February 15, 1855 The Joliet & Chicago Railroad (later C&M, StlA&C, C&A, GM&O, ICG, CN) is chartered. It will be completed next year.

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February 15, 1997 The former Detroit, Toledo & Ironton lines making up Grand Trunk's Flatrock Subdivision south of Diann become part of the Indiana & Ohio Railway. Grand Trunk retains rights north of Diann.

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Mark Tomlonson

February 13, 1849 The Vermont Central Railway opens from White River Junction south to Windsor VT.

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Mark Tomlonson

February 11, 1998 Canadian National purchases the Illinois Central for $2.4 billion (US - $3.81 billion in 2020 dollars) in cash and shares.

Mark Tomlonson

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February 10, 1851 The Illinois Central Railroad receives its charter.

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Mark Tomlonson

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February 7, 1983 Elizabeth Dole, the first female U.S. Secretary of Transportation is sworn in.

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February 8, 1918 The USRA announces that it will standardize rolling stock for all new equipment orders.

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February 8, 1986 A Canadian National freight runs a red signal in Dalehurst AB, possibly because the crew was asleep, and crashes head-on into VIA's train No. 4. Twenty-three people are killed; 71 are injured. Most of the first responders come from Hinton, just over 11 miles away.

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Mark Tomlonson

开云体育

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

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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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

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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