CaneSIG

The Cane Railway (Tramline) Modelling Special Interest Group

 

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USA

 

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While some of the early plantations likely used narrow gauge portable rail systems and light equipment, more recent mainland American practice followed US conventional railway practice. In some cases it was the standard gauge railways that carried cane during the crushing season.

 

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California

The Union Sugar Company mill at Betteravia, California began production in the 1899 harvest season and produced 1607 tons of sugar from 16,000 tons of sugar beet. Details.

Florida

US Sugar is the USA's first fully integrated sugar producer, growing, transporting, milling, refining and distributing sugar from a Florida base. Power for the refinery is even generated using bagasse, the fibrous byproduct that remains after sugar cane is crushed. Resources include photographs inside the refinery.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian sugar industry used American railway practice with a variety of relatively small steam locomotives but cane was often carried in proprietary 4 wheel Gregg (solid sides) and Fricke chain-side cane cars. Bibliography and other resources.

Louisiana

Following the plantation era the Louisiana cane railway operations generally followed mainstream American practice with Southern Pacific as one of the main operators. Locomotives were typical of other regional branch lines, with cane carried in gondolas and similar freight cars. Bibliography and other resources.