April 20, 1839 The State of Michigan reduces its Board of Internal Improvement, which is overseeing the construction of canals, railroads and plank roads to three members.
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April 20, 1860 The first through freight car from St. Louis arrives in Philadelphia via the Pennsylvania Railroad.
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April 20, 1874 The "Washington Limited Express" and the "New York Limited Express" are established to run between New York and Washington via Wilmington DE in a record 6 hours and 40 minutes. They are the first all-Pullman first class trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Passengers pay an extra $2.50 over the regular $10 fare to ride the trains.
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April 20, 1932 The first completely air-conditioned sleeping car trains begin operating on the Baltimore & Ohio.
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April 20, 1943 The U.S. District Court holds that the Pullman Company is in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act due to its control of both the manufacture and operation of Pullman equipment.
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April 20, 1960 The New York Central introduces "Super-Vans" - solid Flexi-Van trains operating at or near passenger train speeds between New York and Chicago.
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April 20, 1964 Chicago's "Skokie Swift" rapid transit line opens for business.
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April 20, 1964 Mackinac Transportation Company votes to seek an extension of the "Chief Wawatam's" Coast Guard certificate. It expires on May 24, and the state of Michigan is pressing the company to continue service after that date.
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April 20, 1972 Colorado's Great Western Railroad ends mixed-train service.
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April 20, 2009 The South Shore Line (NICTD) begins using double-deck cars between Chicago and Michigan City.
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Mark Tomlonson
