February 26, 1851 The first Milwaukee Road predecessor, the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad runs its first train: from Milwaukee to Waukesha, WI. (some sources say February 25).
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February 26, 1870 The experimental air-driven Beach Pneumatic Transit opens for public demonstrations over a one-block route in New York City. The next subway will not open for another 34 years as the city builds elevated railroads for mass transit.
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February 26, 1908 The Hudson & Manhattan "Tubes" open for service between 19th Street and Hoboken.
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February 26, 1928 Moffat Tunnel opens.
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February 26, 1950 The new streamlined Wabash "Blue Bird" is christened.
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February 26, 1951 Trolley service ends in Queens, NY.
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February 26, 1956 Pennsylvania Railroad's Aerotrain is placed in demonstration service between New York and Pittsburgh. Its seven hour, 30 minute schedule is the fastest ever between the two cities.
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February 26, 1973 The Chessie System Inc. Is formed from the Baltimore & Ohio, Chesapeake & Ohio and Western Maryland railroads.
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February 26, 1979 Amtrak "Superliner" cars begin operation.
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February 26, 2005 Charlotte NC breaks ground for a new light-rail line.
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February 26, 2017 Dolton Tower (IL) is closed. It was the last ex-Pennsylvania Railroad tower still active in the Chicago area.
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February 26, 2021 A filing by CSX to take over Pan Am Railways is made public. The proposed takeover would create a new company, CSX will own half of the company, Genessee & Wyoming the other half to preserve Norfolk Southern’s existing trackage rights in New England.
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Mark Tomlonson
