November 17, 1855 The first section of the Grand Trunk Railway opens, 125.4 miles between Montreal (Point St. Charles) and Brockville.
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November 17, 1856 The Grand Trunk Railroad is completed between Guelph and Stratford ON.
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November 17, 1856 The City of Chicago passes an ordinance allowing the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago (later PRR) to lay tracks into the city.
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November 17, 1858 John Work Garrett is elected President of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. His election and service over the next 25 years will remove the B&O from direct involvement with politics, a model which will become the norm for railroads.
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November 17, 1877 The narrow gauge Ligonier Valley Railroad is completed between a Pennsylvania Railroad connection at Latrobe and Ligonier PA. The line is used at first to haul coal, later it will serve as a near-private railroad to take members of the Mellon family to their summer homes. The Mellons have controlling interest.
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November 17, 1889 Union Pacific begins daily through passenger service from Chicago to Portland and San Francisco.
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November 17, 1898 The Escanaba & Lake Superior Railway is chartered.
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November 17, 1907 Pennsylvania Railroad trains begin using the new Washington DC Union station, and the former station at 6th Street, site of the assassination of President Garfield, is closed.
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November 17, 1934 The Pennsylvania Railroad places an order for 57 GG1 electric locomotives. Fourteen will come from Baldwin/GE and the rest from PRR's Juniata Shops.
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November 17, 1934 Streetcar service provided by the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River ends in Aurora IL.
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November 17, 1937 Streetcar service ends in Green Bay WI.
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November 17, 1941 Denver & Rio Grande Western introduces "The Prospector" in overnight service between Denver and Salt Lake City. The two-car, self-propelled train features baggage, coach, open sections, private rooms and a dining area. Built by Budd, the cars are dismal failures and will be quickly dropped in favor of conventional equipment. The lessons learned however, will be applied to Budd's successful RDC.
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November 17, 1954 The New York Central begins its "Early Bird" fast freight service.
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November 17, 1961 After 127 years of service, Erie’s Pavonia Terminal in Jersey City closes.
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Mark Tomlonson
