TRACKSIDE PUBLICATIONS - NEW AND FUTURE RELEASES!

RELEASED ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 2009

NARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS OF CUBA

From the 1860s to the present day

At long last, after years of research, we announce the publication of the first substantial survey and history of the narrow gauge railways of Cuba. It is a comprehensive analysis of the rich narrow gauge heritage of this fascinating Caribbean island from the first initiatives in the 1860s up to the present day including public “common carrier” railways, sugar mill systems, recreational lines, other industrial railways, and as a pioneer user of portable railway systems: where every known narrow gauge line is recorded. De­tailed historic rosters of many systems feature, including all known internal combustion locomotives from the first arriving in 1910 right up to post revolution Ministry of Sugar [“Minaz”] all-time diesel lists.

This is an exploration of the breadth and diversity of Cuban narrow gauge ranging from hand-worked lines, steam powered pas­senger consists and mixeds, homemade railcars ambling along by-ways, certainly not just limited to sugar cane haulage and also serving a surprising range of other industries. Substantial public railways carrying passengers and a variety of freight operating extensive networks with purpose-built stations have now disappeared, but their history and relics are explored. Early motive power from Britain was followed by classic locomotives from the USA dominating the rosters, with continental European builders making some contributions. Gauges ranging from miniature to four feet are featured.

The book is to the usual Trackside standards in our larger format on glossy heavyweight paper, digitally composed, and printed by Amadeus, maintaining our traditional feel and is the biggest we have ever produced with 216 pages including 16 in colour. It features an unprecedented 370 images and many maps drawing on archive material some dating from the nineteenth century, ranging up to modern images of trains in action in more recent years of operations, with very little having been published before. They include extremely rare pictures of trains in service and builder’s photographs of locomotives and equipment from specialist collections and libraries. The author has drawn on a very wide range of sources and has been helped by leading Cuban researchers, railway professionals, and historians, and also by experts from around the World. Many lines never enjoyed official status and investigating their origins has involved delving into obscure records and field research. There are a considerable number of detailed appendices. This book is double the size of our Peru volumes and the retail price is £30.95 limpback. NOTE: The £36.95 limited edition hardback was sold out just one month after release although may eventually be reprinted if demand is sufficient. 

[ All prices are inclusive of shipping -payments to be made in Sterling. Non-UK customers can use Pay Pal or make a payment direct to our bank – please apply for details before making payment. Our address is on the Contacts page.]

If you are interested in Cuban narrow gauge railways, you will also be interested in John Raby's outstanding DVD - follow the link below:

"STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN CUBA - THE NARROW GAUGE"

FUTURE RELEASE

The TALTAL RAILWAY

 This forthcoming book by Donald Binns tells the story of the least well-known of the major Chilean nitrate railways which operated for nearly ninety years in challenging terrain where a diverse range of British-built tank engines handled all operations until a series of Kitson Meyers arrived. This original equipment was later supplemented by a bewildering array of second hand steam power which was to last until closure in the 1970s which became the final chapter of Kitson Meyer operations in the world. In the usual Trackside style with some previously unpublished images and maps recounting the story of a railway that was little visited by outsiders.

Hopefully due early 2010

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DONALD BINNS PUBLICATIONS

THREE NEW TITLES - SEE BOOK LIST