The railroad was completed in 1890, but the flow of passengers and cargo proved insufficient to finance Keith's debt. As early as 1873, however, Keith had begun experimenting with the planting of bananas, grown from roots he had obtained from the French.
Although the railway was completed in 1890, it failed to generate enough revenue to pay off Keith's debts.  As early as 1873, however, Keith began experimenting with growing bananas, which he had acquired from French sources.