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.
September 9-14, 2025, we'll be in Minneapolis-St Paul, MN, a joint convention with the NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society. Watch this space and the GN Goat for more info soon!
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!
September 9-14, 2025, we'll be in Minneapolis-St Paul, MN, a joint convention with the NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society. Watch this space and the GN Goat for more info soon!
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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. JOIN GNRHS now!
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!
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.
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.
September 9-14, 2025, we'll be in Minneapolis-St Paul, MN, a joint convention with the NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society. Watch this space and the GN Goat for more info soon!