Railways in the

Turks and Caicos Islands

A set of postage stamps produced for the Turks and Caicos Post Office in 1983
showing railways on both East Caicos and West Caicos.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are two island groups in the Caribbean Sea, and a British Overseas Territory.

The island of East Caicos once had a network of railways some 14 miles (22.5 km) in extent, with wagons conveying sisal from the plantations to the quay at Jacksonville. It was reported active in 1912. Initially drawn by mules, steam locomotives were later introduced. After sisal production ceased, town and railway were abandoned and the island became uninhabited. The island may be visited today and ruins of Jacksonville are much in evidence and the railway line can be clearly followed on the ground.

There was a similar sisal railway in West Caicos and remains are said to exist, but the island is difficult to visit as it is in private hands with plans to convert it into a high end holiday resort.

There are no railways in the remaining islands of the Caicos, nor in the Turks Islands.

© 2019 Glyn Williams