She went there, the daughter and granddaughter of railwaymen, the one who according to the family’s machinists; railway lines run through her veins, a journey through time through stations, eras and equipment, in the new Railway Museum, which has just opened its doors on February 24th, as a tribute from the Office of the Historian (OHCC) to that guild so special, couldn’t wait any longer.

The wait

At the entrance, a group of specialists from the OHCC would have the courtesy to receive a guided tour, through the different simulated stations, to offer us, during an imaginary trip, information on the different stages and the future of this means of transport in the province.

We receive the welcome in the room where the bulletins are sold, the conductor dressed in her beautiful suit according to the regulations receives the passengers on board, the whistle sounds, the loudspeaker indicates the departure of the train… the driver gives two whistles, the ride begins.

The ride

On board, on this journey through 5 imaginary stations, you will find history, traditions, uniforms, objects and terms related to the system and technology dedicated to learning, through games and digital billboards.

First stop in the oldest car that circulated in Cuba, the Pulman, American invoice, comfort elegance and bunk beds included.

We advance to the book car, with the same elegance and modernity, important personalities of the time traveled in these wagons. Next stop at El Ferroviario station, where a mural of honor distinguishes workers who marked important moments in the future of this important means of transport.

We advance and we will find images of the different Diesel locomotives used in the country, crossroads and signals, a special site in memory of the railway labor movement, with a special section for Mario Arostegui Recio, who was a railway worker and the first son of this land in paying with his blood the underground fight against the dictator Fulgencio Batista.

In the center of another railway, a beautiful model stands out, dedicated to the first steam locomotive, which circulated in the Camagüey-Nuevitas section.

Tribute

We arrive at a stop close to the 50s of the last century, in the Fía motor car, with number 2125, its double glass windows stand out, prepared for central air, recalling the motor car in which the Commander in Chief traveled, when he visited the provinces, especially ours, a well-known image of Fidel in his seat reading the weekly Adelante attests to this.

Other stops

Various interesting objects decorate the rooms, to reach the well-known Russian locomotive (52689) and popularly called “Guano’s house”, due to the shape of its upper front edges.

In addition, in a virtual visit you can learn about three important buildings in Camagüey linked to history on rails: The old Hotel Camagüey (today the Provincial Museum), the central offices of the Railway and the railway workshops.

Going back

Before ending the trip, the tour offers a walk along the platform, which at its ends keeps as attractions the sculpture tribute to the lineman and the watch inspection, with its watchmaker working for 60 years.

Opposite is the yard of steam locomotives that worked in various sugar mills and we have arrived at the last station, the whistle sounds, our journey in the timeline that unites the birth of the railway in the city and its current operation linked to development.

It has been a beautiful road on rails and history, now the invitation has been made, discover for yourself, with a visit to the Railway Museum of Camagüey, how much our families are linked to the traditions of such a unique guild.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García