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Home Layout Tours

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention features many fine home layouts for you to visit during our convention's traditional afternoon self-guided layout tours. Many of these layouts have been featured in national model railroad magazines. It is the convention committee's desire that you are presented with a variety of viewing experiences ranging from 100% completed layouts … [Read more...] about Home Layout Tours

Inspirational Clinics

Clinics are one of the most popular features of the annual national narrow gauge conventions and give attendees the opportunity to learn from our hobby’s experts. 85 Clinics by 43 Clinicians The 2026 National Narrow Gauge Convention planning committee is proud to bring you 85 outstanding clinics on prototype railroads, modeling and photography techniques presented by … [Read more...] about Inspirational Clinics

Vendors and Exhibitors

The vendor and exhibitor rooms are one of the most popular features of the annual National Narrow Gauge Convention. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to browse to their heart's desire and purchase items from some of the model railroad hobby's most popular companies. The 2026 National Narrow Gauge Convention planning committee is working to bring you over 75 … [Read more...] about Vendors and Exhibitors

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!”

Home Layout Tours

Inspirational Clinics

Vendors and Exhibitors

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