1837
189 years ago
OpeningCU
First Cuban Railway Opens
Havana Railway Company
Havana
August 6, 1837
Summary
Cuba's inaugural railway line from Havana to Bejucal began operations, marking the start of rail transport in the Caribbean.
Full Story
On August 6, 1837, the Havana-Bejucal railway opened as the first steam-powered line in Cuba and Latin America. Engineered with British technology, it used early 0-4-0 locomotives to haul sugar and passengers over 27 km of track. This project overcame tropical terrain challenges and colonial logistics, boosting Cuba's sugar economy. It laid groundwork for extensive island networks and influenced regional rail adoption, connecting ports to plantations amid growing global trade.
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Quick Facts
- Date
- August 6, 1837
- Event Type
- Opening
- Country
- CU
- Years Ago
- 189
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