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!
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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.
Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive is hosting a Railroad History Symposium on Sunday, October 19th at the Auburn Community and Event Center, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002. It will run 10:00 to 4:00.
Admission is free.
Some of the current planned topics for this session:
Railroad History of Stevens Pass
The NP Strike of 1873
West Coast Rail Ferries
and others
At lunch PNRA plans to discuss its Headlight Society, a planned giving program focused on estate planning.
This symposium is planned to be the first session of an annual event, in the Fall each year.
GNRHS Meetup THIS THURSDAY 9/25 The start-up time is: 5:30 p.m. Pacific 6:30 p.m. Mountain 7:30 p.m. Central 8:30 p.m. Eastern
The first 30 minutes will be social, then we’ll feature Bob Hanmer discussing the GN’s Mesabi Division. This presentation focuses on the GN from the shores of Lake Superior to the Mesabi Iron Range, as well as ore handling practices, specialized transport of iron ore, and how it is modeled. It’s a presentation you certainly won’t want to miss!
NOTE: You will not be able to attend unless you register in advance. After registering, you’ll receive an email reminder 1 day and 1 hour before the meeting which will include the link giving you access to the Zoom call. We hope to see you there!
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.
Posted on October 3, 2025, by 
