Oahu Railroads 2021

Trains of Oahu, Hawaii

Past, Present, and Future

including Oahu Railway, Hawaiian Railway, Dole Pineapple Express, and Honolulu Rail Transit.

November 9 - 16, 2021

Photos and Report by Carl Morrison, Carl@TrainWeb.com

http://trainweb.org/carl/OahuRailroads2021/

1. Trails to Rails Oahu Railway and Hawaiian Railway Museum - Past

2. Dole Pineapple Express - Present

3. Honolulu Rail Transit - Future

Trails to Rails to Trails

Past

Steam train photo from the museum with freight and passenger coaches in sugar cane field.

The signs at the beginning of the trail and end of the road, provided the history above.

View from the end of the road, back down the road, which years ago was the route of the railroad.

View from the same spot, enjoyed by all who came on the train to fish.

The spot where the 3 photos above were taken.

(Click for larger images.)

Sugar plantations on Oahu served by Oahu Railway in 1943.

Current map showing where the highway (white line lower right) ends and the current trail on the old railroad property starts.

The railroad trail as it looks from the end of the road on November 14, 2021.

Left, rebuilt line through Ko'Olina to Electric Beach. Center, yes, it is 3-foot gauge. Right, waiting for the Hawaiian Railway tourist train to pass.

Tracks restored past Aulani Disney Resort and others around Lagoons 1 - 4 in Ko'Olina.

Click Here for my video of the Hawaiian Railway tourist train through Ko'Olina in push mode.

Parlor Car 64 (the first car above and the last car in the video below)

In 1900, Oahu Railway & Land Co. founder, Benjamin F. Dillingham, had Parlor/Observation Car No. 64 designed and built especially for himself. No. 64 was the showpiece of the OR&L's rolling stock.

Built in Honolulu at a cost of $4,388.24, it had a double-size rear platform surrounded by ornate iron grillwork and protected from the sun by fluted awnings.

Oak, mahogany and birds eye maple created an interior of luxury. The parlor car was fitted with a galley, lavatory, washstand and sideboard. It was used frequently by the OR&L for visiting dignitaries. The most notable guests were members of the Hawaiian royal family. The observation platform offered guests a chance to feel the cool trade winds, as well as giving them a better view of the landscape.

No. 64 has been restored and is available for charter.

Certain restrictions apply. The parlor car is added to the train on the second Sunday of every month. Reservations are required because seating is limited.

Built in 1900, Mr. Dillingham’s personal car is added to the train and available for rides every second Sunday of the month [which is when we just happened to photograph the train].

All tickets for Parlor Car - $30.00

    Reservations are required.
    Seating is limited to 14 passengers.
    All monies for the Parlor Car go toward the continued maintenance of the car.
    Parlor car is also available for charter.

From: http://www.hawaiianrailway.com/

Click Here for a my second video of the Hawaiian Railway tourist train returning from Electric Beach through Ko'Olina in pull mode.

Ride Information

Train rides are 2 hours long, round-trip, and fully narrated. We depart from our station in Ewa traveling at a lickety-split speed of 15 miles per hour.

Passengers hear the story of the OR&L as well as stories about how sugar cane trains were used on the sugar plantations. We point out sites of historic interest, such as the site of a sisal plantation, and the "ghost town" of Gilbert. We also talk about the present and future growth of the Leeward Area.

At the end of the line we stop the train for a few minutes so passengers can admire the beautiful view of the ocean at Kahe Point.

On all rides, except the Sunday 1 pm ride, we stop for ice cream at the Black Lamb in Koolina. Ice cream is not included in the ticket price.

Visitors are invited to use our picnic area at the Station in Ewa Beach, Oahu, to walk around the train yard to look at the old locomotives and train cars on display, and to browse our gift shop.

From: http://www.hawaiianrailway.com

Click Here for a third video by Matthew Morrison of the Hawaiian Railway tourist train going to Electric Beach through Ko'Olina in push mode.

Click Here for a fourth video by Matthew Morrison of the Hawaiian Railway tourist train returning from Electric Beach through Ko'Olina in pull mode.

The Hawaiian Railway Society has a terrific museum at 91-1001 Renton Rd, Ewa Beach, HI 96706 Website: http://www.hawaiianrailway.com/

The Hawaiian Railway Society is an educational, non-profit organization dedicated to saving, restoring and protecting Hawaii's railroading history. We have the only historic railroad on the island of Oahu and the only operating railroad museum in the state.

Come ride with us along a historic stretch of track west of old Ewa and listen to stories about the history of railroading in Hawaii. Train rides are available year round.

A picnic area is available for passengers to use before or after their ride or they may take food and beverages on board. The picnic area is great for holding birthday parties and other special occasions and may be reserved. Call for availability.

Train maximum capacity is 180.

Hawaiian Railway excursion train route from "Hawaiian Railway" lower right, along Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue past the Marriott and Aulani to Hawaiian Electric Beach Park, upper left.

(Click the images above for larger, more readable images.)
Signs at the Hawaiian Railway Museum

Left, souvenir in the museum, W A Co locomotive at the museum.

(Click the images above for larger, more readable images.)

Looks like an enclosed coach is being restored in the shop.

Present
Photos by Carl@TrainWeb.com, test from https://www.doleplantation.com/pineapple-express-train-tour/

A WHISTLE STOP TOUR THROUGH HAWAII’S PINEAPPLE STORY

All aboard for two miles of pineapple fun! This fully narrated, twenty-minute train tour is an experience for the whole family. You’ll learn the story of pineapple in Hawai‘i, hear how James Drummond Dole founded his world-famous agricultural empire where Dole Plantation stands today, and travel through the stunning scenery of the island’s famous North Shore.

OHANA EXPRESS

Our fourth and newest train, The Ohana Express, was also built in China by Hangzhou Trains Equipment Co., Ltd. It is our newest work horse. Its drive is Diesel Electric similar to full size trains operating all over the United States. The locomotive is an 0-6-0 with separate tender. It hauls three passenger cars, also manufactured by Hangzhou Trains Equipment Co., Ltd.

Liberty, which lead my tour:

LADY LIBERTY

The Lady Liberty train arrived in the islands in 2003 and was designed as a replica of a Mason Bogey 0-4-4T, originally manufactured by Mason Machine Works in Taunton, Massachusetts in 1883. This particular model was popular in the early 1900’s due to its ability to run on 3′ gauge tracks on hills and over sharp curves. They were used all over the United States in mining, logging and short-line passenger service.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS [Not in service this day.]

The Pineapple Express train was originally built in England by Severn Lamb. It is driven via diesel motor and hydraulic pump, very similar to a bulldozer. The engine and train is modeled after an 1870 design 4-4-0 with tender. It has four passenger cars.

ALOHA EXPRESS [Not photographed.]

The Aloha Express train was built in China by Hangzhou Trains Equipment Co., Ltd. Its drive is Diesel Electric similar to full size trains operating all over the United States. The locomotive is an 0-6-0 with separate tender. It hauls three passenger cars, also manufactured by Hangzhou Trains Equipment Co., Ltd.

All tours follow the two-mile track through their fields. I happen to board the Liberty for an excellent, narrated tour of their research fields. Tickets for the train-only ride are $12. The wait time varies, but when I was there it was 30 minutes including outside the gate and under the shelter. Photos from my ride:

Liberty pulling in for my ride.

I didn't know that this ride would be this long 2-mile run, very enjoyable.

Left, Pandanus tree, Right, garden near the station.

Pineapple and Cacao (coffee) tree.

Walk out after the ride and through the souvenir shop.

Future

Left, While tooling around Oahu, I spotted this giant machine constructing sections of the Honolulu Rail Transit. Right, their photo of a station.

Drawing of one of their trains.

This is a project that was supposed to open in 2020, but is now predicted to be finished in 2033. One of the questions from their FAQ page:

How will people use rail transit?

Rail transit will be used to commute to and from work, and school; to go to shopping malls, the airport, and entertainment venues such as Aloha Stadium.

Honolulu Rail Transportation Overview and Benefits: https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/rail-facts#gsc.tab=0

Honolulu Rail Transit Videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/HonoluluRailTransit

LINKS

Hawaiian Railway Museum: http://www.hawaiianrailway.com/

Dole Pineapple Express: https://www.doleplantation.com/pineapple-express-train-tour/

Honolulu Rail Transportation Overview and Benefits: https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/rail-facts#gsc.tab=0

Honolulu Rail Transit Videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/HonoluluRailTransit

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