CaneSIG

The Cane Railway (Tramline) Modelling Special Interest Group

>>> CaneSIG Home Page

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is CaneSIG?

The purpose of this on-line special interest group is to preserve, develop and exchange information for the modelling of sugar cane railways worldwide.

CaneSIG affiliates with other organisations (eg NMRA and Australasian Region) with broader modelling or historical purposes as appropriate, but membership in the SIG itself remains open to any individual who supports the objectives of assisting cane railway modellers.

The SIG publishes the results of its work on a non-commercial web site (www.zelmeroz.com/canesig) and in other publications as appropriate. The SIG also exchanges prototype and modelling information to build an international community of interest.

Who provides CaneSIG materials?

CaneSIG materials have been provided by cane tramway modellers and enthusiasts. You are encouraged to contact the CaneSIG coordinator (lynn @ zelmeroz.com) to contribute materials which you believe complement the materials on the site.

How do I "join" CaneSIG?

CaneSIG is a virtual special interest group with two faces. The first face is this web site, managed by the CaneSIG coordinator in Australia. You don't need to join anything to participate in the public face of the SIG.

CaneSIG's second face is the group of modellers and enthusiasts who provide resources and other support to the SIG. There aren't any financial costs to participating in this face of the SIG, but only individuals who make a significant contribution to the SIG are considered to be 'members'. Likewise, there aren't any practical benefits to being 'members' beyond the knowledge that you are assisting fellow modellers and that you may be called on for advice on your particular specialty.

How do I submit materials?

A real range of materials over the years have been accepted over the years... but I do have some preferences.

I submitted some materials... When will they be posted?

An image requires between 15 and 30 minutes to prepare it for posting on the web site... scanning, manipulating, adding the copyright notice, indexing and uploading (image file and database revisions). As well, some projects have to take priority because the originals must be returned, etc., and I do like to do some modelling occasionally. The short answer, then, is "as soon as possible". In the meantime, please be patient.

Why haven't you answered my e-mail query?

I receive between 20 and 50 e-mail messages each day, thus use filtering and an anti-spam program to sort/manage my e-mail. I automatically delete messages without subject lines and and that appear to be spam... either because of strange characters or misspelling in the subject line or too high a 'spam count'. I also tend to ignore messages that appear to be 'harvesting' valid e-mail addresses by asking questions like "Tell me everything about xxxxx xxxxx", where xxxxx xxxxx is the 'title' of a web page.

Try sending another query with a simple, plain English subject line and ensure that your message does not contain lines of asterisks or dashes, links to advertising sites, etc.

What limitations are there on the use of CaneSIG materials?

CaneSIG materials have been provided for the personal use of modellers only. Unless otherwise stated on the materials themselves, any duplication of the materials, inclusion of the materials in other publications or use of the materials for any commercial purposes, etc., must be agreed with the copyright holders in advance of use.

What do you mean by a virtual organisation?

CaneSIG has been developed by modellers and enthusiasts to get modellers interested in modelling cane tramways. However, we aren't interested in maintaining an organisation with dues, membership lists, etc. The virtual SIG only exists as a partnership between the informal support group and the users of the web site.

Where can I find other materials on specific cane railways, etc.?

The bibliography (pdf file) of materials in the coordinator's collection provides a starting point for searching in your local library, bookstore or second hand bookstore. This general bibliography is gradually being supplemented with more topical bibliographies accessible from web pages relating to those topics. The 'links' pages also provide additional avenues for exploring.

Where can I find a photograph of xxxxxx?

The Image Collection has over 7000 images, many of which relate to the sugar industry. Search suggestions can be found at the bottom of the left hand (navigation) column.

All images are copyrighted and are provided for non-commercial use only. Please contact the photographers for any other use.

What is the difference between a railway and a tramline?

The differences are political and legal. In Queensland, and likely other parts of Australia, railways require an Act of Parliament. Tramways, on the other hand, operate under local authorities, cane mills, manufacturing plants, etc.

What gauge/scale?

Basically, personal choice... and your ability/desire for scratchbuilding.

Cane railways are generally narrow gauge, almost exclusively 2' (610 mm) in Queensland. Most cane modellers appear to be very pragmatic and use either 9mm or 16.5 mm gauge for HOn30/009 or On30/0-16.5 respectively. Variations occur with the modelling scale: 3.5 mm (Aussies) or 4mm (mostly Europeans) to the foot for the 9mm track and 1/4" or 7mm on the 16.5 mm track.

Until recently there were more kits and ready-to-run models in 3.5/4 mm scale but this is changing with the increasing popularity of On30.

Eyesight is one factor... I built a fair number of models (locos and rolling stock) in HOn30 but found the equipment very small to work with and too many of the materials appear oversize.

Another factor relates to viewing size... the HOn30 museum models/dioramas that I've built seem to be too small for visitors to really appreciate.

The solution, for me, is to gradually convert to On30. I'm not a purist... I'll use 1/4" or 7mm models as available... although not necessarily together in the same train/scene... I'm also (2005) acquiring some 16mm scale (32mm track gauge) equipment for a cane 'railway in the garden' and will likely do some large scale scratchbuilding.

Of course the downside is that I'll need to provide a lot more detail but there are downsides to everything... so I'll continue to work in HO as well, depending upon need/motivation.

There is a longer discussion of this topic in one of the Handbook articles (pdf file) and on the related narrow gauge modelling site..

Does CaneSIG have connections with other groups?

Individuals currently involved with CaneSIG have membership in a number of other organisations including the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), the Australian Model Railway Association (AMRA), Light Railway Research Society of Australia (LRRSA), Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society (ANGRMS), the Australian Sugar Cane Railway (ASCR, Bundaberg) and QldRailHeritage.com (Queensland's rail heritage-oriented web site).

As appropriate, CaneSIG will link to other web sites and may seek affiliation with such organisations. However, CaneSIG does not represent or speak for those organisations and they do not represent or speak for CaneSIG.

Does CaneSIG sell any materials?

At the moment... no. However we are considering making higher resolution copies of plans, etc., available on CD or in print form at some time in the future. There would obviously have to be a charge for these to cover our costs, etc.

Limited copying of paper-based resource materials for personal research may be possible, depending upon the availability of the coordinator's time. There will be a charge for both materials and labour. Inquire via e-mail for procedures, costs and restrictions.

We will also provide advice on obtaining materials from commercial publishers, historical groups, etc., as appropriate. The coordinator would welcome your suggestions.