May 11, 1825 John Stevens demonstrates a circular cog railroad 660 feet long at Hoboken Ferry NJ. He also demonstrates a vertical-boiler locomotive of his own design. It's operated as a demonstration and popular amusement at speeds of up to 12 mph.
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May 11, 1894 Start of the Pullman strike. The job action by 4,000 workers will cripple railroad service across the country until brought to an end by Federal troops in July.
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May 11, 1898 The Beech Creek Railroad (later NYC&HR. NYC) is incorporated.
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May 11, 1903 The new Westbound gravity yard at Altoona opens on the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is claimed to be the first "hump" yard, however some sources give that honor to a yard near Greensburg PA instead.
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May 11, 1905 At Lochiel PA, just south of Harrisburg, a derailed Pennsylvania Railroad freight leaves two cars on the adjacent track. They are struck almost immediately by the "Cleveland & Cincinnati Express", moving at 60 mph. The passenger locomotive explodes as it tumbles down an embankment, setting off ten tons of dynamite carried on the freight train. The wreck burns until dawn, fueled in part by the Pintsch gas carried for lighting in the passenger train. Twenty-eight are killed, including Broadway Theatre impresario Samuel S. Schubert. One Hundred thirty-six are injured.
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May 11, 1907 Thirty-two Shriners are killed when their charter train derails in Lompoc, CA.
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May 11, 1910 President Taft signs the legislation creating Glacier National Park. The Great Northern Railway will use its connection to the park to promote tourism on its line and will include the park in its corporate logo.
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May 11, 1932 The New York Central announces it will not pay a dividend in 1932. NYC will not pay a dividend again until 1942.
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May 11, 1934 "Twentieth Century", a movie by Howard Hawkes based on the Broadway play opens nationwide. Considered the first of the "screwball" comedies (although similar comedies preceded it), the second half of the film is set on New York Central's premier train.
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May 11, 1936 The German steam locomotive 05 002 sets a world speed record of 125.25 mph.
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May 11, 1945 Western Maryland places an order with Lima Locomotive Works for what will be the last "Shay" type locomotive. It will wear number 6 and be preserved at Cass Scenic Railway.
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May 11, 1951 Due to dieselization, the New York Central lays off 1,230 workers at its West Albany Shops.
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May 11, 1959 Lehigh Valley's "Black Diamond" passenger train makes its final run.
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May 11, 1968 The Toronto Transit Commission expands the Bloor-Danforth line.
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Mark Tomlonson
