GNRHS Articles and Other Topics

A new Y-1 class electric motor has the Glacier Park Limited in tow on what is today the Iron Goat Trail in Washington's Cascade Mountains

 

Starting in 1977, I’ve written the following seven articles for the Great Northern Historical Society. Unfortunately in the past, the Society’s budget and policy has limited the many colorful drawings, pictures and advertisements to black and white renditions in the reference sheets. Now that the 21st Century has arrived, color is free on the internet and permits a redress to the color shortcomings of the past.

This page contains a list of my articles in chronological order, both those published by the GNRHS and those in progress. Click the left icon for a brief précis with color materials of each article. The right icons access black and white photos. I've tried not to post photos included in each article, except the 1924 Oriental that contains the entire text. Over on the Boomer page I've provided some background information on the article itself.

This site is a work in progress, more material will be added to each page in the future. Please drop by again.

 

 

 

Color graphics and summary of article

 

Click on icons to view

Black & white pictures

Great Northern Structures
The Republic Washington Depot

Photos

Reference Sheet #35 issued December, 1977

 

1924 ORIENTAL LIMITED
"An Aristocrat of the Rails
"

Description of the train's schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc. 1924-1931

Reference Sheet #217, Issued June 1994

Complete text of published article

Transcontinental Passenger Service 1886-1929
The Manitoba Pacific & The Montana Pacific

Description of the St. P,M &M and Great Northern early trains. Covers construction, schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc.

Part 1 Reference Sheet Issued #273 June 1999
Part 2 Reference Sheet Issued #280 March 2000
 

The Great Northern Flyer
“Carries the Pacific Fast Mail”

Description of the train 1 & 2's (initially 3 & 4) schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc. when it operated without a name; as the Limited; the great northern flyer; and briefly as the great northern limited. Period 1893-1905

Reference Sheet Issued #290 December 2000

 

Glacier Park Limited
“See America First”

Description of train 3 & 4's schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc. when it operated as The Puget sound/eastern express; the fast mail; the oregonian ; and finally the glacier park limited.

Part 1 Reference Sheet Issued #303 June 2002
Part 2 Reference Sheet Issued #305 Dec 2002

1905 Oriental Limited
“Through Service to the Orient”

Description of the train's schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc. 1905-1924

Reference Sheet #335 June 2006

1909 GN Express
“Alaska-Yukon-Pacific fair”

Description of the train's schedule, equipment, route with photos, etc. 1909-1918

In preparation, not submitted to GNRHS. Target date late 2006

 

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If you are interested in the material but don't own an article, I suggest you contact the GNRHS back issues. The red BE SAFE BE COURTEOUS button should take you there. I've written these articles to share some of the information on the Great Northern Railway that I’ve gathered over the years. The most efficient way to share information on Great Northern is to write an article for the Great Northern Railway Historical Society, the GNRHS. I hope my experience encourages others to try their hand at preparing an article. The key to writing an article is to start by picking a subject that interests you. Trust me, you'll derive great personal satisfaction from a completed article.