36" Gauge Whitcomb Switcher For Sale

mincy21 · **Joined:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:25 am **Posts:** 125

http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/36_ ... omb_10.htm

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 9:57 am

The 36" gauge Whitcomb is a 1939 or so for ARSCO, Selby plant (Contra County,
California) to Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara, to SPCRR at Ardenwood,
to Kauai Plantation Railway, Kauai, Hawaii.

The locomotive is a diesel (re-powered at some point) mechanical drive with a torque converter. It was built as a 12 ton unit but was re-ballasted at some point to raise the weight closer to 14 tons.

It is in great shape, extensively rebuilt 3 years ago by "Brooks Locomotive" in Georgtown California, but a bit turned out to be too light for the railroad and its cars... (the passenger cars are built on former White Pass container flats, that White Pass purchased from Hawaii. They have really nice fiberglass with wood trim bodies built by a custom boat builder in the Philliapines.

The railroad has one 25 ton GE and are adding a second, hence this locomotive is surplus.

Its not cheap but could be a good unit for someone.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 2:05 pm

Thanks a lot for ID'ing the location, Randy. I spent a good hour or so last night trying like heck to figure out just where that loco and railroad in the photos was, "derailed" no doubt by the similarity between that paint scheme and the recent postings of the "Stewartstown" locos in New England--never mind the gauge difference.

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 7:51 pm

The website for the railroad can be found here...

http://www.kauaiplantationrailway.com/kpr.htm

For the modelers and readers of the Short Line Narrow Gauge Gazette, this is the railroad created by Boone Morrison as part of a high end tourist development on Kauai.

Also on Kauai is the Grove Farm museum, owners of three Baldwin 0-6-2t "Bulldog Baldwin" plantation engines as well as a German built loco. Rides offered occasionally.

Information on the house museum is found here; http://www.grovefarm.net/

Information on the occasional operation is harder to find.

In the continuing spirit of disclosure, The Wilcox family of Grove Farms is related to the Patterson family of the house museum I run at Ardenwood Farm, home of the SPCRR. One family, three museum houses, two railroad museums... Someone cares about their history...

Randy Hees