[droylsden_kid]

Conscious of it's dependance on the declining sugar industry, the Government of St.Kitts in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, started looking towards tourism to supplement the island's income. Proposals were put forward over the years to run tourist trains over the 30 mile sugar industry line, which formed a circle around the island.

This came to fruition in around 2002 when an American company imported 3 Romanian built locos from a sugar beet line in Poland, and supplied 4 new double deck bogie carriages. The intention was to integrate with the seasonal sugar plantation trains and upgrade the track.

Unfortunately the sugar industry has since closed completely (around 2005), leaving the tourist train as the only user on the railway, with most of the track at the loading sites lifted. Approximately 17 miles of railway, from Needs Must Station, Basseterre to La Vallee is used, with a balloon loop at each end (used anti-clockwise), and extra stock sidings at Needs Must.

Passengers make a single journey, being either bussed from their cruise ship to Needs Must Station, and then collected from the train at La Vallee and driven back to the ship, or vikki verki. Entertainment and a commentary is provided on board, also complementary drinks.

The derelict sugar factory, which the railway supplied is here: http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3866

LYd2 01 of 1977 bringing outbound train to La Vallee loop


Inspection Trolley at La Vallee which preceded the Tourist Train


Looking back through train - you wouldn't believe how much they sway from side to side - double deck coaches were provided because of the height of the suger cane (which no longer exists)


You can almost touch the vegetation!


Road Crossing near Tabernacle


300 foot Viaduct at Mansion


Former loading station at Mansion


3 People "Choir" entertaining Passengers


Lodge Viaduct


Lodge Viaduct Looking down from Train - note that the train is wider than the viaduct!


Derelict Cane Wagons at Hermitage


Crossing Cayon? Viaduct - the lower enclosed deck is air-conditoned in case it's too hot on the top deck


Approaching Terminus at Needs Must Station - both of the other locos are in the picture


New track materials at Needs Must Station and Ballast Tamping machine


Abandoned Inspection Trolleys at Needs Must Station - the buildings in the background are the airport


And passed on the road back to the harbour - the sugar factory is behind the Power Station.
Mirrlees Diesel Engine "plinthed" outside Needs Must Power Station



For additional views of the railway see http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t...9%20St%20Kitts