January 1, 1850 The Vermont Central opens between Waterbury and Burlington.
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January 1, 1867 A third rail for standard gauge equipment is placed in service on the broad-gauge Great Western Railway of Canada, opening a continuous standard-gauge line from Chicago to New York with the new train ferry "Great Western" between Detroit and Windsor. The "Great Western" is the largest iron or steel vessel on the Great Lakes. Through sleeping car service is inaugurated between Suspension Bridge (Niagara Falls) and Chicago.
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January 1, 1954 "K" style air brakes are banned
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January 1, 1954 EMD introduces its 567-C engine and the "9" line of diesels: GP-9, F-9 and SD-9, all rated at 1750 horsepower.
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January 1, 1967 In honor of the Canadian Centennial, singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot debuts his "Canadian Railroad Trilogy". The work has been commissioned by the CBC.
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January 1, 1984 The Grand Trunk Western fully absorbs the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton.
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January 1, 1996 Canadian National absorbs the operations of Grand Trunk and the Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific. Both roads remain as "paper" companies.
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January 1, 1998 In the United States, ditch lights are required on all locomotives operating over public crossings at more than 20 mph.
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Mark Tomlonson
