St. Kitts Scenic Railway
Saint Kitts
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is a 29-kilometre narrow-gauge railway that runs along the picturesque coastline of the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Originally constructed between 1912 and 1926, the railway was built to transport sugar cane from plantations to a centralized sugar mill in Basseterre, reflecting the island's once-dominant sugar industry. Today, it operates as a tourist attraction, offering visitors a unique way to explore the island's lush landscapes and coastal scenery. The railway features five distinctive double-decker rail cars designed with hydraulic roofs that open to provide unobstructed panoramic views. The lower deck is air-conditioned and decorated with local artwork, while the upper deck offers 360-degree vistas of the island. The locomotives are diesel-hydraulic models originally from Poland, refurbished to serve this scenic route. This railway preserves an important historical link to St. Kitts' industrial past while providing a memorable travel experience through its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
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Consejo: Visit the St. Kitts Scenic Railway during the dry season for the best weather and clearer views. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during cruise ship arrivals when demand peaks. Look for available discounts or package deals that may be offered in partnership with local tourism providers. The railway operates on a seasonal schedule aligned with tourism flows, so check current opening times before planning your visit.
Datos interesantes
- •The railway track gauge is 762 mm (2 ft 6 in), which is a narrow gauge typical for industrial railways.
- •The locomotives are diesel-hydraulic PKP class Lyd2 models originally from a Polish sugar refinery and refurbished in Romania.
- •The double-decker carriages have hydraulically liftable roofs, allowing the top deck to be open-air with 360-degree views.
- •The railway was originally built to reduce costs and improve sugar production efficiency by centralizing milling operations.
- •Despite the slogan, other operational railways exist in the West Indies, including in Martinique, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
Historia
The railway was originally constructed from 1912 to 1926 to facilitate the transport of sugar cane to a centralized sugar mill in Basseterre, reflecting the island's sugar economy.
The first section opened in 1912 and included branches to Palmetto Point and Bourryeau Estate.
It operated seasonally during the sugar harvest until the decline of the sugar industry.
In 2003, the line was revived as a tourist railway through a public-private partnership, preserving the historical route and offering scenic tours along the coast.
The railway's slogan, "Last Railway in the West Indies," highlights its cultural significance, although other railways still exist in the Caribbean.
Guía del lugar
Double-Decker Rail Cars2002
These unique cars feature a lower air-conditioned parlour deck with vaulted windows and local artwork, and an upper open-air deck with a hydraulically liftable roof offering panoramic views of the island.
Diesel-Hydraulic LocomotivesEarly 20th century (original build)
The railway operates three PKP class Lyd2 diesel-hydraulic locomotives originally built in Romania and refurbished with Henschel diesel engines, featuring single cabs with controls for both directions.
Contacto
Teléfono: (869) 465-7263