After assignment to Subase Pearl Harbor in 1990 I began to study the Navy's narrow gauge railroad operations on Oahu. The Army's too but the Navy records are far better although still very spare. 23 years later it has become a passion which some describe as OCD. Naval Stations, Naval Shipyards and Ammunition Depots all had their own rail systems and a number of them still exist. The question is "how many were narrow gauge"? I'm specifically looking at CONUS (continental United States) and U.S. Territories, overseas or wartime operations are for now exempt. If you know of any such military narrow gauge operations please let me know. Any input is appreciated.

Jeff Livingston
Historian
Hawaiian Railway Society
www.hawaiianrailway.com

It's a long thread, and like so many others sometimes wanders around, but there are several things in it about stateside narrow gauge operations with trench railroad equipment (24 inch/60 centimeter gauge).

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32411

A very good question. I wish I could get out to California and the Whitcomb records. They sold many locomotives to arsenals and would have the gages listed for every unit they built.



Steve

J3a-614, There was 60 cm in Hawaii too from about 1920 to 1933 at Schofield Barracks. It was used for "training" and its track plan escapes us for the time being. The equipment was removed and sent to Ft. Benning.

Steve, Although the photo is Army it's worth looking into for more info. CSRM awaits. You'll get there.

Jeff Livingston
Historian
Hawaiian Railway Society

That's what I keep telling myself but I don't know how I can come up with the money and the time off from work.

It sucks working for a living, pay check-to-pay check.

How are things out there?

P.S. Your great Whitcomb photos (Pearl Harbor esp.) will be part of our museum exhibit opening up this June. Thank you Jeff. The board is very excited.

Steve

Hi Jeff,

This is going to be interesting.... how about coaling stations?

I'm away from home for the weekend, when I get back I'll check the book about Glover Machine Works of Marietta, GA. But, I recall that there is a builder's photo of a couple of 2-foot gauge locomotives that are lettered for the coaling station at San Diego.

Hey Brian, I got lucky and found that photo for you:

http://www.railroadheritage.org/index.p ... rceId=1762

Man, are they small. . .I can easily picture them with shorter stacks, lower domes, and low-profile cabs like the mine locomotives in anthracite country.

http://www.railroadheritage.org/SPT--Fu ... Screenshot

Not of the Navy engines, but a fascinating photo, too good not to share:

http://www.railroadheritage.org/SPT--Fu ... Screenshot

http://www.railroadheritage.org/index.p ... +1875-1942

I haven't gone through it, but there might be some other items of interest here:

http://www.southernmuseum.org/archives- ... s_pdf.html

http://www.southernmuseum.org/archives-dept/glover.html

Good info here, abit lots of Standard Gauge..

http://www.trainweb.org/bedt/MilitaryRRofNY.html

Gentlemen,

I've spent a most interesting morning going through the referenced sites and information. Coaling plants, depots etc. are most surely on the list. Hopefully folks with local knowledge will continue to provide input. Interestingly, the "coal depot" at San Diego appears to be 24 inch gauge based on the Glover photo and yet the "coaling plant" at Pearl Harbor was the only standard gauge installation on Oahu. Things that make you go Hmmmmm.

Thanks for the help on this "side" project.

Jeff Livingston
Historian
Hawaiian Railway Society