Operating Session Layout

CN Rail Caramat Subdivision

Scale: HO The CN Caramat Subdivision is a double decked layout set in Northwestern Ontario, Canada and it is the featured layout in the May, 2026 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. This 100% photo complete layout represents mainline railroading in the mid 1990's. The layout is built for operations, with operational CTC, a dispatcher and radio communications. The … [Read more...] about CN Rail Caramat Subdivision

Rio Grande Southern – First District

Scale: HOn3 This well known double decked layout faithfully replicates the key towns between Ridgway and Rico, Colorado and also includes the Telluride branch to Pandora, Colorado. The layout is designed for operation and features a point-to-point design with trains running through each scene only once along its 200 foot mainline. The layout also features a high ratio of … [Read more...] about Rio Grande Southern – First District

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!”

CN Rail Caramat Subdivision

Rio Grande Southern – First District

2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha

Operating Session Layout

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha