The Rarawai–Kavanagasau Light Railway was a narrow gauge railway in Fiji. It reached long.
Operation The railway, with a gauge of was built and operated by the Colonial Sugar Refinery Co.
Train operations started in December 1914 with free, twice-weekly, return passenger train services and weekly public goods trains, which transported pipes for the manganese mines as well as agricultural produce such as potatoes, onions, rice, maize, and other food. Transport of cattle started in the early 1950s. The line branched at Sigatoka to Kulukulu village.
The section from Batiri to Sigatoka closed on 7 August 2009 due to the significant decline in the production of cane in the Cuvu and Olosara sectors and cane from these areas being transportable by lorry to the Lautoka Mill.Fijian Government: Portion of Kavanagasau/Rarawai tramline closed. 7 August 2009.
Rolling stock
Locomotives The Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 locomotive with works number 972 of 1912 named Fiji (Colonial Sugar Refining Co. No. 11) and a Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST with works number 1056 of 1914 (Colonial Sugar Refining Co. No. 19) are preserved at Statfold Barn Railway.Andrew Naylor: Colonial Sugar Refining Co No 19, Statfold Barn Railway, Sat 8 August 2015. Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST 1056 / 1914, 2ft gauge. Repatriated from Fiji.Chris Allen: Statfold Barn Railway - green, red and yellow. The Geograph, No 5382236.
Mill No Manufacturer Type Fuel Works No Year built Condition 1-7 John Fowler 0-6-0TT Steam 1903-1906 Rarawai Mill First 8, later 10 John Fowler 0-6-2TT Steam 11458 1908 Plinthed outside the mill in 2011 and 2016Photos on Facebook Narrow Gauge Enthusiasts Group 9 John Fowler 0-6-2TT Steam 1910 10-17 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1912-1914 18 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1915 19 Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST Steam 1914 20 & 21 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1936 22 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1938 23 & 24 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1950 25 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Steam 1914 1 & 2 Clyde Engineering 0-6-0 Diesel 1957 Rarawai Mill 22 Hunslet 6wDH Diesel 9274 1987 Operable in 2016 and 2017 Rarawai Mill 24 Baguley-Drewry 0-6-0DH Diesel 3773 1983 Operable for shunting in 2017 Rarawai Mill, seen in 2007 at Penang Mill Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0DM Diesel D753 1950 Derelict at Penang Mill in 2007. Remains scrapped in 2011. Rarawai Sugar Mill Australian Clyde, rebuilt by Ontrak Engineering of Sydney 0-6-0DH Diesel Operable in 2012 Lautoka Mill Clyde DHI-71 Diesel Derelict 2008 Lautoka Mill Clyde DHI-71 Diesel Derelict 2008
Carriages
Two second class passenger carriages and a brake van were built in 1914 by Clyde Engineering in Granville, Australia for Rarawai–Kavanagasau Light Railway. One of the carriages is now at the Ferrymead 2ft Railway in a partially disassembled state.
External links The Railways of Fiji. The Development of Railways in the South Pacific. In: Railway Wonders of the World. Railways of Fiji, Rarawai-Kavanagasau Light Railway, as seen in October 2007
References