Check with your local hobby shop first, then ads in locally available model magazines. While most hobby shops can order from Walthers, Bachmann or other distributors, modelling cane, shire, plantation and industrial railways (of any country, and in any gauge or scale) is a niche interest and you'll probably need to source at least some of your requirements from specialty manufacturers and suppliers.
Some modellers have had success sourcing materials from eBay and other online sources, especially for items that are no longer in production. However for most modelling resources it makes sense to purchase from model railway vendors (preferably local) who are both reliable and support the hobby to the best of their ability.
Disclaimer: Inclusion in this list does not necessarily imply endorsement of the linked site or of products, etc., featured on the site. CaneSIG is a private, non-commercial web site. Manufacturer and supplier information is provided as a service to the hobby and does not imply endorsement or promotion. Suppliers of other hobby materials suitable for modelling cane railways should contact the coordinator for inclusion.
Information received from commercial sources was assumed to be correct at time of original posting (c2016), which is not the date the page was last updated. Please contact the Coordinator regarding any errors or changes.
Finally, while I have personally dealt with most of the suppliers listed here at some time, I cannot be responsible for their reliability/availability now or in the future. Likewise, if a potential provider isn't listed here it's simply a business that I've not dealt with (or couldn't ensure contact details), not a negative statement. Businesses are listed in alphabetic order.
CaneSIG is a free resource for modellers of the world's sugar cane railways. Please contact the Coordinator if you have resources that you would like to share.
Materials have been provided by modellers and enthusiasts for the personal use of other modellers only. Please do not abuse this privilege; contact the copyright holders for any other use.
Sugar Cane Modelling Suppliers
Greg Stephenson's 2011 list of model types and suppliers/sources for modelling Queensland cane locomotives is #34 in the
Handbook series.
Do your own Google search for the companies or services listed -- I haven't provided any links as links and suppliers change more frequently than I'm able to keep up with.
Several of the following suppliers are no longer in business in 2021. Updating this list is a low priority project with the probability that it would result in a quite different listing. You could help by sending details of reliable vendors.
Argyle Locomotive Works (Australia)
Locomotive manufacturers and importers of live steam models.
Phil Badger/Badger Bits
Australian manufacturer who branched out into On30 sugar cane railway equipment for a time. Kits may be available in good hobby shops or on the second hand market.
Berg's Hobbies
Parramatta-based hobby shop and mail order. Product lines likely include JG Models, Milestone Miniatures, The Model Company, Greg Waldon Scale Models, Model Terrain Co., Shinohara, Bachmann and Peco.
Chivers Finelines
UK manufacturer whose line includes white metal
HOn30 locomotives and
On30 'generic' injection molded plastic kits suitable for navvy use and Shire railways. Likely marketed by International Hobbies in the US and The Railcar in Australia.
Christmas Every Day
Labrador (Queensland) based hobby shop with narrow gauge interests... aka Trains & Track.
Clever Models LLC
Craftsman card stock model railroad structures and textures available for download or on CD. Also extensive construction tips, discussion.
DCC Concepts
Among other model materials, suppliers of etched brass generic and fan palm trees:
photo and
close-up.
Rob Dickinson,
International Steam
CDs, DVDs, calendars, tours and photos of steam in out of the way parts of the world, including sugar cane operations in Java, etc.
EFD Simply Glues
High quality glues, adhesives, modelling powders and art & craft accessories. (Ian Conway-Lowles). [Presumed out of business 2021.]
Far North Hobbies
Queensland profile locomotive kits and body shells, including some for cane railways.
Greg's Model Emporium
Greg Ellis' On30 wholestick cane truck, machinery and figures.
Hart of the South Models
Suppliers of 'museum quality' palm tree kits and models.
Example from Fabrice Fayolle (French sugar cane modeller), and a
model photo from the Hart of the South web site showing the range of palms available.
Ian Lindsay Models
Australian manufacturer, may now be out of business but items may still be available in hobby shops, etc. -- kits and parts including a generic On16.5 cane bin (1:43, not 1:48 scale).
Inscale Models
Manufacturer of South African and Australian etched brass models, including (2009) an On30 6 ton 0-4-0T Krauss and an open cab, plantation-type version (pilot model:
1 -
2). Also a shire tramway-type
brake van. [Presumed out of business 2021.]
JG Models
Suppliers of what were Backyard Steam (before that RJ Models and before that Hanovale Castings)... Australian 1:48 model railway kits and accessories (cane and shire wagons, Bundaberg Fowler 0-6-2, QR 45hp AEC Railmotor, etc.). ANGRMS is a dependable source if not available locally.
KBscale Narrow Gauge
UK, successor to Paragon Narrow Gauge, 14mm gauge (7mm, 1:43 scale) industrial railway kits, track products, etc., including the 7mm scale Roy C Link models.
Kerroby Models
Pewter products in N, HO, and O scale... figures, animals, and detail parts. PO Boz 31, Picton NSW 2571; Fax/phone: 02 4681 9917
Miniatures by Eric
Canadian supplier of basic Louisiana and Hawaiian sugar tram car kits in both On30 and HOn30.
Mountain Blue Miniatures
Quality O and G scale pewter figures, inexpensive wagon underframes and detail parts.
Narrow Gauge Downunder
Australian oriented magazine (5 issues annually) with regular sugar cane railway articles, plans and photos, both Australian and overseas. An
index of relevant articles is available, with several of the articles available for download.
N Trains
Potential source for Ron Aubrey's
4 ton cane bins.
O-Aust Trains
1:48 Australian prototype locomotives kits, etc. Peter Krause: info @ oaustkits.com.au (without the spaces).
The Railcar
Online and convention/exhibition sales only, specialising in US narrow gauge and UK industrial modelling. [Presumed out of business 2021.]
Steam and Things
Kits, casting and etching services to the scratch builder.
Tootle Engineering
Tim Boulton's 16mm cane, Shire and industrial railway equipment
for 32mm or 45mm track. See Members' Model page for photos. Review of Tootle's
wholestick cane truck.
Train World
Model trains and books, including used train books.
Wuiske Promotions
Queensland profile locomotive and wagon kits.
