This Weekend in CNR History
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March 28, 1901 The Atlantic, Quebec & Western Railway (later CNR) is incorporated in Quebec. March 29, 1919 A narrow-gauge Canadian National train reaches Alberton PE, after taking 10 days to travel the last 2 miles in the worst blizzard locals can remember. The train has a plow, locomotive and 4 coaches. March 29, 1957 The Central Vermont dieselizes. March 29, 1960 Revenue steam ends on the Grand Trunk Western as 2-8-2 4070 pulls a 50 car freight from Pontiac to Durand MI. March 30, 1959 The New York Central agrees to pay the Illinois Central $5 million (2025: $55.2 million) for breaching its contract to have Michigan Central trains terminate at Central Station in Chicago. NYC has moved them to LaSalle Street station. March 30, 2021 CN and Watco announce an agreement for Watco to buy 900 miles of rail lines in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario owned by Wisconsin Central Railroad and Algoma Central. Mark Tomlonson
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April 2 in CNR History
April 2, 1976 CN Tower is completed. Built by Canadian National, it was the tallest tower and tallest free-standing structure in the world when built. It remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. Mark Tomlonson
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April 1 in CNR History
April 1, 1893 The Grand Trunk Railway of Canada merges several rail companies it has owned into itself. April 1, 1933 The Canadian National Radio Department and its network of stations, developed to entertain passengers on long distance runs, is turned over to the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, and will eventually become the CBC. April 1, 1949 With the entry of Newfoundland into the Confederation of Canada, the Newfoundland Railway is transferred to Canadian National Railway. April 1, 1960 Class 1 railroads in the U.S. report a total of only 519 steam locomotives on their rosters. April 1, 1966 A U.S. ban on running boards goes into effect for box and similar house cars ordered after this date. April 1, 1967 The United States Department of Transportation begins operation. April 1, 1978 VIA Rail Canada becomes an independent company, emerging from CN Rail. They also acquire the Turbotrains. Mark Tomlonson
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Scanner Frequencies
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I was watching a CN crew lift cars on the Beach Spur, off the Oakville Sub. Mlge 31.86 In Burlington. My scanner has 161.415 Train Standby 160.365 Car Control Oakville-Aldershot 159.810 Switching Aldershot 160.695 Switching Aldershot 161.025 RTC on the Okvle, Halton, Dundas and Grimsby Subs. I'm standing less than 40 meters from the chaps and not hearing a thing on my scanner. Anyone say what frequency I'm missing? Thanks Doug Renshaw Burlington, ON.
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March 27 in CNR History
March 27, 1960 The last regularly scheduled steam-powered passenger train on a major U.S. railroad runs from Durand to Detroit on the Grand Trunk Western. March 27, 1995 After a two-week strike by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, affecting Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and VIA Rail, the Canadian Parliament creates arbitration panels to resolve the dispute. Mark Tomlonson
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March 26 in CNR History
March 26, 1962 Canadian National's eastbound "Ocean Limited" becomes the first train painted entirely in CN's new passenger paint scheme. A few engines and cars started appearing in the new scheme last year. March 26, 2013 Hartsdale Interlocking, between Canadian National’s former Elgin Joliet & Eastern and the former Pennsylvania Railroad Panhandle line in Indiana is closed and the diamond removed. CN begins service to the single customer, Midwest Pipe Coating, affected by the closing. Mark Tomlonson
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Tonight at Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railway
Last-minute reminder! Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago 7:30 pm Central Daylight Time Friday, March 21, 2025 Do not arrive before 7:15 pm. Chicago Union Station Room 107A 500 W Jackson Blvd (enter between Clinton and Canal) Chicago, Illinois Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railway by Bill Shapotkin Bill Shapotkin will guide us upon an excursion via the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railway. In addition, there will be a Lucky Strike Extra concerning the 1970 wreck in Crescent City, Illinois, in which propane in a ruptured tank car ignited and flame engulfed the other tank cars in the consist. Much of the business district was destroyed along with nearby homes; 64 people were injured. This will be an in-person slide presentation. There will not be a Zoom meeting. Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago meets on the third Friday of the month at Chicago Union Station except in July and August. For program announcements, please subscribe to our groups.io mailing list. Send a blank email message To: [email protected] To obtain Zoom meeting credentials for future programs given by Zoom, the best way is to subscribe to our groups.io mailing list. Web site: https://rscc.dhke.com/ Email: shortlinechicagoHS@... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/railroadshortlinecc Phone number answered during the program: 312 725-0432. At other times, leave message with your name and telephone number to receive a call back.
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This Weekend in CNR History
March 21, 1918 President Wilson signs the Railroad Control Act, setting terms for operation of the railroads by the United States Railroad Administration (USRA). Railroads are to be paid rent for use of their lines and equipment. March 22, 1957 Faced with the high cost of building a major bridge over the new St. Lawrence Seaway, the New York Central abandons its line from Rooseveltown to Ottawa, Ontario. In April, Canadian National will purchase the portion of the line between Cornwall and Ottawa. Mark Tomlonson
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March 20 in CNR History
March 20, 1896 The Grand Trunk Railway purchases the Central Vermont Railway and begins operating it as a wholly owned subsidiary. March 20, 1990 Canadian National GMD1 1071 departs Vancouver Island, ending 70 years of CN service on the island. The last segment of track was officially abandoned less than a month ago. March 20, 2017 Canadian National announces it will be closing the ore dock at Escanaba MI by the end of April. Ore has been shipped from Escanaba since 1852. Mark Tomlonson
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March 19 in CNR History
March 19, 1851 The Illinois Central Railroad is organized in New York City. March 19, 1917 U.S. railroads accept President Wilson's proposal for an 8-hour workday to stave off possible strikes. Later in the day the U.S. Supreme Court in Wilson v. New, upholds the eight-hour workday for railroads. March 19, 1918 The U.S. Congress adopts Standard or "Railroad" time, in use since 1884, as the national standard. Mark Tomlonson
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Odd sighting
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Yesterday I was visiting family in Climax MI. It's the first town west of Battle Creek on the former GT line to Chicago. While walking the dog, a train came through town led by a locomotive still in Grand Trunk blue and red. I was a quarter mile away (400 meters) so all I could tell was that it was an older EMD unit. What really caught my interest was the train: roughly 6 passenger cars bracketed at each end by a power unit, all painted for VIA Rail. They looked brand new. Any information on this? Mark Tomlonson
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March 12 in CNR History
March 12, 1857 A Great Western Railway train from Toronto to Hamilton ON plunges 60 feet into the frozen Desjardins Canal after the bridge collapses. A broken locomotive axle chewing through the crossties on the bridge weakened the structure, causing the collapse. Seventy persons die from trauma, drowning, or exposure. Only 20 passengers survive. (Some sources say 59 people killed in total, others put the date as March 17.) Mark Tomlonson
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Connection CN-CP Windsor
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Some time ago, there was mention of a new connection going to be put in between CN's Van De Water yard and CPKC Windsor yard. Is there any truth to this idea and if so has any activity taken place? Doug Renshaw Burlington, ON.
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March 10 in CNR History
March 10, 1910 A home for aged and disabled former railroad employees opens in Highland ParK IL. March 10, 2009 Canadian National routes its first two trains over the former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern. CN's purchase of the line was finalized on January 31. Traffic is expected to grow to six daily trains in the near future. Mark Tomlonson
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This Weekend in CNR History
March 7, 1834 The Detroit & Pontiac (later D&M, GT) receives its charter from Michigan Territory. March 8, 1855 The first train crosses the suspension bridge over Niagara Falls. Before this time, goods and passengers were ferried across the river. The bridge does not end the transfer, as the change in track gauge between lines in New York and Ontario remains, although the bridge itself has three gauges (56.5", 66" and 72"). The Bridge will allow the Michigan Central via the Great Western to reach markets in the east and will be a major selling point for the line. (Some sources say March 17) March 8, 1920 Canadian National’s Board of Directors assumes management control of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. March 8, 1926 The Illinois Central installs the first electro-pneumatic car retarders in the United States at Markham Yard near Chicago. Mark Tomlonson
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March 6 in CNR History
March 6, 1834 The London & Gore Railroad in Upper Canada receives its charter; the first railroad charter in what is now Ontario. (However it will not be the first to actually operate trains.) Running between Niagara Falls and Windsor, it will be later part of the Great Western, Grand Trunk and Canadian National Railways. Mark Tomlonson
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March 4 in CNR History
March 4, 1889 The Grand Trunk carferry "Transit I" is destroyed by fire in its dock at Windsor ON. March 4, 1908 In the U.S., a new Hours of Service law takes effect: 9 hours for train operators and 16 hours for trainmen. Mark Tomlonson
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This Weekend in CNR History
February 28, 1908 First test run through Grand Trunk's St. Clair tunnel using electric locomotives. February 28, 1920 In the United States, the Transportation Act is passed, allowing the ICC to set intrastate rates in some cases and forming the Railway Labor Board. It also sets a date for the end of USRA control. February 28, 1931 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton is sold to Pennroad Corporation (PRR subsidiary) and the Wabash Railroad. February 28, 1947 The Illinois Central withdraws the “Green Diamond” trainset from service between Chicago and St. Louis. February 28, 1986 The last official move is made at Canadian National's Spadina Roundhouse in Toronto. The facility will later be demolished to make room for the Skydome. March 1, 1898 The "Maritime Express" between Montreal and Halifax begins service on the Intercolonial Railway. Later, Canadian National will operate the train. March 1, 1911 Grand Trunk begins operating the Oshawa Railway in Oshawa ON. Next year it will purchase the line. March 1, 1913 The Federal Valuation Act takes effect, authorizing the Interstate Commerce Commission to set a value on the nation's railroads for rate-making purposes. In future years these Valuation Reports will be excellent tools for railroad historians. March 1, 1920 USRA control of railroads ends. March 2, 1893 The United States Safety Appliance Act is signed into law, mandating that all cars in interchange service be equipped with air brakes, automatic couplers and grab irons. March 2, 1902 The first segment of the James Bay RR (later Canadian Northern, Canadian National) is opened between Parry Sound ON and Canada Atlantic Junction, 3.7 miles. Mark Tomlonson
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February 27 in CNR History
February 27, 1912 The Pacific Great Eastern Railway (later BCR, CN) is incorporated to build a line from Vancouver north to a connection with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway at Prince George BC. Mark Tomlonson
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February 24 in CNR History
February 24, 1888 The Grand Trunk Railway acquires the Northern & Northwestern Railway. Mark Tomlonson
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