There is no active rail transport in Belize, although there were lines in the past.
Overview
Historically, one of the major railways in Belize was the Stann Creek Railway[1][2] used by United Fruit, which connected Middlesex Estate with the port of Dangriga. The railway was 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge, and operated from 1913 till 1937, when it was abandoned. Many remains are still visible along the Hummingbird Highway (between Dangriga and Belmopan). This road uses some of the old railway bridges, though they are gradually disappearing as bridges are modernized.
Belize Estate & Produce Co Ltd railway ran from Hill Bank, at the south end of a lagoon on the New River, west through Sierra de Agua to Gallon Jug, an abandoned community about 10 km from the Guatemala border.[2]
A 1920's map, available on the House of Congress Library website site identifies five railroads / tramways:
- Belize Estate & Produce Co Ltd, located in Belize District, north west of Belize City, off Black Creek.
- Victoria Falls Lumber Co, located in Belize District, north west of Belize City, off Old River.
- British Honduras Syndicate Tramway, located in Stann Creek District, Stann Creek to Melinda.
- Stann Creek Railroad, located in Stann Creek District, Stann Creek to Middlesex.
- Tramway - Swasey Branch with Sennis River, located in Toledo District.
The 1920's map also shows a proposed line from Belize to Guatemala, the Belize to Peten Railroad.
There have been no railway connections to other countries.
See also
References
- ^ Belize train railway guide (guidetobelize.info)
- ^ a b "Lost Railroads of Belize". Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- Railways of the Caribbean by David Rollinson (2001, Macmillan, Oxford England) ISBN 0-333-73042-9 (see link)
External links
- Railways and Trains in Belize. A Guide to the Past with facts, pictures and background information to the Belize railway history.
- History of Belize with a mention of the railway and a picture with a train in Dangriga port.
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