2011 National Narrow Gauge Convention

Im posting this from another email group to this site for those that may have an interest in this event.

Hi everyone-

I wanted to announce to this and several other groups the largest railroad event to hit the Carolinas in this century. From Sept 7 to Sept 10, 2011, the National Narrow Gauge Convention will be held in Hickory, NC. This convention represents some of the finest modelers in various scales from all over the world, as well as some unique prototype opportunities that will exist only at this convention.

You already know how the NC Railroad Expos in Hickory take up one hall, filled to the brim. Well, imagine the WHOLE CONVENTION CENTER filled up with trains for four days!

For a modest registration fee, you will have four days to meet major manufacturers directly, including Bachmann, Accucraft, Micro-Engineering, and so many more. We will have over 20,000 square feet devoted to modular railroads from all over the country, in all scales, including the famous "Muskrat Ramble" layout from Australia. Across the week, we will have nearly 100 clinics put on by some of the most talented modelers and well-known historians from the railroad hobby.

Special events such as double-headed steam at Tweetsie Railroad (where else can you see THAT in the Carolinas?), special diesel and motor car excursions along the old ET&WNC right of way in the Doe River Gorge, TN, steam trains at the Handy-Dandy Railroad in Denton, narrow-gauge industrial operations in South Carolina, as well as a couple of other surprises I can't mention yet will be available as well.

On top of all this, throw in nearly 3 dozen home, club, and live steam layouts from the finest modelers the region has to offer, and now you get an idea of the scope of this event.

A closing banquet with photo and model contest awards, as well as live entertainment, will put icing on the cake, and the southeastern USA on the map in terms of international railroad exposure.

This year's convention, just concluded in St. Louis, had attendees from 42 states and 12 countries.

This is not a used-car sales pitch- having this convention in our back yard is truly very likely a once-in a lifetime event. Conventions are planned 5 years out and on a competitive bid basis. There has NEVER been an event like this awarded to the southeast in the past 30 years.

Please plan on attending, and showing these folks from all over the world how railroading- real and modeling- is done in Carolina!!!

Visit www.narrowgauge2011.com for more information.

Please be sure to share this with all your friends.

Matt Bumgarner
2011 NNGC
Co-Chair