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2025 Western Pacific – Rio Grande Railroad Historical Convention Joint Convention

September 11-14, 2025  (Thursday- Sunday)
Hosted by the California State Railroad Museum and the Delta King
located in Old Sacramento, California
Connecting the West

Mark your calendars for our 2025 Joint Convention with the Feather River Rail Society. We are currently working on a great line-up of programs that include material, photography and explanations of Rio Grande & WP operations.  The convention in Sacramento, California will featuring…

  • Historic and Modeling Clinics
  • Rare Films from the Virgil Staff Collection
  • Vendors and Special Guests
  • Archive and Photo Exhibits
  • Fundraising Prize Raffle
  • Buffet Banquet Saturday Night, Banquet Speakers: Jeff Pierce RGMHS - Greg Elems FRRS

2025 Convention Cars

Special run HO scale model boxcars. Denver and Rio Grande Western 40 ft steel single door boxcar and a Western Pacific 40 ft wood single door boxcar. Provided by Accurail. Cars will be delivered at the convention when you check in. You can only order the convention cars if you are attending the convention in September. All non-convention orders will be cancelled.

2025 Virtual WP-DRGW Convention Registration

Can’t attend in person? The 2025 Convention presentations will be available in an on line virtual format presented by TSG Multimedia. Sign up here for the virtual convention.


Don’t wait, register now!

Convention Pre-registration ends Sept 1, 2025. Register online for the convention, click the button below:

Register Online (you will be redirected to WPlives.org to register)

NOTE: No charge for non-rail spouses to attend convention, but they need to be registered and have paid fare to attend clinics, banquet and special events.

You can also print out this  Convention Form if you are paying by check or prefer to mail in your registration.

Mail payments to:
WP - DRGW Historical Convention 2025
P. O. Box 25005
Salt Lake City, UT, 84125-0005

NOTE: NO mailed payments after August 15, 2025. Online only starting August 16, 2025.

As part of our convention, Discount lodging rooms were available at the Delta King Hotel, but we understand that rooms have been booked fully booked for the Saturday evening of the convention.  If you are still looking to secure a hotel be recommend you consult the list of hotels new the Sacramento downtown area here: Old Sacramento Hotels

Look for periodic updates over the coming months as Presentations and special events will be announced! Watch for updates here for show schedules, special tours, updates and banquet info as details for each program and even are firmed up.


If you are interested in presenting a topic at the 2025 convention or have a suggestion for a topic please send an e-mail to: convention@rgmhs.org

See you in Sacramento!


Cancellation Policy:
 * After September 1st, 2025, there will be no refunds for cancellations, due to commitments that must be made on both societies part with the venues and for extra-fare events.

Updated: 06/27/25 09:59

Agenda (subject to change)

Wednesday  9/10/2025
Start Time End Time Subject
4:00 PM 6:00 PM  Early Set-up (If Available)
Thursday  9/11/2025
Start Time End Time Subject
11:00 AM 12:00 PM Registration Opens
11:30 AM 1:00 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM 4:30 PM Registration Opens - Sell Raffle Tickets all day
1:30 PM 5:00 PM Meet and Greet (Meeting rooms - lobby)
1:30 PM 2:20 PM CSRM Archive/Libaray Session 1 (Limited to 20 People)
1:30 PM 2:20 PM Kyle Wyatt - D&RGW-Owned Western Pacific passenger cars of 1910 & WP 302
2:20 PM 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM 3:15 PM Eugene Vicknair - Rocky Mountain Refugees
3:30 PM 4:00 PM Eric Blasko - WP and Rio Grande - Tales of a Young Railfan
4:10 PM 5:00 PM Roger Colton - WP 94
Friday  9/12/2025
Start Time End Time Subject
 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Registration Open - Sell Raffle Tickets all day
8:00 AM Vendor Room opens for vendor set-up
8:00 AM 4:00 PM Photo/Modeling Entry Opens - DISPLAY ONLY THIS YEAR
8:30 AM 9:15 AM Dave Stanley - Pt-1 Best WP-SN-TS-CCT Black and White images
9:15 AM 9:30 AM Break
9:30 AM 10:20 AM CSRM Archive/Library Session 2 (Limited to 20 People)
9:30 AM 10:20 AM Derrick Klarr - Restration WP 3002
10:00 AM Exhibit-Vendor-Display Room Opens
10:00 AM CSRM Shop Tour (Limit to 25 people) Working shop, Closed toe footwear mandatory No wheelchair accessible and persons with mobility issues should not enter this tour
10:25 AM 10:50 AM Alan Barrett/Henry Bergen - “Rio Grande Road Trip - Easter Vacation 1983”
10:50 AM  11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM 11:50 AM Riggie Twigg - A Primer on Passenger Services, Equipment and Operation in California Zephyr Territory during the Pullman Era (1947-68)
12:00 PM 1:30 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:40 PM 2:20 PM Dave Stanley - Pt-2 Best WP-SN-TS-CCT Black and White images
2:20 PM 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM 3:10 PM Greg Elems & Alan Barrett - Western Pacific 1st Subdivision
3:10 PM 3:20 PM Break
3:20 PM 4:00 PM Ethan Doty - Jeffery's Shop Converted Bulkhead Flats
4:00 PM 4:10 PM Break
4:10 PM 5:00 PM Chris Skow - the Survivor a tribute to the Rio Grande Zephyr
4:00 PM 8:00 PM Possible Layout Tours
5:30 PM Exhibit-Vendor-Display Room Closes
Saturday  9/13/2025
Start Time End Time Subject
 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Registration Open - Sell Raffle Tickets all day
9:00 AM 10:00 AM FRRS Board of Directors meeting
10:05 AM Exhibit-Vendor-Display Room Opens
10:15 AM 11:00 AM Maurice Walker (NCO) - NCO Railway - The Origin of the WP Reno Branch
11:00 AM 11:10 AM Break
11:10 AM  11:55 AM Andrew Brandon (NCO) - NCO Railway Caboose no. 2 on display at CSRM
12:00 PM 1:30 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM 3:00 PM N-C-O Artifacts Display CSRM Library
1:40 PM 2:30 PM Don Christian - WP Career of Ernest Earl Christian
2:30 PM 2:40 PM Break
2:40 PM 3:20 PM Gus Paoli (NCO) - Narrow Gauge Big Aspirations
3:20 PM 3:30 PM Break
3:30 PM 4:10 PM Shane Starr (NCO) - NCO Railway Historical Society
4:10 PM 5:00 PM NCO Annual Members Meeting
4:10 PM 5:00 PM Open Time - Visit Display - Vendor Room
5:30 PM Exhibit-Vendor-Display Room Closes
5:30 PM 6:30 PM No-Host Mixer (Prior to Banquet)
6:30 PM 9:00 PM Banquet - Speakers: Jeff Pierce RGMHS - Greg Elems FRRS
Raffle (During Banquet)
Sunday  9/14/2025
Start Time End Time Subject
1:00 PM  4:00 PM Possible Layout Tour

California State Railroad Musuem

The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is an ideal venue for the 2025 Western Pacific – Rio Grande Railroad Historical Convention Joint Convention, scheduled for September 11-14, 2025. Renowned for its extensive collection of meticulously preserved locomotives and railroad artifacts, the museum offers a rich historical ambiance that perfectly complements the theme of the convention. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating history of railroads, surrounded by exhibits that showcase the evolution of rail transport in the United States. The museum’s spacious and well-equipped facilities provide an excellent setting for presentations, discussions, and networking among railroad enthusiasts and historians. Its central location in Sacramento ensures convenient access for participants, making it a perfect choice for this prestigious event.

The Delta King in Sacramento is a charming and historic venue that will serve as the host hotel and location for the banquet during the 2025 Western Pacific – Rio Grande Railroad Historical Convention Joint Convention. This beautifully restored 1927 paddlewheel riverboat offers a unique blend of elegance and nostalgia, making it an ideal setting for our event. Guests will enjoy stunning views of the Sacramento River, creating a picturesque backdrop for the banquet. The Delta King provides a variety of versatile event spaces, including indoor banquet rooms and open-air decks, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees. Its prime location in Old Sacramento, close to local attractions and amenities, adds to the convenience and appeal of this exceptional venue

Learn more