2025 Convention - St. Paul, MN
Wednesday, September 10 through Saturday, September 13
We are excited about this first-time joint convention, and hope to see you there.
CLICK HERE to register (registration is hosted by NPRHA) -- or CLICK HERE for a beautiful convention brochure.
It is open to members of all railroad societies; we especially welcome our fellow Hill Line members from the Burlington route.
Highlights include:
- Welcome reception for all attendees on Tuesday evening
- Three (3) days of presentations focusing on the relationship and interaction between the Hill Line railroads
- Annual membership meetings for the societies
- Joint Railfair on Saturday, September 13
- Social hour and banquet on Saturday evening, with featured speaker historian Don Hofsommer
- Shirts and mugs with 2025 convention logo are available through pre-convention orders
On Your Own
Hill historic sites and railroad markers in the Twin City area. Maps will be provided. We will reproduce a publication authored by Robert M. Frame III and published by the Hill Reference Library entitled “James J. Hill’s Saint Paul, a guide to historic sites” for all registrants.
The Minnesota History Center has a wealth of information on railroad history and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. It is located a short distance from the hotel and easily accessible by bus or car. Parking is available at $6 per day. More info at mnhs.Org
Railroad layout tours on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Planning is still underway for this event, and it is not yet confirmed. An update will be available in your June Goat.
Tours and outside events
Pre-convention train ride on Tuesday, September 9. Board the MTM scenic railroad in Osceola WI for a 3-hour roundtrip from Osceola to Withrow Junction in Washington County MN. Bus transportation to and from the hotel and a box lunch will be provided. Buses will leave the hotel at 11 am and return to the hotel at 5 pm.
Visit the Jackson Street Roundhouse Archives and tour the Minnesota Transportation Museum. View James J. Hill’s business car, the GN International coach-diner 1146, the CB&Q doodlebug and many other exhibits
Tour the James J. Hill house
Convention Hotel
The St. Paul Downtown Doubletree Hotel is located at 411 Minnesota St. The nightly room rate for this convention is $125 + tax. Both King and Double Queen Rooms are available. This rate is good from September 9 through September 14, 2025. YOU MUST RESERVE BEFORE SUNDAY, AUGUST 17. Rooms not reserved by then will be dropped from the convention room block and will not be available thereafter at the group rate. You may book directly with the hotel at 651-291-8800 and refer to Group Code 907 to get your group rate. Or book on-line by clicking here.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEE
- James J. Hill’s Saint Paul, A Guide to Historic Sites, a special print edition made available by permission of the James and Mary Hill Foundation. This printed document is no longer available for public purchase and will only be made available to convention attendees.
- A Railroad Map of the Twin City Terminal Area dated October 1934. This large map will be on display at the convention; a smaller sized map will be available in your registration packet for your “railfanning” use. This map shows the 1934 routes of following railways: Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific; Great Northern; Northern Pacific; Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha; Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault St. Marie; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Minneapolis & St. Louis; Chicago, Great Western; Mpls, Northfield & Southern; Minnesota Western; Minnesota Transfer; and Mpls, Anoka & Cuyuna Range Rwy.
- Access to all scheduled tours, including the pre-convention scenic RT train ride from Osceola to Withrow Junction
- Access to the Swap Meet
- Access to all presentations – see preliminary agenda in brochure.
- Opportunity to visit area railroad layouts.
- Opportunity to visit the St. Paul Union Depot and view GN 400 Hustle Muscle, NP 3617 and SP&S Baggage Car (pending confirmation of move of this equipment by BNSF to St. Paul)
- AND BEST OF ALL – the opportunity to greet old friends and meet new friends!
CLICK HERE to register (registration is hosted by NPRHA) -- or CLICK HERE for a beautiful convention brochure.
See you soon!