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, November 7, 2025, 7:30 PM CST - Rob Pfeiffer presents “Beyond the Frozen Tundra”
C&NW train at Marinette, Wisconsin, May 29, 1973. Photo by Art Paris.
Rob’s program begins with Green Bay area railroads and continues with images of the lines from Green Bay north to Marinette/Menominee, Escanaba, and Iron Mountain.
Green Bay & Western at Norwood Yard, Green Bay, June 1992. Photo by Rob Pfeiffer.
We’ll see images of railroads past including C&NW, UP, WC, and MILW, as well as E&LS and CN. Images range from the 1970s to the present and include diesels from Alco, Baldwin, Whitcomb, GE and EMD wearing a multitude of paint schemes. Even a bit of steam is included.
Wisconsin Central at Pembine, Wisconsin, March 10, 1996. Photo by Rob Pfeiffer.
This often-overlooked region has been a railfan’s paradise, and still includes some interesting action and scenery.
Canadian National at Powers, Michigan, August 2024. Photo by Rob Pfeiffer
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 participate remotely, via Zoom. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to access this event remotely: click here to register. After successful registration, you will receive an email from Zoom with information on how to join the meeting.