February 17, 1872 The President of the Peninsular Railway (later GTW, CNR) writes to the Pennsylvania Company noting that his road is laid from Lansing MI to a point 12 miles west of South Bend. He proposes joining the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago (later PRR) at Valparaiso for a route to Chicago in exchange for Bonds and a favorable freight rate. His proposal will be declined.

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February 17, 1911 In the U.S., the Locomotive and Boiler Inspection Act sets regular and mandatory boiler inspections, to be performed by the ICC.

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Mark Tomlonson

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February 14, 1867 The first car of flour shipped using the new Blue Line, a cooperative traffic agreement among several railroads, arrives in Boston from St. Louis via the New York Central, Great Western of Canada, Michigan Central and Chicago & North Western. The line also operates over the Illinois Central, St. Louis, Alton & Chicago, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Hudson River Railroad, Boston & Albany, Housatonic, Worcester & Nashua, and Providence & Worcester railroads.

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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, 1926 Canadian National begins service between Kamloops and Kewlowna BC.

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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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February 16, 1865 The Cairo & St. Louis Railroad (later M&O, GM&O, IC, CN) is chartered.

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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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February 13, 1855 The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later GTW) is formed by the merger of the Detroit & Pontiac and Oakland & Ottawa Railroad. This will create a continuous line from Detroit to Lake Michigan. (Some sources say February 12)

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Mark Tomlonson

February 11, 1998 Canadian National purchases the Illinois Central for $2.4 billion (US - $4.68 billion in 2025 dollars) in cash and shares.

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Mark Tomlonson

February 10, 1851 The Illinois Central Railroad receives its charter. It is the first land-grant railroad in the United States.

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February 10, 1950 Canadian National Railway gains control of Temiscouta Railway, operating in Quebec and New Brunswick.

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Mark Tomlonson

February 7, 1880 The first Grand Trunk passenger train leaves Chicago for points east.

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February 8, 1855 The first passenger train leaves Halifax NS.

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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 18 km (11 miles) away.

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Mark Tomlonson

February 5, 1998 Canadian National confirms that it is in negotiations to buy Illinois Central Corporation. This will add 3,450 miles (5,552 km) of track to CN at a proposed price of $2.3 billion. [2025: $4.5 billion]

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Mark Tomlonson

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, 1930 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton ends freight service between Tecumseh and Dundee MI. Passenger service to Dundee was dropped last month.

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February 3, 1995 Canadian National sells the former Central Vermont line from New London CT to East Alborg VT to RailTex. RailTex will operate the line as the New England Central Railroad.

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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, 1957 Last passenger service on the Illinois Central to Paducah KY.

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

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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, 1905 The Halifax & South Western (later CN) opens, connecting Halifax to Yarmouth NS.

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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.

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Mark Tomlonson

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

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Mark Tomlonson

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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Mark Tomlonson

January 22, 1858 The directors of the Great Western take control of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later GT).

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Mark Tomlonson

January 20, 1874 The Chicago lakefront depot used by 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, 1903 The Grand Trunk Western opens a passenger depot in Lansing MI.

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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