he St. Kitts Scenic Railway is the last surviving railway of the West Indies, and traverses the island via a two-hour train ride on train tracks belonging to the former sugarcane railroad. Throughout the ride, passengers get a complete view of the Caribbean island as the train makes its way around the coastline.
Sugar cane was introduced in Kitts in 1643—at the time, the island was fought over for control between the French and British Empires and sugar cane was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. By 1775, St. Kitts was the wealthiest British colony, producing sugar in 200 estates, but it was not until more than a century later that the “Sugar Train” was born.
In 1912, a group of investors decided to build a factory near Basseterre in order to make sugar production more efficient, but they realized that they would have difficulty bringing in raw cane sugar from different parts of the island. To mitigate the issue of distance, the investors came up with the idea of a railway. A few years later, the railway was completed in 1926, which made a circuit around the entire island. The factory and railway functioned until 2005—it had failed to compete against international competitors—ending more than 350 years of sugarcane production in St. Kitts. Thankfully, the “Sugar Train” survived thanks to an agreement between the Government and a private company, and St. Kitts Scenic Railway has been running tourist excursions since 2003.
The “Island Series” railcars in St. Kitts Scenic Railway are double-decked, with a lower, enclosed, air conditioned interior consisting of 6-foot-tall windows for a wide and clear view, paintings from local artisans in the walls, service bar, carpeted floor, and a restroom. The upper deck, provides an “outdoor” experience—with 360-degree views of the island in open-air.
Throughout the journey, tourists are able to see the changing scenery of the island—including the rocky cliffs that have been shaped over centuries by the ocean, the peak of Mount Liamuiga, the variety of flora, and the beaches along the coastline. In addition, passengers are able to view old abandoned sugar cane plantations—their presence serving as a reminder of the country’s history. Lastly, train pass by the well-preserved Brimstone Hill Fortress—which serves as well-preserved example of 17th/18th-century military architecture. While traversing throughout the island, passengers receive an interactive narration of St. Kitts and the railway, in addition to hearing the sweet hymns and folk songs from the St. Kitts Railway Choir (they might even get to encounter the smiling and waving of schoolchildren along the way!).
St. Kitt’s Scenic Railway is a living reminder of the times when sugar dominated the island’s economy—representing an era of richness and wealth. It not only has the ability of transporting passengers back in time, but it can also generate an appreciation for the beauty that the Caribbean has to offer.
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The Last Surviving Railway of the West Indies
August 16, 2020
The train traverses the island on tracks belonging to a former sugarcane railroad.
T
he St. Kitts Scenic Railway is the last surviving railway of the West Indies, and traverses the island via a two-hour train ride on train tracks belonging to the former sugarcane railroad. Throughout the ride, passengers get a complete view of the Caribbean island as the train makes its way around the coastline.
Sugar cane was introduced in Kitts in 1643—at the time, the island was fought over for control between the French and British Empires and sugar cane was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. By 1775, St. Kitts was the wealthiest British colony, producing sugar in 200 estates, but it was not until more than a century later that the “Sugar Train” was born.
In 1912, a group of investors decided to build a factory near Basseterre in order to make sugar production more efficient, but they realized that they would have difficulty bringing in raw cane sugar from different parts of the island. To mitigate the issue of distance, the investors came up with the idea of a railway. A few years later, the railway was completed in 1926, which made a circuit around the entire island. The factory and railway functioned until 2005—it had failed to compete against international competitors—ending more than 350 years of sugarcane production in St. Kitts. Thankfully, the “Sugar Train” survived thanks to an agreement between the Government and a private company, and St. Kitts Scenic Railway has been running tourist excursions since 2003.
The “Island Series” railcars in St. Kitts Scenic Railway are double-decked, with a lower, enclosed, air conditioned interior consisting of 6-foot-tall windows for a wide and clear view, paintings from local artisans in the walls, service bar, carpeted floor, and a restroom. The upper deck, provides an “outdoor” experience—with 360-degree views of the island in open-air.
Throughout the journey, tourists are able to see the changing scenery of the island—including the rocky cliffs that have been shaped over centuries by the ocean, the peak of Mount Liamuiga, the variety of flora, and the beaches along the coastline. In addition, passengers are able to view old abandoned sugar cane plantations—their presence serving as a reminder of the country’s history. Lastly, train pass by the well-preserved Brimstone Hill Fortress—which serves as well-preserved example of 17th/18th-century military architecture. While traversing throughout the island, passengers receive an interactive narration of St. Kitts and the railway, in addition to hearing the sweet hymns and folk songs from the St. Kitts Railway Choir (they might even get to encounter the smiling and waving of schoolchildren along the way!).
St. Kitt’s Scenic Railway is a living reminder of the times when sugar dominated the island’s economy—representing an era of richness and wealth. It not only has the ability of transporting passengers back in time, but it can also generate an appreciation for the beauty that the Caribbean has to offer.
