Uploaded December 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For several years around the turn of the 20th century, a small company called Steam in Paradise ran tours for enthusiasts to photograph and film steam locomotives in action on the sugar mill lines on the island of Cuba. The tours were jointly run by Ron Lingley and Andy Clark. Sadly Ron died at the untimely age of 54 in 2009. Their knowledge of steam operation at the many sugar mills was extensive. Their method of running tours was somewhat unconventional but they always managed to find the steam action in the best possible light for photography.
The next five videos I will upload were shot during my last tour with Steam in Paradise. By this time Andy and Ron had parted company and Ron was the sole guide. The use of steam to haul sugar cane was very nearly finished. Several steam locomotives that were still in good working order but no longer required for mill work were available to haul special trains on the Cuban main line. Regular steam on the FCC had stopped many years ago so this was a unique opportunity not to be missed.
I have video shot during the 1999, 2000 and 2002 Zafra. I hope to edit and upload this material sometime in the future.
Steam in Paradise - Part 1
In 2005 Gregorio Arlee Manalich was one of the very last mills to use steam traction to haul cane to the mill. At one time both standard and narrow (30") gauge track served this mill but only standard gauge survived in 2005. Baldwin 2-6-0 built in 1918 was in use.
At Jose Maria Perez a Vulcan 2-8-0 built in 1920 was in steam.
At Marcelo Salado a 1920 ALCO 2-8-0 was available. Marcelo Salado was being developed into a steam museum and I believe in still active in 2014.
With very few exceptions, all steam locos used on the sugar mill systems were oil fired. The heavy bunker oil used produced copious quantities of 'clag', there was no need for photographers to ask footplate crew to provide 'smoke on demand'!
For several years around the turn of the 20th century, a small company called Steam in Paradise ran tours for enthusiasts to photograph and film steam locomotives in action on the sugar mill lines on the island of Cuba. The tours were jointly run by Ron Lingley and Andy Clark. Sadly Ron died at the untimely age of 54 in 2009. Their knowledge of steam operation at the many sugar mills was extensive. Their method of running tours was somewhat unconventional but they always managed to find the steam action in the best possible light for photography.
The next five videos I will upload were shot during my last tour with Steam in Paradise. By this time Andy and Ron had parted company and Ron was the sole guide. The use of steam to haul sugar cane was very nearly finished. Several steam locomotives that were still in good working order but no longer required for mill work were available to haul special trains on the Cuban main line. Regular steam on the FCC had stopped many years ago so this was a unique opportunity not to be missed.
I have video shot during the 1999, 2000 and 2002 Zafra. I hope to edit and upload this material sometime in the future.
Steam in Paradise - Part 1
In 2005 Gregorio Arlee Manalich was one of the very last mills to use steam traction to haul cane to the mill. At one time both standard and narrow (30") gauge track served this mill but only standard gauge survived in 2005. Baldwin 2-6-0 built in 1918 was in use.
At Jose Maria Perez a Vulcan 2-8-0 built in 1920 was in steam.
At Marcelo Salado a 1920 ALCO 2-8-0 was available. Marcelo Salado was being developed into a steam museum and I believe in still active in 2014.
With very few exceptions, all steam locos used on the sugar mill systems were oil fired. The heavy bunker oil used produced copious quantities of 'clag', there was no need for photographers to ask footplate crew to provide 'smoke on demand'!
