Current Operations The Noranda (originally Kaiser Ja-
maica Bauxite) operation runs on about 15 miles of track built in the 1950s from mines near Alexandria to Discovery Bay, on the north coast. Motive power is EMD SD38 locomotives numbered in the 5100 series, including four that were built new. Several others are rebuilt from retired American units, including No.
5105, built for Penn Central and later worked for Conrail, and SD45 carbody No. 5112, still in Union Pacific colors, which arrived in May 2014. Into the 1990s, this line used at least
one Baldwin AS616, No. 5106. Various EMD switchers were also rostered over the years. The Noranda line loops and turns and culminates with a steep down- grade into the port at Discovery Bay. A
series of timed switches lined upgrade prevent trains from running away. Three trains typically operate at a time — one loading, one unloading, and one in transit. Round trips take about three hours. West Indies Alumina Co. (Windalco)
has the most extensive rail operation in Jamaica and runs on about 25 miles of track between Port Esquivel and the alu- mina refinery at Ewarton. Much of the line and six of its ten road locomotives once belonged to Jamaica Railway Corp. A second refinery at Kirkvine is also served by rail. It shut down in 2009, but is expected to reopen sometime in 2016. The former JRC locomotives used by Windalco are unusual MLW-built RS8 locomotives. Four additional locomotives in road service are RS8 models originally built for Korean National Railroad but re-engined with EMD 645 prime movers
LEFT: The skilled Windalco employees perform all manner of work at the well-equipped Port Esquivel shops, including truck change-outs and railcar rebuilds.
BOTTOM: Windalco MLW RS8 No. 1121 awaits work in the Port Esquivel shops. The crews here can perform everything from minor running repairs to complete engine rebuilds.
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