Welcome to the
47th National
Narrow Gauge Convention
Narrow Gaugers, Steam Fans, Model Railroaders of all Scales
Registration begins September 1, 2026
The Committee for the 47th National Narrow Gauge Convention in Hickory NC welcomes Narrow Gauge Modelers, Narrow Gauge Fans, Steam Fans, and Model Railroaders from all over the world to the website for the biggest train event of the year 2027 in the southeastern United States. This four day convention has so much packed into it that there is NO WAY you can do it all. Let’s get you up to track speed on the National Narrow Gauge Convention for 2027.
First of all, What is a National Narrow Gauge Convention? It is an annual event, held in a different city each year, celebrating narrow gauge model railroading. The first NNGC was held in 1980 in St. Louis, MO. It was started by individuals who wanted to promote the narrow gauge side of traditional model railroading. The NNGC has grown over the years to become one of the largest model railroad conventions in the USA. A group of individuals make a bid for a convention five years in advance. There is no overseeing organization or supporter. It is a labor of love put forward by people who are passionate about model railroading and narrow gauge, who love the hobby and want to see it grow.
It is an intensive four day event, in our case September 1-4, 2027, the days leading up to Labor Day. There will have six clinics going at one time, with dozens of presenters sharing their expertise on modeling and historical subjects (see our Clinics page). At the same time there will be a huge Trade Show/ Vendor Room with 400+ tables of wares (see our Vendor page). Arrangements have been made for 40+ home layouts to be on our layout tour (see our Home Layouts page). The Committee has also arranged for special events at the tourist railroads and museums in the area (see our Prototype and Museum pages).
For those of you who have been attending National Narrow Gauge Conventions for many years, rest assured that this convention will follow the regular patterns that have made these gatherings so great for nearly half a century. For those model railroaders and/or steam fans that have seen the magazine ads over the years but never attended, we are planning clinics and activities for you as well. Remember, model railroad bench work, wiring, switches, buildings, trees, scenery, and backdrops are the same for standard gauge and narrow gauge modelers. HO buildings do not have an n3 behind them. Standard gauge model railroaders can learn a lot at a National Narrow Gauge Convention.
If you have found this page and are wondering why you should attend, consider this. Where else can you go and find experts in the field ready to show you how they do what they do? To encourage and inspire you how to be better, no matter what skill level you are at currently? Where you will find the manufacturers of model railroad products, instead of vendors selling used items only? Where you can go and be inspired by home and club layouts at your own pace and at no additional cost to you, except gas? Where you can visit layouts in private homes and clubs that are open just for you? Where you can go ride special excursions unavailable to any other group? Where can you find accommodations adjacent to the event, at the best negotiated price already? And lastly, where can you go and meet hundreds, if not over a thousand, people just like yourself, who love trains and model railroading? The National Narrow Gauge Convention has it all, for one reasonable price. Click on the registration tab and sign up today, then join us in September 2027 for the 47th National Narrow Gauge Convention in Hickory, NC. Y’all Come!!
Registration Information
Following the example of the last few National Narrow Gauge Conventions, registration will be done here through the Whova app and Stripe. This is a very secure method of processing transactions and is safe for the attendee. The Whova app will allow us to send updates to everyone who has registered, which is much easier than sending hundreds of emails to individuals. It will also allow us to send out updates during convention week in real time (remember the elevator problems in Denver in 2023; shout out to Chris Lane for handling that so well). With so many extra options available, changes will undoubtedly occur after the timetable is printed. Please follow these links to register for the 2027 National Narrow Gauge Convention.
