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.
In September 2026, we'll be in Essex, MT. Click the photo 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.
As you may be aware, the host site for the 2026 GNRHS Convention filed for bankruptcy in mid-February. The facility will close in early March.
Given all the work and effort that has been put into place, it is certainly disappointing. We know that the site is incredibly special to fans of the Great Northern Railway. Clearly this is unfortunate for both the members of the GNRHS as well as for the host site.
This information was not received in time to make changes to our publications. Thus, you will notice the March 2026 Goat, pages 16 and 17 speaks of the convention. Obviously, elements of that message will change in the coming weeks.
To get this urgent notice included in the March GNRHS mailing, we are creating it without any clear answer to what happens next. The instant that the GNRHS Board became aware of the situation alternative plans were being explored. The Glacier National Park area has hosted previous GNRHS conventions, including East Glacier (1984, 2010), Whitefish (1990), and Kalispell (2006). It is even possible that events might transpire to find a quick buyer and we may even be able to return to Essex.
In our June GNRHS publications we still plan to include a Convention Booklet and a Registration Form. At this point, we are as curious as you may be to see where that will lead us. In the meantime, we will get any important information out to you using email, website, and social media.
Friends and members in the Puget Sound: the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive, co-founded and supported by GNRHS, will have an Open House the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Dates are November 28 and 29, from 10:00 am to 4:00 PM.
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.
Posted on February 15, 2026, by 