Cuba, 8-28th March 2001

8.3. E1373 brought loads from the long line and reached the mill about 4pm. Then took oil and water and sat by the oiler. At 5pm went off shed and took empties to the LP by the road. Returned about 6pm just as the sun was setting.
15.3 1667 came off the long line about 4pm and climbed the bank to the mill with no difficulty at all. Did not wait any longer, as the light was dire.
Both Hermanas engines seemed to go up the hill very easily, though their loads may have been less than I have seen Sandino engines take in the past, generally after a good blow up by the last LP before charging the bank all-out.

1307 shunting patio, 1308, 1351 working to first LP and occasionally beyond, 1402 shunting standard gauge. Generally at least one trip to the first LP about 9am, and another late afternoon about 5pm, giving some chance of good shots. What happens between 10.30am and 4pm I have no idea as have never been there then.

Where the action was excellent. One train off the mill every day between 7am and 8am, working to Adupaca and returning to mill around mid-day. Another off perhaps at 10am, crossing the previous train at the large LP before the autopista and returning to mill about 4pm. The engine off the first train worked out again about 2.30pm and crossed the second train as it came back at the same LP and then usually waited at Adupaca till 7pm before setting off. There was also another trip, leaving the mill about 8pm.
A new LP has been built, but not yet brought into use, just beyond the mill sidings. This is intended to take all the cane now brought in direct to the mill by lorries and tractors hauling trailers, and transfer it to rail wagons. A shuttle will operate between this LP and the mill.
Engines seemed in excellent condition, 1513 and 1607 storming along with big loads and never seeming to be in any trouble. 1593 and 1620 were used on shunting, 1420, the diesel converted from steam, was back in service on 28.3, and 1716 was in shed under repair.

Plenty of action, though the men complained there was not much cane. As usual, there were often trips on the two short lines from about 7am, sometimes before light was good enough, and after about 4pm, but trips on the long line were less predictable. 1357 and 1358 used on all lines, 1236 on shunting. Did not see 1329 in action but it seems to have been used on all lines.
One driver has a new tactic. As he storms by, he makes a "go back?" gesture with his arm. If given a "yes" wave in reply, he stops, backs his train and storms past again, with more smoke – after receiving his $5 fee.

Excellent action late afternoon on the line to Pozo with 1637 and the same demon driver, who likes a few tips but seems to drive just as hard and make lots of clag whether he gets them or not. Saw 1635 in action and 1850, once, but it may have been only because a German party was on the caboose. Did not see 1910 in use, though it was in the shed apparently painted up. Probably there was not enough cane to justify the use of the larger engines.

No early morning workings but only visited this line on two occasions, on both of which the same crew was in charge. They carefully turned the oil down as they approached, because no tip was offered. We did not really tackle this mill positively but given time, and tips to the crews, good results could be had.

Mill not working but the LP by the mill approach road was loading cane into rail wagons for transfer elsewhere. The cane was brought in by lorries, tractors hauling trailers and ox carts hauled by teams of ten or twelve oxen, which made for good pictures as they moved slowly about the site. Loaded wagons were worked to the mill sidings by 1823, which was supposed to haul a full train load at 4pm to another mill. But a diesel arrived on empties at about 11am and so may have returned with the loads. Well worth a visit for the ox carts alone.

Visited twice. On 25.3 1836 (painted dark blue) arrived from Limones about 3.45pm and 1563 then left for the same place. Gave the crew photos at Limones and took some more, so they were very helpful on the way back, slowing down, making smoke etc. In fact, the loco was at its limit, just slogging along quite slowly. Whenever the driver opened the regulator a bit more, it just slipped.
On 26.3 1732, green, and 1836 were both dead in the shed. 1563 arrived on loads about 5pm.