February 4, 1887 In the United States, the Interstate Commerce Act is signed into law, setting up a commission to regulate rates on the railroads and ensure that the interests of farmers and small businessmen are represented. Thomas Cooley of Michigan is the commission's first Chairman.

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February 4, 1911 In honor of the work being done on the canal, Illinois Central names its premier passenger train the "Panama Limited".

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Mark Tomlonson

Thanks for the info mark... I work right off the main in Windsor..
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Ian Deck
Windsor, Ontario

February 3, 1862 Thomas Edison becomes the first newspaper publisher to distribute his paper on a train. He sells his one-page Weekly Herald on a Grand Trunk train between Port Huron and Detroit.

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February 3, 1958 Railway Age Magazine reports 1,377 active steamers on U.S. rails and 1,709 in Canada. Mikados (2-8-2) are the most common type still steaming. The editors add, "The future of steam is in a museum."

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Mark Tomlonson

January 31, 1932 Railway unions in the United States accept a 10% pay cut in hopes of easing the effects of the Depression on the railroads which will in turn allow them to keep their jobs.

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January 31, 2009 Canadian National takes control of most of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern. CN has acquired the line to connect its Wisconsin Central, Illinois Central and Grand Trunk lines while avoiding the congestion of Chicago.

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February 1, 1890 Canada Atlantic Railway (later GT, CN) bridges the St. Lawrence River.

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February 1, 1936 Railway Express Agency begins offering coordinated rail-air express service for the United States and 33 countries reached by Pan American Airways.

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February 1, 1971 Canadian National again withdraws the Turbos from service to begin a rebuild program.

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February 1, 1975 Railway Express Agency declares bankruptcy. The company will be liquidated later in the year.

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February 1, 1990 CN Rail begins running trains without cabooses (aka “vans”).

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February 2, 1927 Canadian National opens Spadina Yard in Toronto. It is built on a former Grand Trunk yard that dates back to the 1850's. Construction on the yard will continue for at least two more years.

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Mark Tomlonson

January 30, 1923 The Grand Trunk is absorbed into the Canadian National. The Grand Trunk within the United States is spun off and becomes the Grand Trunk Western. CN will operate the GTW as a subsidiary.

Mark Tomlonson

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January 27, 1854 The Great Western Railway (later GT, CN) opens between London and Windsor Ontario.

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Mark Tomlonson

开云体育

January 25, 1973 Canadian National Railways expands the Turbos to 9-car sets, eliminating two Turbos. The remaining equipment is stored and will eventually be sold to Amtrak.

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January 25, 2011 The Association of American Railroads announces that the car defect card, in use for almost 125 years, is discontinued. Instead of using the 3.5 x 8 inch card, problems with freight cars will now be reported and tracked using AAR's Raillinc car-tracking program.

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Mark Tomlonson

I want to select the correct whistle sound for my CNR U3b Northern 6309 ( ex GTW Schenectady).? I think a Nathan 5 chime stepped is what I want, but I'm not sure.? Can anybody confirm or direct me to the correct whistle.

Thanks

Gord

January 21, 1903 The Grand Trunk moves into a new depot at Lansing MI. Grand Trunk officials tout the station as "the handsomest between Portland ME and Chicago".

Mark Tomlonson

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January 20, 1874 The Chicago lakefront depot of the Michigan Central, Illinois Central and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads is destroyed by fire.

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January 20, 1880 The Illinois Central completes its purchase of the New Orleans, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, which it has controlled since 1877.

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January 20, 1923 Canadian Government Railways incorporate as Canadian National Railways. Railways affected are Canadian Northern, Intercolonial, National Transcontinental, Grand Trunk Pacific Branch Lines, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island, International Railway of New Brunswick, Salisbury & Albert, Elgin & Havelock, St. Martin's, Lotbiniere & Megantic, Caraquet & Gulf Shore and the New Glasgow Iron, Coal & Railway.

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Mark Tomlonson

January 16, 1857 The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later DGH&M, GT) completes its line to St. Johns MI.

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Mark Tomlonson

January 15, 1915 The final spike is driven on the transcontinental Canadian Northern Railway at Basque, British Columbia.

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January 15, 1937 The Pennsylvania Railroad, via trackage rights over the Grand Trunk Western, establishes new freight routes to the west. The ferry used for this service is the Grand Trunk's "Grand Rapids", running between Muskegon and Milwaukee.

Mark Tomlonson

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CN B730 in Montreal this morning with 203 potash loads for Saint John, NB.

Michael Berry

January 12, 1945 Bituminous Coal Research Incorporated's Locomotive Study Group, made up of representatives from eastern railroads and locomotive manufacturers, meets to find ways to combat the rise of the diesel locomotive. They decide reciprocating steam is dead, and to explore coal-fired turbines.

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January 12, 1958 The Duluth South Shore & Atlantic runs its last passenger train between St. Ignace and Marquette MI. Other passenger service will continue through 1968.

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January 12, 1977 VIA Rail Canada is created as a subsidiary of Canadian National. For the previous nine months, "VIA" has been CN's brand for its passenger service.

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Mark Tomlonson

January 9, 1969 The Canadian National pulls the Turbotrain from service due to problems operating in winter conditions.

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Mark Tomlonson

January 7, 1883 The Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw (later MC, NYC, PC, CR (one section); MC, GT, CN (other section)) is incorporated.

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January 7, 1995 The Algoma Central Railway is purchased by the Wisconsin Central. (Some sources say February 1)

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Mark Tomlonson

January 6, 1918 The USRA makes major cuts in U.S. passenger service, saving $60 million per year. A la carte meals are abolished in diners, menus are limited and the number of dining cars is reduced. All passenger train advertising is eliminated (including train names). Consolidated ticket offices are established. During the war, the USRA will move 6,496,000 soldiers in 9,000 troop trains.

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January 6, 1930 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton drops passenger service between Napoleon OH & Tecumseh MI.

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Mark Tomlonson

Hi all,
I just joined up. I have been living trackside since 1992 on the old IC/CC&P in South Elgin, IL. I have the MP40 milepost almost directly behind my house. Those CC&P days were quite colorful. But I do enjoy anything that makes up the CN: IC, EJ&E, etc. Man, it's been a while since I have seen a GTW unit roll by.
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Grateful Fred
Sugar Ridge Tower MP40 CC&P