]

Jezey07 thanks for your comments and appreciative feedback. If you are interested take a look at Part3 which will bring you up to date and at the same time show you more images of lost times. There is also a 3 part series called Trinidad Railway History (Part 1, 2 & 3) which may also interest you. Best wishes.

[@CapitanBizarrely]

Its so good to see you capturing some of these old icons before they disappear. I think every time we lose one the country loses a little bit of its soul, please keep up the good work.

[@gamlahund]

@galbeadon while i have visited trinidad back in the early 70's and numerous times since, i never made it down that way, it looks like a very beautiful landscape.

[@mariadefreitas3274]

The Trains seem to be a very inspiring time. My Father was an Engine Driver and I travelled once on the Trains. I would have loved to travel on them now through the Country.

[@beauxsdreams666]

i loved watching these locomotives when they passed by and i had watched sugarcane loaded on the rail cars. its a beautiful sight.

[@richardchackon3163]

Great work mate,great work,bless...

[@galbeadon]

@Dalleyne11216 Thank you for your comments and memories. Many years ago I spoke to people who lived and worked in the cane fields of the Naparimas. They described things to me which I found fascinating. At one time, San Fernando was totally surrounded by cane fields and estates. All the way around San Fernando hill, which was of course much more beautiful than it appears today, with half of it’s side missing. At one time rail lines could be found everywhere. Today nothing remains, only dreams.

[@galbeadon]

@12timmyd The song is written by my brother, Robert, it is called "You'll be gone". The song is off the album "Voodoo in the Cuckoo" by his band Jaundis-I. The band was very popular in Trinidad in 1994/5 period. Thanks for watching.

[@intergalatic8mango]

Love the album and the band my favourite from the album. Thanks for featuring it brother. Your work needs more recognition. It's just too brilliant. Thanks again.

[@galbeadon]

@gamlahund This is so true. I don't know if you have ever been to the cane fields of the Naparimas in the 70's and 80's but if you had you would not want to go there today. No longer are the once prolific cane fields in evidence but rather it is all becoming paved over. The railway and the green fields it once served have vanished for ever. All in the name of progress.

[@galbeadon]

@surfer4805 Trains departed Port-of-Spain heading east. At Curepe the San-Fernando line turned South. Passint through Caroni, Cunupia, Chaguanas, Carapichaima, Couva, California, Claxton Bay, Pointe-a-Pierre and San Fernando. This was known as the Southern main line.

[@galbeadon]

@navydoctrinidad Hello Charlie, Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately the cane fields of Trinidad are no more. I use to love driving through them looking for trains and was very sad to see it all go. Did you ever take any photos in Trinidad of the railways between 1954-57? If you would like to see more of the cane, I invite you to watch "Trinidad’s Lost Railways Part 1". Thanks again for watching. Glen

[@galbeadon]

@dasy1000 Hi, can you tell me more about what image you would like to use and what the documentry is about? Thanks

[@12timmyd]

hi, what is the music being played in the background??

[@azardbarichee4136]

How much a ulyou remember da noise early in de morning during crop time and when then blowing de shell

[@galbeadon]

@isatrini4ever It is very sad indeed. So much of our early development in Trinidad was achieved through this vital communication link across the island. Today we have a slender window of opportunity to save a small part of the former railway for future generations. Unfortunately there is not enough public interest and these historic machines are slowly slipping into oblivion. Unless we do something soon about restoration all will be lost.

[@dasy1000]

Hi, I'm doing a short Docu. On TT...I'd like your permissioin to use a few snipets of your video to include. I will credit you of course for the footage. thanks

[@dasy1000]

@galbeadon : it's a montage from as far back as I can, to 2011 and the way TT has changed!

[@galbeadon]

@dasy1000 Sounds very interesting, you have my green light. Please let me know when you have it up so that I can take a look at it. Good luck.

[@gamlahund]

you don't know what you got till it's gone, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot. joni mitchell - big yellow taxi

[@galbeadon]

@navydoctrinidad Glad you enjoyed it Charlie, all the best. Glen

[@galbeadon]

@aussieaustin1 Thanks for this very interesting feedback. It will be nice to trace your Great Grandfathers involvement in the railways of Trinidad.

[@surfer4805]

Very interesting! Can any one tell me what route did the trains take from port-of-spain to san fernando?

[@galbeadon]

@CapitanBizarrely Unfortunately, they have already disappeared. I went back in 2009 to take a look...all gone. If you want to see the full story, take a look at my interview on TV in Trinidad. Look up Trinidad Railway History part 1, 2 & 3 on youtube. I tell the full story in three parts and show more footage. Thanks for commenting, It makes it all worthwhile.

[@goodanswerinfo239]

I really want to see how arima looks like back in the early day of railways

[@isatrini4ever]

This is sad, i hope those trains are all restored, no trinis up for the job then??

[@LilfoxTheHybridHylian5967]

WOAH

[@avragetrinidadian3787]

this is just depressing..... :'(