railway – Travels with my Wife

Manaca-Iznaga Tower Valle de los Ingenios 14-2-20

Having seen how the wealth was spent in Cienfuegos we now move onto discover how it was accumulated by the labour of the inevitable slaves in the sugar plantations in the central area of Cuba. Symbolic of the control which was exerted is the Manaca-Iznaga Tower from which the overseers could watch large numbers at work in the sugar plantations and ensure that they were indeed working. It was built in 1750 and the bell is retained separately at the bottom of the tower.

Sugar cane press 14-2-20

A key piece of equipment was a sugar cane press. These were used to crush the sugar cane stalks to extract the sweet juice prior to processing into sugar. It is long disused and whilst the growing of sugar cane is no longer as dominant in Cuba as it once was it is still grown and contributes to exports.

Iznaga Station 14-2-20

The sugar was historically taken to Trinidad for export via rail and this was the local station. I have identified that as recently as 2024 the tourist train did run through the valley from Trini which did used to be on the tour itinerary before out 2020 visit but had been removed as at that time it did not run regularly. I cannot comment on the situation in 2026.

Valle de los Ingenios 14-2-20

There were some wonderful views over the countryside.

Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco de Asís, Trinidad 14-2-20

Our trip today ends in Trinidad – which is in Cuba and not elsewhere. The above church is in Plaza Mayor but is now a museum.

Church of the Holy Tirinity Trinidad 14-2-20

However it would seem that my camera was over exposing everything it recorded at this point. Entirely my fault.

A slight disclaimer, this has been written over 6 years after the journey concerned so is very much based around the photographs taken on the day.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

This morning we have a very short drive to Bolton Abbey and the current and probably long term western terminus of the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway. On my last visit a very long time ago they were the Yorkshire Dales Railway and it was a very short journey from Embsay towards Holywell Halt – but did not I think even reach that far – so you went and came back!

At Bolton Abbey the development of the railway continues with a new platform being constructed. This will probably always be a terminus as extension onwards into Ilkley is unlikely as the route has been lost. In the other direction from Embsay an extension may be more likely – possibly into Skipton, although that is probably a long way away.

A gentle trundle there and back with photos to be found here.

Huge development at the Embsay end of the line with sheds and a lot more rolling stock. I think just about everything was in the open last time around.

For lunch we head to the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey – we go in the front of the building but the Brasserie is right through at the back – you almost need to lead an expedition to get from one end to the other. Excellent meal. The ultimate owners is the Duke of Devonshire who also own Chatsworth House.

It is probably the hottest day of the year – but our afternoon is spent walking to Bolton Abbey. There are some nice stepping stones across the river – so that has to be done. So a couple of photographs from Jackie Whitbread.

And this is Bolton Abbey:

Hottest day of the year and I suspect many people were glad to hop into the river instead of trying to pass one another on the stones. I returned via the bridge as more and more people meeting mid stones were taking a visit into the river to pass each other.

Tag: railway

Cuba 14.2.20

Bolton Abbey including the Railway