9 Unknown Facts About the Olomana 0-4-2 Steam Locomotive

9 Unknown Facts About the Olomana 0-4-2 Steam Locomotive

The Olomana 0-4-2 is a fascinating piece of railroad history, known for its role in Hawaiian sugar plantations and its journey to preservation. Built in 1883 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, this narrow-gauge steam engine has an incredible story. Here are nine little-known facts about the Olomana that will surprise train enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

1. One of Hawaii’s Oldest Locomotives

The Olomana was one of the first locomotives used in Hawaii’s sugarcane plantations. It was shipped to the Waimanalo Sugar Company to help transport sugarcane from the fields to the mills.

2. Named After a Hawaiian Mountain

The locomotive was named Olomana, after a three-peaked mountain near Kailua, Hawaii. The mountain is known in Hawaiian legends as the home of a warrior who was defeated by King Kakuhihewa.

3. Designed as a Plantation Workhorse

Olomana was built as a 0-4-2 locomotive, meaning it had no leading wheels, four driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. This design provided good traction on uneven plantation tracks.

4. It Was a Narrow-Gauge Locomotive

The Olomana ran on a narrow-gauge track, likely around 3 feet (914 mm) in width. This made it ideal for maneuvering through sugarcane fields, where standard-gauge tracks wouldn’t fit.

5. Saved by a Disney Animator

In the 1940s, the Olomana was discovered abandoned by Ward Kimball, a famous Disney animator known for his work on classics like Dumbo and Peter Pan. Kimball, a train enthusiast, purchased and restored the locomotive.

6. One of the First Privately Restored Steam Engines

At a time when most old locomotives were scrapped, Kimball’s restoration of the Olomana was one of the first private steam locomotive restorations in America. It helped spark interest in preserving historic trains.

7. It Ran Again in California

After restoration, the Olomana operated on Kimball’s private railroad, the Grizzly Flats Railroad in Southern California. It became a symbol of the growing rail preservation movement in the U.S.

8. Donated to the Smithsonian Institution

In 1977, Ward Kimball donated the Olomana to the Smithsonian Institution, ensuring its long-term preservation. Today, it is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

9. Featured in Train Enthusiast Circles

The Olomana is often showcased in railroad history books, magazines, and exhibitions as an example of early Hawaiian railways and the importance of locomotive preservation.

Final Thoughts

The Olomana 0-4-2 may be a small locomotive, but its journey from the sugarcane fields of Hawaii to the halls of the Smithsonian makes it a true legend. From its unique name to its connection with Disney’s Ward Kimball, the Olomana remains a cherished piece of American railroad history.

Did you already know these facts? Let us know which one surprised you the most!