La Habana Province

For unknown reasons the class TU7E did not penetrate into the area west of Havanna. In the La Habana (Havanna) Province only four mills are known to have had TU7s in stock. And only mill 202 still uses 2 of them .

CAI 103 Eduardo Garcia Lavandero

From this mill standard gauge lines run to several loading points south and east of the mill. At least 3 standard gauge class TU7E diesels have been used here. In 1992 34050 was noted here and in 2000 a red TU7 with its original Kambarka number TU7E-0671. The latter might have been lend from CAI 202. In 2000 also 34036 and 34037 worked here; both in a green livery. After an accident 34036 had been fitted with the blue cab of 34009, which might have worked here also.

In 2001 loco 34037 has been spotted again working to the loading points. But by 2004 it had been transferred to CAI 202. This was due to the fact that the mill had closed following the 2002 restructuring plan.

CAI 109 Orlando Nodarse

This mill used to operate a narrow gauge network with the unique gauge of 2ft 10½ inch. Sometime between 1984 and 1990 the system was regauged to the more common gauge of 762mm. After the regauging class TU7E diesels have replaced the old steam engines.

At least 4 TU7s have been used since the late 1980s. Known numbers are 34005, 34006 and 34008. These had an orange livery. The fourth, unidentified TU7E was yellow.

Already by 1997 at least 2 wrecked TU7s had been dumped near the entrance of the premisses. Only 34006 and 34008 might have been operational by then, though they were already in bad condition as well. Reports from 2000 and 2001 indicate that the TU7-fleet only deteriorated further in the following years. Meanwhile the mill has been closed.

CAI 202 Commandante Manuel Fejardo

This mill had two standard gauge TU7s in stock. They have probabaly worked at this mill since they have been delivered to Cuba in 1976 and 1977 respectively. Interestingly, they always kept their original Kambarka numbers TU7E-0671 and TU7E-0868. But the MINAZ numbers 34048 and 34085 have also been painted on the locos. Both TU7s worked when the mill was visited by railway enthusiasts in 1997, 2000 and 2004.

Though engine 34048 (TU7E-0671) has also been noted at mill 417 in 1996, at mill 103 in 2000 and again at mill 417 in 2001. Maybe it was used according to MINAZ's production scheme?

The mill will remain in use for sugar and molasses production, hopefully so will the TU7s.

CAI 207 George Arlee Manalich

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