1:32 Fowler Colonial Cane Car

This car is a close representation of a J Fowler & Co "Colonial Class" Cane Car. This car was an evolution from the original Decauville cane car designs licenced by Fowler in 1879. This type of cane car was used in Australia, Fiji and Africa (at least). The Colonial design offered rigid axleboxes with deep oil sumps and a greater ground clearance, reducing the possibility of fouling on fallen cane stalks and reducing maintenance requirements. The model is designed with a sprue of axleboxes which should be glued into the provided alignment holes, fitting an axle of 1.165" (29.5mm) length and 3/32" (2mm or 2.25mm) diameter. The wheels should be 14" in diameter (7/16" or 11mm); prototypes could have six straight spokes, seven curved spokes of could be a disc with 4 holes. The car may be gauged to 20" (16.5mm) gauge or 24" (0.75") gauge. It is suggested that plate lead be glued to the underside of the top to bring the weight up to at least 1/2 oz (14 grams). The model is fitted with link and pin couplers (the prototypes were typically fitted with central chain and buffer) to make operation relatively simple.