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2026 NNGC

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    • Vendors and Exhibitors
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Layout Tours

RGS Ridgway to Dolores

Scale: HOn3 & HO The HOn3 version of the RGS runs from Ridgway to Dolores and includes a 10' x 4' freelance logging operation that is completely detailed. The HO layout is based on the Burlington Northern prototype running from Peoria to Galesburg, Illinois. Both layouts are being built to host operating sessions. Era/Locale: HOn3 Colorado 1940's, HO Peoria to … [Read more...] about RGS Ridgway to Dolores

San Juan del Oro, El Siswoki

Scale: HOn3 & HO There are two layouts, one standard gauge, the other narrow gauge. The standard gauge layout features the sister city of Nolehagas, located on the border of Colorado between Arizona and Sonora. The narrow gauge San Juan del Oro is a freelance 1932 mining town with many scratch built, kit and kit-bashed structures. Details are everywhere. The layout … [Read more...] about San Juan del Oro, El Siswoki

Colorado & Rio Grande Southern

Scale: HOn3 & HOn30 Hard rock mining is the theme of this Colorado based layout featuring two levels of dramatic vertical scenery. Hand painted backdrops, tall bridges and deep canyons that dwarf the narrow gauge trains fill the room. This freelance railroad is a blend of scenes from the RGS and CS as well as some imaginative original landscapes. Many familiar Colorado … [Read more...] about Colorado & Rio Grande Southern

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

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CLINICS, TOURS, & MORE

Home Layout Tours.

Home Layout Tours

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention features many fine home layouts … [Read More...] about Home Layout Tours

Inspirational Clinics

Clinics are one of the most popular features of the annual national narrow … [Read More...] about Inspirational Clinics

Vendors and Exhibitors

The vendor and exhibitor rooms are one of the most popular features of the … [Read More...] about Vendors and Exhibitors

Convention Hotel

2026 NNGC Hotel

We are excited to once again host the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington, located at

46th NNGC Promo Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mP8HejuXQE

Important Dates

Most important dates.

46th NNGC: September 2 — 5

Registration Opens: Sep 03, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Early Bird Registration Ends: May 31, 2026

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Here are Frequently Asked Questions about the convention:

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

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.”

Minnesota Lingo

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!”

Read more at ThievesRiver.com

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