GNRHS members pose with Great Northern
Railway H-5 4-6-2 at Sioux City, IA.

Our GNRHS convention of 2017 was held for the first time in South Dakota. Attendees were treated to rides behind a hot, coal-fired 0-6-0 Lima steam engine and a visit with the lovingly-restored Great Northern Railway 1355 H-5 class, 4-6-2 at Sioux City, Iowa. Those who arrived early for the convention also enjoyed a tour of the Midwest Railcar Repair facility.

Our modelers enjoyed an evening’s visit to three separate local layouts as well as the modeling contest during Rail Fair. Convention speakers presented a wide variety of topics. We experienced everything from Operations on Jeff Otto’s Missabe Northern model railroad, Mark Meyer talking about BNSF locomotive distribution, and several features on GN lines and their predecessors in South Dakota up to present-day local BNSF operations.

The convention closed on Wednesday evening with the banquet featuring a talk by Mark Gjevre of BNSF about the upcoming Sioux Falls yard relocation project. There was also a brief presentation about next year’s Bellingham convention which will include two tours up into Canada to view GN’s legacy. Afterwards, the raffle prizes were distributed and another successful GNRHS convention came to a close.

We hope to see you all next September in Bellingham on the route of the Amtrak Cascades!

BNSF power enters Sioux Falls on ex-GN line.

Railroad bridge at Sioux Falls park.

At Midwest Railcar Repair GNRHS members inspect a tank car that's in for a new jacket.

A BNSF cryogenic car undergoes rebuilding.

BNSF dozer 939525 after rebuilding at Midwest Railcar Repair.

Prairie Village 0-6-0 blasts uphill.

Lindsay Korst enjoys the view from the cupola.

GN-MILW Wentworth, SD depot.

Enjoying a buffet lunch at Prairie Valley.

0-6-0 takes on water.

GNRHS booth at Rail Fair.

Model of stockyard on display at Rail Fair.

Just a few of the raffle prizes.

Don McGlothlin hosts GNRHS Business Meeting.

Father Dale Peterka, John and Marilyn Thomas receive lifetime GNRHS memberships.

Ken Middleton talks about the Watertown & Sioux Falls Ry.

Enjoying a presentation.

Rutland, SD depot (ex-GN) at fairgrounds.

Sioux Valley Model Engineers Society layout,

Spectacular N gauge model layout on our tour.

Quartzite mine on the Dakota Central.

GN 1355 at the Sioux City, Iowa roundhouse.

Checking out the turntable at Sioux City.

Pulling GN 1355 onto the turntable.

GNRHS members pose with GN 1355 at Sioux City.

Enjoying a speeder ride across the former Milwaukee complex.

Scott Tanner watches a presentation.

Former GN depot in Sioux Falls, SD.

Overall view of ex-GN yard in Sioux Falls.

Wednesday evening banquet.

Mark Gjevre of BNSF was our banquet speaker.

Scott Tanner presents Greer with his award.

On Saturday, September 30, 2017, Dr. D. Greer Nielsen was presented with a GNRHS “Empire Builder” award by Board Members Scott Tanner and Lindsay Korst.   Greer was a Passenger Representative for the Great Northern Railway on the Empire Builder and Western Star.

Greer has authored several articles for the GOAT and is currently preparing a reference sheet on the GN Passenger Representative. Greer has made presentations at GNRHS conventions and has been a real ambassador for the membership in the Society.

Greer has been enthusiastic about sharing his memory on passenger equipment, personnel and methods the GN used in promoting and managing its passenger services. For his outstanding service to the Society, it is with a deep sense of gratitude this award is presented to Greer by the GNRHS Board, Officers and Membership.

Directors Tanner and Korst stand with Greer as he accepts his award.

I’m sad to report to the membership that Duane Buck passed away last Friday, September 8th. Duane was a past president of the Society as well as the Editor Emeritus of the Goat Modeling pages. Duane was always available to answer anyones question and was dedicated to the GNRHS. Duane will be missed by all.