Demerara-Berbice Railway
Encyclopedia
The Railways of Guyana comprised two public railways and several industrial railways, including the first in South America.
(now Guyana
), was the first railway system on the South America
n continent. It was first operated by the Demerara Railway Company, a private concern, but sold to the Colonial Transport Department of the Government, which assumed control from 1 January 1922.
in Demerara
to Rosignol
in Berbice
, whence it was connected by ferry steamer across the Berbice River
to New Amsterdam
.
An extension to Belfield
was completed in 1854, to Mahaica in 1864 and finally to Rosignol during 1897-1900.
The public railway system was dismantled in stages in the early 1970s,
The Lamaha Street terminus of the Demerara-Berbice Railway was converted into a bus terminal subsequent to the closing of the railway.
In 1922 there was one train each week day, departing Georgetown at 08:00 and returning in the evening.
Stations included:
on the left bank of the Demerara River
to Parika
on the Essequibo River
.
and Matthew's Ridge
in the Northwest District.
In 1922, one of these was described as an 18.5 miles (29.8 km) metre gauge
railway running from Wismar to Rockstone
across the watershed between the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers.
Demerara-Berbice railway
The Demerara-Berbice Railway, built in then British GuianaBritish Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
(now Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
), was the first railway system on the South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n continent. It was first operated by the Demerara Railway Company, a private concern, but sold to the Colonial Transport Department of the Government, which assumed control from 1 January 1922.
Route
The railway ran for 60.5 miles (97.4 km) along the coast from the capital and main port GeorgetownGeorgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
in Demerara
Demerara
Demerara was a region in South America in what is now Guyana that was colonised by the Dutch in 1611. The British invaded and captured the area in 1796...
to Rosignol
Rosignol
Rosignol is a small town on the west bank of the Berbice River in Guyana at .The town is important because it has a port, the Rosignol Stelling, that is the main crossing point on the western bank of the Berbice River...
in Berbice
Berbice
Berbice is a region along the Berbice River in Guyana, which was between 1627 and 1815 a colony of the Netherlands. After having been ceded to the United Kingdom in the latter year, it was merged with Essequibo and Demerara to form the colony of British Guiana in 1831...
, whence it was connected by ferry steamer across the Berbice River
Berbice River
The Berbice River, located in eastern Guyana, rises in the highlands of the Rupununi region. The Berbice flows northward for 370 miles through dense forests to the coastal plain...
to New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam, Guyana
New Amsterdam , located in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region, 62 miles from the capital, Georgetown, is one of the largest towns in Guyana. It is located four miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean mouth of the Berbice River, on its eastern bank, immediately south of the Canje River...
.
History
The bill proposing the construction of the railway was passed in July 1846. The railway was designed, surveyed and built by the British-American architect and artist Frederick Catherwood. All the railway stations, bridges, stores and other facilities were constructed by John Bradshaw Sharples. Financing was provided by the Demerera Sugar company who wished to transport their product to the dock of Georgetown. Construction was in sections with the first, from Georgetown to Plaisance, opening on 3 November 1848. The opening day's festivities featured the death of one of the railway's directors by being run over by the locomotive.An extension to Belfield
Belfield, Guyana
Belfield is a village in the Demerara-Mahaica Region of Guyana, standing on the Atlantic coast, three kilometres west of Enmore.The first section of the Demerara-Berbice Railway, from Georgetown to Plaisance, was opened on 3 November 1848...
was completed in 1854, to Mahaica in 1864 and finally to Rosignol during 1897-1900.
The public railway system was dismantled in stages in the early 1970s,
The Lamaha Street terminus of the Demerara-Berbice Railway was converted into a bus terminal subsequent to the closing of the railway.
Service
Following the opening in 1848, there were two return trains per day between Georgetown and Plaisance.In 1922 there was one train each week day, departing Georgetown at 08:00 and returning in the evening.
Locomotives
| Acquired | Disposed | Name | Cost | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1847 | Mosquito | ||||
| 1847 | Sandfly | ||||
| 1847 | Firefly | ||||
| 1863 | Alexandra | £1,593 | Relief engine | ||
| 1863 | 1921 | Victoria | £1,593 |
Infrastructure
There were three major bridges on the line, all constructed of iron, across the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Rivers.Stations included:
- Georgetown
- Plaisance
- Buxton 12 miles (19.3 km)
- Rosignol 60.5 miles (97.4 km)
Route
Guyana's second railway, the Demerara-Essequibo Railway ran for 18.5 miles (29.8 km) along the West Coast of Demerara from Vreed en HoopVreed en Hoop
Vreed en Hoop is a town at the mouth of the Demerara River on its left bank, in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region of Guyana, located at , altitude 0 metres...
on the left bank of the Demerara River
Demerara River
The Demerara River is a river in eastern Guyana that rises in the central rainforests of the country and flows to the north for 346 kilometres until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Georgetown, Guyana's largest seaport and capital, is situated on the east bank of the river's mouth. The Demerara's...
to Parika
Parika
Parika is a port township located in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region of Guyana. It is popular for its ferry service, operated by the Ministry of Transportation, to and from the Essequibo Islands and West Demerara area. It is also notable for its Sunday markets...
on the Essequibo River
Essequibo River
The Esequibo River is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,010 km through forest and savanna into the Atlantic Ocean.-Geography:There are countless...
.
History
Its first section was laid to Greenwich Park c1899 and it was extended to Parika in 1914.Service
In 1922 there were three return trains each day, timed to interconnect with arriving and departing steam ferries.Industrial railways
The industrial railway systems continued to operate following the closure of the public system and included several at bauxite mining sites and another linking Port KaitumaPort Kaituma
Port Kaituma is a small town within the Barima-Waini administrative region of Guyana, located at .- History :Although an Amerindian settlement has existed along the Kaituma River for some time, it was only after the discovery of manganese at nearby Matthew's Ridge that Port Kaituma was developed...
and Matthew's Ridge
Matthew's Ridge
Matthew's Ridge is a small town within the Barima-Waini administrative region of Guyana. It is located at .-History:During the 1960s, Matthews Ridge was being considered as a potential area in which to relocate the capital city of Guyana...
in the Northwest District.
In 1922, one of these was described as an 18.5 miles (29.8 km) metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
railway running from Wismar to Rockstone
Rockstone
Rockstone is a town on the right bank of the Essequibo River in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region of Guyana, located at , altitude 6 Metres . Rockstone is approximately 26 km west of Linden and is linked by road....
across the watershed between the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers.