Wisconsin Chapter, National Railway Historical Society
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 the first Friday evening of the month (excepting June, July and August) in Fox Point, just north of Milwaukee. 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. Click the "Meetings" menu for details on our next meeting.
Follow the Wisconsin Chapter on Facebook and visit the chapter's channel on YouTube.
Wisconsin Chapter meetings are held on the first Friday of every month (except June, 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.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we held our meetings remotely, online. We will endeavor to continue to stream our meetings via Zoom for the benefit of anyone who cannot attend in-person. To be advised of Zoom connection information, sign up for our email announcements. Just send your request to president (at-sign) nrhswis (period) org.
Our meetings are always open to members and to anyone who has an interest in railroad history or today's railroad operations. No admission fee is charged. If you find yourself aligned with the goals of the chapter, please consider joining.
Upcoming meetings:
Friday, February 4, 2022 - A Look Back at 2001 with Tom Hoffmann
Longtime chapter member Tom Hoffmann presents another in his series of "lookback" programs. Join us as Tom turns back the dial to 2001, as he presents a selection of railroad photographs taken across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana... even some shots from California and Utah! Among the highlights are photos from consecutive days showing the last day of operations on the Wisconsin Central, and the first day of Canadian National operations. Tom's 20-year lookbacks are the chapter's longest continuing series of presentations.
Hat tip to Dave Nelson for digitizing Tom's legacy media.
WC rock train at Frame Park, Waukesha, July 1, 2001 - photo by Thomas E. Hoffmann
WC train on the north side of Burlington, April 25, 2001 - photo by Thomas E. Hoffmann
CSX work train at Wellsoboro, Indiana, April 30, 2001 - photo by Thomas E. Hoffmann
Union Pacific power at Jefferson Jct., February 10, 2011 - photo by Thomas E. Hoffmann
The February gathering is also the Chapter's Annual Business Meeting. Full members of the Chapter can exercise their right to vote for a slate of officers and directors.
This program will be presented live at our regular meeting place in Fox Point, but members and other interested people are invited to tune in to the live stream via Zoom. Connection info will be shared with members and friends of Wisconsin NRHS a day or so before the meeting. If you'd like to be so notified, please send a request to president [at-sign] nrhswis [period] org.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 7:30 PM - Online Slide Show
Wisconsin Chapter NRHS holds alternate-month online slide shows on the Zoom platform.
Join us February 15 for the Chapter's online slide show! Less formal than a regular meeting, these online events feature the work of five railroad photographers, each presenting a 15-minute slide show on a variety of railroad subjects.
The presenters for tonight's event:
- Jerry Pyfer - Illinois Central Gulf: Tales of the Freeport District
- Dan Grudzielanek - SD40-2 Tribute
- Jeff Wojciechowski - 2020 Out West
- Erik Lindgren - Winter on the Front Range
- Erik Shicotte - tba
Download the latest version of the Zoom software to participate. More information can be found in Sparks & Cinders and via the chapter's email announcements. If you would like to be notified of the meeting details, or if you would like to present a 15-minute slideshow at a future event, please send a note to president (at-sign) nrhswis (dot) org. Thank you.
Friday, March 4, 2022 - The Weed Route with Alan Freed
After the Milwaukee Road stopped operatng trains on its Pacific Extension, but before the tracks were pulled up, two friends had an adventure on a speeder! More info to follow.
This program will be presented live via Zoom, but members are invited to join us at our regular meeting place in Fox Point to watch the program on the big screen. Connection info will be shared with members and friends of Wisconsin NRHS a day or so before the meeting. If you'd like to be so notified, please send a request to president [at-sign] nrhswis [period] org.