In 1983  a group of local model railroad enthusiasts formed the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Project,  dedicated for the purpose of constructing a historical exhibit about the narrow gauge railroad which once linked Nevada City, Grass Valley and Colfax with a twenty two mile rail link to the Central Pacific Railroad.

With the support of the Nevada County Fair Board the project volunteers began renovation of an unused building at the Fairgrounds, assisted by material and monetary contributions from local businesses.  This building,  completely rebuilt, houses the model layout in  floor space of approximately twenty four by sixty feet.

Since 1985, the NCNG Project members have continuously maintained, improved and operated the historically accurate depiction of narrow gauge operations in the old days.

Our most recent enhancement  is an onboard, wireless,  mini video camera which provides a passenger eye view of riding the narrow gauge train thru the woodlands of the Nevada County.  Visitors can see this realistic presentation via three TV screens placed around the model layout.

The NCNG Project is a non-profit, incorporated organization.  We are staffed by volunteers and are always ready to welcome newcomers who are interested in any aspect of model railroading- model buildiing, scenic construction, photography, electronics and railroad history.

Map to the NCNG Project Exhibit

Directions to

Traveling on Hwy. 80 heading east from Sacramento:

Use the Hwy. 49 offramp in Auburn. Proceed north on Hwy. 49 toward Grass Valley - appr. 25 miles. In Grass Valley, take the first offramp, McKnight Way. Turn left on Mcknight Way and proceed over the freeway, past the shopping center on the left. Turn right on Freeman Lane, past another shopping center on the left. Freeman Lane will turn into McCourtney Rd. at the second 4 - way stop sign. Continue straight on McCourtney Rd. until the Nevada County Fairgrounds appears on the right, appr. 2 blocks. For handicap parking use gate 1 and for general parking continue to gate 4.

Traveling on Hwy. 80 heading west from Reno:

Use the same directions as above, Hwy. 49 offramp in Auburn, head north to Grass Valley. Or, for a scenic and mildly curvy shortcut, take the Hwy. 20 offramp to Grass Valley, just after the Eagle Lakes Rd. offramp on Hwy. 80. Travel time on Hwy. 20 is appr. one-half hour. Stay on the highway through Nevada City and Grass Valley. Do not get off the highway when Hwy. 20 takes off west towards Marysville. Stay on and the highway becomes Hwy.49. Take the McKnight Way offramp and turn right on McKnight Way, traveling past the shopping center on the left. Turn right on Freeman Lane, past another shopping center on the left. Freeman Lane will turn into McCourtney Rd. at the second 4 - way stop sign. Continue straight on McCourtney Rd. until the Nevada County Fairgrounds appears on the right, appr. 2 blocks. For handicap parking use gate 1 and for general parking continue to gate 4.

Traveling on Hwy. 20 heading east from Marysville:

Take the McCourtney Rd./Fairgrounds exit off of Hwy. 20 just before actually entering Grass Valley. Turn right on McCourtney Rd., until the Nevada County Fairgrounds appears on the right, appr. 1 block. For handicap parking use gate 1 and for general parking continue to gate 4.

There are major airports in Sacramento and Reno, and a small plane airport in Grass Valley.