November 19, 1837 The first railroad opens in Cuba.
?
November 19, 1847 The second rail line in Canada, the 12 km Montreal & Lachine Railway (later M&NY, M&C, GT), opens.
?
November 19, 1850 Irate farmers set fire to the Michigan Central Railroad freight house in Detroit as a protest over what they believe are unfair company policies that hurt farmers. The blaze, part of a larger campaign of violence and sabotage pitting the planters and cattlemen against the encroaching railroads, destroys $100,000 worth of flour, corn and wheat stores in the depot.
?
November 19, 1867 The Denver Pacific Railroad is incorporated. It will be the first company to lay track in the state of Colorado.
?
November 19, 1872 The five major railroads entering Indianapolis agree to a plan for a Union Station.
?
November 19, 1877 An Allegheny County (PA) Grand Jury makes a report on last summer's labor riot to the Court of Quarter Sessions. The report blames military incompetence and Pennsylvania Railroad officials who ignored advice of local police on the scene and ordered that the tracks be cleared.
?
November 19, 1887 The Montana Central Railroad (later GN) completes its Great Falls to Helena line.
?
November 19, 1906 Passenger service begins on the Canadian Northern between Toronto and Parry Sound. This is the first 140 miles of Canadian National's eventual main line to western Canada.
?
November 19, 1909 Residents of Smyrna DE protest the Pennsylvania's use of a gasoline railcar (or "Peanut Roaster") and the elimination of a stop in Clayton for the afternoon "Norfolk Express". The changes have led to overcrowding on the railcar, forcing some residents to walk to Clayton. But what outrages white residents the most is the small (26-seat) car forcing racial mixing.
?
November 19, 1911 The New York Central extends its New York City area electrification to Tarrytown NY.
?
November 19, 1937 The Cincinnati & Lake Erie (Interurban) abandons its line from Lima to Toledo OH. It also sends its high-speed parlor cars to storage in Moraine City (they will eventually be sold to the Lehigh Valley Transit and CRANDIC). The Lima City Street Railway, also owned by the C&LE, is not affected.
?
November 19, 1939 EMD completes construction of its "FT" demonstrator set.
?
November 19, 1956 The last passenger train runs on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern "Old Road" from Elkhart IN through Coldwater, Hillsdale and Adrian MI to Toledo OH.
?
November 19, 1990 The Grand Trunk car ferry "City of Milwaukee" makes its last trip. She has been preserved at Manistee MI.
?
November 19, 1995 The railway portion of CN North America is renamed Canadian National Railway and becomes a publicly traded company. (Some sources say November 17)
?
November 19, 2008 Amtrak begins using the new Gateway Center in St. Louis, ending 30 years of "Temporary" facilities. Formal opening ceremonies will be held November 21.
?
Mark Tomlonson
