February 12, 1827 Two dozen Baltimore merchants, concerned over loss of trade to New York and Philadelphia, hold their first meeting to discuss a rail road to the West, to be built along the line of the National Road.
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February 12, 1849 The Aurora Branch Railroad is chartered, the first segment in what will be the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.
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February 12, 1855 Michigan passes a law requiring crews on passenger trains and depot personnel to wear badges on their hats or caps indicating their job title.
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February 12, 1868 The Columbus, Chicago & Indiana Central Railway (later PCC&StL, PRR) is incorporated by the merger of the Columbus & Indiana Central Railway and Chicago & Great Eastern Railway The CC&IC operates between Columbus and Chicago via Logansport and between Columbus and Indianapolis, with a branch from Logansport to Effner.
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February 12, 1871 Equipment owned by the New York City Fire Department is shipped by flatcar to assist in fighting a blaze in Baltimore.
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February 12, 1879 The Board of the Pennsylvania Railroad gives the Altoona (PA) Library Association $500 (2025: $15,596) and the use of a room at the Altoona Shops to create a library for the use of PRR employees.
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February 12, 1880 The Tawas & Bay County Railroad (MI, later D&M)) purchases the Lake Huron & Southwestern Railway.
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February 12, 1900 The Pennsylvania Railroad Lines West Executive Committee authorizes the further expansion of Conway Yard, including a lengthened turntable for Class H4 and H6 locomotives.
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February 12, 1900 The Escanaba & Lake Superior Railway is reorganized as part of bankruptcy and becomes the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad
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February 12, 1901 In two separate acts, Congress requires the Baltimore & Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads to eliminate grade crossings within the District of Columbia and to build new passenger stations.
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February 12, 1929 The Vatican Railroad is authorized by a treaty with the Italian government.
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February 12, 1930 The Columbia City and Logansport (IN) RPO is discontinued.
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February 12, 1933 The last passenger train runs between Niles and Benton Harbor on the New York Central.
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February 12, 1934 In Chicago, Union Pacific takes delivery of M-10000, later known as the "City of Salina". It begins a nationwide tour of 12,625 miles. Some of that mileage will be run at 111 mph.
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February 12, 1953 The New York Central sells 28 acres of its old coach yard in Boston. The land will be developed as the Prudential Center.
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February 12, 1964 Over 10,000 fans swarm Penn Station in New York to see “The Beatles”, who have arrived on a train from Washington DC. They will play two shows at Carnegie Hall later tonight.
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February 12, 2008 Arthur Lewis passes away at the age of 89. Mr. Lewis was an investment banker who oversaw both the creation of Amtrak and the creation of Conrail. He also worked for a bus-lobbying group and headed several airlines.
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February 12, 2012 Berkshire Hathaway acquires the BNSF Railway for $44 billion ($61 billion in 2025).
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Mark Tomlonson
