Modular Layouts

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention committee is planning on featuring a number of exceptional modular layouts for your viewing pleasure while at our convention facility.

Some of these modular layouts have been featured at previous narrow gauge conventions and the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention’s Planning Committee is proud to bring you some modular layouts that have never been seen before. It is the convention committee’s desire that you find these modular layouts both inspiring and educational.

Call for Modular Layouts

If you or your group has a modular layout that you are interested in showing at the 2026 National Narrow Gauge Convention, we would certainly like to give you that opportunity!

For questions or additional information, please contact our modular layout coordinator.

If you are interested in displaying your modular layout at our convention, please fill out this modular layout form:

Modular Layout Form

Featured Modular Layouts

Elk Creek Lumber

Scale: Sn2
Era/Locale: Freelance

See more photos and details on Elk Creek Lumber.

Gold Canyon Mining Company

Scale: On30

See more photos and details on Gold Canyon Mining Company.

Great Lakes HOn30 Modular Group

Scale: HOn30

See more photos and details on Great Lakes HOn30 Module Group.

Minneapolis Cloquet and Duluth

Scale: HO

See more photos and details on Minneapolis Cloquet and Duluth.

Minnesota Free-mo Modelers

Scale: N

See more photos and details on Minnesota Free-mo Modelers.

Northfield and Southeastern Railroad

Scale: On30

See more photos and details on Northfield and Southeastern Railroad.

Rapid Canyon Line

Scale: On2 & On3

See more photos and details on Rapid Canyon Line.

Rush Creek Lumber

Scale: Sn3

See more photos and details on Rush Creek Lumber.

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