Steam & Excursion > Lahaina Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad Quits August 1!

Some unfortunate news about a very popular narrow gauge steam line in Maui.

"Its last riders will be going aboard Aug. 1. The popular attraction is one of the state's last steam engine railroads and has served as a historic"

Lahaina Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad has taken some 15 million passengers through West Maui on its iconic "Sugar Cane Train" ride since 1969.


WAILUKU>> A popular Hawaii train tourist attraction on Maui is set to close after 45 years in business.

The Maui News reports the Sugar Cane Train will run its regular schedule until its Aug. 1 closure.

Ticket agent Blossom Flores says the 6-mile track that runs between Lahaina and Puukolii will hold a final, one-way run at 2:30 p.m. on the closing day.

The company was founded in 1969. It has one diesel train and two steam engines.

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/587895/End-of-the-line-for--important-part-of-the-history-of-Maui-.html

Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/14 13:28 by LoggerHogger.

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Too bad. I knew I should have taken some photos of it earlier this month when I was there.

Wow, the LK&P is an institution on Maui! The place will never be the same.

Bummer. Also bummer that the paper won't let me read why they are shutting down. Is this the loco that was in Travel Town LA CA for a long time?

I visited a few years ago, but apparently missed the last ride of the day - and it didn't seem too late in the day. All was quiet. I must say I didn't specifically plan to ride the train, but would have if it was running when I was in the area. I was staying at Wailea and didn't have a car every day - and alas, it didn't work out. Wailea is a bit of a distance from the railroad.

Would have been neat to see, and I am sad to hear it will stop running.

IIRC the Los Angeles "Traveltown" steam operation used a 3' gauge outside frame 4-6-0 from Oahu.

LoggerHogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some unfortunate news about a very popular narrow
> gauge steam line in Maui.
>
> "Its last riders will be going aboard Aug. 1. The
> popular attraction is one of the state's last
> steam engine railroads and has served as a
> historic"
>
> Lahaina Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad has taken
> some 15 million passengers through West Maui on
> its iconic "Sugar Cane Train" ride since 1969.
>
> http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/587
> 895/End-of-the-line-for--important-part-of-the-his
> tory-of-Maui-.html
>
> Martin

Martin,

As the news link is a paid site, could you paraphrase what was said? Also, there must be much more to this story that is not being told. I also checked the Star Advertiser and there was nothing there.

Thanks.

J.

Here's the Star Advertiser story, which doesn't say much.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20140725_Popular_Hawaii_tourist_attraction_set_to_close.html?id=268602852

How much for the equipment?

How much for the whole operation?

Z

Kimball Wrote:
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> Bummer. Also bummer that the paper won't let me
> read why they are shutting down. Is this the loco
> that was in Travel Town LA CA for a long time?


Travel Town engine that was in operation late 50s was Oahu 4-6-0 #85, which was returned to Oahu years ago and I think is at the museum at Ewa. TT also had Oahu Sugar 0-6-2T #5, now on display at Lahaina station on the LK&P. Here are photos of both of them at Travel Town.

1. 4-6-0 #85 on 2/22/60.

2. 0-6-0T #5 on 9/1/59.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/14 03:44 by masterphots.

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I am sure glad I got to ride in 2008.

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It was nice to go back and look at these images again.

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#5 is at the LK&P on static display.

I saw a posting that the closure is a "financial decision" by the owners, but no details as to what that means. I had heard a couple years ago that a developer really wanted a piece of the ROW for a resort or shopping development.

Z

Aloha --- What a shame

Folks sure need to do a HD presentation of the operation before the end. Such a lovely setting....Real Estate prices per square foot must be some of the highest in the USA.
Surely the operation, or portions of it, will go to a good future home......let's hope so. If Walt Disney were alive he would snatch that railroad up so fast it would make Mickey's head spin!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/14 15:51 by OKTrainboys.

What a real shame..... "development" --
BAD idea. Leave the RR alone. Greed
strikes again. Sigh.....

The skyrocketing value of real estate is probably one of railroading's worst enemies. It explains why you no longer see NYC freights engaging in "loose car" railroading on the west side of Manhattan, Espee trains switching the bakery in Beverly Hills and the lumber yard in Pacific Grove in California and NP trains running around the north shore of Lake Union and Union Bay in Seattle.

There are dozens of other examples.

Glad I rode the LK&P back in 1994. It was operated by Kyle Railways as I recall.

Sad news! Here I am with my little brother back in 1999 on the Sugar Cane Train

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CA_Sou_MA_Agent Wrote:
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> The skyrocketing value of real estate is probably
> one of railroading's worst enemies. It explains
> why you no longer see NYC freights engaging in
> "loose car" railroading on the west side of
> Manhattan, Espee trains switching the bakery in
> Beverly Hills and the lumber yard in Pacific Grove
> in California and NP trains running around the
> north shore of Lake Union and Union Bay in
> Seattle.
>
It is more correct to say that the skyrocketing value of real estate is probably one of RAILFAN's worst memories. The reality is that after World War II, many industries left urban areas served by railroads because:

1) They wanted to be close to highways for good truck access
2) A desire for more efficient manufacturing processes led many firms to leave multi-story industrial buildings in cities for single-level buildings in suburban and rural areas where more space was available
3) The industries relocated to other states or nations.

I live not far from the ex-PRR main line in Pittsburgh. While plenty of through freights pass through, there are no local freight operations. The industries which shipped and received by rail were long gone before real estate prices started skyrocketing.