A Cuban official, during an interview with TV Yumurí, revealed plans this week to revive the historic Hershey railway terminal in Matanzas. This initiative aims to restore the nation's only electric train service, which has been inactive for nearly a decade.
The service has been non-operational since May 1, 2017, marking its last full journey between Casa Blanca in Havana and Matanzas. This suspension left 46 rural communities disconnected along the 98-kilometer line.
The official emphasized that the electric railway is integral to the identity of Matanzas, with conceptual plans for the terminal's restoration already drafted. "We are currently developing the executive project and seeking contractors to refurbish the iconic Hershey Terminal building," he stated, though he did not provide specific timelines for completion.
He admitted that these are "things that are unseen, that the public does not notice," yet require significant preparation time.
Previous Unfulfilled Promises
This is not the first promise from the regime to resurrect this railway relic. Back in June 2025, the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, announced efforts to restore the service and station in Matanzas. Despite these claims, the available railbus was deemed "not technically fit," and no test runs were scheduled.
The 2025 plan already included a major concession: the train would no longer be electric. René Peña García, Deputy Director of the Cuban Railways Union in Matanzas, stated that passenger transport would rely on diesel traction when feasible.
Ongoing Infrastructure Challenges
In September 2025, an incident underscored the severity of the problem when a freight train derailed at kilometer 53,800 of the Hershey Line. The mishap involved four carriages off the track, three overturned tankers, and approximately 400 meters of damaged track, highlighting years of neglect and vandalism.
The Hershey Train, constructed in 1916 by Pennsylvania's Hershey Corporation, was initially meant to transport workers and goods from Havana to its sugar mill. By 1920, it began carrying passengers, becoming a vital service for numerous rural communities. The carriages, dating back to 1944, were donated by the Spanish city of Barcelona in 1997.
After the 1959 revolution, the sugar mill was nationalized and renamed Camilo Cienfuegos, only to be dismantled in 2002 by Fidel Castro's orders under the "Álvaro Reynoso task," which shut down 120 of 165 active sugar mills.
Today, the village of Hershey in Santa Cruz del Norte resembles a ghost town, marked by ruins and deserted spaces.
Future Filled with Doubts
The renewed promises in May 2026, lacking confirmed dates or technical resources, add to a history of unfulfilled announcements. This fuels skepticism among Matanzas residents, who have awaited the return of Cuba's most iconic electric railway for nearly a decade. Amid the ongoing energy crisis, many Cubans doubt the feasibility of reviving the service.
FAQs About the Hershey Electric Train Revival
What is the significance of the Hershey Train in Cuba?
The Hershey Train is a historic electric railway built in 1916 to transport workers and goods to a sugar mill. It later became essential for passenger transportation, connecting rural communities in Matanzas.
Why has the Hershey Train been out of service?
The train has been out of service since 2017 due to technical issues, neglect, and lack of resources, compounded by years of infrastructure deterioration.
What challenges face the Hershey Train restoration?
Challenges include decayed infrastructure, lack of technical and financial resources, and the need for significant preparatory work before any potential restoration.