The railway track on Saint Kitts is described as 'narrow gauge', which means the rails are closer together than on a normal railway - only 76 centimetres apart. That might seem very narrow, but it was perfect for running small, nimble trains through sugarcane fields without taking up too much space. The track stretches about 30 kilometres around the northern part of the island.
The train has two levels. The lower level is enclosed with comfortable seats, and the open upper deck lets passengers sit in the breeze and enjoy panoramic views of the sea, the mountains, and the colourful Kittitian villages below. Passengers are served drinks and sometimes local snacks as they roll along at a gentle pace.
As the train moves, guides point out landmarks: the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other (yes, you can see both!), fishing villages, old plantation houses surrounded by flowers, and the rainforest creeping down from Mount Liamuiga. Vervet monkeys sometimes appear beside the track, watching the train pass with curious eyes.
The St Kitts Scenic Railway is one of only a few remaining working railways in the entire Caribbean, which makes it extra special. It is a lovely way to understand the geography of the island - how it narrows at the south, how the volcano dominates the north, and how close the sea always is wherever you are on Saint Kitts.