Fiji's Sugar Cane Train by ScubaPhoto.com

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Sugar Cane is the number one crop of Fiji. It is grown on the Dry (western) side of Viti Levu. It is processed into brown sugar and molasses, with the residual being used to distill into rum. The cane matures in a 12 month period and the climate on Fiji allows the crop to be staggered so that the harvest runs for six months. The harvest is in the Fijian winter and spring (June to December).

To transport the tons of cane from the fields to the processing plant, a very narrow gauge railroad has been built. It is the only railroad on Fiji (except for some tourist traps) and only is used for six months a year to haul cane. (The cane from the more remote fields is trucked.)

The railroad runs on a 600 mm (24 inch) gauge track, using diesel direct drive.

Here are photos taken in June, 1999 of the train in operation.

In the morning the diesel engine heads out to the ripe fields (blossoms sticking up above cane indicates maturity) with empty cars


	The cars are about 3 feet wide and 6 feet long. They hold 3 tons of cane! Filling a car is a day's work for two people who are paid F$9 for their combined efforts (about US$5)

This photo (taken in May) shows the rusted appearance of tracks that may not have been used for as long as a year.

Come the June harvest, they will be shiny with use!


	Headed to the refinery at Lautoka in the evening.

The 600 mm (24 inch) gauge uses concrete ties and metal retainers.

This photo was taken before the harvest began - note the rust on the rails.

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