| Modular Layouts are welcome. The Convention facility is enormous, featuring over 35,000 sq ft of space which allows us to have operating modules and vendors in a single, column free arena. We encourage all narrow gauge modular groups to bring their module displays to the convention. The model contest will have an "Operating Module" category should you desire to enter. Plaques will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. For more information about how your modular layout group can be represented, send an email to: modular.layouts@30ngconvention.org or phone: Brian Post Anytime - 24 hour availability 314-249-6986 |
| Sundance Central | |
| The Sundance Central is a 1:20.3 scale modular railroad consisting of thirty-two modules in an area 44 feet by 40 feet. It was built by a group of eight model train enthusiasts with a passion for early narrow gauge steam locomotives. The group consists of Frank Palmer, the founder along with Richard Schmitt, Keith Wolfe, Jim Hopes, Dale MacKeown, David Revelia, Brian Nolan and Jon Addison. The Sundance Central features two wooden trestles: each one 15 feet long and 2-1/2 foot high. All the track on the modular, including the turnouts, is code 250 rail hand-laid and spiked on hand cut wooden ties. In addition to the numerous scratch built structures on the modular you will find a yard facility consisting of a backwoods two shed engine house with attached machine shop and a turntable. Four new modules consisting of a saw mill and a mine head facility have just been added for this year’s appearance at the 30th NNGC. The Sundance Central Modular Railroad has won first place in the modular category at both the 27th and 28th NNGC. It also won Best of Show at the 28th NNGC in Portland, OR. To learn more about the The Sundance Central click on this link to visit their web site. 
 
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| Sn2 Free-mo Modules by The Sn2 Crew | |
| The group's first set-up was in March 2005. Dave Keith and Lee Rainey were the pioneer members. They both had modules underway and agreed to adapt them to the FreeMo concept. The first REALLY big setup was at the Portland, ME NNGC in 2007, which was also when they adopted, "The Sn2 Crew," name. The group has continued to grow since that time. The most recent setup -- by far their largest -- was at the Midwest Narrow Gauge Show held in March 2010. The participants were Gary Carmichael -- two modules Gary White -- two modules Dave Keith -- four modules Frank Knight -- thirteen modules Lee Rainey -- eleven modules They are a very loosely organized group with members spread from Colorado to Maine. Folks who have participated with them at least once -- displaying modules or equipment or both -- are Lee Rainey (PA), Dave Keith (OH), Frank Knight (ME), Gary White (MD), Gary Carmichael (PA), Matt Sharp (ME), Dave Harmen (CO) and Steve Arnold (Canada). The modules are controlled by Lenz DCC and many of the engines are sound-equipped. Because the group is so far flung, they exhibit together only a few times a year. Typically at least some of the modules are at the Maine Narrow Gauge Show in Gray, ME. There is a big setup each year at the Midwest Narrow Gauge Show near Youngstown, OH. They'll usually try to do a third event of some kind each year -- either a NNGC or a large regional show, but these vary. The only requirement on modules is that they be Maine 2-foot, and Free-mo-compliant. Frank Knight follows WW&F prototype. His primary module is the current yard at Alna in 2008 -- so current, in fact, that the WW&F restoration has used it as a planning tool for their expansion. By contrast, Lee Rainey's modules are free-lance (though very WW&F-inspired) and set in 1908 -- so he can use link-and-pin couplers. Dave Keith models the F&M part of the SR&RL very faithfully. Gary White is also a freelancer. The newest member of the Sn2 Crew, Gary Carmichael, is working on the KC Randolph yard. Dave Keith led the creation of the, "Sn2 Free-mo," standards, which have served them very well. The Sn2 standards are available from, http://www.narrowtracks.com/Sn2/Free-Mo/index.htm for anyone who might be interested. These standards deviate from the HO standards of, "free-mo.org." The group's first big setup was at Portland, ME. Most of the members had never even met each other, much less checked out interoperability. But, because of careful planning, the whole thing went together fine. The following photos were taken by David Keith at the group's display in Dayton, OH in 2008       The following three photos were taken by Lee Rainey    The following three photos were taken by Vagel Keller    The following three photos was taken by Gary Carmichael at the March 2010 Midwest Narrow Gauge Show    |
| The 7/8n2 Modular Group "Maine Done Right" | |
| This modular layout is the work of several modelers who are using 3' wide hollow core doors for their 30" high module tables and 1.75" wide LGB type track which is used to represent a 2' gauge track. A little bit of math and that combination of gauge and scale comes out to be: 7/8" = 1'. Each of the doors at the ends of the main line will have four tracks on them for storage along with a 4' long fiddle plate to allow them to slide cars and engines over to another spur or spin them around to reverse them end to end. When assembled, there is a 58’8” mainline run between each of the turntables. The layout incorporates nine turnouts, RR crossings and whistle posts, a dummy standard gauge spur with about 10' of hand laid track which included a loading dock and a Maine Central outside braced boxcar to show the difference between 2' NG & Standard gauge Several 7/8" scale engines are used on the layout, all controlled with Airwire 9000 RC & Phoenix Sound systems. Besides 0-4-4, 2-4-4, 2-6-0; and a 2-6-2 steam engines, there's also 4-wheel cow and calf and a double truck center cab diesel units. And if it's allowed, a propane fired live steam 0-4-4 that was once featured in Garden Railway and Narrow Gauge Gazette may be running too. The following photos taken by Tom Eagles represent a few of the models that will be on display at the Convention. | |
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| Kaskaskia Valley "Timesaver Switching Puzzle" | |
| Timesaver – What is it? John Allen’s “Timesaver” was very specific in his HO puzzle. It was used as a means of competition after his “Ops Sessions”. The participants would compete against each other by the number of moves or the amount of time needed to complete the puzzle. But they soon wanted more, so they built two puzzles, so people could compete against each other and then even worked together as a team exchanging cars from one puzzle to the other, if the two puzzles were connected together. The basic premise of our puzzle is to exchange like pieces of rolling stock for different pieces of similar rolling stock. It is created in #1 gauge and at a scale of 1:20.3, which is easier for little hands and older eyes. Though many people like to play the game against time or the number of moves it takes to complete the task. When the Kaskaskia Valley Railway version of the puzzle is played at train shows or as part of an operating session, our only goal is to complete the puzzle and have fun. Here are several images of the Timesaver Puzzle set up at past railroad show events. Photos by Ric Golding  
 
     
 
 
To learn more about the Kaskaskia Valley Time Saver Puzzle, click the following link Kaskaskia Valley Time Saver. |
| Mid-South Narrow Gaugers | |
| The Mid-South Narrow Gaugers group is made up of members from Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. Back in June 2007, several members were holding a kitchen table planning session where they decided to construct a club-owned, On30 display layout rather than one in which traditional flat-table member-owned modules were used. They developed an idea for a portable layout that would be, for lack of a better description, a "large diorama," that featured rocky mountain-type scenery. As the layout took shape, more members joined the group, helping finish scenic areas and laying track. The track plan is a single track stretched oval, 32' x 8', with the primary emphasis on scenery. Photos by David Johnston  
 
 
 
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| The Modular HO Narrow Gauge Society "The Mudhens" | |
| The Mudhens HOn3 model railroad has a long history dating back to the early 1980’s. The group was formed by a few St. Louis area modelers shortly after the First National Narrow Gauge Convention. Membership has changed over the years as members relocated, became involved with other activities, or simply moved on. Currently there are active members in the greater St. Louis area and Jefferson City, MO. Other active members are in Chicago, and Macomb, IL, and Payson and Apache Junction, AZ. During their first twenty some years, the Mudhens built and displayed nearly two dozen modules. These early modules were typically built by individuals depicting their favorite railroad or free lanced scenes. Participation in public displays occurred several times a year and no two setups were the same due to the varied nature of the tables. The group has set up for several National Narrow Gauge Conventions, Great America Train Shows, NMRA meets, and a few special community events. Operation was rather unique since three cabs were utilized allowing for running multiple trains on the single track main line. Later on, the system was also able to handle sound equipped engines. Recently, the Mudhens have revised the early complex standards. Smaller, lighter weight tables utilizing DCC are being built. These tables will form a sectional layout with a fixed number of tables and only providing a branch connection for tables designed by individual members. A few of the new tables are completed and have been displayed in the St. Louis area. Some of the original tables are still displayed annually in Payson, AZ. For the 30th National Narrow Gauge Convention, the Mudhens will have a layout that features both the old modules as well as the new tables. DCC will be used on all the tables which will be set up as a point to point operation. To learn more about the group,click the following link. The Mudhens Photos by John Scherr  
 
 
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| Red Mountain Narrow Gauge R.R. | |
| John has been modeling ever since he and his wife got their first home back in 1980. He's been a Colorado narrow gauger from the beginning as his father was when John was a boy. John became hooked on Colorado narrow gauge by reading all his father’s railroad history books while growing up. He started in Hon3 and found modeling along at home wanting and joined the Sacramento Model Railroad Club in 1982, driving in from Vacaville on Friday evenings. John helped build their narrow gauge section and met two other modelers that had to commute over 90 miles round trip to the club every Friday night. They decided to try modules in 1987. He continued to learn and achieved a Best of Show award at the 1998 National Narrow Gauge Convention in Colorado Springs for their Hon3 modular railroad Red Mountain. In 1999 several of his little group decided to change to Sn3, John was one of them and his brother Mike started modeling with them. Mike is an excellent modeler and started building garden ½” scale models for his home several years before he got together with brother John. Mike and John decided to build their own little Sn3 pike in 2004 and have just about finished it. It is centered around the major narrow gauge roads of the San Juans, with Colorado logging thrown in. They developed a tree making machine and tree making methods while building their own railroad. With encouragement from brother Mike and friends John and Mike started the “McKenzie Brothers Timber Co.” four years ago when John retired from the fire service. They now market a tree making kit, to make your own trees, and custom built trees. John will be doing their Tree Making 101 clinic and they will both be running their modular railroad RED MOUNTAIN, at the Convention. Stop in to see them so they can put faces to the names. For info please email John at captmckenzie@sbcglobal.net or view their web site at The McKenzie Brothers Timber Company Photos by John McKenzie  
 
 
 
 
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| Great Lakes Area HOn30 Modular Group | |
| The GLHOn30MG is a loosely-affiliated group of modelers who work together to recreate the feel of the Maine Two Footers in HOn30. Most group members are located between Cincinnati, Ohio and Traverse City, Michigan (with two members in Texas and Arizona), and meet for work sessions and modular layout setups several times a year. Many of the modules depict scenes on the prototype WW&F Railroad, although representatives of the other narrow gauge systems and freelanced New England 2’ gauge railroads are also modeled. All of the modules depict scenes typical of the era and area of the Maine Two Footers in their heyday of operations. The following photographs were taken by Nancy Windes, Stephen Pinkham and Sam Swanson.  
 
 
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