The passenger cars used on the Kauai Plantation Railway have been inspired by similar cars from Hawaii’s railroad history that were built during the era of King Kalakaua. Each 36-seat covered coach is designed to give passengers an open-air view during the 40-minute ride.
A ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway is the perfect way for visitors to get an overview of the entire Kilohana Plantation as it takes visitors past the historic Wilcox Home, alongside the large orchard of fruit trees, pineapple, sugar cane and taro fields, as well as a tropical rainforest. In the middle of the ride the train diverts to pasture land past where you'll see horses grazing. The train makes a stop at the plantation's farmyard filled with herds of wild pigs, sheep, goats where where visitors can exit the train and feed the animals - who are more than eager for the opportunity to feast on some bread.
Along the way the conductor talks about the history of the property and describes everything that you're seeing. He'll even share some local legends.
The Kauai Plantation Railway is open seven days a week and offers several different tours. Their popular train only tour leaves the depot on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Tuesdays and Fridays they offer a late afternoon tour prior to the Luau Kalamaku which departs the depot at 5:30 p.m.
They also offer a train-hike-lunch-orchard tour on Mondays through Fridays that runs from 9:30 a.m. until 1:40 p.m and combination luau and train tour on days when the luau is operated.
When your ride is done, be sure to stop in the train depot for some souvenirs.
Visitors should check the Kauai Plantation Railway website for current pricing and updated information on tours and times.
At the end of my train ride it was time to take the short walk over to my final stop at Kilohana Plantation, the Lu‘au Kalamaku.
