This list of print materials is representative only, but provides an idea of the extent of resource materials available to the narrow gauge modeller. Areas and industries popular with modellers, such as the Colorado mining railways, will have many more resources available.

Many special interest books, such as histories of the geared locomotives or individual sugar mills, will also have useful narrow gauge information, as will their corresponding Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and historical societies.

While some are out-of-print, most would be available on inter-library loan or from one of the on-line second hand book sellers.

All of the items listed were in my personal collection at the time this list was prepared (2006), thus the limited coverage of some areas, and the annotations represent my own assessment of each work.

Similar items can also be found in a variety of journals and magazines, as well as on video and DVD. Australian journal sources include the LRRSA (Light Rail Research Society of Australia) and Narrow Gauge Down Under.

Lynn Zelmer

Alcorn, Berenis and Dunn, Robin (1997). Moreton Sugar Mill: Sweet Heart of Nambour, Maroochydore and Nambour: Berenis Alcorn and Robin Dunn.
Published at the time of the Moreton Mill centenary, this book details the history of sugar growing and milling in the Nambour area. Almost every mill has a similar book, generally with its history, photos and maps.
Armstrong, John and Verhoeven, G H (2000 revision). The Innisfail Tramway: The history and development of the Geraldton Shire Tramway and the Mourilyan Harbour Tramway, Melbourne: LRRSA.
Revision of 1973 publication describing the 2' gauge tramways in tropical North Queensland, including an update on sugar mill (cane tramway) operations since 1977.
Appleton, Roger (1970). Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, The, Cripple Creek?: Little London Press.
Background to the construction of the 2' gauge Cripple Creek and Victor as a successor to the original 3' gauge lines. Includes photos of construction of the tourist line.
Baldwin Locomotive Works (1972). Catalogue of Locomotives: An Historic Reprint, Ocean, NJ: Specialty Press Inc.
Broad and narrow gauge general service and logging, plantation, contractor's, industrial. Illustrated, indexed.
Baldwin Locomotive Works (1973). Narrow Gauge Locomotives Manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works: An Historic Reprint, Ocean, NJ: Specialty Press Inc.
1876 Edition with photos added from 1872 Edition. Reprint
Beebe, Lucius & CM Clegg Jr (1947). Mixed Train Daily:A Book of Short Line Railroads, Berkeley, CA: Howell North.
Classic look at the short line railroads - branch lines & small main line trains - atmosphere as well as locomotives. Narrative pictorial. Index, glossary, photos.
Beebe, Lucius & Charles Clegg (1958). Narrow Gauge in the Rockies, Berkeley, CA: Howell North.
Narrative & pictorial history of 3 ft railroading in the Colorado Frontier. Photos.
Best, Gerald (1965). Nevada County Narrow Gauge, Berkeley, CA: Howell North.
Narrative and pictorial history of N.C.N.G. short line, serving Northern California's colorful mining town.
Brunk, Harry W (1990). Up Clear Creek on the Narrow Gauge: Modeling the Colorado and Southern, Los Altos, CA: Benchmark Publications.
A collection of 54 articles reprinted from the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette, January 1980 to January, 1989 with additions and index. Excellent narrow gauge and Colorado mining resource book.
Conde, JC (1971, 1985). Narrow Gauge in a Kingdom: The Hawaiian Railroad Company, 1878-1897, USA: Railhead Publications.
A scholarly history of one Hawaiian railroad before it became a sugar plantation entity, and of S G Wilder, who built nearly 20 miles of this narrow gauge railroad in the north of the Island of Hawaii.
Conde, JC (1975) Sugar Trains Pictorial, Felton, CA: Glenwood.
Photographs of the Hawaiian plantation railroads (sugar cane and pineapple primarily) that didn't fit into the author's previous book, Sugar Trains: Narrow Gauge Railways of Hawaii. Includes a reproduction of the 1914 Gregg Company catalogue of cane cars and related equipment.
Conde, JC, with Best, GM (1973). Sugar Trains: Narrow Gauge Rails of Hawaii, Felton, CA: Glenwood.
A comprehensive 80 year story of the hauling of sugar cane by rails to the mills of Hawaii. Location, history and photos, etc., for several dozen lines ranging from 20" to 4' 8.5", extensive locomotive rosters/photos but little other equipment.
Conde, Jesse C (1993). Fowler Locomotives in the Kingdom of Hawaii, Peterborough UK: Narrow Gauge Railway Society.
Special issue of the Narrow Gauge # 140; history of the Fowler Company's involvement in Hawaii, Fowler patent locomotives and an island by island account of their use in the cane fields, etc. Includes drawings and photos.
Dickinson, Rob (pre-2001). Sweet Dreams: A tribute to the sugar mill railways of Java, East Bridgford, UK: Images of Rail.
Narrow gauge railways serving the sugar mills of Java (indonesia). Photos, captions and some maps. 300+ images, 16 video clips. [Note: Windows CD-ROM]
Dickinson, Rob (pre-2001). Zafra: Vintage steam at work in Cuba, East Bridgford, UK: Images of Rail.
Cuban sugar mills and their steam locomotives. Photos, captions and some maps from 1980 to 'closing years of the millennium'. 1500 images and 50 maps. [Note: Windows CD-ROM]
Dyer, Peter and Peter Hodge (1988). Cane Train: The Sugar-cane Railways of Fiji, Wellington, NZ: NZRLS.
Photos, plans, maps and description of the various cane railways in Fiji. Apparently very similar to Queensland cane operations, esp. as equipment moved from one to the other and same ownership.
Eakin, James S (comp) (1999-2002). Critters, Vols 1-4, Canton, Ohio: Railhead Publications.
Covers a number of builders of small, non-steam engines, associated cars (dump and smelter cars, cane and plantation cars), track (turntables, switches, crossings, portable track, rails and ties) and industrial railways. Typically an overview of builder, scale drawings and catalogue pages.
Hall, DR and Rowlands, JAS (2001). A Guide to Simplex Narrow Gauge Locomotives [Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway Heritage Series No 3], East Harling, Norwich, UK: Moseley Railway Trust.
Describes each narrow gauge type manufactured by The Motor Rail and Tram Car Company Ltd from 1916 onwards. Includes a list of existing locomotives in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hatherill, Gordon and Ann (2001). Slate Quarry Album: Welsh slate tramways and their equipment... Personal notes and observations, Cambrian Forge, Wales: RLC Publications.
Comprehensive picture book on the slate (ie Welsh) quarry railways... includes pointwork, inclines, workings, equipment. Photos and drawings.
Horsford, Jim (2004). From Sugar Cane to Scenic Train: The St Kitts Railway, St Teath, Cornwall UK: Locomotives International (Paul Catchpole Ltd).
St Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Co and its railway on the Caribbean island of St Christopher (St Kitts): operation, locomotives, rolling stock, and the modern scenic (tourist) railway. Includes maps and photos
Hungerford, JB (1962). Hawaiian Railroads, Reseda, CA: Hungerford Press.
History of the primarily narrow gauge common carrier railroads in Hawaii from the late 1870s. Includes their related sugar cane carrying activities.
Hungerford, John, B (1961). Slim Princess, The, Hungerford Press.
Guide Book to the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge. Keeler Branch (Carson and Colorado Railroad). Photos and Illustrations.
Hungrywolf, Adolf (1996). Trains of Cuba: Steam, diesel and electric, Skookumchuck, BC: Canadian Caboose Press.
A guidebook with photos, maps and rosters; very locomotive oriented. Many cane railways and locomotives but no equipment, etc. See also video 'Island Time Warp: Trains of Cuba'.
Hutchinson, Jim (2004). Modelling the Railways of Queensland Convention No 6, 2004: Convention Notes, Brisbane: MRQC 2004.
Convention book for the most recent biennial conference,. Typical of previous conventions it includes presentation notes, illustrations, etc.
Jehan, David (comp) (2000). Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society Limited Museum Guide, Albion Park Rail, NSW: ILRMSL.
Photos, plans and descriptions of the museum, locomotives and some rolling stock. Includes a variety of cane railway locos.
Joyce, John and Allan Tilley (1972). Steam Up: Indonesia and Thailand, Wembley, WA: J & A Publications
Pictorial record of a railfan trip to Indonesia and Thailand chasing steam locomotives.
Kerr, Bill, and Blyth, Ken (Comp) (1993). They're All Half Crazy: 100 years of mechanised cane harvesting, Brisbane: Canegrowers.
Traces mechanisation from 1888 to present, includes rare footage of Kanakas cutting cane as well as harvesters. Book to accompany video of similar title [cane harvesting].
Kerr, John (1990). Triumph of Narrow Gauge: A history of Queensland Railways, Bowen Hills, Brisbane: Boolarong Publications.
QR history from the first train in 1865 to present. Includes some photos and maps.
Kirby, Gary (2005). Australian Narrow Gauge Convention Sydney 2005, 7th [Proceedings], Sydney: Narrow Gauge SIG of the NMRA Australasian Region.
Clinic notes from the most recent of these biennial conferences, includes notes and illustrations.
Knowles, John (2004). The Mapleton Tramway: The Line of the Diminutive Shay Locomotives, Brisbane: self.
History of the Mapleton Tramway and related sugar mill, timber operations, etc. Includes maps, photos and equipment drawings.
Lavallee, Omer (1972). Narrow Gauge Railways of Canada, Montreal, PQ: Railfare Enterprises.
A classic, illustrated.
Lewis, John E (1980). Reservation Narrow Gauge: A Chronicle of Biles-Coleman Lumber Company's Narrow Gauge Omak Creek RR, York, Penn: John E. Lewis.
The last narrow gauge logging railroad in Washington state (Bow & Arrow Short Line). Supplement on Diamond Match Company Priest Lake Railroad: The west's Most Modern Narrow Gauge Logging Railroad. Photos, illus., plans, map, glossary.
Link, Roy C (1994-). Industrial Narrow Gauge Handbook: Catalogue and Handbook, UK: Roy C Link.
Catalogue and Handbook for Link's industrial narrow gauge kits, 7mm scale, 14mm gauge (2 ft): track & turnouts, rolling stock, locomotives, equipment & plant, prototype. Current details UK-based but locos also used for cane railways.
Marshall, Laurence G (2001). Indian Narrow Gauge Remembered, East Harling, Norfolk, UK: Plateway Press.
A pictorial record of Indian narrow gauge railways from the mid-70s to the 1990s. Very steam locomotive oriented but includes narrow gauge lines of the nine zonal railways, various light and industrial lines, and the sugar railways.
Martin, Cy (1969). Gold Rush Narrow Gauge, Los Angeles, CA: Trans-Anglo.
The Story of the White Pass & Yukon Route.
Moody, Linwood W (1959). Maine Two-Footers, The, Berkeley: Howell North.
Story of the 2 foot narrow gauge railroads of Maine. Narrative and pictorial. Photos.
Motor Rail Ltd (2000). Simplex Internal Combustion Locomotives -- 1932 Catalogue [Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway Heritage Series No 2], East Harling, Norwich, UK: Moseley Railway Trust.
Reprint of 1932 catalogue promoting narrow and standard gauge locomotives, both petrol and diesel.
Neale, Andrew (1995). Hunslet Narrow Gauge Locomotives, Brighton, UK: Plateway Press.
Builder's photos and specifications as built for the military, sugar cane, mining and industrial railways.
Neale, Andrew [Ed] (1989). WG Bagnall Ltd Narrow Gauge Locomotives and Rolling Stock 1910: A facsimile reprint, Brighton, UK: Plateway Press.
Specifications and engravings for Bagnall locomotives and rolling stock, including sugar cane wagons and portable track.
Orenstein & Koppel (c 1900). General Export Catalogue Nr 600 of Portable and Permanent Railways, Wagons, Locomotives, etc., Berlin: Aktiengesellschaft fur Feld-und Kleinbahnen-Bedarf vormals Orenstein & Koppel.
Facsimile copy (slightly reduced in size) of the catalogue Folio 1563/13 in the Central Queensland Archives, Special Collections ex-Mount Morgan Mine.
Plymouth Locomotive Works (nd). Plymouth Locomotives: Catalog LG-49, Canton, OH: Railhead Publications.
1949 catalogue reprint: gasoline and diesel mechanical and diesel electric standard and narrow gauge locomotives from 2.5 to 70 tons.
Roberts, Andrew K (1998). Wheels in Motion, Eton, Qld: Roberts.
Short descriptions of 23 Qld sugar mills which have their cane delivered by rail in 1998. Motive power, people, histories.
Rollinson, David (2001). Railways of the Caribbean, London: Macmillan Education.
Broad coverage of Caribbean railway operations, including cane operations in Cuba, Leeward and Windward Islands, Trinidad, etc.
Roloff, BP (2001). Feldbahnen, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag.
Reprint of a 1950 German text book on narrow gauge 'field railway' (not military) handbook. Text in German.
Small, Charles S. and Jeffrey G. Lanham (1990). Philippine Sugar Cane Railroads, Honolulu: Charles S. Small.
Mostly locomotives, mill locomotive rosters and track plans... almost nothing on rolling stock or operations but it provides a good look at Philippine cane locomotives.
Turner, George (1964). Slim Rails Through the Sands, Los Angeles: Trans Anglo.
Pictorial presentation of the Carson & Colorado - Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Railroad; incl. locomotive and car drawings. Photos, maps, equipment plans.
Von Glehn, Alexander & Co (Agents) (c 2004). Decauville Portable Railway Illustrated Catalogue No 105, January 1905, Karl Paskar (reprint).
Reproduction of the original 1905 catalogue of portable and narrow gauge railway track, wagons, locomotives and other equipment 'as supplied to the British, Indian, Colonial and Foreign Governments'. Includes several interesting sugar cane wagons.
White, Elwood & David Wilke (1963). Shays on the Switchbacks, Victoria, BC: BC Railway Historical Assoc.
A history of the narrow gauge Lenora, Mt Sicker railway of Vancouver Island, BC.
Whitehouse, PB (1962). Branch Line Album, London: Ian Allan Ltd.
British and Irish branch line railroading narrative & pictorial. An album of primarily steam pictures.
Wilson, Craig (2002). Built by Baldwin: The story of E M Baldwin & Sons, Castle Hill, New South Wales, Melbourne: Light Railway Research Society of Australia, Inc.
History of Australia's E M Baldwin, manufacturer of sugar mill and mining locomotives. Includes photos, plans, customers & rosters, etc., including proposed locomotives.

Site maintained on behalf of the Australasian Region, National Model Railroad Association, Narrow Gauge SIG by Lynn Zelmer (lynn @ zelmeroz.com). Site/content © Lynn Zelmer and/or contributors. Materials on this site have been provided for personal, non-commercial modelling use, inquire for all other uses. last updated 17 Nov 2009.