Mark your calendars for our 2024 Joint Convention with the Missouri Pacific Historical Society (MPHS)in Pueblo, Colorado, at the Pueblo Convention Center on October 10-13, 2024.
We kick things off early evening on Thursday, October 10th with a welcome reception featuring a street taco bar. Following that will be a full schedule of programs and events that run through noon on Sunday, October 13th. Look for periodic updates over the coming months as details for each program and even are firmed up.
Our convention fee is $95. There will be extra-fare events and optional activities including:
- Welcome reception Thursday night with street taco bar – $15 per person for family members (free admission for registered attendees).
- Swap Meet on Saturday, October 12th – $10 per table for sellers, free admission for registered attendees.
- Informal Society Dinner – TBD.
- Pueblo Railway Museum.
- Steelworks Center of the West, Steelworks Museum.
- Company Stores for both RGMHS and MPHS.
- Spring Creek Model Trains
- Layout Tours
Currently we are working on a great line-up of programs that include material, photography and explanations of Rio Grande & Missouri Pacific Historical Society operations. Programs will cover freight and passenger operations on each railroad. We are particularly interested in program topics that overlap both the Rio Grande and Missouri Pacific. If you are interested in presenting a topic at the 2024 convention or have a suggestion for a topic please send an e-mail to: Pueblo2024@rgmhs.org
We are excited to be jointly hosting what essential is their annual convention with us in Pueblo. This year convention is special as the MPHS is celebrating 50 years as a society that was organized as a not-for-profit corporation in 1980. It is chartered in the state of Missouri for the purpose of obtaining, preserving, and sharing information and material relating to the Missouri Pacific Railroad and its subsidiaries. The current MPHS is an outgrowth of a prior group which was formed in 1974. The society’s area of interest includes not only the Missouri Pacific Railroad, past to present, but its predecessor railroads. Annual meetings began in 1981 and are rotated throughout the Missouri Pacific system as feasible. In addition to the society’s business, varied programs covering the Missouri Pacific and its history are given for the benefit of those attending.
The Royal Gorge Railroad
The Royal Gorge RailroadThe Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society invites you to an unforgettable excursion during the 2024 joint convention with the Missouri Pacific Society in Pueblo, Colorado this fall. On Friday, October 11th, we’ll ride the Royal Gorge Railroad, with a car reserved exclusively for us at $89 per person (carpools available for those needing transportation to/from Cañon City).
Buckle up, rail enthusiasts! This journey through the rugged beauty of the Royal Gorge, carved by the Arkansas River, will be etched in steel and nostalgia. As the 1950s-era train winds along the very tracks once thundered by the legendary Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, settle into our cozy passenger chartered car. The clickety-clack of wheels on rails will serenade you as you feast your eyes on jaw-dropping vistas—the sheer granite cliffs, the emerald river ribbon, and the sentinel Colorado Rockies.
Convention attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Royal Gorge and layout tours. Transportation is not included in the excursion ticket price. Attendees must arrive at The Royal Gorge one hour before departure or they risk missing the train.
Register for the convention now, secure your spot, and snag an excursion pass. Let’s make this an historic event one for the ages.
*** We have now sold out of the reserved seats we had for the train, but you can still join us on the train by purchasing your seats directly from the Royal Gorge Railroad at the following link: https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/royal-gorge-journeys/
2024 Convention T- Shirts are available for Pre-Order
Limited Edition 2024 MPHS & RGMHS Convention Commemorative T-Shirt
We are offering a limited edition, commemorative T-shirt for the 2024 annual convention in Pueblo, CO. It is an ash grey 100% cotton T-shirt with the images of our two organizations.
This is a preshrunk 100% cotton t-shirt that will run the same in size as most other t-shirts. If in doubt, it is suggested that you order one size larger. Due to the nature of this offering there will be no returns or exchanges allowed.
Our intent is to deliver these shirts at the convention and save you the shipping costs. Please be sure to enter the code CON2024 at checkout and select free shipping in order to take advantage of this offer. If you are unable to attend or just want it shipped to you, do nothing, and the shipping costs will be automatically added to your order. Free delivery to Pueblo applies to all other in-stock merchandise, as well. This offer expires on September 30, 2024.
Convention ShirtLayout Open House & Operation Session: Greg Long’s D&RGW Montrose Division Layout
We have two unique opportunities during the convention to visit and operate on Greg Long’s beautiful HO and HOn3 D&RGW Montrose Division model railroad while in Pueblo. Greg’s layout is a 25’x40’ depiction of the Montrose Branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, set in 1954. The branch mainline runs point-to-point, starting in Grand Junction staging and ending in Montrose. It features three real towns—Montrose, Olathe, and Chipeta—modeled in name only. Additionally, there are two fictional branches originating from Olathe: the standard gauge Park Branch, which serves a large coal mine, and the narrow-gauge Empire Branch, which includes a main yard at Empire and a hard rock mining district on the Silver City Branch.
Friday Night Operating Session: On Friday night, 8 convention members will have the chance to sign up for an operating session on Greg’s layout. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up early!
Saturday Afternoon Open House: Greg will host an open house on Saturday afternoon for attendees to visit his layout. This is a great chance to see his impressive work up close.
Op Session RegisterModel Display
Convention Attendees can register to display your models in Fortino Grand Hall at the 2024 Convention October 11-13th, 2024 at the Pueblo Convention Center. (320 Central Main Street, Pueblo, CO, 81003)
This only a display and not a model contest hosted by the society to show off your MoPAC and D&RGW models. The room is staffed by registration and Company store staff and will be secured during non-event hours.
Drop-off date(s):
October 10th 3:00pm to 5:00pm
October 11th: 8:00am to 10:00am
Pick-up date:
October 12th 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Don’t wait, register now!
To buy your convention pass click the button below:
Register HereAs part of our convention, we have arranged a special convention rate for rooms (standard king or 2 queen bedrooms) at the Courtyard Pueblo Downtown for just $159 a night. The hotel is right next to the event venue. Reservations can be made online on an individual call-in basis by calling the hotel front desk at 719-542-3200 and asking for the “Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society/Missouri Pacific Joint Convention” group room rate. Room availability is limited so book early.
To reserve your hotel room for the convention at the group rate visit:
Book HotelThe special convention rate at the Courtyard Pueblo Downtown is also available up to three days pre-and post- convention. Pre-and post-convention dates must be booked by calling the hotel front desk at 719-542-3200 and asking for the dates to be added to your group room reservation.
More information about this event will be posted as soon as its available.
See you in Pueblo!
Cancellation Policy:
* After September 7th, 2024, there will be no refunds for cancellations, due to commitments that must be made on both societies part with the venues and for excursion.
** Rooms are available at the convention rate starting Thursday evening, October-10th with checkout as late as Sunday October 13th
