2015 National Narrow Gauge Convention

35th Annual

National Narrow Gauge Convention

Sept. 2nd-5th, 2015 in Houston, Texas

Do you know there is a wide variety of things to see and do in and around Houston ?

Johnson Space Center
a great visitor center for NASA and space

Houston Visitors Center
source of various things to do in town

Galveston Visitors Center
walk the beach, boardwalk, ride the Ferry

Houston Museum District
a range of extensive museum to see

Texas State Railroad
various live steam engines and diesels

Kemah Boardwalk
fun for everyone, rides, shops, food

Galleria Mall
large mall walking distance from hotel

Galveston Railroad Museum
various railroad engines and cars

Spouses ! We have activity options.  We are working on possible Bus Tours along with material for self guide options. These include Museum tours and maybe NASA. Plus there is easy access to the large Galleria Mall near by.
   Click the icon for more details...
     The Hotel Shuttle makes regular trips to the Mall.
     Final details available at check in.     Expanded 6/28/15

- - click the picture icon to go to their web-site - -

The all new EXTRAS page because we have even more stuff going on !

Note: the Texas State Railroad Photo Special did not receive enough interest to schedule.

Last we have the Saturday Night Auction

a fund rasier for the N G P F hosted by Charlie Getz and Don Heimburger

What's gonna happen on Saturday Night . . .

Go have dinner and then come back to the ballroom, grab a drink,
pull up a chair, and prepare for some great narrow gauge entertainment !

First off, we'll go over how things went at the Convention, a recap. Then cover things like, who won what in the Contest Room and such. Then maybe hear from people who want to host future Conventions and vote on where you want to go in a couple years. The formal stuff...

1) Dr. John McCall will present slides from his collection and provide a full narrative of the material.

2) Jay Miller will show slides from Durango, Chama and Alamosa taken on trips he made with his father in 1958.

3) Also by Jay Miller, a program about his grand-uncle, the last TrainMaster of the RGS in Ridgeway. These images have never been published and include many remarkable views of the Geese and the famous blizzards along the railroad.

4) Bob Lydecker's will show pictures his father took of the D&RGW during 1950's fan trips.

5) A collection of original photographs taken by a famous Disney animator, Ward Kimball, during a trip he made over the D&RGW and the RGS in the early 1950s. The pictures are extraordinary, not only from their "train content" but from their artistic perspective. From many of these images, came the basis of designs and themes from Disneyland and Disney cartoons.

Then, a special slideshow presentation comprised of five segments !

The Foundation is a non-profit public benefit corporation. It's mission is to establish several
interactive exhibits where the public can learn about the rich and significant history of narrow gauge
railroading, and to support preservation efforts where possible.
There will be an auction of various railroad items, from brass engines to memorabilia and more, to raise money to support the NGPF.
And you know if Charlie and Don are running the mic and the auction, it's bound to be a fun time ! More details coming soon...

Clinics and Layouts and Schedule - available 1-2 weeks before event
This will be printed and inclued in your Welcome Package. As a bonus, to help you plan in advance, we will be providing a list of the Clinics and Layouts, and their times and locations, in the weeks before the convention to those who have pre-registered.
It wll be available in PDF downloads for easy viewing. You must be 'registered' in advance to access this information.

Southern Forest

Heritage Museum

Long Leaf, Louisiana

If driving to Houston, or on your way home, consider a visit to one of the only surviving Sawmill in the Country. A real step back in time, as this Complex was in full operation and then shut-down and left in tact. You will see various sawmill buildings plus the railroad that services this unique and interesting Sawmil facility.

click here to read a summary with some photos

click here to go to their website to see more

Apple Users - do we have an app for you !
There is an app for your Apple mobile device that will include layout tours, directions
and mapping. It will be updated with layouts and times, the week before the Convention.
Go to the Apple Store and download the app now and it will auto update the week before.
Non-Apple users, we will have options for you in the email notice weeks before hand.

Texas Forestry Museum

Lufkin, Texas

Two hours North of Houston, is a museum with a collection of forestry exhibits which includes machinery used in the Texas lumber industry and railroad exhibits. Learn the history of forestry and the East Texas Pineywoods.

click here visit to their website

click icon for direct link

Spouses !   We have activities for you as well.  These includes Museum tours
  and easy access to the large Galleria Mall near by.   Click the icon for more...
    ( the Hotel Shuttle makes regular trips to the Mall )       Final details available at check in.

Wondering what to Expect ? Are you new to train conventions? Never attended a Narrow Gauge Convention? Wondering what to expect? We've been asked by a couple what to expect, so here is a short summary of things you may see and do at this event.