Aloha Form Hawaii

Aloha, to all my friends in train land;

My name is Nick Atkins and I am the master mechanic/lead engineer for Kauai Plantation Railway on the island of Kauai, State of Hawaii. Check us out on the net www.kauaiplantationrailway.com .

Living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and having zero prior railroading experience tends to make it very difficult to find parts and or anything related to railroading. We have two locomotives in operation. A 1948, 25 ton GE diesel electric, and a 1939, 14 ton Whitcomb Diesel mechanical.

I am hoping there is someone out there who can point me in the right direction for the following items. My Christmas wish list is as follows:
* 4 brake shoes for the GE!!!
* Waste for the journal boxes for our flat cars.
* 12 brake shoes for the flat cars.
* We are also in the market to find another 25 ton GE, 36 inch gage. That is my biggest challenge!!!

I am looking for some advice; on the GE I am a little confused on how to hook up a standard 12 volt alternator because the frame is positively grounded. I have been charging a battery every night in order to run the PA system. I would really like to be able to power the PA off the train. Can anybody help me???

We also have two Baldwin 0-6-2T. Mana 1899, and Halava 1911 that were built for the Honolulu Plantation Company, Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii. Then were sold to the Hawaiian Philippines company ware they ran until 2002. Now they are sitting in George Town California at brook locomotive works. We are considering selling one to help pay for the restoration of the other. Serious inquires only please.

Thank you for tour time and I look forward to hearing any input.




Aloha
Nick Atkins
Kauai Plantation Railway