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

Railroad History Symposium October 19

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 October 3, 2025, by


GNRHS Meetup THIS THURSDAY 9/25

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!

Please register for the meeting using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PYL6BW-vRXajCJfiBJ2VRA

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!

  Posted on September 24, 2025, by


2025 Convention Registration Now Open!

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.


CLICK HERE to learn more, including registration and hotel info.

  Posted on April 18, 2025, by


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