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, 1888 Tracks of the Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie & Atlantic Railway (later Soo Line) reach Sault Ste. Marie.
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January 1, 1954 "K" style air brakes are banned
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January 1, 1967 In honor of the Canadian Centennial, singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot debuts his "Canadian Railroad Trilogy".
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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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Mark Tomlonson
