Tough Trains - Season 1 - Eps 3: Cuba's Sugar Trains
Cuba’s railway network, though dilapidated and unreliable, offers a fascinating journey through history. The country was one of the first to build a railway in 1837, primarily to transport sugarcane during its peak as the world’s largest sugar producer. The journey starts on the Hershey line, Cuba’s only electrified railway, built in the 1920s by an American chocolate company. Traveling from Havana to Santa Clara highlights the struggles of aging infrastructure and the impact of the U.S. embargo. In Santa Clara, visitors learn about the historical importance of the railways, especially during Che Guevara’s 1958 victory. A stop in Trinidad offers a ride on a sugar transport train, paired with rum cocktails. In Moron, mechanics maintain pre-Revolution locomotives despite limited parts. The adventure ends with a ride on a 1920s steam locomotive through sugarcane fields, showcasing Cuba’s railway legacy despite its challenges.
About Tough Trains
Title: Tough Trains
First Air Date: 2014-09-16
Last Air Date: 2014-10-21
Status: Ended
Rating: 9/10 (from 1 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 6
Network: Travel Channel
Genres: Documentary
Production Companies: Unknown
Synopsis
World’s Toughest Train Rides is a documentary series that explores some of the most extreme and challenging railway journeys across the globe. Each episode features remarkable trains, facing harsh terrains, extreme weather conditions, and complex railway engineering. The series showcases the resilience of both the trains and the people who operate them. Along the way, viewers learn about the history, cultural significance, and technical ingenuity behind these extraordinary railways.
