Club Layouts

Club Layout Tours

The Twin Cities features a number of excellent model railroad clubs and the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention is excited to provide you an opportunity to visit a number of these clubs during our convention’s traditional afternoon self-guided layout tours. It is the convention committee’s desire that you are presented with a variety of viewing experiences and as is typical … [Read more...] about Club Layout Tours

Newport Model Railroad Club

Scale: HO The Greater East Area Model Railroad Club of Newport is a non-profit educational corporation. It was formed to build and operate a model railroad based on a Midwest prototype railroad, for historical, educational, public and member enjoyment. The club was founded in 1981 and presently is composed of 40 members who volunteer their time, to build, operate … [Read more...] about Newport Model Railroad Club

From Minnesota Digital Library:

“The growth of Minnesota can be tied directly to the growth of railroads. The railroads supported farmers, millers, miners, and loggers by moving the raw materials they produced to sell at markets. In turn, the railroads brought other goods and products to the people to build their homes, businesses, and towns. Railroads also brought immigrants to settle the land and provided jobs and income to laborers and investors.

Three of Minnesota’s major railroads were the Northern Pacific, the Great Northern, and the Soo Line. While these three were not the only railroads that operated in Minnesota, they had a major impact on the state.

The U.S. Congress chartered the Northern Pacific Railway in 1864 to build a transcontinental railroad from Lake Superior to the Pacific coast. When it was completed in 1883, the railroad had laid nearly 6,800 miles of track through Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Its headquarters were in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

From ThievesRiver.com:

1) Uff da

Background: A Scandinavian import, particularly from Norwegian, “uff da” is widely used to express dismay, exhaustion or sometimes even relief. It embodies the stoic yet expressive nature of Minnesotans.

Example: “Uff da! I forgot my wallet at the cabin. Now I can’t pay for the meat raffle tickets, gosh darn it!”

2) You Betcha

Background: This phrase epitomizes the friendly and positive attitude of Minnesotans. It’s often said with enthusiasm and is used to mean “absolutely” or “you can count on it.”

Example: “Do you want to come to the hockey game this weekend? Grain Belts are on me!” – “You betcha!”

Club Layout Tours

Newport Model Railroad Club

2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha

Club Layouts

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha