December 12, 1853 The Boston & New York Central Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is formed by the consolidation of the Norfolk County Railroad, the Southbridge & Blackstone and the Midland Railroad.
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December 12, 1859 The first through passenger service via the Shore Line begins between New York and Boston. Ferries take the passengers over the Thames and possibly the Connecticut Rivers.
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December 12, 1859 The Grand Trunk Railway opens the Victoria Bridge, crossing the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and St. Lambert. Until 1873 it will use 5 foot 6 inch (1.68 meter) gauge. It is the first bridge to span the river. The first train will cross the bridge December 17.
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December 12, 1891 Streetcars begin running in Defiance OH.
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December 12, 1900 The Wabash Railroad agrees to operate the Eel River Railroad (later PRR, PC, CR) for the receiver.
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December 12, 1901 Pennsylvania Railroad President Alexander Cassat announces that the railroad plans to tunnel under the Hudson River and build a “grand station” on the west side of Manhattan.
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December 12, 1917 In Mouane, in the French Alps, a grossly overloaded troop train jumps the tracks after the brakes fail on a steep mountain grade. At least 543 are killed, hundreds more are injured by official count. The actual count is assumed to be higher. Until 1981 it was the worst train disaster in history. It remains the worst train wreck.
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December 12, 1926 The Pennsylvania Railroad completes an improvement of the ticket facilities at Penn Station, making it possible to buy railroad and Pullman tickets at the same window instead of waiting in two lines.
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December 12, 1946 Seaboard Air Line restores the "Orange Blossom Special" as a winter-only Florida train after a hiatus during World War II.
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December 12, 1949 The Norfolk & Western begins using new, lightweight cars on its "Powhattan Arrow".
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December 12, 1956 Last regular passenger train on the Escanaba & Lake Superior.
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December 12, 1968 United Aircraft's "Turbotrains" are placed in regular service on the Canadian National. On the press run two days earlier, the train hit a meat truck, an accident viewed on closed circuit TV by over 300 newsmen on board.
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December 12, 2001 The last Alco-powered locomotive in regular service on a Class 1 Railroad makes its final run, as VIA retires LRC locomotive #6907.
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Mark Tomlonson
