Wisconsin NRHS is a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
The NRHS was founded in 1935 by a group of rail historians. It has since grown from 40 founding members to include thousands of men and women of all ages and professions in every state and many foreign countries, making it the nation's largest rail preservation and historical society. More information about NRHS may be found at www.nrhs.com.
The Wisconsin Chapter was founded in 1950. Our purpose is to gather, preserve and disseminate information, both historic and current, pertaining to railroading in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.
The chapter holds membership meetings on the first Friday evening of most months in Fox Point, just north of Milwaukee, and streamed online. Meeting programs are presented by leading local railroad historians, photographers, enthusiasts, and people involved with the railroad industry. Meetings are always open to the public, and no admission fee is charged. If you find yourself aligned with the goals of the chapter, or if you find value in our meeting programs, please consider joining.
Bookmark the chapter's YouTube channel (youtube.com/@NRHSWis) and follow us on Facebook.
Wisconsin Chapter meetings are held on the first Friday of every month (except July & August), at 7:30 p.m., in the lower level meeting room of the North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 North Santa Monica Boulevard in Fox Point, Wisconsin. Click here for a Bing map and directions.
Our meetings are always open to members and anyone who has an interest in railroad history or today's railroad operations. No admission fee is charged.
We stream our meetings via Zoom for the benefit of anyone who cannot attend in-person. To be advised of Zoom connection information, and to receive occasional chapter updates, become a member today.
Upcoming meetings:
Friday, January 3 2025, 7:30 PM CST
NRHS Cape Cod Chapter member Doug Scott will present Cape Cod Railroading at the NRHS Wisconsin Chapter meeting on Friday, January 3.
Cape Cod Central Bourne Bridge, August 2020. Photo by Doug Scott
The Covid pandemic limited travel; during this period Mr. Scott stuck close to his home on Cape Cod and extensively photographed freights operated by Massachusetts Coastal, and passenger service provided by Cape Cod Central and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The Cape Cod Chapter owns and maintains the former New Haven station at West Barnstable; just about every train that runs on the Cape passes by the depot - and Mr. Scott captured much of the action. Also included is maritime activity through the Cape Cod Canal and around the Cape.
Mass Coastal energy train empties at West Barnstable, May 2020. Photo by Doug Scott
A smattering of railroad images taken pre-pandemic in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida will be shown.
If you are able, please attend in person at our regular meeting venue in Fox Point; doors open before 7:00 pm for social time. Those who cannot attend in person are encouraged to download the latest version of Zoom software to their computers (or tablets, or smartphones) to attend virtually. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to access this event remotely: please check here again a few days before the meeting to register. After successful registration, you will receive an email from Zoom with information on how to join the meeting. Contact membership (at-sign) nrhswis (period) org with any questions before 3:00 pm January 3.