Layout Tours

D&RGW Third Division

Scale: HOn3 The D&RGW Third Division is a multi-deck HOn3 layout representing the Denver & Rio Grande Western’s narrow gauge lines around Gunnison, Colorado in the fall of 1940. Designed to be an operating model railroad, construction is well underway with a large portion of the benchwork completed and track being laid in the owners’ off time as a … [Read more...] about D&RGW Third Division

Dolly Varden Mine Railroad

Scale: On3 The Dolly Varden Mine Railroad was built to serve the Dolly Varden Mine, one of the richest silver lodes ever discovered in the British Empire. It ran from Alice Arm, 17 miles up the Kitsault River valley to the mine site. Sharp curves and steep grades defined the route through rugged mountains. The only access to the outside world was by boat from Alice Arm to … [Read more...] about Dolly Varden Mine Railroad

D&RGW Iron River

Scale: HOn3 This freelance railroad is much the same as the Rainbow Route during its hay-day. The line travels the route between the fictional towns of Iron River and Divide, as in continental. It features dramatic scenery to emphasize just how challenging it was to carve a railroad into this strikingly beautiful, but deceptively inhospitable landscape. Coved ceiling and … [Read more...] about D&RGW Iron River

Central Minnesota & Southern

Scale: HO The Central Minnesota & Southern is a modern Midwest layout depicting the fictional city of Rockfield, the town of Skunk Hollow and nearby areas. Nice Scenery with many details are featured on this fine layout. Era/Locale: Modern Midwest/MinnesotaSize: 12' x 40'Benchwork: 100%Track:100%Scenery: 90% Back to All Home Layout Tours. … [Read more...] about Central Minnesota & Southern

Soo Line

Scale: G The Soo Line models a western Nebraska joint branch line set in 1970. The Union Pacific and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy locomotives and rolling stock are scale models representing the shared branch line operations typical of that era. Although the railroad uses a freelance concept, the layout is based on actual historical Nebraska railroad maps from the region. … [Read more...] about Soo Line

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!”

D&RGW Third Division

Dolly Varden Mine Railroad

D&RGW Iron River

Central Minnesota & Southern

Soo Line

2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha

Layout Tours

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha