Originally published by Don Heimburger in a 1998 issue of Sn3 Modeler magazine.

The History of the Sn3 Symposium,
Written by Roger Schenck

The annual Sn3 meet, as it was originally called, began in 1975 when four Sn3ers met at an all-scales narrow-gauge event, held in Toluca Lake on President’s Day weekend. Four Sn3ers in the same place at once back then was an event, so we went out to lunch and talked Sn3 for hours. The next year we went to Toluca Lake in the morning and to Paul Washburn’s home for the afternoon. The year the picture was taken [not shown here] we just went to Paul’s and then we all went out to dinner.

My wife and I hosted it the next year and provided lunch. There were no clinics yet, but lots of talk, sharing of ideas, sources and displaying of models. The fourth meet was hosted by John Engstrom in San Diego, then by Jan Rons in Phoenix, which started the current rotation of locales, and grew into the present Sn3 Symposium.

Back in ’75 it was very difficult to find supplies so only the bravest or most foolhardy would try Sn3. I did not attempt it until I had successfully scratchbuilt an On3 engine, and even then, I may not have continued without the fellowship of my new friends.

To try Sn3, I ordered a box car kit from Tomalco and received a “welcome to the select” note from Swede Norlin. At that time, I had never seen any Sn3 car except in the October 1971 Model Railroader article on Ken Pruitt’s layout in Albuquerque. His layout was actually Sn3½, using HO wheels, mechanisms and track. I treasure the mine he built, which I now have on my layout. There is also a car built by Swede and a scratch built K-28 which was built in the early ‘70s as an Sn3½ model.

Today, I get upset because I can’t get the exact part that I need! Could I be a little spoiled by all the variety which is available to Sn3ers today?

Narrow News
Written by Don Heimburger

This issue marks the 15th Anniversary of Sn3 Modeler magazine. It also marks a milestone in the development of Sn3 as a popular narrow gauge scale.

In 1984, when Sn3 Modeler first arrived on the scene, the Sn3 product line was extremely thin. There were a few rolling stock kits, a few structure kits and the line of PBL locomotives. There wasn’t a whole lot more to boast about.

“With a bright future ahead, we decided to help Sn3 grow even more by publishing this magazine,” we wrote in the premier issue. “Sn3ers will feel a continuity and a togetherness in Sn3 Modeler,” we said.

Wayne Lincoln described Sn3 in a Model Railroader article in February 1950; Swede Norlin purchased Tomalco in 1964 and produced the first 3000-series boxcar; and the first Sn3 brass import C-16 was by Westside Models/Tomalco in 1968.

Now it’s 1998, and Sn3 is gaining lots of strength. We still see that bright future for Sn3, and we hope you’ll join Sn3 Modeler in the years ahead as we continue to give it the continuity it needs and deserves.

Recollections from Jan Rons
August 17, 2026

The first two “Symposiums” were hosted by my wife, Carole, and me in our garage in Phoenix. They were modeled after the On3 meets hosted by Charlie Trombly who lived in the Bay area. and Chet Tayloe who lived in Toluca Lake, California. These were intimate gatherings where some of the best modeling talent would show up and share what they were working on. These events usually occurred  during President’s Day weekend.  We set up tables and had a coffee maker and beer dispenser set up on the washer dryer. Carole prepared a lunch of submarine sandwiches which we had by our swimming pool. 

The “out of towners” were mostly from California, with a few from Washington state and Illinois. Some slept in sleeping bags in the garage. Everyone had the run of the house including showers. We  had a video tape player set up in the living room. I had just started painting railroad watercolors and along with Jim Finnell displayed artwork in our hallway. About 25 people showed up for both events. After the second one, we determined that the event was too big for us to continue.  A group from San Diego hosted the third. From that point on, the event was hosted by many individuals and groups.

“Symposium” was coined by me. A symposium usually denotes an intimate gathering of like-minded people getting together to share knowledge, techniques, and ideas. That’s what the “Tayloe/Trombley” meets were, although the term was not used. As time has gone on these events have turned into more or less a “mini convention.” That’s not a criticism. It’s just an evolution.

Jan

PS: Steve Hatch attended the first “Symposium” at my house and gave a clinic on preventing derailments.

For a history of Sn3 Symposiums from 1985 to date, visit: nasg.org – Sn3Symposiums.php