Like last year, Maui will have a special holiday train: the Maui Sugar Cane Train Holiday Express.
On August 1, 2014, the Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific Railroad ran its final train after 45 years of service. The owners of the railroad at the time no longer wanted to continue on amid growing losses. However, thanks to an eleventh-hour purchase by a local businessman, the iconic Sugar Cane Train has been saved. The train’s new owners set out to re-open in 2015. That date came and went, though, and was pushed back to 2017. Well, 2017 is nearly over now, and no re-opening official re-opening date is in the works yet.
Holiday Express Year 2
In 2016, saw very few updates from the Sugar Cane Train. However, in November, the railroad announced a holiday express service. These dusk rides ran between Puukolii Station and Kaanapali Station with festive decorations and a Santa Clause. And it looks like the railroad will offer the Holiday Express again this year. This special train will run daily from November 24 through December 25 at 6:30 pm. Tickets require advanced reservation, though they aren’t available for purchase yet.
Details regarding the Holiday Express are not yet available either, though I suspect the service will be the same as last year. What’s different this year, though, is the condition of the Sugar Cane Train’s equipment. The railroad has been busy the past few weeks restoring its coaches and locomotives. Just look at some of these pictures!
Maui Sugar Cane Train Holiday Express, Final Thoughts
When will the Sugar Cane Train officially reopen? Who knows. With all the restoration work being done on the equipment now, I’m hoping to see the railroad resume service in 2018. However, at the time of its closure in 2014, the right-of-way and stations were also in poor condition.
So while all the equipment might be restored in the next month, who knows what condition all the property is in. It’s been over three years, after all, since the railroad last operated. But I’m hopeful. Things are beginning to look up! I just hope the momentum keeps up after the holidays because I can’t wait to be able to take a ride again.