San Fernando can claim the tracks of the first train in Trinidad. These tracks were located between San Fernando and Princes Town. The name of the Rail Company was Cipero Tramroad, and it provided a rail service for passengers and agricultural products. The company was opened on March 5^th, 1859, by William Eccles.

Charles Kingsley the noted writer, came to San Fernando in 1870 and travelled on this railway.

There was an acceleration of rail activities between 1870 and 1882. For it was in 1882 that the railway between Port of Spain and San Fernando was completed. In 1884 came the branch line to Princes Town and in 1913 it went to Siparia.

With the extension of the railway service, it was feared that San Fernando would suffer, and might even lose its economic prestige. This fear, however, did not materialize, and in 1920 there was a merger between the Tramroad and the Trinidad Government Railway.

In later years the railway provided an excellent service to the travelling public. And in some areas, it was the only type of public transport.

Times were changing, more and faster means of transport were becoming available. Wheel Transport was challenging the speed and efficiency of rail transport.

Fewer people were using the train, and this service was becoming uneconomical. The Government of the day recognised this, and immediately set up a commission to examine the viability of the service.

The commission was headed by Mr. Jessop, and on April 25^th, 1956 he submitted his recommendations to the Governor, in which he advised that the system should be scrapped. The then Chief Minister, Dr. The Rt. Honorable Eric Williams accepted the recommendation and slowly phased out the operation.
 

Source: San Fernando "An Historical Mile"
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