April 23, 1849 The Michigan Central line is completed to New Buffalo, the first railroad to cross the state. On this same day it enters negotiations with a steamship line for a connection to Chicago.
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April 23, 1867 The Chicago & Lake Shore Railroad (later PM, C&O, CSX) is formed to build a line from New Buffalo to St. Joseph MI.
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April 23, 1955 Regular passenger service ends on the former Grand Rapids & Indiana, as the Pennsylvania Railroad drops service between Sturgis and Grand Rapids MI. Summer-only service will continue on the former GR&I until 1961.
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April 23, 2004 Amtrak runs its last Toronto to Chicago "International". The train is replaced by the Chicago-Port Huron "Blue Water".
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April 24, 1918 The Muskegon, Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company is dissolved into its parent company, the Pennsylvania Railroad.
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April 24, 1932 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton ends passenger service between Detroit and Springfield OH.
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April 24, 1949 The New York Central adds the Detroit-Cincinnati "Mercury".
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April 25, 1855 The Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad [later LS&MS, NYC, PC, CR, NS] is formed by the consolidation of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana railroads.
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April 25, 1896 The Cincinnati Northern Railroad [later CCC&StL, NYC, PC, CR] is completed to Jackson MI from Hudson MI and south.
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April 25, 1926 First run of the Michigan Central "Twilight Limited" between Chicago and Detroit. The amenities on this first-class train will rival those on the "20th Century Limited". Amtrak will use the name for many years on one of its Chicago-Detroit trains.
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April 25, 1931 Detroit United Railways ends service from Royal Oak to Pontiac. It sells its Palmer Park to 8 Mile Road segment to the Detroit Street Railways and the 8 Mile Road to Royal Oak Segment to the City of Royal Oak. DSR will operate the latter segment for another 16 years.
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April 25, 1952 RPO service is discontinued between Grand Rapids and Cadillac MI.
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Mark Tomlonson
