January 27, 1824 The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Company is incorporated in Virginia.
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January 27, 1836 The State of Indiana enacts "Internal Improvements" legislation, calling for roads, canals and railroads to be built. The program is to be funded by a $10.5 million loan.
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January 27, 1840 The New Jersey Railroad Board approves the issuing of commuter tickets, good between Jersey City and Newark, for $100 per year.
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January 27, 1851 The first train arrives in Dayton OH, on a trip that started in Springfield on the tracks of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company (later CCC&StL, NYC).
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January 27, 1854 The Great Western Railway (later GT, CN) opens between London and Windsor Ontario.
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January 27, 1870 The Pennsylvania Railroad signs its first contract with the Pullman Company.
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January 27, 1877 The Fairland, Franklin & Martinsville Railroad (later Big Four, NYC, PC) is incorporated.
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January 27, 1879 The worst wreck in monorail history occurs when the Bradford & Foster Brook Monorail in Pennsylvania tests its new steam locomotive. Running at high speed to demonstrate its capacity, the boiler explodes, killing the fireman, engineer and three company officials riding a flatcar behind the engine. Other passengers were severely injured. The line will close shortly after.
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January 27, 1883 The Toledo & Indianapolis (later T&OC, NYC) reaches Bowling Green OH. The first ¡°train¡± is a handcar.
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January 27, 1912 The Pennsylvania Railroad reports that last year's "Safety First" campaign has reduced injuries by 66%.
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January 27, 1940 The Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad, a narrow-gauge suburban railroad, discontinues operations in preparation for abandonment.
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January 27. 1947 The Chesapeake & Ohio begins accepting credit cards as payment for passenger tickets.
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January 27, 1962 Washington DC streetcars run for the last time.
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January 27, 2011 Amtrak begins providing WiFi service to Cascades Service riders between Eugene OR and Vancouver BC. Plans are being formed to extend the service system wide.
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Mark Tomlonson
