Hawaii Tourist Trains

[James Sofonia]

My wife is traveling to Ohaua Hawaii in November with my Niece. We have been on the Sugar train on Maui a few years ago and enjoyed it. Seems I've read someone has revived a rail operation on the main island recently. Anyone know about this. She won't be traveling to the other islands this trip, but would like to get some train time in.

[Ypsi]

The Oahu railway society has a Sunday tourist train that runs a noon and 3pm 90 minute excursion out of their yard to the beech and back. The run narrow gauge behind vintage switchers (44 toners, 25 toner, 70 toner) and with open sided cars. I rode it this winter and it was great! Friendly crew and museum staff who gave my brother and I basically a "behind the scenes" tour (anyone could get a "tour" if they asked and said they were interested I assume). We rode on a perfect day and had a nice ride. It isn't drowned out with crazy tourist type people too bad either (crying kids, obnoxious adults ect).

Here is my coverage of the Hawaiian railway society from this winter: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29049&p=296594&hilit=Hawaii#p296594

[James Sofonia]

Thanks for the reply and link to good info. I think they will enjoy the ride.

[Ypsi]

No problem, its worth the short trip down to the grounds. I would like to do the maui train some day as they still roster narrow gauge steam engines. There are still some trains in Hawaii and they are worth the visit if you ever find you way out there.

[lakeshoredave]

imagine if hawaii had a busy class 1 mainline? how cool would that be?

the only 44 tonner i've heard of used to work the chemical plants in niagara falls ny that csx operates now.

[Ypsi]

At one point the line on the west side of the island of Oahu was double tracked, and trains were of course more frequent and there were even passenger trains. Of course as roads improved, and then a tsunami took out much of the infrastructure, all of this was finished.

There are 2 44 tonners in operable condition at the Hawaiian railway society, both started off on the mainland and we're originally standard gauge iirc. The 25 robber as well. The 70 tonner was built as a narrow gauge unit and worked in the navy yards in Hawaii, it was getting rust repair and wiring repairs early this year. There are a handful of preserved Hawaiian narrow gauge steamers that are original to the islands, with hopes to get them running again but they are a long way off.