| Barbados had a train service from 1883 until 1937, | | | | speed challenge. The flatness of this train/hike trail can |
| when it came to an unceremonious end. The railway | | | | be deceptive, in that, one may assume it's an easy |
| route was only twenty four miles long, running from the | | | | walk given this flatness. |
| city of Bridgetown, through the southern parishes, then | | | | First time hikers to this all day event, soon discover, |
| turning east, traveling along Barbados"very scenic | | | | that the all day exposure to the tropical sun, is |
| rugged east coast, to it's terminus in a small | | | | unexpectedly draining of one's energy. The last four |
| commercial center, Belleplaine, on the northeast. | | | | miles are said to be the worst, as the route is all paved |
| The Late Dr. Colin Hudson, an outstanding, | | | | road, that usually appears to be never ending. Prior to |
| environmentalist, popular hike leader, and accomplished | | | | those last miles, one can expect to, negotiate, rugged |
| agricultural scientist, was challenged some years ago | | | | coastal terrain, grass fields, and cart roads between |
| by one of his regular hiking customers, to walk the | | | | sugar cane fields. On this trail one will also pass next to |
| entire train route, in one day. Colin took on the | | | | two old sugar factories, petroleum oil pumps, |
| challenge, and was successful, this of course led to | | | | agricultural fields, urban, suburban, and rural |
| ideas, which in time, manifested as "The Great Train | | | | communities. The entire route is monitored by hike |
| Hike". This hike soon became the highlight of the local | | | | leaders who communicate where first aid assistance |
| hiking calendar, with overseas hiking enthusiasts, | | | | is required, or just to guide hikers, additionally there are |
| planning their Barbados vacation to coincide with this | | | | water and snack stations at strategic intervals. |
| event. | | | | Upon the death of Colin Hudson in 2004, a decision |
| This event was promoted as one where hikers can | | | | was taken by the organizers of "The Great Train |
| choose to walk the entire twenty four miles, or say | | | | Hike," to rename it "THE COLIN HUDSON GREAT |
| walk to one of the original train stops, along the route. It | | | | TRAIN HIKE," in honor of this man who touched |
| was never intended to be a race, and it is still so, even | | | | thousands of lives, in many countries, and as agreed |
| though, every year there are those who must have a | | | | by all a man before his time, a great visionary. |