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Cuba is adjacent to the United States. But the United States prohibits Cuba from running fiber optic cable to Miami.Or use American technology to use the internet.So the new fiber optic cable was built in 2016 by a Chinese company. There was no internet in Cuba before 2016
For those who're joking about the Cuban railways: it's the only functioning railway network in the Caribbean. Dominican Republic has a subway in its capital Santo Domingo, but no national railways.
Did you know that the first Spanish railway was actually in Cuba? It was when Cuba was a province part of Spain. A line connecting Havana and Güines opened in 1837.
@@luislaplume8261 It was part of Spain, it belonged to Spain, it was not independent, Spain was ruling that territory, Cuba was not its own country... I can't think of other ways to phrase it right now.
They should have named a place "Madrid" in Cuba, to be able to tell people "We have a line connecting Havana and Madrid", just to see people's reaction.
@@luislaplume8261 It was a province of Spain, like Barcelona, Cádiz or Alicante are. Spain never had "colonies" like the English or the French or the Portuguese did. Read and learn a bit of history before writing such things.
I'm glad you went and recorded this for the world to enjoy! Cuba is such a nightmare to travel in... It really takes you back and gives you a taste of how challenging world travel used to be! We have it so easy nowadays in most of the world.
@@camotech1314 The entire country is utterly collapsed. The video showed the nicest parts of Cuba, of which there are very few. It's a completely dysfunctional place. They can't keep the buildings standing up; they can't keep the electricity on; they can't even dream to have non-essential things like rail passes working. If and when tourists come to Cuba they basically go directly to one of the resorts, take a ride down the malecon, and then go home. It's a really, really hard place to travel.
I roe the train from Santiago de Cuba to Santo Espirtu some seven years ago. The process was complicated and guide books said it was hardly possible. The rolling stock was ex Spanish. I was shadowed by some slightly curious characters who rode in the baggage depart and hoped off at the small station serving Santo Espiritu. The train proceeded rather slowly and nearly came to a stop at times as the tracks were in atrocious shape. I also rode to Hersey Train from Havana Harbor to Matanzas. It was also a Spanish transplant. It was electrified and a conductor had to guide the trolley pole at times to maintain electrical contact. Anyway great hearing of your experience on the more modern Chinese train. I had heard there was some help from the Russians on track maintenance recently. Cheers.
Up to not all that long ago, they even had British trains. We sold the Cubans some Class 47 clones in the mid-60's and the USA was not happy. If you know your diesels you know that after a few teething problems, the Class 47 was excellent and the Cuban clones were the same (even with the teething problems!) and gave excellent service for many years.
You forgot to mention "El tren francés". Years ago they acquired the coaches that used to serve on the line Paris - Bruxelles before the introduction of TGV. In Cuba they operated them as a luxury train between Santiago and Havana, but I think that they are no longer in use. A few years ago I saw one of the coaches on the sidings of the train station in Bayamo and it had one end badly damaged by some sort of collision. Quite a sad sight.
I have travelled to every continent sauf Antartica and Cuba is my favorite country to travel in. Yes, you need to be patient and not get upset but you will be rewarded in more ways than one. The people are some of the kindest in the world and the country is gorgeous. If you are American, you can visit Cuba by getting a visa to help "support the Cuban people" for $45. Take any kind of medication you can get your hands on - even expired ones. Drop them off at a pharmacy or church when you get there. Don't be dismayed by some of the comments. Go and enjoy. You won't regret it.
Good advice. We took a large extra suitcase just for the gifts. Drums were in the suitcase coming home. You have to play the game of not supporting the government enterprises (and the government owns just about everything there. I wonder if anyone is ever questioned by the US government after going there in this regard. Probably rare.
By supporting the people,you support the government…unfortunately. Government are the people and the people are the Government. In Eastern Europe,was the same story…but people decided to take their country back. Maybe it’s time for the people of Cuba to take their country back. Capitalism is not the best for poor people,but it’s way better than Socialism.
Once traveled on Jamaica Railways from Montego Bay to Kingston, before some storm damage interrupted service for many years. Not sure what the current passenger train situation there is today. Those Cuban passenger cars were part of a lot of 80 cars, that were gifted to Cuba by China. Due to lack of available diesel fuel, Cuban passenger train service was discontinued for a lengthy time period recently. Last time checked, the Cuban rails were woefully in need of refurbishment, requiring slow speeds in order to avoid derailment.
@@NonstopEurotrip Cuba wouldn't have had the spare funds to actually pay for new passenger cars. There was a Trains magazine article a few years ago about China donating 80 passenger rail cars to Cuba. No mention in the article about the locomotives. So: it was basically a political move, similar to rail related deals between China and several African countries.
Did I understand correctly that this train has an 18+ hours journey time? Cuba shouldn't be large enough to have an 18 hour train ride 😂 I guess there's some room for improvement left 😅
well come to Argentina, there is a 1000km train trip that takes 31hs...... some of the parts you can hop off, walk along the track and be faster than the train....😂
Thanks for this brilliant review, which evokes fond memories. I travelled to Cuba back in 2002 booking two weeks in a beach resort. I left the hotel for a week to travel on my own, which was slightly frowned upon. Getting hold of tickets for Havana was quite easy in Holguin. They had to be paid for in US Dollars; must have cost me about 30 or 40 for a return ticket. They had 'primera' stamped on them, but accommodation was standard. I suspect this was simply some kind of 'foreigners' rate'. To catch the night train , I had to go by taxi to a godforsaken place called Cacocum, with a ten hour wait there spent slurping sugar cane juice and watching freight trains. My train was second hand Mexican stock. No aircon, but quite comfy nonetheless. The return trip two days later was on a former DB compartment carriage. I was a bit irked having travalled a few thousand kilometers to sit on the trains of my childhood. I unfortunately missed out on the former French TEE trains still in service then. Never mind, the trip was unforgettable. A great country and lovely people! Anyway, I am happy that Cuba has kept its railways.
@@senorsoupe You are bitching about how hard to use your card in cuba?! Do your homework before your travel, every guide on internet tells you CUBA is (almost) cash-only country! You are nothing more than a lazy, spoiled westerner, who can't adapt to local culture and customs...
Man I wish these trains would be better, and run more consistently. Cuba has decent conditions for it if they could get the investment, but with all the sanctions on them and their currency being so worthless that bargains for us in the west is worth a fortune to locals, then it'll be an extremely uphill battle. Unless Cuba has an economic miracle, then getting consistent improvements will be tough. But they should try and work towards it. Not only could it benefit tourists but also the actual Cubans immensely! Even if they just get service up to Amtrak levels with a few trains per day, as long as its consistent, reliable, and easy to use, then it would do wonders in this country!
The Sanctions isn't why Cuba is so poor, and why they can't afford to invest into anything. The only major countries that have sanctioned Cuba is the United States. Cuba could literally trade with anyone else, but clearly they do not, so it must be something else, and clearly not sanctions.
@@wclifton968gameplaystutorials The united states will blacklist any country which does business in cuba from doing any business with the usa, so european, asian, latin american, etc companies are all incentivized to avoid trade with cuba for fear of losing business with the united states
@@wclifton968gameplaystutorials It's because they have no exports, they produce nothing and import everything, with no money. Cuba is going downhill fast, hopefully the people will revolt but I'm not sure they have the will.
Come to Brazil. Unfortunately, after the 1990s most of our long-distance trains were discontinued, but we still have two train services in two very different regions of the country. One is 892km long, connecting the northern coast of the country to the entrance to the Amazon rainforest. Another is 664km long, between two capitals in the southeast region, where you can sample some unparalleled cuisine. You can book tickets for both online. Best regards.
Hey Luis, thanks for the information. It's on my to-do list. Can you please DM me (insta or twitter) any more information or suggestions you have about the two routes including start and end points and booking sites. I heard there was a steam train too, somewhere?
@@NonstopEurotrip One of those trains is he Belo horizonte- Vitória. It takes about 13 hours to make 664 km and once a day. And beware, most stations do not have enough platforms, if the train stops on the other side, you have to board without platform. Here is a example of one part of the journey: ruclips.net/video/GEtpo08ARBA/видео.htmlsi=LlKL2sosqp5KMu5G
If you're interesred, beyond the EFVM train from Belo Horizonte to Vitória, there's another one in Maranhão called using the EFM railway (and its operated by the same Company as EFVM). About steam trains, there are some few running in Brazil, in Tiradentes, some countryside cities in SP and south region and in Ouro Preto, MG. Quite a good journey, i've been in the EFVM train: new european compositions hauled by an American-Brazilian GE train. The train has food services and wi-fi as well. The compositions have the "economic class" which is the equivalent of the 2 class and the executive class, which is kinda a First class, but dont worth the money that much. Both have Air conditioning and good seats. The trip takes around 14 hours and goes thru the stunning Atlantic forests in MG and ES.
Finally you came to my country, @Nonstop Eurotrip! I didn't know you were planning to visiting us... Yes... I know it wasn't easy to travel by train in my country. But believe me: because of hard restrictions imposed by the US Government to Cuba, there are not too much options to access funding that could improve the Cuban railway system. Anyway... I hope you enjoyed visiting my beautiful country and the Cuban hospitality. Greetings...
The US government has a lot to answer for, they have no right to damage your beautiful country, but at least, they are not bombing you ! be thankful for that at least!
Well, count your blessings. If the US ever got its meat hooks on Cuba, you can expect US Investment Groups to buy up every piece of shoreline. Hotels, Casinos, money shipping out to the mainland by the boat loads. Nothing in the way of nation long term, say 20 years, development to support society. You will be held hostage by an 1800 technology congress. Basically the Alaska Native Indigenous peoples of the US treatment and of Alaska which involve Russian Creoles, Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian You will get Las Vegas strip-like treatment. 30 minutes per mile if you are lucky. I would advise if you ever change government to seek out Spain. Their trains run on time. They have 4,000 kilometers of high-speed trains, 310 km/h.
Lo que puede hacer sin mucho dinero es mudar la inspección de billetes y indentidad fuera de la via, y hazlo antes de la llegada del tren. Este teatro de seguridad parece la razon principal del retraso.
Glad you were able to make it! Last year I tried to do the same route, only to find the travel agency at Lacoubre closed. Afterwards, tried to convince anyone there to sell me a ticket but to no avail, and I'm a native Spanish speaker!
Amazing Cuba . In 1977 iI travelled on a Thailand overnight sleeper from Butterworth Malaysia to Bangkok . Good service on time , bed in economy class msde up by friendly staff . Diner coach with local food, i slept well and enjoyed the journey
Towards the end you said we should mention unusual train trips we've been on. Here are some: Portland - Salt Lake City direct New Orleans - Orlando direct Huancayo - Huancavelica Durán - Bucay (Ecuador) Curitiba - Morretes Oberaula - Treysa Pula - Divaca Oulu - Pieksämäki direct Türkmenbasy - Urgench via Ashgabad Mashhad - Yazd direct Yerevan - Gagarin Never been to Cuba though.
I guess that leaving the station much later than scheduled at least allowed the temperature in the car to be more comfortable. Silver lining (they would probably tell you "Oh that's why we changed the schedule"). "An almighty pain in the bum" - LOL I am so using that from now on!
The Cuban railway network is really impressive given how limited resources are. In addition to the Havana-Santiago main line, they have a lot of train services that go deep into the remote parts of the country, though finding information on these services online can be quite a challenge! In recent years, they have finally been putting a lot of needed investment into overhauling the network as you can see with the new Chinese trains that you rode and the renovation happening at Havana Central Station and other stations around the country.
Had an interesting experience to remember when once travelling from Santiago de Cuba to Havana by rail, in 1998. Halfway the train just stopped, ten hours had already long lapsed - hours before. A fellow traveler ended up missing his flight home by 12 hours! It turned out long after all the drinks had run out that the driver was last seen running off into a field, never to be seen again. A replacement driver was however hastily sent from Havana apparently to arrive in 6 hours time. Eventually we got moving and arrived in Havana low and behold on time, but actually one day late!
Amazing that when you boarded with your Level 8 luggage you actually doubled the value of the entire train. Having said that it was nice of them to paint the whole thing the same colour blue as your logo, your reputation ( and $10 ) proceeded you. Joking aside for 2p an hour unbeatable value and those toilets were actually better than some i have seen you video. Finally, your Cuban bus journey not being released until next year ? Are you still on Cuban time ? And where's my rum and cigars ? Let me know next time you are over there and you can bring me some back, I bet they are cheap as well.
Fascinating; as a visitor to Cuba since the later 1990s I now realise why all Cubans I have met have warned me off the railways. I had read that the French built train operated from Havana to Santiago, formerly on the route Paris to Strasburg, that offered much better accommodation... but probably no faster.
Thanks for sharing this lovely travel video with us! At 02:25 that is a Russian TGM8 diesel locomotive. Eight of them were delivered via ship recently. Nifty that you managed to catch one! Funnily enough that locomotive branch was developed off of ALCO's Lend-Lease help to the USSR in WWII. Egypt has also ordered some Russian rolling stock, so if you ever go there you might stumble on some TVZ passenger cars!
@NonstopEurotrip Alright. Then I invite you to Moscow 19th December for the grand opening and the very first trip of the Aurora train between Moscow and St Petersburg. Would love to help you out with that.
@@NonstopEurotrip Are you now? You have a decision of non-entry? Or you just think that you're not welcome? An electronic visa costs about fifty Euros and takes three days to get. If you decide you'd like a visit, I would enjoy having a cup of (polonium-free) tea with you and share that train journey as a fellow train video connoisseur.
Video request: could you make a tier list video of your most and least favorite train journey you've ever tried? I'm curious. But it might be too long since you've tried so many different trains
Thank you very much for this video. I myself will be setting off on the journey in January 2025. It will go from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. Yes, I know it will take 18 hours or more. But it will certainly be an unforgettable adventure.
Hey-!!--I see a 1953 -Chevy-!!--I own one of those,-here in Australia,--That man,is my "Chevy-Brother"-70 years,& still going Strong !!-Hey mate,-do you need any parts ??
I've known a couple of people who have had holidays in Cuba, 30 years ago who confirmed what I'd seen in documentaries. Difficult to get there, poor infrastructure, crumbling buildings, real value for money, proud friendly people and increadable 1950's US cars. Nice to see you confirm the people are the same and infrastructure has improved generally as seen in your video since I presume the tie up with China. To think that up to the sixties this place was the playground of rich Americans. The US it appears has still not forgiven Cuba for the 1962 missile crisis. Uncle Sam might have made them poor but couldn't break their spirit. Thanks for uploading and good luck Cuba!
Uncle Sam has not made them poor, after all Cuba has the backing of China and Russia and relations with all nations in the world except the US and Israel. What happens is that Cuba stole all the US properties and never even sat down to agree to pay for them and up to this day they still owe the US more than 1 billion, 1958 dollars plus they also stole the properties of all Cubans, 3 billion, 1958 dollars and of course those Cubans left the country and will like to be repaid after all it was their houses, farms, industry and business that were stolen.
What a great trip. Definitely unforgettable experience and journey. Bit surprising me there's railway in Carribbean country like Cuba. Feels like back to the past when you capturing the station, but thankfully the train is relatively fresh. Since you visiting Cuba, I don't know this vehicle is still exists or not, I hope you try the Camel Bus, it's actually Semi Trailer Truck which can transport Passengers in urban area.
In 1996, as part of a short-term missionary trip, some friends and I took a train ride in Bolivia, from the city of Santa Cruz to a whistle-stop station in the middle of the jungle. The cost was nominal, and the departure time was less than an hour late. It was a mixed train behind a switch engine that broke down after two hours. We sat there for at least 4 hours waiting for another train to come to our rescue. Our cruel choice: open the windows, get some fresh air, and get eaten alive by the mosquitoes; or keep the windows closed, roast in the jungle heat, and keep the bugs out. The locals opted for the second choice, so we followed their lead. The only food service was a woman going up and down the aisles with a white plastic bucket, calling, "Limonada, limonada fria" ("Lemonade, cold lemonade") which probably wasn't very "fria" after the first two hours. We got to our destination around 3:30 AM. The station was closed at that hour, so we waited on the concrete platform for our ride. But I have fond memories of bracing myself in the open vestibule of the passenger car and watching the countryside go by.
@@FerganaValleyBarlasdude, is cuba, any money not passing trough the gov, directly to the people is a huge blesing, that country is hell on earth and 10 bucks is a lot
Yeah, cuba is a complicated place, I saw a video of how that service used to be basically it looked like something out of metro games, hope that country finds its way to freedom and development, greetings from mexico, you should travel on the chepe train here one day one of the best trips you can make in north america.
Cuba is adjacent to the United States. But the United States prohibits Cuba from running fiber optic cable to Miami.Or use American technology to use the internet.So the new fiber optic cable was built in 2016 by a Chinese company. There was no internet in Cuba before 2016
Probably way more difficult if he was from the United States like me. When I was younger I was able to go to Cuba on a cruise trip with my mother and sister. I think this was 2018 or so, when the thaw hadn’t yet been rolled back. First foreign country I ever stepped foot on, and ironically might have been the Fourth of July. We only spend the morning and afternoon there, but I still remember the lingering smell of cigar smoke and the old cars (also saw two Ladas in-person and quite a few newer cars also). Beautiful country with old architecture; not much else to say. I doubt I’d ever be able to go again, even if they begin to reform their government, since ours would be even slower to effectively react in any meaningful way.
Cuba actually had British built Sulzer locomotives based on the class 47 many years ago. All scrapped now, sadly. Also, you don't think of Cuba of having a railway that big, do you? "Another 13 hours on the train" after you got off. Unbelievable.
Tracks between Havana and Santa Clara have been recently renovated and they allow the speeds up to 130 km/h. Further down towards the Oriente the situation is worse.
Once they're back at the main station with more space perhaps the attendants could check-in the passengers for their own carriage in advance of the train arriving. Or is that too logical? ;p Excellent video to see, thank you! Did you get in touch with seat61 with the current fares (way cheaper than they've listed, for whatever reason) and any other additional details they're missing?
This is not a Cuban government investment! It was a gift from China. They even worked on repairing the poor quality trackage. Cuba’s busses - both local and intercity were Chinese gifts.
@@NonstopEurotrip China does not gift it is something similar to the U S Lend lease during WW2 Ask Shru Lanka or the African countries that have been recipients of Chinese largesse !!
A long while back I took the E and N dayliner service from Victoria's Johnson Street Station up to Ladysmith on Canadas Vancouver Island. Alas, it no longer runs and I think the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company is out of business. The Dayliner was I think a stainless steel Budd diesel unit with dome seating in the middle. Very cool 1950s kit.
The way things are there right now, they'd be wise to purpose some of those locomotives to powering their electrical grid, since their stationary power plants are failing and causing weeks-long blackouts.
Taking the train in Syria in 2010 was a definite highlight for me. Also, the one and only sleeper train across Argentina from Bariloche to Viedma was pretty cool!
Opps! You included some images of modern cars,we are not supposed to see those,instead we are supposed to think that all they have is stuff that they bought before the embargo.
Honestly kinda remarcable given all the sanctions they face. I hope some day the sanctions get dropped and they'll be able to build a more modern network - I think Cuba has a potential in this.
That was an interesting train journey. I would think the locals are used to waiting for everything. Havana looks beautiful but the infrastructure seems to be in bad shape.
Enjoyed your travel experience, thanks. That is some interesting video noise (snow) at 5:05 into your video. Do you know of a reason for that to appear in your video? Don't want to be an alarmist, however that noise is interesting if not a reason for some concern about the area you were standing if you don't know a cause for it from your device or shooting parameters.
Fun video! Surprised there isn’t a “two tier price” for locals and tourists to ride the train; $0.13? No wonder infrastructure is collapsing. Train must me pretty slowly to take so long. Did you experience power outages while in Cuba? Their generating stations and grid have been problematic for week now. Thanks!
You paid a 7700% bribe (based on the value of the 13 cent ticket) - I wonder if it actually made a difference. Still I'm sure the guy who got it was delighted! They also operate Chinese trains on many routes in Georgia (the country). They squeak like hell. I am not sure if they are the same type as the train you took.They are GRT / VMK trains apparently, on the Tbilisi - Zugdidi route. I also rode the Bulawayo - Harare and Bulawayo - Victoria Falls route many time s in the 90s in Zimbabwe. That was on very old British rolling stock.
I've actually filmed a video on the Chinese Georgian stock, not got around to editing it yet tho! I've made the cost of the bribe back 30 times over in the videos first 48 hours .. so worth it imho 😆
This is generally not related to trains made in China. The sound is caused by the long-term disrepair of the railway tracks. If the circuit is uneven, there will be noise and shaking.
AMTRAK take notice. CSX take notice. There are travelers who will bend over backwards to have subsidized rail passenger networks. It can be done. Kudo to our Cuban cousins who, surpassing all those difficulties, succeeded, and continue to perfect.
An old Romanian Say goes like this: " Cate bordeie atatea obiceie"! So, be prepeare to manage ( with respect) each country rules & way of living... A friendly piece of advice../😊
I went on a tri[p from Bangalore India to Toranagallu India to work at a Jindahl steel mill of 3 weeks and back. It was a 9 hour ride. We left at about 9 pm and arrived at 6AM the next day. I had 2nd class tickets. I was in a room with 3 other people that also worked at the steel mill and 2 of them spoke English. We talked until lights out at 10PM i/. There were 2 bunks on either side of the room. I had the bottom bunk. It was OK. I slept weel. There was no food service I could remember probably because most of the time we would be sleeping. We were woken up just before arriving. There was just a platform. then. I don't remember much of the ride back but it was in day time. The train didn't go very fast, about 45 MPH. The toilet was crude. It had a seat but you could see straight down to the tracks. Toranagallu. I can see from Google Earth that Toranagallu has improved immensely since I was there 24 years ago. While I was there I did take a day off to visit Hampi. This is a must see. It is an old palace. The carvings are amazing.
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Cuba is adjacent to the United States. But the United States prohibits Cuba from running fiber optic cable to Miami.Or use American technology to use the internet.So the new fiber optic cable was built in 2016 by a Chinese company. There was no internet in Cuba before 2016
@@AlfarrisiMuammarppppppppppppp
For those who're joking about the Cuban railways: it's the only functioning railway network in the Caribbean. Dominican Republic has a subway in its capital Santo Domingo, but no national railways.
And don’t forget Puerto Rico’s Tren Urbano, the world’s most useless metro.
@@coquimapping8680 It's not useless, it's incomplete.
A metro is not a 'railway network'
@@LouisSubearth Therefore, useless.
Hell, if we restrict our view to passenger services, it gets a lot more impressive
Did you know that the first Spanish railway was actually in Cuba? It was when Cuba was a province part of Spain.
A line connecting Havana and Güines opened in 1837.
I did, yes :)
Cuba was a colony of Spain not a province of Spain.
@@luislaplume8261 It was part of Spain, it belonged to Spain, it was not independent, Spain was ruling that territory, Cuba was not its own country... I can't think of other ways to phrase it right now.
They should have named a place "Madrid" in Cuba, to be able to tell people "We have a line connecting Havana and Madrid", just to see people's reaction.
@@luislaplume8261 It was a province of Spain, like Barcelona, Cádiz or Alicante are. Spain never had "colonies" like the English or the French or the Portuguese did. Read and learn a bit of history before writing such things.
I'm glad you went and recorded this for the world to enjoy! Cuba is such a nightmare to travel in... It really takes you back and gives you a taste of how challenging world travel used to be! We have it so easy nowadays in most of the world.
Tell me about it 😅
@@NonstopEurotrip in 2004 they had a short lived railpass for western tourists..
Why did they get rid of the pass?
@@camotech1314 The entire country is utterly collapsed. The video showed the nicest parts of Cuba, of which there are very few. It's a completely dysfunctional place. They can't keep the buildings standing up; they can't keep the electricity on; they can't even dream to have non-essential things like rail passes working. If and when tourists come to Cuba they basically go directly to one of the resorts, take a ride down the malecon, and then go home.
It's a really, really hard place to travel.
It's first of all a 60+ years old nightmare for all its inmates.
I roe the train from Santiago de Cuba to Santo Espirtu some seven years ago. The process was complicated and guide books said it was hardly possible. The rolling stock was ex Spanish. I was shadowed by some slightly curious characters who rode in the baggage depart and hoped off at the small station serving Santo Espiritu. The train proceeded rather slowly and nearly came to a stop at times as the tracks were in atrocious shape. I also rode to Hersey Train from Havana Harbor to Matanzas. It was also a Spanish transplant. It was electrified and a conductor had to guide the trolley pole at times to maintain electrical contact. Anyway great hearing of your experience on the more modern Chinese train. I had heard there was some help from the Russians on track maintenance recently. Cheers.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
Soviet trains, Chinese trains, and old American ones. Cool!
Up to not all that long ago, they even had British trains. We sold the Cubans some Class 47 clones in the mid-60's and the USA was not happy. If you know your diesels you know that after a few teething problems, the Class 47 was excellent and the Cuban clones were the same (even with the teething problems!) and gave excellent service for many years.
You forgot to mention "El tren francés". Years ago they acquired the coaches that used to serve on the line Paris - Bruxelles before the introduction of TGV. In Cuba they operated them as a luxury train between Santiago and Havana, but I think that they are no longer in use. A few years ago I saw one of the coaches on the sidings of the train station in Bayamo and it had one end badly damaged by some sort of collision. Quite a sad sight.
Soviet Germany sold a handful of "Ferkeltaxen" light Diesel cars, to Cuba too!
I have travelled to every continent sauf Antartica and Cuba is my favorite country to travel in. Yes, you need to be patient and not get upset but you will be rewarded in more ways than one. The people are some of the kindest in the world and the country is gorgeous. If you are American, you can visit Cuba by getting a visa to help "support the Cuban people" for $45. Take any kind of medication you can get your hands on - even expired ones. Drop them off at a pharmacy or church when you get there. Don't be dismayed by some of the comments. Go and enjoy. You won't regret it.
Good advice. We took a large extra suitcase just for the gifts. Drums were in the suitcase coming home. You have to play the game of not supporting the government enterprises (and the government owns just about everything there. I wonder if anyone is ever questioned by the US government after going there in this regard. Probably rare.
By supporting the people,you support the government…unfortunately.
Government are the people and the people are the Government.
In Eastern Europe,was the same story…but people decided to take their country back.
Maybe it’s time for the people of Cuba to take their country back.
Capitalism is not the best for poor people,but it’s way better than Socialism.
Whike I enjoyed my trip, it certainly isn't anywhere near my favourite country to travel in
@@RomeoUrsu-fy9qo After the protests in 2021, the government started allowing Cubans to have 1- 3 businesses.
thank you so much! i love that you go out from the West Asia/Europe rail comfort zone! i found non popular rail networks videos so interesting!
@@Capibaracapibara1992 glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻😁
Once traveled on Jamaica Railways from Montego Bay to Kingston, before some storm damage interrupted service for many years. Not sure what the current passenger train situation there is today. Those Cuban passenger cars were part of a lot of 80 cars, that were gifted to Cuba by China. Due to lack of available diesel fuel, Cuban passenger train service was discontinued for a lengthy time period recently. Last time checked, the Cuban rails were woefully in need of refurbishment, requiring slow speeds in order to avoid derailment.
I believe that Jamaican Railways are freight only now.
Afaik they bought them from china, along with the locos
@@NonstopEurotrip Cuba wouldn't have had the spare funds to actually pay for new passenger cars. There was a Trains magazine article a few years ago about China donating 80 passenger rail cars to Cuba. No mention in the article about the locomotives. So: it was basically a political move, similar to rail related deals between China and several African countries.
@@kevanhubbard9673 as most of railways in the whole american continent,north and south
China never gifts anything, there is always a caveat
7:13 oh well 😂 I'm sure the Cubans watching this video are gonna be a little sad but at least you've tried their railway
🙃🙃🙃
That is a prime example of doing something just to say that you had done it! I've done that numerous times and haven't regretted any one of them!
Absolutely! 😂
Did I understand correctly that this train has an 18+ hours journey time? Cuba shouldn't be large enough to have an 18 hour train ride 😂 I guess there's some room for improvement left 😅
Indeed 😆
I literally can't even imagine the state of the rails and signalling system...
@@oscarcanales3830 Can you imagine it figuratively?
well come to Argentina, there is a 1000km train trip that takes 31hs...... some of the parts you can hop off, walk along the track and be faster than the train....😂
Cuba is about a 1000 kms long.
Thanks for this brilliant review, which evokes fond memories. I travelled to Cuba back in 2002 booking two weeks in a beach resort. I left the hotel for a week to travel on my own, which was slightly frowned upon. Getting hold of tickets for Havana was quite easy in Holguin. They had to be paid for in US Dollars; must have cost me about 30 or 40 for a return ticket. They had 'primera' stamped on them, but accommodation was standard. I suspect this was simply some kind of 'foreigners' rate'. To catch the night train , I had to go by taxi to a godforsaken place called Cacocum, with a ten hour wait there spent slurping sugar cane juice and watching freight trains. My train was second hand Mexican stock. No aircon, but quite comfy nonetheless. The return trip two days later was on a former DB compartment carriage. I was a bit irked having travalled a few thousand kilometers to sit on the trains of my childhood. I unfortunately missed out on the former French TEE trains still in service then. Never mind, the trip was unforgettable. A great country and lovely people! Anyway, I am happy that Cuba has kept its railways.
Thanks for sharing! 🙏🏻
Cuba is a beautiful country but getting anything done (like buying a train ticket or getting money exchanged) can be such a chore
Money exchange was easy, as long as you had USD in cash!
@@NonstopEurotrip Fair point, last time I was there it was a nightmare to get Cuban cash with only a Canadian credit card
@senorsoupe yeah, massive tip, take USD in cash to cover your whole trip
@@senorsoupe You are bitching about how hard to use your card in cuba?!
Do your homework before your travel, every guide on internet tells you CUBA is (almost) cash-only country!
You are nothing more than a lazy, spoiled westerner, who can't adapt to local culture and customs...
@@NonstopEurotrip U.S. money is welcome
Man I wish these trains would be better, and run more consistently. Cuba has decent conditions for it if they could get the investment, but with all the sanctions on them and their currency being so worthless that bargains for us in the west is worth a fortune to locals, then it'll be an extremely uphill battle. Unless Cuba has an economic miracle, then getting consistent improvements will be tough. But they should try and work towards it. Not only could it benefit tourists but also the actual Cubans immensely! Even if they just get service up to Amtrak levels with a few trains per day, as long as its consistent, reliable, and easy to use, then it would do wonders in this country!
Absolutely agree 💯
The Sanctions isn't why Cuba is so poor, and why they can't afford to invest into anything. The only major countries that have sanctioned Cuba is the United States.
Cuba could literally trade with anyone else, but clearly they do not, so it must be something else, and clearly not sanctions.
@@wclifton968gameplaystutorials The united states will blacklist any country which does business in cuba from doing any business with the usa, so european, asian, latin american, etc companies are all incentivized to avoid trade with cuba for fear of losing business with the united states
@@wclifton968gameplaystutorials It's because they have no exports, they produce nothing and import everything, with no money. Cuba is going downhill fast, hopefully the people will revolt but I'm not sure they have the will.
Come to Brazil. Unfortunately, after the 1990s most of our long-distance trains were discontinued, but we still have two train services in two very different regions of the country.
One is 892km long, connecting the northern coast of the country to the entrance to the Amazon rainforest. Another is 664km long, between two capitals in the southeast region, where you can sample some unparalleled cuisine.
You can book tickets for both online.
Best regards.
Hey Luis, thanks for the information. It's on my to-do list. Can you please DM me (insta or twitter) any more information or suggestions you have about the two routes including start and end points and booking sites. I heard there was a steam train too, somewhere?
@@NonstopEurotrip One of those trains is he Belo horizonte- Vitória. It takes about 13 hours to make 664 km and once a day. And beware, most stations do not have enough platforms, if the train stops on the other side, you have to board without platform. Here is a example of one part of the journey: ruclips.net/video/GEtpo08ARBA/видео.htmlsi=LlKL2sosqp5KMu5G
If you're interesred, beyond the EFVM train from Belo Horizonte to Vitória, there's another one in Maranhão called using the EFM railway (and its operated by the same Company as EFVM).
About steam trains, there are some few running in Brazil, in Tiradentes, some countryside cities in SP and south region and in Ouro Preto, MG.
Quite a good journey, i've been in the EFVM train: new european compositions hauled by an American-Brazilian GE train. The train has food services and wi-fi as well. The compositions have the "economic class" which is the equivalent of the 2 class and the executive class, which is kinda a First class, but dont worth the money that much. Both have Air conditioning and good seats.
The trip takes around 14 hours and goes thru the stunning Atlantic forests in MG and ES.
@@NonstopEurotrip Of course, I sent him a message on Instagram.
The light blue 2x2 seat kinda reminds me of KAI Executive class.
Wah ... terimakasih , berarti Anda sudah pernah ke Indonesia ... 😅❤😂
Ah ... Cuba, the country you visit to see an incredible number of American cars from the fifties all running and in excellent condition.👏😊
"in excellent condition"??? lol
@@martinc.720 Woo Hoo!
Someone actually got the wee joke there.🤣
@@lesley-annemclelland857 I mean, from the outside, they seem to be lol
'running'
Look under the hood of one of those classics and you'll likely see a 4 cyl russian engine.
Finally you came to my country, @Nonstop Eurotrip!
I didn't know you were planning to visiting us...
Yes... I know it wasn't easy to travel by train in my country. But believe me: because of hard restrictions imposed by the US Government to Cuba, there are not too much options to access funding that could improve the Cuban railway system.
Anyway... I hope you enjoyed visiting my beautiful country and the Cuban hospitality.
Greetings...
chciałbym u Was zamieszkać na starość, myślisz że to możliwe ?
The US government has a lot to answer for, they have no right to damage your beautiful country, but at least, they are not bombing you ! be thankful for that at least!
Well, count your blessings.
If the US ever got its meat hooks on Cuba, you can expect US Investment Groups to buy up every piece of shoreline.
Hotels, Casinos, money shipping out to the mainland by the boat loads.
Nothing in the way of nation long term, say 20 years, development to support society.
You will be held hostage by an 1800 technology congress.
Basically the Alaska Native Indigenous peoples of the US treatment and of Alaska which involve Russian Creoles, Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian
You will get Las Vegas strip-like treatment. 30 minutes per mile if you are lucky.
I would advise if you ever change government to seek out Spain. Their trains run on time.
They have 4,000 kilometers of high-speed trains, 310 km/h.
Lo que puede hacer sin mucho dinero es mudar la inspección de billetes y indentidad fuera de la via, y hazlo antes de la llegada del tren. Este teatro de seguridad parece la razon principal del retraso.
Thank you so much! I had a great time and you really do make the best of tough situations 🙏🏻
Wow. You have so much patience to go through that. Bravo.
If I was filming, I probably would have given up 😂
I already knew about the large railroad system in Cuba from my late mother in the 1960s. My late parents as I were born in Cuba.
As the driver of all SEO in 2020+ I thank you for going to do this so I do not have to!
😂😂😂
I have loved Havana ever since I visited for the first time in 2009.
Glad you were able to make it! Last year I tried to do the same route, only to find the travel agency at Lacoubre closed. Afterwards, tried to convince anyone there to sell me a ticket but to no avail, and I'm a native Spanish speaker!
It's only open for a free hours on the morning of departures
Amazing Cuba . In 1977 iI travelled on a Thailand overnight sleeper from Butterworth Malaysia to Bangkok . Good service on time , bed in economy class msde up by friendly staff . Diner coach with local food, i slept well and enjoyed the journey
Very cool!
Towards the end you said we should mention unusual train trips we've been on. Here are some:
Portland - Salt Lake City direct
New Orleans - Orlando direct
Huancayo - Huancavelica
Durán - Bucay (Ecuador)
Curitiba - Morretes
Oberaula - Treysa
Pula - Divaca
Oulu - Pieksämäki direct
Türkmenbasy - Urgench via Ashgabad
Mashhad - Yazd direct
Yerevan - Gagarin
Never been to Cuba though.
Very interesting!
you have such a positive sounding voice and beautiful matching Cuban music to go with it really a beautiful film thank you
Thank you so much, it really means a lot! 🙏🏻
@@NonstopEurotripwas that Tropico music?
@@Diesel-ER899 lol no, but I know what you mean 😂
That's cool it's like a classic car show all the time
That's the best bit! 😁
I guess that leaving the station much later than scheduled at least allowed the temperature in the car to be more comfortable. Silver lining (they would probably tell you "Oh that's why we changed the schedule").
"An almighty pain in the bum" - LOL I am so using that from now on!
$1 per usage commission 😉
@@NonstopEurotrip I'll send the money every 6 months to:
Engine-ous Productions
74 Station Street
Whistleville
CH0O CH0O
Excellent video my friends 😊
Thank you 🤗
The Cuban railway network is really impressive given how limited resources are. In addition to the Havana-Santiago main line, they have a lot of train services that go deep into the remote parts of the country, though finding information on these services online can be quite a challenge! In recent years, they have finally been putting a lot of needed investment into overhauling the network as you can see with the new Chinese trains that you rode and the renovation happening at Havana Central Station and other stations around the country.
Had an interesting experience to remember when once travelling from Santiago de Cuba to Havana by rail, in 1998. Halfway the train just stopped, ten hours had already long lapsed - hours before. A fellow traveler ended up missing his flight home by 12 hours! It turned out long after all the drinks had run out that the driver was last seen running off into a field, never to be seen again. A replacement driver was however hastily sent from Havana apparently to arrive in 6 hours time. Eventually we got moving and arrived in Havana low and behold on time, but actually one day late!
Thanks for sharing 😂
Yes dear, I've travelled by the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels thru the Chunnel France. The train goes to amsterdam via Rotterdam.
Amazing that when you boarded with your Level 8 luggage you actually doubled the value of the entire train. Having said that it was nice of them to paint the whole thing the same colour blue as your logo, your reputation ( and $10 ) proceeded you.
Joking aside for 2p an hour unbeatable value and those toilets were actually better than some i have seen you video.
Finally, your Cuban bus journey not being released until next year ? Are you still on Cuban time ? And where's my rum and cigars ? Let me know next time you are over there and you can bring me some back, I bet they are cheap as well.
Cigars for Christmas giveaway 😆
Fascinating; as a visitor to Cuba since the later 1990s I now realise why all Cubans I have met have warned me off the railways. I had read that the French built train operated from Havana to Santiago, formerly on the route Paris to Strasburg, that offered much better accommodation... but probably no faster.
It was still a fun experience though:)
Thanks for sharing this lovely travel video with us! At 02:25 that is a Russian TGM8 diesel locomotive. Eight of them were delivered via ship recently. Nifty that you managed to catch one! Funnily enough that locomotive branch was developed off of ALCO's Lend-Lease help to the USSR in WWII. Egypt has also ordered some Russian rolling stock, so if you ever go there you might stumble on some TVZ passenger cars!
I've been :)
@NonstopEurotrip Alright. Then I invite you to Moscow 19th December for the grand opening and the very first trip of the Aurora train between Moscow and St Petersburg. Would love to help you out with that.
@@RussianSevereWeatherVideos sorry, we're banned.
@@NonstopEurotrip Are you now? You have a decision of non-entry? Or you just think that you're not welcome? An electronic visa costs about fifty Euros and takes three days to get. If you decide you'd like a visit, I would enjoy having a cup of (polonium-free) tea with you and share that train journey as a fellow train video connoisseur.
The 60s era cars in fantastic condition always floor me
Couldn't agree more!
Thanks for this video. One less agonizing and stupid experience I don't need to waste part of my life with!
Yes, it's definitely not for everyone!
Nice journey and the experience. ❤
Fascinating! Thanks for the unique experience.
So nice of you ☺️
Video request: could you make a tier list video of your most and least favorite train journey you've ever tried? I'm curious. But it might be too long since you've tried so many different trains
Thanks for the idea! Maybe a special thing 😉
I took the French train from Santiago to Havana and back.Turkish toilets, blastingly cold air conditioning. Around 2007 or 2008. Night trains both.
Thank you very much for this video. I myself will be setting off on the journey in January 2025. It will go from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. Yes, I know it will take 18 hours or more. But it will certainly be an unforgettable adventure.
Best of luck!
I have been on a steam train in Turkiye 1985 from Istanbul to city of Burdur 13 hours it was a great adventure
Wow!
Hey-!!--I see a 1953 -Chevy-!!--I own one of those,-here in Australia,--That man,is my "Chevy-Brother"-70 years,& still going Strong !!-Hey mate,-do you need any parts ??
Did your train continue beyond Santa Clara? Is there any website to see the schedules?
All this information is in the video
It was great to see Cuba and Cubans!
India's Rail to Kashmir over highest railway bridge Chenab bridge coming in Jan'25. Please show that too.
Can you go nigeria and get first class lagos to ibadan
Great idea!
Good
I've known a couple of people who have had holidays in Cuba, 30 years ago who confirmed what I'd seen in documentaries. Difficult to get there, poor infrastructure, crumbling buildings, real value for money, proud friendly people and increadable 1950's US cars. Nice to see you confirm the people are the same and infrastructure has improved generally as seen in your video since I presume the tie up with China. To think that up to the sixties this place was the playground of rich Americans. The US it appears has still not forgiven Cuba for the 1962 missile crisis. Uncle Sam might have made them poor but couldn't break their spirit. Thanks for uploading and good luck Cuba!
The US may have made a mess of things there, as it has in many places, but they are poor because of 60+ years of dictatorship, not the US.
Uncle Sam has not made them poor, after all Cuba has the backing of China and Russia and relations with all nations in the world except the US and Israel. What happens is that Cuba stole all the US properties and never even sat down to agree to pay for them and up to this day they still owe the US more than 1 billion, 1958 dollars plus they also stole the properties of all Cubans, 3 billion, 1958 dollars and of course those Cubans left the country and will like to be repaid after all it was their houses, farms, industry and business that were stolen.
Amen 🙌🏻
I am about to take a JR train from Osaka to Kyoto. Total opposite but thank you for sharing your experiences 😊
😂😂😂
I was going to comment 'how can this be so inefficient?'
But it costs 10p to ride
Two train trips in canada. Winnipeg to church hill and the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway that connects labrador city to Sept-Îles, Quebec
Fascinating, Informative and Bizarre! Won't be doing that trip.
It's not for everyone 😆
Yes - very different from my Seoul - Busan trip on the KTX. 🚄Great vlog - many thanks.
Just a bit 😂
What a great trip. Definitely unforgettable experience and journey. Bit surprising me there's railway in Carribbean country like Cuba. Feels like back to the past when you capturing the station, but thankfully the train is relatively fresh. Since you visiting Cuba, I don't know this vehicle is still exists or not, I hope you try the Camel Bus, it's actually Semi Trailer Truck which can transport Passengers in urban area.
Honestly it was such a faff to do this I kinda gave up trying to do anything else 😆
The locos like copies of 1950's GM EMD's . The horsepower figures even match the EMD's 😅
$2 for first class, I think that I would have gone for that! I was in Havana via Cruise ship a few years back.
Honestly I couldn't be bothered to try and explain that 😆
Me too! What a dump 😂
The classic cars are awesome
Amazing right! 💯
In 1996, as part of a short-term missionary trip, some friends and I took a train ride in Bolivia, from the city of Santa Cruz to a whistle-stop station in the middle of the jungle. The cost was nominal, and the departure time was less than an hour late. It was a mixed train behind a switch engine that broke down after two hours. We sat there for at least 4 hours waiting for another train to come to our rescue. Our cruel choice: open the windows, get some fresh air, and get eaten alive by the mosquitoes; or keep the windows closed, roast in the jungle heat, and keep the bugs out. The locals opted for the second choice, so we followed their lead. The only food service was a woman going up and down the aisles with a white plastic bucket, calling, "Limonada, limonada fria" ("Lemonade, cold lemonade") which probably wasn't very "fria" after the first two hours. We got to our destination around 3:30 AM. The station was closed at that hour, so we waited on the concrete platform for our ride. But I have fond memories of bracing myself in the open vestibule of the passenger car and watching the countryside go by.
Thanks for sharing 😂
Oh my goodness! Well done for persevering. A very interesting experience to watch ,but definitely not one on my bucket list.
Yes, it's definitely not for everyone 😆
Do they still have the French-built ex-TEE trains in cuba?
I didn't see any...
Why wait until next year if you have it now? I cannot wait to see it.
Slipping him a $10 bill... 😬😂
🙃🫡
Unknowingly you are a bigot calling it a bribe.
@FerganaValleyBarlas corruption is not biggotry
@@FerganaValleyBarlasdude, is cuba, any money not passing trough the gov, directly to the people is a huge blesing, that country is hell on earth and 10 bucks is a lot
Would that be a American, Cuban, or a Euro 10 Euros bill? 😮🤔🥴
Thank you very much for a video and subtitles' translation!
You're welcome 😊
Yeah, cuba is a complicated place, I saw a video of how that service used to be basically it looked like something out of metro games, hope that country finds its way to freedom and development, greetings from mexico, you should travel on the chepe train here one day one of the best trips you can make in north america.
I've done El Chepe, video coming soon :)
@NonstopEurotrip coool
I was on an East German train in 1982 from Rotterdam to Berlin and that was very basic to say the least.
Consegue explicar as razões para tanta demora na hora do embarque? Sistema manual? Poucos funcionários?
Bureaucracy 😆
Cuba is adjacent to the United States. But the United States prohibits Cuba from running fiber optic cable to Miami.Or use American technology to use the internet.So the new fiber optic cable was built in 2016 by a Chinese company. There was no internet in Cuba before 2016
格好良い！bluetrain！この列車の鉄道模型が欲しい。
Hi, if you don't mind me asking. Was it difficult getting an entry visa to enter Cuba?
Nope, I just applied to the UK embassy and had the visa by post within a week for £25 iirc
Probably way more difficult if he was from the United States like me.
When I was younger I was able to go to Cuba on a cruise trip with my mother and sister. I think this was 2018 or so, when the thaw hadn’t yet been rolled back. First foreign country I ever stepped foot on, and ironically might have been the Fourth of July. We only spend the morning and afternoon there, but I still remember the lingering smell of cigar smoke and the old cars (also saw two Ladas in-person and quite a few newer cars also). Beautiful country with old architecture; not much else to say. I doubt I’d ever be able to go again, even if they begin to reform their government, since ours would be even slower to effectively react in any meaningful way.
You get your visa in the US from the airline when you buy your ticket. Very easy. Or you can fly trough Mexico
Low speed. Do you think it’s due to poor condition of the rail bed, or to reduce fuel consumption?
Probably both!
Cuba actually had British built Sulzer locomotives based on the class 47 many years ago. All scrapped now, sadly.
Also, you don't think of Cuba of having a railway that big, do you? "Another 13 hours on the train" after you got off. Unbelievable.
I know right!
How was the track quality?
Remarkably good! 👍🏻
Tracks between Havana and Santa Clara have been recently renovated and they allow the speeds up to 130 km/h. Further down towards the Oriente the situation is worse.
Terrible... The delay and so and so... The best is the background Music 😄😅🎶👍
Thanks 😂 🎵
@NonstopEurotrip 😂 🙏😅
The prices are ridiculous, of course, but such a mess ...
Fun though!
I would absolutely love to go here
You should :)
Once they're back at the main station with more space perhaps the attendants could check-in the passengers for their own carriage in advance of the train arriving. Or is that too logical? ;p
Excellent video to see, thank you!
Did you get in touch with seat61 with the current fares (way cheaper than they've listed, for whatever reason) and any other additional details they're missing?
Yeah hopefully the can streamline the system! I sent all the current prices and timetables to Mark Seat 61 when I returned a few months back 👍🏻
This is not a Cuban government investment!
It was a gift from China. They even worked on repairing the poor quality trackage.
Cuba’s busses - both local and intercity were Chinese gifts.
Loan?
@@NonstopEurotrip
China does not gift
it is something similar to the U S Lend lease during WW2
Ask Shru Lanka or the African countries that have been
recipients of Chinese largesse !!
@@johnmay23belt and road initiative. Cuba will be paying China back with crazy interest for subpar work for the next 100 years
A long while back I took the E and N dayliner service from Victoria's Johnson Street Station up to Ladysmith on Canadas Vancouver Island. Alas, it no longer runs and I think the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company is out of business. The Dayliner was I think a stainless steel Budd diesel unit with dome seating in the middle. Very cool 1950s kit.
Oh wow!
The way things are there right now, they'd be wise to purpose some of those locomotives to powering their electrical grid, since their stationary power plants are failing and causing weeks-long blackouts.
Their main powerplant is a boat from Venezuela, it docks in Havana harbor, but now that country doesn't send the oil as often.
It's an idea...
Taking the train in Syria in 2010 was a definite highlight for me. Also, the one and only sleeper train across Argentina from Bariloche to Viedma was pretty cool!
Oh wow 😲
Opps! You included some images of modern cars,we are not supposed to see those,instead we are supposed to think that all they have is stuff that they bought before the embargo.
I'll edit them out, whoops 😬
Honestly kinda remarcable given all the sanctions they face. I hope some day the sanctions get dropped and they'll be able to build a more modern network - I think Cuba has a potential in this.
What a cool trip
Thank you!
That was an interesting train journey. I would think the locals are used to waiting for everything. Havana looks beautiful but the infrastructure seems to be in bad shape.
Very true!!
Enjoyed your travel experience, thanks. That is some interesting video noise (snow) at 5:05 into your video. Do you know of a reason for that to appear in your video? Don't want to be an alarmist, however that noise is interesting if not a reason for some concern about the area you were standing if you don't know a cause for it from your device or shooting parameters.
No idea, sorry.
This is better then the MBTA commuter rail in maskachusetts!
😆
Happy for journey 👍
Fun video! Surprised there isn’t a “two tier price” for locals and tourists to ride the train; $0.13? No wonder infrastructure is collapsing. Train must me pretty slowly to take so long. Did you experience power outages while in Cuba? Their generating stations and grid have been problematic for week now. Thanks!
Tourists really shouldn't be riding the train, hence why there's a 2 tier bus price 😆
You paid a 7700% bribe (based on the value of the 13 cent ticket) - I wonder if it actually made a difference. Still I'm sure the guy who got it was delighted! They also operate Chinese trains on many routes in Georgia (the country). They squeak like hell. I am not sure if they are the same type as the train you took.They are GRT / VMK trains apparently, on the Tbilisi - Zugdidi route. I also rode the Bulawayo - Harare and Bulawayo - Victoria Falls route many time s in the 90s in Zimbabwe. That was on very old British rolling stock.
I've actually filmed a video on the Chinese Georgian stock, not got around to editing it yet tho! I've made the cost of the bribe back 30 times over in the videos first 48 hours .. so worth it imho 😆
This is generally not related to trains made in China. The sound is caused by the long-term disrepair of the railway tracks. If the circuit is uneven, there will be noise and shaking.
AMTRAK take notice. CSX take notice. There are travelers who will bend over backwards to have subsidized rail passenger networks. It can be done. Kudo to our Cuban cousins who, surpassing all those difficulties, succeeded, and continue to perfect.
但是哈瓦那沒有航機去華盛頓市，要用美國航空公司往邁阿密機場轉乘！
And?
Wow, I'm surprised the fare covered the diesel costs of this trip... 🤔
It obviously doesn't 😂
Good to see somewhere different.
Thanks Kevin!
THIS IS COOL AS HECK!!!!!
Thanks 😂😂😂
An old Romanian Say goes like this: " Cate bordeie atatea obiceie"! So, be prepeare to manage ( with respect) each country rules & way of living... A friendly piece of advice../😊
Took this same train ride 28 years ago..
They didn't invest yet they signed up with the Chinese but some reports say they still owe them for all the railroad stuff they received
Yeah.....
I went on a tri[p from Bangalore India to Toranagallu India to work at a Jindahl steel mill of 3 weeks and back. It was a 9 hour ride. We left at about 9 pm and arrived at 6AM the next day. I had 2nd class tickets. I was in a room with 3 other people that also worked at the steel mill and 2 of them spoke English. We talked until lights out at 10PM i/. There were 2 bunks on either side of the room. I had the bottom bunk. It was OK. I slept weel. There was no food service I could remember probably because most of the time we would be sleeping. We were woken up just before arriving. There was just a platform. then. I don't remember much of the ride back but it was in day time. The train didn't go very fast, about 45 MPH. The toilet was crude. It had a seat but you could see straight down to the tracks. Toranagallu. I can see from Google Earth that Toranagallu has improved immensely since I was there 24 years ago. While I was there I did take a day off to visit Hampi. This is a must see. It is an old palace. The carvings are amazing.
What an adventure!