The 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention is coming up fast. This year it runs from August 30th to September 2nd in Denver, Colorado. This is the premier narrow gauge convention in the USA, and this year it's being held in the state best known around the world for its preservation of the longest narrow gauge railroads in the United States.

One terrific example is the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad that still runs steam engines from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. Another is the narrow gauge railroad connecting the towns of Durango and Silverton, Colorado .

Narrow gauge railroads have been built through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. They often ran through the wild mountain passes of the American West, especially in some of the rugged regions that were home to many of the mines of America's early history.

These railroads often rose to dizzying heights for any railroad, clinging to the sides of steep mountain slopes and circling multiple times, requiring in some cases the need for multiple tunnels to make it possible to create grades that would allow them to ascend and descend from the mines and towns they served. This mysterious and romantic history may well explain why collectors and model train enthusiasts so love to recreate them.

No one does a better job of emulating narrow gauge trains than Bachmann Industries, founded in 1833 by Henry Carlisle. Bachmann electric model trains originally entered the model train field with Plasticville® U.S.A, producing scale buildings for model railroaders and in 1970, they began producing HO trains.

There will be modular layouts displayed at the convention hotel, as well as a huge selection of absolutely spectacular home layouts in the area. It is noted on the website that attendees must provide their own transportation for the home layouts. Be sure to do so! This special attraction is not to be missed.