Back in the day, the Pioneer Sugar mill in Lahaina, Maui had an extensive network of 30-inch gauge railroads that carried sugar cane from the hillsides of West Maui (above what is now the Kaanapali Resort) to the mill, which is in Lahaina Town. The mill was torn down a few years ago, but they saved the smokestack, which is a landmark, and are building a sort-of historical site at the chimney’s base. Spooted there are two 0-4-2, one with a saddle tank, one without. All the number and builder’s plates are gone and the cabs appear to be replicas. I know nothing about these locos and tried to Google some info to see where they might have come from. One thing I learned that at one time there was a guy in LA who had a number of Hawaiian platation locos, which were all but destroyed in the Bel Aire fire a few decades ago. Could these be those locos? I guess I could go to the little office and ask, but that would be too easy.
BTW, the so-called Sugar Can Train, which runs from Pu’u Kukui to Lahaina has nothing to do with the locos of that era. It’s 36-inch gauge and its two locos, Anaka and Myrtle, are former Carbon Limestone Porter 2-4-0s brought over here by Kyle Railways about??? 30 years ago. Fun yo ride on and listen too everyday except Sunday. Myrstle sounds a little sick, amking a funny “whooshing” sound following the chuff.
Oh. I have photos of the saddle tankers but we’ll see if I can get 'em up. If not, help!
