The St. Kitts Scenic Railway traveling past scenic mountains.Credit: St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Built on former sugar cane tracks, the St. Kitts Scenic Railway offers panoramic views and local cultural experiences. One of the only operational passenger trains in the Caribbean is located on the island of St. Kitts where the St. Kitts Scenic Railway circumnavigates the small island. Known as “The Last Railway in the West Indies,” the double-decker train has an upper open-air observation platform that provides unobstructed views as the train travels along the St. Kitts’ coastline and past historic sugar cane estates.
The train journey begins at the Needsmust Train Station in Basseterre, near the St. Kitts airport. The narrow-gauge train track, which was originally laid between 1912 and 1926 to transport sugar cane to the mill, is now traversed by modern passenger cars that offer visitors the chance to circumnavigate the island while learning about its history and culture. The on-board conductor shares stories as the train passes by the island’s most prominent sites, including Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Gibraltar of the Caribbean," and Old Road Town, where former President Thomas Jefferson's great-great-grandfather is buried.
Photo Credit: St. Kitts Tourism Authority
In its most scenic moments, the train wanders along the island’s coastline and through rainforest, and sugar cane fields. Mount Liamuiga, the island’s stratovolcano, looms inland and can be seen for much of the journey. On clear days, travelers can see the neighboring Dutch island of St. Eustatius.
Each guest on St. Kitts Scenic Railway is treated to complimentary onboard beverages (rum punch is a favorite) and comfortable seating on the train’s bi-level railcars. The lower level of the car has air-conditioning and vaulted windows and is furnished with rattan chairs and local paintings. There is also a service bar and restroom.
The 30-mile, 3-hour loop is mostly traversed by train, but 12 miles are completed by bus. The train portion of the journey takes around 2 hours, while the bus journey is typically around 45 minutes.
St. Kitts is known as the "Cradle of the Caribbean," the first British colonial settlement in the region, and a stepping stone to islands beyond. Centuries later, it "remains an introduction to a new kind of adventurous, action-packed style of travel that many vacationers have no idea they can experience in the Caribbean," says Greg Pereira, founder of Greg's Safaris and a born-and-bred Kittitian.
Comments