Cuban Railway History Preserved in Holguin
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Holguin
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The Rafael Freyre Railways Base Business Unit in Holguin preserves the history of Cuban and Latin American railways by preserving steam locomotive 1180, from 1882, known as La Mambisita, the oldest in operation.
José Luis Pérez Rodríguez, director of the organization also known as Transferraz, explained to CNA that the locomotive has been in operation for over 140 years and operates. In partnership with travel agencies, on trips to nearby tourist destinations. An important source of foreign currency income that contributes to the overall improvement of public passenger service.
Antonio Lorenzo Pupo, railway equipment mechanic and in charge of maintenance of the E-1108. Stated that they manufacture the necessary parts in the machine shop and recover parts, using inventiveness as a fundamental pillar of their work.
Among the innovations developed are the creation of rings from a factory cylinder, intended to repair the locomotive’s power mechanism. The reuse of boiler elements, the most problematic component of the machinery. Using sheets with expansion properties, bolts, and other materials.
Some of the equipment used in the repair of the vehicle was also salvaged. Such as the wheel-shaping lathes industrialized in 1909. Ensuring service stability under adverse economic conditions that affect resource availability.
Pérez Rodríguez added that they use dismantled products, including transmissions, reversible intermediate gearboxes, and wheels from old railway cars. To solve problems and fulfill their commitment to the population.
As part of this work, they keep rail car 50, built in 1938, the longest-serving rail car in service in the country, operating the Batey-La Sierra route. Which benefits several communities whose deteriorated tracks make access difficult and for which it is the only state-run service.
La Mambisita received the National Prize for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments. Awarded by the National Council of Cultural Heritage for its respectful use of tourism, in addition to special awards from the Azcuba Group.
Transferraz, part of the Eastern Railway Company, benefits more than twenty hard-to-reach settlements along the 56 kilometers of railways it owns in the coastal municipality. Where it also transports medicines, basic food products, and various supplies.
With information from CNA
