Saw this story this morning. I don't think I've heard much about this operation. It looks like they have an eye toward expanding in the future.

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009 ... 635288.txt

I stumbled upon this operation almost my accident when vacationing on Kauai last year. I cannot say enough good things about it. It is a short stretch of track but pulled by an authentic locomotive pulling replica cars of the line. Scott Johnson is just about the friendliest person you could meet and will go above and beyond if you show interest. The locomotive Paulo is an interesting little critter, German made for the railway and featuring Joy valve gear.

They do plan on extending the track beyond it's current end but a road crossing and a large amount of eroded dirt need to be dealt with. They also have 3 Baldwin 0-6-2t's located in a nearby warehouse. 2 of which I believe are operable but overkill for their current operation.

They do not charge admission and do not advertise. It is all done word of mouth. If you are planning on going to Kauai, make sure you are there on the one day a month they operate and plan to let the wife have some alone time on the beach.

Roger

We were in Kauai in March 2007.

I was not aware of any steam activity on the island and did not investigate until we drove across the tracks shown in the one image.

see www/livesteaming.com/kauai.htm

Shown are the operation and a second newer operation nearby that is to use former US built locos imported from the Philippines.

I do agree Scott Johnson is a "salt of the earth" type of guy who makes time for everyone.

TH

DW and I were there in 1999 and Scott was a great host. Paulo was in the shop and one of the tank engines was in service that day. The train was the cane cars you see in the the photo. We rode back and forth across what was a large gravel parking lot. The engines are owned by Grove Farm. The nearby farm house is open by reservation and is a great example of preservation and interpretation.

Wesley