December 6, 1903 Indiana Union Traction Company opens its Indianapolis to Kokomo route.
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December 6, 1917 In the largest explosion to this date (comparable to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945), two ships collide and explode in Halifax NS. The “Imo” is loaded with ballast, the “Mont Blanc” with explosives. Roughly 2,000 people are killed when the “Mount Blanc” explodes. The city suffers extensive damage. Included in the losses: Intercolonial Railway's station (later CN) and associated facilities.
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December 6, 1935 The first modern escalator is placed in service, at New York's Penn Station.
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December 6, 1971 Auto-Train Corporation begins operations between Lorton VA and Sanford FL.
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December 6, 2005 The State of New Mexico signs an agreement with BNSF to buy almost 300 miles of track between Belen NM through Raton Pass to Trinidad CO. The state will use the line for commuter and light-rail service. BNSF retains overhead rights and freight customers. Amtrak will also use the line.
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December 6, 2006 A German passenger train traveling through Muenster goes into emergency when a soccer ball hits the air brake line between the engine and the first car. The driver was able to effect repairs within 8 minutes. No child on the adjoining soccer pitch claimed responsibility for the errant ball.
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December 6, 2010 Los Angeles' Metrolink unveils its new Hyundai Rotem cars. The first one will enter service next week, with the full order of 137 expected to be in operation by December 2012.
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December 6, 2018 The remains of the 41st U.S. President, George H.W. Bush, are carried from Houston to College Station TX in a train pulled by Union Pacific locomotive 4141. Locomotive 4141 had been painted previously in the colors of Air Force One to honor Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush becomes the eighth President to have a funeral train.
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December 6, 2023 Michigan’s U.S. senators announce 3 $500,000 Federal grants for improvements in Amtrak’s Port Huron to Chicago and Pontiac to Chicago corridors, as well as additional Detroit to Toledo service that may include connections to Detroit Airport.
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December 7, 1835 Germany's first railroad, the Ludwigs-Eisenbahn running 6 km (3.73 mi) from Nuremburg to Furth, begins regular passenger service.
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December 7, 1846 The first four Philadelphia companies leave from the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad depot for Mexican War duty.
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December 7, 1850 Draft animals are used for the last time on the Allegheny Portage Railroad (PA).
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December 7, 1853 The Erie & North East Railroad (later LS&MS) begins changing gauge and is shut down by a mob of Erie PA citizens led by Mayor King. The mob tears up track at various road crossings within the city, blocking travel between Buffalo and Cleveland. The citizens demand a break of gauge to reap benefits of transshipment. Other Pennsylvanians desire to prevent the "New York" railroad from crossing the state to the detriment of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Railroad. The riots and destruction of track will continue for several days.
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December 7, 1885 Debut of "The Congressional". Trains carrying this name will be the premier trains in New York-Washington service until the arrival of the Metroliners.
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December 7, 1894 Incorporation date of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad (later NYC)
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December 7, 1899 The Chicago & West Michigan becomes part of the Pere Marquette Railroad.
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December 7, 1901 The Lake Shore Electric begins service between Cleveland and Toledo.
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December 7, 1906 The Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads form Pacific Fruit Express.
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December 7, 1909 The Pere Marquette carferry Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 (1st) is lost on Lake Erie.
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December 7, 1928 Railway Express Agency is incorporated.
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December 7, 1929 The New York Central's deluxe coach train "Motor Queen" makes its last run between Detroit and Cincinnati. The extra features offered on the train have not made it profitable.
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December 7, 1941 The New York Central, with much fanfare, launches the new streamlined "Empire State Express". News of the bombing of Pearl Harbor puts an immediate damper on the planned festivities.
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December 7, 1942 The ICC approves the abandonment of New York Central trackage between Martinsville and Trafalger, IN. The Pennsylvania Railroad assumes switching duties in Martinsville, the Illinois Central in Morgantown.
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December 7, 2006 Trucker Johnnie B. Hunt passes away at the age of 79. Hunt's understanding of the advantages of intermodal shipping and his resulting commitment to using railroads was one factor in the rise of intermodal traffic.
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December 8, 1862 The Flint & Pere Marquette (later PM, C&O, CSX) begins service to Flint MI.
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December 8, 1887 The Minnesota & Northeastern becomes the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City [later CGW, C&NW, UP].
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December 8, 1903 The Evansville & Princeton Traction Company opens between its two namesake Indiana cities, 28 miles.
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December 8, 1906 The Interborough Rapid Transit Brooklyn Extension tunnel under New York's East River is holed through. This is the first transit tunnel under the East River.
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December 8, 1915 The Norfolk & Western runs its first electric train in regular service, between Bluefield and Vivian WV.
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December 8, 1919 All passenger train service in Michigan is temporarily halted due to the effects of a month-long national coal miner's strike. 250,000 Michigan workers are also laid off.
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December 8, 1921 The Cleveland Union Terminals Company contracts with the New York Central, Big Four and the Nickel Plate for the use of its depot.
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December 8, 1940 Youngstown OH loses streetcar service.
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December 8, 1946 EMD introduces the NW5 locomotive.
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December 8, 1960 In Kalamazoo MI, A cement truck traveling on Interstate Highway 94 strikes a freight train at a grade crossing with the New York Central. No one is hurt, but four railroad cars derail. The crossing has since been converted to a highway overpass.
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December 8, 1967 Passenger service ends on the Frisco.
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December 8, 2015 Yahoo News reports that a condo in Chicago’s Logan Square area will feature a decommissioned “L” car in the common area. Set in the middle of a pool, one side of the car will be open and it will connect to the surrounding terrace by walkways. The development will open in mid-2016.
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Mark Tomlonson
