Great Northern Railway Historical Society

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!

Latest News

New GN Models Available

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 November 24, 2024, by


Opportunity for New U25B Models

Rapido is willing to produce GN U25B ‘Phase IV’ locomotive models in HO scale, including GN’s nonstandard ‘five step’ step well, a feature missed on previous ‘Phase I’ models. Also included: side mounted handrails, prototypical snow plow pilot, two-piece windshield, upward sloping nose, and fireman’s side nose-mounted ratchet handbrake. Two road numbers are planned, in both DC and DCC.

But they’ll ONLY be available if 100 reservations are made at the GNRHS store. Terms:
•    A non-refundable deposit of 25%
•    Order deadline is January 2025
•    Current expected delivery in 4th Quarter 2025
•    DC price $239.95
•    DCC with sound price $349.95

Paint scheme would be as-delivered in simplified orange and green with post-1968 cab roof warning flasher. Rapido may offer additional road numbers if the order minimum is met.

Great Northern’s ten Phase IV U25Bs, numbered 2514 to 2523, were delivered during May of 1965 and initially assigned to the Havre Freight Pool for Minneapolis to Seattle service on trains #97 and #83 westward and #82 and #88 eastward. Further historical details available here.

For better or worse, build-to-order has become a reality in the modern hobby market. Let’s act now to take advantage of this opportunity to secure a never-before-produced Great Northern model.

  Posted on November 24, 2024, by


2024 Convention Registration is Live!

UPDATE: Thanks to all involved for a wonderful convention. We’ll see you September 9-14, 2025 in Minneapolis-St Paul for next year’s convention, a joint event of GNRHS, NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society.

The Everett convention is September 14-19, 2024 and will focus on the history of the Great Northern in Everett, WA and surroundings, with tours and presentations. The banquet, raffle and the Rail Fair including Model Display are also part of this year’s great line-up. Click here to learn more.

Registration is available online or in the June GOAT magazine. The current timecard is below. If you prefer to pay by check, you may download a registration form.

And click here to enter the convention raffle of various interesting GN-related items – open to all, even if you don’t attend!

  Posted on June 13, 2024, by


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