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Modular Layouts

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention committee is planning on featuring a number of exceptional modular layouts for your viewing pleasure while at our convention facility. Some of these modular layouts have been featured at previous narrow gauge conventions and the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention's Planning Committee is proud to bring you some modular layouts that … [Read more...] about Modular Layouts

Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad

Scale: On30 The On30 Quincy and Torch Lake Railroad occupies 800 square feet and represents the wooded areas of upper Michigan in 1942. World War II is on and the railroad is extremely busy serving the Quincy Mine hauling rock embedded with copper to its mine buildings and local customers. The mines, mills, lake, and the six miles of track that connected them all … [Read more...] about Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad

Missabe Northern Railway

Scale: HO The Missabe Northern is a large double-deck railroad designed for diverse freight, iron ore and passenger operations as found in Minnesota in the early 1940's. The Duluth ore docks are the first scene you see as you enter this 3700 sq. ft. empire. Iron ore is classified and sorted by ship and ore dock pocket in the Proctor yard on the 'hill' and brought down to … [Read more...] about Missabe Northern Railway

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!”

Modular Layouts

Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad

Missabe Northern Railway

2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha