Layouts on the Way To or From the Convention

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention is proud to include a number of fine home layouts for you to visit on your way to or from our convention.

Details for the opportunity to visit these layouts will be available for registered attendees in our Whova™ event close to convention time.

CB&Q: Chicago – Aurora – C&I

Scale: HO
Era/Locale: Early to mid-1960s

See more photos and details on The CB&Q: Chicago – Aurora – C&I.

The Stephenson, Cedar River & Eastern Railway

Scale: On30
Era/Locale: 1910 – 1915 – NW Michigan

See more photos and details on The Stephenson, Cedar River & Eastern Railway.

Worthington Model Railway

Scale: 00 & OO9
Era/Locale: 1950s – 1960s – England

See more photos and details on The Worthington Model 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!”

Read more at ThievesRiver.com