Steam in Paradise Cuba 2000 Part`2

On some of the narrow gauge lines, especially Mal Tiempo and Pepito Tey it was sometimes possible when the locos were working hard to 'feel' a low frequency rumble through the feet before the exhaust could be heard! This phenomena was caused by the oil burner set very low, near track level.
Almost all Cuban steam locos are oil fired. The frequent clouds of thick black smoke is the result of this fuel, it is NOT caused by "Clag on Request". All the shots are of locos undertaking their normal duties, there were no organised 'run-pasts'.
In 2015 there are about one hundred and thirty ex-Minaz steam locomotives in operational condition, on static display or in store on the Island of Cuba. The operational steam locos only work tourist or charter trains, none work on the remaining active sugar mills. There are also many derelict or part dismantled locos laying about sugar mill yards. With the easing of relations between Cuba and the US it is possible that Cuba may become the US equivalent the UK's Barry.
Sugar mills features in part 2 are:
Reynold Garcia 302
Jesus Rabi 314
Rene Fraga 319
Australia 303
Pepito Tey 443

[@balmesh]

Good work George. I did enjoy seeing the harvesting equipment go by, too.

[@franciscomontoya383]

que es lo que queman foil o gasoil

[@blackthorne57]

Queman aceite de búnker, residuos gruesos y negros del final del proceso de refinación de petróleo.
They burn bunker oil, thick, black residue from the end of the oil refining process

[@stevenarnold46]

What's the fire under the train at 15:40?

[@blackthorne57]

The locos are oil fired. The fire is flames from the burners that are placed low down. The blast from the exhaust causes the fire to 'flash'. A loco engineer may be able to give you a more technical explanation. The low slung burners explain why it is possible to feel the approach of the train through the ground as a low rumble, noticeable on the video.

[@NJPurling]

The last train from 15:55 onwards. You can hear the burner at the start. The train does not come into view for another two minutes. The fireman had the 'jet' turned right up. It looks dramatic. But didn't the drivers think it unprofessional to make more smoke than strictly necessary?
Unless the oil they were burning was absolute rubbish.

[@luisalvarez23]

@@NJPurling In Cuba at this point the oil probably is rubbish but it is all they have .

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

All those puffer bellies working hard!

[@fermincuervo8613]

THIS SUGAR MILL HAVE LIFE YET........IT IS IN MATANZAS PROVINCE.....

[@josecarballea8290]

Yo soy de ese lugar tan bello Rene fraga esa es mi tierra hermosa

[@fermincuervo8613]

@@josecarballea8290 SI...YO ESTUVE ALLI CON UN TURISTAS FAN STEAM...PERO HERMOSA ES TODA LA ISLA....

[@theunderrated86]

What gauge do these run on?

[@blackthorne57]

Pepito Tey is 2'6" the rest are standard gauge.

[@theunderrated86]

blackthorne57 Oh, the standard 4 ft 8,5 in gauge?

[@blackthorne57]

Yes

[@claudioeternod7064]

it is standard gauge, 1435 mm

[@lorrainedimmock4096]

Is this still in happening ?? if so, really need to live here.!!!

[@blackthorne57]

Sorry to disappoint you, steam hauled trains at Cuba’s sugar mills finished in 2005.

[@luisalvarez23]

No you don't wanna live there

[@ratecoudo]

@@blackthorne57 there might be some action there somewhere in Cuba but just to ride people maybe.

[@theglaok]

A lot of pollution