Welcome to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society!
The GNRHS is dedicated to the preservation, study, and history of one of America's greatest railroads, the Great Northern Railway.
To Society Members, we offer carefully-researched Reference Sheets, a quarterly GN Goat publication, an annual calendar, discounts on model kits, books, CDs and other items, and an annual convention to discover all that is the Great Northern Railway.
Our extensive GN archives are available for study of the Great Northern Railway.
Each quarter GNRHS members receive the 'Goat' package. It includes the GN Goat Magazine, a varying number of Reference Sheets and the Modelers' Pages. Next year's calendar is included in the September package.
For researchers the GNRHS Archives have historic documents and photos available on a wide range of subjects covering the Great Northern.
A large part of the information is accesible via the joint GN-NP Archives website, but researchers can also visit the Archives or ask our Archives staff to search for materials.
Many GN fans are also modelers of the Great Northern Railway. A great modeling resource are our Modelers' Pages, with the Goat and our Archives offering a great information source for researching modeling projects.
Included in the quarterly Goat package is the Modelers' Pages. Geared towards the Great Northern modeler it contains modeling articles, tips, new GN product announcements and a questions and answers section.
GNRHS Members enjoy many benefits like our quarterly Goat publication, our yearly convention, research materials, GN modeling information and discounts in the GNRHS Store.
September 10-13, 2025, we'll be in St Paul, MN, a joint convention with the NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society. Click here to learn more!
Share this page:
Welcome to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society
The GNRHS is dedicated to the preservation, study, and history of one of America's greatest railroads, the Great Northern Railway.
To Society Members, we offer carefully-researched Reference Sheets, a quarterly GN Goat publication, an annual calendar, discounts on model kits, books, CD's and other items, and an annual convention to discover all things Great Northern. Learn more.
For researchers the GNRHS Archives hold historic photos and documents on a wide range of Great Northern subjects.
For a quick overview of all GNRHS has to offer, explore the menu above. JOIN GNRHS now!
Planned for Minneapolis-St Paul from Wednesday, September 10 through Saturday, September 13, we are excited about this first-time joint convention with the NP and SP&S historical societies, and hope to see you there. The agenda includes excellent presentations on history and modeling, a train ride out of Osceola, WI, a tour of the Jackson St Roundhouse archives and Minnesota Transportation Museum, the James J Hill house, a joint Railfair/swap meet, model railroad tours and more.
Rapido is willing to produce GN U25B ‘Phase IV’ locomotive models in HO scale, including the extraordinary prototype details described in the earlier post below. Two road numbers are planned, in both DC and DCC.
This model has never been produced in HO scale, but will ONLY be available if 100 reservations are made at the GNRHS store (click the link for details). We’re currently well short of that. So if interested, please act now!
The GNRHS Company Store has never-before-offered HO scale versions of the Accurail WFE steel reefer, including the as-delivered 1949 paint scheme! Click here to see…
We recently received a member donation of some exceptional brass (and some non-brass) GN models for resale to support the GNRHS mission. We’ve priced them roughly 20% below market, take a look to see if we have something you need to complete your collection!
And don’t miss the What’s New section to discover our latest offerings in rolling stock, structures, books and more, including new numbers and paint scheme for the Accurail steel refrigerator car. Members can use your GNRHS Member Discount code at checkout to save 10% on most items (excludes convention, membership and select merchandise). Contact the store if you’ve misplaced your code. Or if not a member, join today to get the discount!
Posted on April 18, 2025, by 
