The Minnesota National Narrow Gauge Convention planning committee is primarily composed of members of the Twin Cities Narrow Gaugers group.
This group of narrow gauge railroad modelers has been active in the Twin Cities of Minnesota since the mid-1970s. Modeling in all scales and featuring a wide range of prototypes, the group comprises many skilled modelers (including multiple Master Model Railroaders®) who look forward to sharing their passion for narrow gauge railroading with you!
From L to R: Dick Jorgensen, Ken Olson, Scott McLeod, Mike Engler, Mary Eldal, and John Niemeyer
Not Shown: Barb Niemeyer, Craig Symington, Dennis Ferguson, Duane Richardson, Neil Maldeis, Ray Knight and Roy Kell.
Consultant
Photographer and Merchandise
Clinic Coordinator
North Shore Scenic Railroad and Duluth Railroad Museum Excursion Coordinator
Duane Richardson MMR®
Model & Photography Contest Chairman
Committee Members
Scott McLeod – Convention Chairman
Hotel Liaison, Information Technology, Website Developer, Whova administrator and Registrar & Registration
Mike Engler MMR® – Convention Vice-Chairman
Contest Coordinator
John Niemeyer – Treasurer and Vendor & Manufacturers
Barb Niemeyer – Bookkeeper
Dick Jorgensen – Secretary, Volunteers and Timetable
Dennis Ferguson – Consultant
Ken Olson – Home layouts and Modular Layouts
Neil Maldeis MMR® – Clinics Coordinator
Mary and Jerry Eldal – Hospitality and Non-rail Events
Ray Knight — Photographer and Merchandise
Roy Kell – Marketing Coordinator
Duane Richardson MMR® – Model & Photography Contest Chairman
Craig Symington MMR® – North Shore Scenic Railroad and Duluth Railroad Museum Excursion
In Memory of Arthur ‘Art’ VanDeWater
1938 – 2023
Many of you will remember Art for his contributions to the 2018 National Narrow Gauge Convention held here in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. As the 2018 convention committee’s secretary and coordinator of layouts and modular layouts, you will also likely remember Art’s contribution to the convention with what many have said is the finest Layout Tour Guide Book ever produced. A true masterpiece!
Art was also a member of the Twin Cities Narrow Gaugers group and our 2026 convention planning committee right up to his passing, which occurred right before the convention held in Denver, Colorado in 2023. Although we certainly miss Art’s contributions to our convention, we know that he is cheering us on from above.