December 27, 1902 During a raging blizzard, the “Pacific Express” slams into a freight train near Wanstead ONT. The two Grand Trunk trains collide as the freight was pulling into the siding for the meet. Thirty-one people are killed.
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December 27, 1906 Michigan Central buys the Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw (later NYC, PC, CR; one branch GTW, CN) to thwart plans by the Pere Marquette to make it a link in a shorter Chicago-Detroit route. The MC has little interest in operating the line and the Sergeant family continues to run it much as they had before the purchase.
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December 27, 1941 The U.S. Office of Price Administration begins the rationing of rubber. The lack of rubber for automobile tires will lead many travelers to choose the train.
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December 27, 1943 The War Department takes possession of all U.S. railroads.
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Mark Tomlonson
