Historic Train Collection
The largest collection of restored historic steam locomotives in Hawaii
Train Excursions
CANE TRAIN EXPERIENCE
THE ONLY AUTHENTIC SUGAR PLANTATION TRAIN EXPERIENCE ON KAUAI
Take a train ride back in time to when sugar coated the island and was transported from field to the sugar mill in small cane cars. This is an invaluable learning experience for students to comprehend the impact of sugar as a major influence in Kauai’s history and economy.
Temporarily Unavailable
for maintenance
SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH
10am-2pm
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First come, first serve at the Locomotive Learning Park at 2790 Haleko Rd.
LOCOMOTIVE SPECIALTY TOUR
A PERSONALIZED TOUR OF THE FOUR LOCOMOTIVES WITH OUR TRAIN EXPERT
Please inquire to learn about our private tours of the four steam locomotives at Puhi Roundhouse, Hawaii’s only surviving engine house.
Please note: Trains are currently undergoing restorations and repairs. Specialty tours are operations permitting.
Call to inquire about private tours.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
The four surviving sugar plantation locomotives are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places as a unique collection of original plantation steam railroad equipment. They are still housed in their original 1943 'War Era' designed locomotive roundhouse in Puhi._______________
OLDEST RESTORED LOCOMOTIVE ON KAUAI
PAULO - 1887
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Paulo was manufactured in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1887 at Hohenzollern Works. It was shipped to Koloa Sugar Company, the first commercial sugar plantation in the kingdom of Hawaii, where it was in use until 1920. It was one of two firewood fueled steam locomotives used in the construction of the Waita Reservoir in the 1890s. Paulo was named for Paul Isenberg, the owner of Lihue Plantation and an officer of Koloa Sugar Company.
LAST STEAM POWERED CANE SUGAR TRAIN IN HAWAII
WAINIHA - 1915
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Wainiha was named for the North Shore stream and could pull up to 50 cars. McBryde Sugar Plantation sold it to Lihue Plantation in 1947, and Grove Farm Company bought the locomotive in 1955. It was in use until 1957 making Grove Farm Company the last sugar plantation to haul cane by steam. Grove Farm Company gifted Wainiha to Miss Mabel Wilcox who funded its restoration in 1975.
ONE OF THE LAST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES BROUGHT TO HAWAII
KAIPU - 1925
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Built in 1925 for the Hawaiian Sugar Company on Kauai’s westside, Kaipu was purchased by Grove Farm Company in 1945 and ran until 1953. It was named for George Wilcox’s right-hand man, one of the first workers at Grove Farm and was restored to operating condition in 1982.
ONE OF THE LAST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES BROUGHT TO HAWAII
WAHIAWA - 1921
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Named for a Kauai westside stream, Wahiawa was built in 1921 for the Kauai Railway Company. It was sold to McBryde Sugar Plantation in 1938 and to Grove Farm Company in 1947. Wainiha, Kaipu and Wahiawa were all built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and were originally coal or oil fueled.