NGPF’s Founding Board of Directors. Left to right, they are: Bob Hayden (Secretary), Fred Hamilton (Treasurer), Charlie Getz (Executive Director), Fred Hill, Bob Brown (President), and Sam Furukawa. Not present: Jimmy Booth.
Bob Brown is Editor and Publisher of the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, the premier magazine devoted to narrow gauge. For over 35 years the Gazette has documented the history of these railroads in articles, plans, and photos, and the magazine serves as a nucleus for the narrow gauge fraternity. Bob has been building narrow gauge models for over 60 years, and has also assembled a significant collection of models built by pioneer narrow gauge modelers.
Sam Furukawa is a well-known narrow gauge photographer, author, and modeler. He has made significant contributions to the formation of the Foundation and to its predecessor, The Narrow Gauge Trust. Retired from a long career at MicroSoft, Sam now devotes a major portion of his time as Professor of Digital Media and Content at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. He is the author of two books on Colorado’s preserved narrow gauge railroads, and extensively photographs the operations of the surviving narrow gauge lines, particularly those in Colorado and New Mexico.
Fred Hamilton served on the advertising sales staff of Trains and Model Railroader magazines for 25 years. An avid On3 modeler, Fred remains close to the model industry, where he has served as President and Executive Director of the industry’s trade association. He has been building railroad models for over 55 years. Fred tendered his resignation in July, 2017 but continues to serve as Treasurer.
Bob Hayden has written numerous articles and books on narrow gauge topics. He spent 22 years as an editor at Kalmbach Publishing Co., publisher of Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, Garden Railways and FineScale Modeler magazines. Bob has been building narrow gauge models in several scales for over 50 years. Bob tendered his resignation in July, 2017 but continues to handle book and video sales for the NGPF.
Fred Hill is active in railroad preservation efforts in both narrow gauge and standard gauge. He was a founding member of the Slim Gauge Guild. Fred is the owner of two hobby shops in Southern California; The Original Whistle Stop and Allied Hobbies. He also has a deep involvement with two model companies, The Coach Yard and Thinfilm decals. He has served for many years as an officer and board member of several hobby trade associations.
Jimmy Booth is well-respected in the narrow gauge community for his research and documentation of both modeling and prototype narrow gauge equipment. He continues to aid railroads and museums accurately preserve and restore narrow gauge artifacts and exhibits. His knowledge extends to producing highly-detailed and accurate scale models. He has been associated with P-B-L, a premiere importer of fine models, for many years. P-B-L designs, manufactures, and imports models in 3/16″ scale. Jimmy also developed the Hi Tech Details line of parts for scale model railroaders.
Charlie Getz served as the firrst Executive Director of the Foundation. He is a long-running columnist for the NG&SL Gazette, and has long been active in the annual Narrow Gauge Conventions. Charlie is a Past President of the National Model Railroad Association, and has been building railroad models for 50+ years.