This website is dedicated to the late Gordon North who was considered to be one of the pioneers of On30" model railroading.  Gordon was a frequent contributor to the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette, with over 30 articles featuring his On30" Denver & Western layout, his electronic sound systems, and large-scale models he enjoyed building for friends and for display in his home.  A listing of these articles can be found under the ARTICLES page on this website. 

 

Gordon began modeling when he was in the Navy in the early 1950's.  The Denver and Western layout evolved over the years beginning in the mid-1960's to its final version in 2012.  Gordon most enjoyed designing and building the models for his layout, with almost everything being scratch-built, including the basement that housed it all.   Gordon enjoyed building things he liked as opposed to being tied to strict prototypes.  He felt On30" was a cost-effective alternative that allowed him to create his own designs inspired by his interests in western narrow gauge as well as New England 2-foot railroads and seaports.  

 

Gordon was also an electronics wizard and designed his own sound system, named North Sound, after hearing a PFM system on one of his friend's layouts.  Always generous with his time, he built and/or modified numerous sound systems for his friends.

 

I'm hoping to preserve some of his legacy through this website and will continue to add content, so please come back often.  If you have any comments or stories you would like to share, please email us at denverwestern30@gmail.com.