Weary of the criticism he received for removing of the landmark clock at Library Corner, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello assures the public that he will not relocate “The Last Train to San Fernando.”
However, Regrello proposed that the train, formerly known as Engine #11, be relocated to King’s Wharf to complement that upgrade of the San Fernando Waterfront, where work is set to begin in November.
The San Fernando City Corporation and the San Fernando Heritage Trust celebrated the 50th anniversary of the engine being handed over to the City. Engine # 11 made its last trip to San Fernando on August 30, 1965, and later took up its resting place at the Eastern end of Harris Promenade.
Despite being placed there as a monument to Trinidad’s sugar industry and the long defunct Trinidad Government Railway (TGR), the engine began to oxidise and a homeless man had taken up residence on the train. It was in 2014 that former mayor Kazim Hosein got council approval to refurbish the engine. It was supposed to be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of Engine #11’s last trip but was delayed because of the extensive work to be done.
With King’s Wharf being the former location of the old railway station, Regrello said the area holds more significance to host the train. It will also allow more space in the heart of the city to address the long-standing problem of traffic congestion.
“What I am saying is that as the City progresses and we look at how changes have to be made, we are looking at the advancement of the vehicles and how we are over saturated. We have more people now. The City itself has been expanded to accommodate the Ste Madeleine, Tarodale and Tarouba areas so it is more activity here.
“We have to really revisit how we do things in San Fernando. With the waterfront development coming, which was the main hub for the train, we will actually look at the possibility of putting the engine down on the Wharf because it is appropriate as it relates to the area. There is a nexus right there and I think it may a good idea. I am not making that call, the council has to make that call. It would be in consultation with stakeholders to get their views as we develop the City,” Regrello said.
As for the historical clock, he said, it will be placed on the island near Republic Bank, several metres from its original location. He said work to relocate the clock should start this weekend with an electrical connection being made. The cube-shaped, four-sided clock atop a concrete pillar was gifted to the people of San Fernando by businessman Carlton K Mack to commemorate the fourth year of T&T’s independence on August 31, 1966. It was removed as part of the City’s traffic restructuring plan.