[ESTEBAN HERNANDEZ SUGAR MILL NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1970s

Description:

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This short home movie shows the operation of the Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera (MINAZ) narrow gauge railroad at the Esteban Hernandez Sugar Mill in Marti, Matanzas, Cuba. The #2 locomotive 2-8-0 (apparently previously #1616, made by Vulcan Iron Works) is visible in much of the film, but for a brief segment at :50 another 2’6" gauge locomotive is shown. It's not clear when this film was shot but it likely dates to the 1970s; the line ceased to be steam powered circa 2005. The Esteban Hernandez mill was the top producer in Matanzas province, and has high quality cane, which accounts for its survival when other seemingly larger mills have fallen silent. At one time Cuba had many active steam locomotives, in the modern era only a handful remain in the national museum.

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Complete Record: This short home movie captures the operation of the Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera (MINAZ) narrow gauge railroad at the Esteban Hernandez Sugar Mill in Marti, Matanzas, Cuba. The film prominently features the #2 locomotive 2-8-0, previously numbered #1616 and built by Vulcan Iron Works, along with a brief appearance of another 2’6" gauge locomotive. Although the exact date of the film is unclear, it likely dates back to the 1970s, as the line ceased steam operations around 2005. The Esteban Hernandez mill was the leading producer in Matanzas province, known for its high-quality cane, which contributed to its continued operation while other larger mills have closed. While Cuba once had many active steam locomotives, only a few remain in the national museum today. **Keywords:** home movie, Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera, MINAZ, narrow gauge railroad, Esteban Hernandez Sugar Mill, Marti, Matanzas, Cuba, locomotive, 2-8-0, Vulcan Iron Works, 1970s, steam powered, sugar production, high quality cane, national museum.