Re: OR&L boom to bust

The OR&L was almost completely worn out at the end of WW2. Track and locomotives needed major repair and upgrading. While one used steam locomotive had been obtained during the war (#111, a 4-6-0 from California) and the two GE diesels (#15 & #19), the only really modern power was the four Mikados (60, 70, 80 & 90), purchased in 1925 & 1926.
The 1946 tsunami did a lot of damage to the leward side of O'ahu, and although it was quickly repaired, that expense no doubt contributed to the OR&L's decision to abandon the main line.
The major blow was when the major pineapple and sugar shippers decided to begin shipping by truck. THE OR&L could not survive without this traffic and the last scheduled train ran from Kahuku to Honolulu on 31 Dec 1947.
After abandonment of the main line, the Navy took over the trackage from West Loch at Pearl Harbor to the ammunition dump at Lualualei and operated over that for many years. That trackage is now owned and is being restored by the Hawai'ian Railway Society.
The main line to Pearl harbor remained in place until the early 1960's, when it, too, was scrapped, leaving only the terminal switching operation in Honolulu, which was worked by diesels 15, 19 and 45 (purchased new in the late 50's). #45, BTW is now on the LK&P on Maui.
Suggested reading: Next Stop Honolulu! -- Chiddix & Simpson, Sugar Cane Press, 2004, ISBN: 0-9706213-1-0
Ed