We propose a sliding mode controller tracking the states of a time-varying reference model. The reference model generates the desired trajectories of the states, and the sliding mode controller regulates robustly the errors between the desired states and the measured states. We apply this controller to the overhead crane. Its reference model generates the trajectories of the damped-out swing angle and the swing angular velocity to suppress the swinging motion caused by the acceleration and the deceleration of crane transportation. Also, this model generates the desired trajectories of the position and velocity of the crane. The crane model is identified from the experimental data using an orthogonal function. Kalman filtering is applied to estimate the crane states. The designed controller is simulated on a computer and is tested through a 2-ton industrial overhead crane using the vector-controlled servo motor system. It is verified that, from the simulated and experimental results, the sliding mode controller tracking a time-varying reference model works well.