April 30, 1900 In Vaughan, MS Illinois Central engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones becomes a hero and a legend. Jones stays with his train, the "Cannonball Express" when the track ahead is blocked by a freight train. Jones slows his train down enough to save his passengers, but not himself.
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April 30, 1971 Railroad-operated intercity passenger service ends on most U.S. railroads; Rock Island, Rio Grande, Southern and Georgia Railroads being notable exceptions.
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May 1, 1905 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railway is organized at the receiver's sale of the Detroit Southern Railroad.
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May 1, 1942 The last pre-war streamliner, Illinois Central's refurbished "Panama Limited" is put into service.
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May 1, 1952 This month, for the first time the number of diesel-electric locomotives on U.S. railroads exceeds the number of steamers, 19,082 to 18,489.
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May 1, 1994 Carferry service between Detroit and Windsor ends.
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Mark Tomlonson
