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.
Find great GN items in the GNRHS Company Store! Model kits, Goat Back Issues and Reference Sheets, Apparel, Stickers and more! Discounts available for members!
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 that is the Great Northern Railway. Learn more.
For researchers the GNRHS Archives have historic documents and photos available on a wide range of subjects covering the Great Northern.
For a quick overview of all the GNRHS has to offer, checkout the menu at the top of the page or choose a link for more detailed information. JOIN GNRHS now!
Many thanks to convention co-chairs Francina and Tom Carr, along with Bob Kelly, Mary McGlothlin, Jim Betz, Jeff Otto, the CPHA crew and so many others that helped make the joint GNRHS/CPHA convention in Nelson BC a success. Over 150 attendees enjoyed beautiful weather and a full program of clinics, tours, model displays and fellowship.
So what’s next? Mark your calendars for these upcoming GNRHS conventions:
JULY 22 to JULY 26, 2023 ST CLOUD, MINNESOTA BEST WESTERN KELLY INN
SEPTEMBER 14 to SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 EVERETT, WASHINGTON DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT
SEPTEMBER 2025 ST PAUL, MINNESOTA Dates and location to be determined. Planning is underway for Joint GNRHS, NPRHA and Burlington Route Convention
We are getting excited as the Nelson 2022 Convention approaches, held jointly by GNRHS and the Canadian Pacific Historical Association:
• The dates are Saturday September 17 through Wednesday Sept 21 inclusive – IT’S NOT TOO LATE to register! • Full registration package is available online. Click here for the timecard.
If you’re already registered, you can still book a space for these activities:
Touchstones Museum – for the official opening ceremony of their new Kootenay Railways exhibit
Nelson Heritage Tramshops (reception & tour of their shop and streetcars)
Ainsworth Hot Springs for a relaxing and enjoyable time in their outdoor pools, followed by self-pay lunch at the Indigenous inspired Ktunaxa Grill overlooking Kootenay Lake
Banquet with Keynote speaker Robert Turner
Spokane <-> Nelson Shuttle bus, before and/or after the convention
Ainsworth Hot Springs activity – we had to change the meal to lunch as they aren’t open for breakfast on Wednesdays
Currently all international travellers coming to Canada must:
be fully vaccinated for COVID – they ask about your first and second vaccines
have a valid passport
create an online account with ArriveCan beforehand – involves scanning your passport and COVID vaccination documents ahead of time (digital photos accepted)
You must also register your visit via your account within 72 hours of your planned border crossing – phone users may need to update your ArriveCan app first
Smartphone – register via ArriveCan Mobile App so you can show your receipt that way at the border
Computer – register online then print your registration receipt to show at the border – have someone help you if this is challenging for you
Please consider bringing something for the Model and Photo display (Sun & Mon)
We’d like to see your work-in-progress or completed models and photos to display. Admire the great skills of fellow members. Talk with others to get tips, problem solve, and share ideas.
Jim Betz is offering layout planning help during convention – contact him at jimbetz@jimbetz.com to arrange a time with him
Review the updated Aug 16th timecard – there may have been some small changes to start/stop times of some activities
Burger Buffet – there will be 2 seatings due to the large number of attendees who have paid for this activity
1st seating – 4-6pm
2nd seating – 6-8pm
Please let us know which seating you prefer – by email to fjcarr2022@shaw.ca or when you arrive at the Convention Registration desk in Nelson
Tickets indicating your seating choice will be given out at the registration desk
A simultaneous craft-beer tasting will be held in the adjoining Prestige Port701 Lounge
Tom and Francina Carr have been very busy reorganizing the postponed 2020 Nelson BC (Canada) convention, working closely with our friends at Canadian Pacific Historical Association:
• The dates are Saturday September 17 through Wednesday Sept 21, 2022. • Full registration package was in the March GOAT magazine, and also available online. Click here for the timecard. If you prefer to pay by check, you may click here to download a registration form. • We have organized various speaker presentations; time for showing and discussing train models and pictures; optional bus-tours (historical rail and non-rail) of this very interesting and historically significant area; a Meet and Greet Friday evening, a Burger buffet Monday evening, and a Convention banquet on Wednesday evening. The Nelson Heritage tramway will be available for free rides to our attendees throughout the convention • There will be a very interesting full-day historical rail bus-tour on Saturday Sept 17th, so you should arrive Friday Sept 16th if you wish to partake.
Posted on September 27, 2022, by