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April 30, 1847 The Pennsylvania Railroad sells its first shares of stock.

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April 30, 1854 The first railway in Brazil opens.

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April 30, 1865 The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad (later CIL, MON, L&N, CSX) is one of 20 railroads to host the Lincoln Funeral train, The LNA&C carries the remains from Lafayette to Michigan City IN.

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April 30, 1873 The Pittsburgh, Washington & Baltimore Railroad (later B&O) attempts to reestablish a connection with the Broad Ford & Mount Pleasant Railroad at Broad Ford, PA a few weeks after it has been cut by the Pennsylvania Railroad. PW&B forces are driven off and two small bridges burned to prevent connection.

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April 30, 1876 The Camden & Amboy locomotive "John Bull" is run under its own power to the Centennial Grounds in Philadelphia. The Bonnet stack and cab have been removed and the tender shortened to make the locomotive look older.

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April 30, 1894 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern passenger station at White Pigeon MI is destroyed by fire.

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April 30, 1900 In Vaughan, MS Illinois Central engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones becomes a hero and a legend. Jones stays with his train, the "Cannonball Express" when the track ahead is blocked by a freight train. Jones slows his train down enough to save his passengers, but not himself.

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April 30, 1912 In a speech before the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rudolph Diesel says "I cannot predict whether this attempt at an entire revolution in the workings of the railways will be successful at the first attempt, or whether it must be repeated, but one thing is certain to me: the diesel locomotive will come, sooner or later, according to the perseverance with which the problem is followed."

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April 30, 1918 The Director of Military Railways loads its first locomotive bound for France. The engine will help in the war effort, and is being shipped via a converted ore carrier, the only ship with a hatch opening and hold large enough to hold the locomotive. Eventually 33 locomotives will be shipped aboard four vessels.

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April 30, 1922 After purchase by Insull's Midland Utilities, the former Gary & Connecting and Gary & Valparaiso interurbans cease operations due to the poor condition of the equipment. The route is taken over by buses.

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April 30, 1933 The Pennsylvania Railroad abandons the former Chicago Indiana & Eastern trackage between Matthews and Converse IN.

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April 30, 1939 The first passenger train to be equipped with fluorescent lighting throughout, the "General Pershing" of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy, is placed in scheduled service between St. Louis and Kansas City. The first passenger car equipped with fluorescent lights was operated on the New York Central Railroad one year earlier.

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April 30, 1939 The New York World's Fair opens. Among the displays: "Railroads on Parade", a one-hour pageant performed four times a day. The Pennsylvania Railroad alone has contributed 20 locomotives to the railroad display.

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April 30, 1940 The Chicago Burlington & Quincy "Pioneer Zephyr" is transferred to St. Louis to Burlington IA service.

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April 30, 1942 "The Floridian" makes its last run until the end of World War II. Its recreation cars will not return.

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April 30, 1950 The Chicago & North Western begins its “Dakota 400” passenger service.

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April 30, 1954 Both steam power and passenger service end on the Clinchfield.

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April 30, 1959 Grand Trunk passenger Train 21 makes its final run between Durand and Muskegon MI.

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April 30, 1970 Canadian Pacific runs its first unit coal train, carrying coal destined for Japan from Sparwood BC.

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April 30, 1971 Railroad-operated intercity passenger service ends on most U.S. railroads; Rock Island, Rio Grande, Southern and Georgia Railroads being notable exceptions. The U.S. Post office cancels all but one RPO route.

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April 30, 1985 Canadian National and Canadian Pacific assume joint operation of the former Canada Southern line in Ontario.

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April 30, 1987 CSX Corporation merges the Baltimore & Ohio into the Chesapeake & Ohio, and the last railroad on the traditional Monopoly Board disappears.

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April 30, 2021 The South Shore’s iconic 11^th Street station in Michigan City IN, where passengers boarded the cars in the middle of 11^th Street, is closed as part of a realignment and double-tracking plan that will end the South Shore’s street running in Michigan City. The station building was closed in 1987.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 29, 1951 Brooklyn's Ocean Avenue and Rockaway Parkway trolley routes were converted to bus operation.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 29, 1956 The NYCTA extended IND subway service on the Fulton Street line after a tunnel connection from the new Grant Avenue service to 80th-Hudson Street opened. The last 30 R-10 cars, 3320-49, which were used on the BMT Eastern Division, were returned to the IND. Later, the first 50 R-16 cars, 6300-49, were transferred to the IND for further extended service to the Rockaways.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 29, 1956 Philadelphia's last GMC TDH-5106 diesel buses went into service on route L, the Stenton Avenue route from Broad and Olney to Chestnut Hill and Erdenheim. It's now route 51.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 29, 1833 The Utica & Schenectady is incorporated. Later it will form part of the Mohawk Division of the New York Central.

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April 29, 1839 The Oswego & Syracuse (later DL&W) is formed. It will ne be fully organized until 1847 and will not run a train until 1848.

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April 29, 1851 The first electric railroad car in history attempts a Washington DC to Bladensburg MD round-trip. The experimental battery-powered car uses a solenoid as an analog to a piston and drive rod. Because of a poor suspension, the car is plagued with a rough ride and electrical shorts.

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April 29, 1873 Eli H. Janney is awarded U.S. Patent (#138,405) for his knuckle coupler design.

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April 29, 1889 The Boston & Albany buys the Spencer Railroad

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April 29, 1900 Northern Pacific's "North Coast Limited" makes its first run from Seattle to St. Paul.

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April 29, 1923 The New York Central cuts the running time of the New York - Detroit - Chicago "Wolverine" to 22 hours.

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April 29, 1930 The Pennsylvania Railroad declines an offer to test a Southern Pacific 4-8-8-2 cab-forward on Horseshoe Curve. PRR is considering electrification of the line.

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April 29, 1930 The McNary-Watres Act is passed by Congress, allowing the Post Office to buy fixed space to carry mail on airplanes. It is hoped that this will give a boost to a struggling airline industry.

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April 29, 1932 The Logansport (IN) Electric Railway ends operations.

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April 29, 1935 The New Haven's new "Comet" hits 109.1 mph in its first public run between Boston and Providence.

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April 29, 1951 Trolley service ends in Cincinnati, the only system that used double overhead wire with PCC cars.

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April 29, 1956 New York Central's high speed "Aerotrain" begins service between Detroit and Chicago. The train is withdrawn later in the year after many passengers complain of nausea on the lightweight cars.

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April 29, 1961 New York-Atlantic City rail passenger service comes to a close with the end of the "Nellie Bly".

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April 29, 1973 A party is held in The Bronx to mark the closing of the Third Avenue El. The Third Avenue line was the last one built before the subway.

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April 29, 1990 The Oregon, California & Eastern hauls its last log train out of Bly OR. Trucks will take over the service and the OC&E will serve one customer in Klamath Falls.

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April 29, 1993 Memphis starts a trolley line through its downtown using vintage trolleys.

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April 29, 2001 Amtrak reduces time for its Detroit-Chicago trains by 11 minutes on average, touted as the first step in a proposed Midwest Corridor high-speed rail project.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 28, 1950 The IRT Composites were replaced on the 3rd Avenue El by the BMT Q-Type El cars.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 28, 1952 All tenants who had stores and offices inside Philadelphia's Broad Street Station were ordered to leave and vacate the premises by 6:00 PM so that demolition work could begin.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 28, 1953 Chicago's last 21 Peter Witt Sedan cars, which were all converted from two-man to one-man operation but never used as one-man cars, were burned at 77th and Vincennes. The CTA also announced that 2 bays of the Kedzie car barn were being converted to house the trolleybuses destined for route 12 (Roosevelt Road) while the 69th and Ashland car barn was being converted to half buses.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 28, 1844 Thieves steal $3,000 in specie [2025: $127,920] being carried in a Philadelphia Wilmington & Baltimore baggage car by Sanford & Shoemaker's Express Company.

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April 28, 1869 Workers on the Central Pacific Railroad lay 10 miles of track in a single day as CP races with rival Union Pacific to build more miles of the Transcontinental Railroad, earning a larger payment from Congress.

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April 28, 1871 The first solid train of 11 of Stuart's Palace Stock Cars leaves St. Louis for Communipaw NJ. It is the first stock train to run through in 96 hours instead of 240 hours. If the service is successful, the Pennsylvania Railroad proposes to form a new company for shipping cattle from Kansas and Texas to the East.

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April 28, 1921 Pennsylvania repeals its Full Crew Law of 1911, giving power to regulate crew size on a case-by-case basis to the Public Service Commission. Labor Unions soon flood the PSC with complaints.

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April 28, 1922 Southern Pacific's "Daylight Limited" makes its debut as a Friday and Saturday only train.

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April 28, 1929 The Michigan Traction Company is bought by the Michigan Central Railroad to keep the property out of the hands of competitors Pere Marquette and Grand Trunk. MCRR continues operation of the interurban system.

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April 28, 1929 The Pennsylvania Railroad establishes "The Rainbow", running between Chicago and New York (eastbound only) on a 20 hour, 50 minute schedule. The train is named for the Rainbow Division of the American Expeditionary Forces.

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April 28, 1929 The New York Central inaugurates the "Motor Queen" between Detroit and Cincinnati. Carded at six hours, ten minutes, the deluxe coach train has been rebuilt at Beech Grove Shops in a dark brown and fawn color scheme. It is the first NYC train not painted green.

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April 28, 1935 In timetable changes taking effect today, the "Broadway Limited" and "20th Century Limited" both cut their New York to Chicago times to 17 hours. The afternoon "Detroit Arrow" is introduced, operating between Chicago and Detroit in conjunction with the Wabash. It has the second fastest steam schedule in the U.S., carded at 75.4 mph near Plymouth IN.

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April 28, 1941 The New York Central's "James Whitcomb Riley" begins service between Chicago and Cincinnati. The train is carded at 5 hours, 30 minutes - 25 minutes faster than the NYC "Sycamore", previously the fast train on this route.

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April 28, 1941 The Supreme Court rules that under the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, African American passengers are entitled to equal accommodations on all passenger trains in the United States.

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April 28, 1943 The Board of the Pennsylvania Railroad authorizes the purchase of 6 former Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2's. They will be used in drag and hump service out of Columbus.

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April 28, 1946 Great Northern passenger trains return to the schedules used before the outbreak of World War II.

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April 28, 1950 New York's first subway cars, the IRT "Composites," which were last used on the 3rd Avenue El, are retired from service after the evening rush hour.

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April 28, 1956 The Canadian Pacific drops the last remnant of its once premier Vancouver to Montreal "Imperial Limited". Its last days were as a numbered train hauling the Royal Mail.

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April 28, 1957 The New Haven places its third lightweight train, "Roger Williams" in New York to Boston Service.

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April 28, 2005 The 21 mile Loetschberg tunnel in the Swiss Alps is holed through. On completion in 2007 the tunnel will allow freight trains, loaded mostly with semi-trucks, to travel at speeds of over 100 mph and passenger trains at 150 mph.

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April 28, 2009 Workers replace what is believed to be the last incandescent light in Grand Central Terminal. Managers admit they may have missed an incandescent among the roughly 4,000 bulbs in the facility.

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April 28, 2022 Former Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 locomotive #3985 is donated to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. The organization, based in Silvis IL and operator of Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261, will fully overhaul the locomotive and return it to excursion service,

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Mark Tomlonson

April 26, 1953 New York's Fifth Avenue Coach Lines retired all double decker buses for economic purposes. Bus 2124 was preserved.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 26, 1956 The NYCTA ended service on the BMT Fulton Street El from Lefferts Boulevard to Atlantic Avenue. All 14th Street subway trains then ran to and from Canarsie. All C-Type El cars were retired to Coney Island and stored in the IND yard. They were scrapped later. The portion of the El from Lefferts Boulevard to Grant became part of the IND Fulton Street subway on the 29tn. The Multi-Section cars still provided BMT 14th Street-Canarsie service until November 15 when they were transferred to the Myrtle-Chambers line.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 27, 1952 Cleveland's 28 articulated trolleys (5000-27) were retired with the conversion of the Euclid Avenue route to bus operation. A parade was held on Euclid Avenue to celebrate the conversion.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 25, 1831 Matthias Baldwin builds his first locomotive, a small demonstration engine that pulls up to four people on a small circle of track laid out in his shop yard.

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April 25, 1831 The New York & Harlem Railroad is incorporated to build from 23rd Street, New York City to the Harlem River. It is the first predecessor of the New York Central in New York City.

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April 25, 1832 The Brooklyn & Jamaica Railroad is incorporated, the first Pennsylvania Railroad predecessor in New York State.

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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. (Some sources say May 1)

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April 25, 1861 Four Pennsylvania Railroad telegraphers arrive in Washington, becoming the first telegraphers regularly employed in the U.S. Army. (Some sources say April 27)

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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, 1918 The USRA places an order for 100,000 freight cars. Only 19,037 will be delivered by the time USRA is dissolved.

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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, 1937 The Baltimore & Ohio assigns rebuilt cars to the “Royal Blue” It also establishes a "Stewardess Corps" to serve on its long-distance passenger trains.

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April 25, 1946 The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy “Advance Flyer” is struck from behind by the “Exposition Flyer”. The “Exposition Flyer” is only able to reduce its speed to 60 mph at the point of collision. Forty-seven people are killed in the accident and 125 injured. The ICC rules after the crash that trains traveling over 79 mph must have “an automatic cab signal, automatic train stop or automatic train control system”. Because these items are considered too expensive by most railroads, train speeds are reduced to comply with the order.

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April 25, 1949 The New York Central adds Albany-Boston service to their LCL freight "Pacemaker" program.

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April 25, 1949 The Erie Railroad begins using Cleveland Union Terminal.

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April 25, 1950 Fairbanks-Morse introduces its "C-Liner" line of locomotives.

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April 25, 1952 RPO service on the Pennsylvania Railroad is discontinued between Grand Rapids and Cadillac MI.

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April 25, 1953 The Pennsylvania Railroad cancels "The Jeffersonian", an all-coach member of the Blue Ribbon Fleet, and replaces it with the more prosaic "Indianapolis Limited".

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April 25, 1954 The "Broadway Limited" is carded at 15 hours and 30 minutes between Chicago and New York, its fastest time ever.

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April 25, 1959 The St. Lawrence Seaway opens. The new water route for ocean-going ships will divert freight from many northeastern railroads.

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April 25, 1960 Canadian National operates its last steam locomotive in regular service, 4-8-2 #6043, on train #76 from The Pas to Winnipeg.

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April 25, 1976 Canadian National issues a timetable calling its passenger service "VIA". Turbotrains are the first to carry the new name.

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April 25, 1983 the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad ends passenger service with the final run of the “Rio Grande Zephyr”.

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April 25, 2005 A Japanese commuter trains derails just short of Amagasaki station during the morning commute. Two of the derailed cars slam into an apartment building. 107 people are killed.

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April 25, 2011 Canadian National issues a Press Release naming Microsoft founder Bill Gates as its largest single shareholder, owning just over 10% of the company.

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April 26, 1866 The Wallkill Valley Railroad (later ERIE, NYC, PC, CR, NS, M&NJ) is incorporated. The line in New York state will be built with a 6-foot gauge.

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April 26, 1866 A workman carrying a lantern goes to inspect a leaking barrel of naphtha at Detroit’s Brush Street station. The resulting fire destroys not only the depot, but also the ferryboat “Windsor”. Seventeen people on the ferry and one on a passenger train are killed.

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April 26, 1869 The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe opens its first track segment: 6 miles between Topeka and Pauline KS.

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April 26, 1875 The Prince Edward Island Railway opens between Royalty Junction and Georgetown.

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April 26, 1880 Pullman's Palace Car Company breaks ground for a model factory and company town at Pullman, IL. The new town is 14 miles south of Chicago and is located on the Illinois Central main line.

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April 26, 1893 The Boyne City & Southeastern (later BCG&A) is incorporated. It will begin operating between Boyne City and Boyne Falls MI in August.

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April 26, 1907 The New York Connecting Railroad approves plans for Hell Gate Bridge. The cost is estimated at $16.5 million [2025 $559 million].

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April 26, 1922 The Ann Arbor and Pennsylvania Railroads agree to operate their parallel lines between Galena St. in Toledo OH and Alexis Junction on the north side of Toledo as a single, double track railroad.

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April 26, 1925 Southern Railroad's "Crescent Limited" begins operation.

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April 26, 1925 The Boston & Maine's "Flying Yankee" makes its first trip between Boston and Portland. In the future, this service will be protected by a Budd trainset.

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April 26, 1925 The New York Central adds amenities to its "Southwestern Limited", placing its services on a par with the "20th Century Limited".

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April 26, 1926 First run of the Boston to Montreal "Ambassador", routed Boston & Maine/Central of Vermont/Canadian National.

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April 26, 1931 The Pennsylvania Railroad adds the westbound "Rainbow", a late night, after theatre train from New York to Chicago. The New York Central counters with its "Iroquois".

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April 26, 1952 Regular passenger service on the Pennsylvania Railroad ends between Grand Rapids and Cadillac MI, although the summer-only "Northern Arrow" continues.

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April 26, 1953 The New York Central makes cuts in its passenger service equal to 2 million annual train-miles.

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April 26, 1954 Pullman-Standard introduces a piggyback flat car.

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April 26, 1956 The Chesapeake & Ohio introduces "Railvan" service to handle mail on former Pere Marquette passenger routes. "Railvans" are truck trailers with railroad wheels that allow the trailers to run on the track without an additional freight car.

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April 26, 1956 The world’s first successful container ship, the SS Ideal X, leaves Port Newark NJ for Houston TX.

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April 26, 1958 Baltimore & Ohio's "Royal Blue" service to New York is discontinued along with all passenger service north of Baltimore.

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April 26, 1958 The Monon petitions the Indiana Public Service Commission to discontinue all passenger service.

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April 26, 1960 General Electric introduces its "U25B" diesel locomotive and enters the United States domestic market. The New York Central will buy a total of 154 “U-Boats”, the largest original roster.

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April 26, 1980 The last Amtrak "Broadway Limited" pulled by a GG-1 arrives in Harrisburg PA.

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April 26, 1982 The Ann Arbor Railroad discontinues Lake Michigan carferry service.

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April 27, 1869 George M. Pullman is granted the first patent for a railroad car that includes a kitchen capable of making meals cooked to order.

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April 27, 1877 A Southern Pacific excursion train from San Francisco arrives at Pilot Knob on the Colorado River. Regular service will begin April 30.

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April 27, 1882 The Great Western merges with the Grand Trunk.

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April 27, 1885 The Great Northern opens its original Minneapolis depot.

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April 27, 1930 The Pennsylvania Railroad assigns a gas-electric car to its Muskegon (MI) branch.

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April 27, 1935 The New Haven takes delivery of "The Comet", a lightweight, three-car bidirectional streamliner built by Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. The Akron OH company is looking for new markets after the failure of big airships.

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April 27, 1939 Cecil B. DeMille's movie "Union Pacific", the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad, premieres in UP's home town of Omaha, NE. During production of the movie, the studio used so many trains a railroad operating permit was required from the ICC. Following the premiere, a 15-car train of period equipment will tour the country promoting the movie.

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April 27, 1947 The Illinois Central launches “The City of New Orleans”, scheduled at 16 hours for the Chicago to New Orleans run. The train has a St. Louis section, meeting the mainline train at Carbondale IL, and a Louisville section, meeting the mainline train at Fulton KY. Also, the “Green Diamond” trainset, having been completely rebuilt, enters service between Jackson MS and New Orleans as the “Miss-Lou”.

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April 27, 1952 A special train carrying Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra is the last to leave the old Broad Street Station in Philadelphia. The last regular train to leave this station gave passengers free rides to 30th Street Station.

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April 27, 1952 The New York Central replaces the conventional steam-powered train between Jackson and Grand Rapids MI with an RDC “Beeliner”. The Beeliner makes one trip each way per day.

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April 27, 1953 The Pennsylvania Railroad introduces a 470-calorie chopped sirloin meal in its dining cars for dieting patrons. The meal also uses low-fat salad dressing and saccharine instead of sugar.

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April 27, 1956 The Pennsylvania Railroad leases 12 Santa Fe 2-10-4's while they wait for new diesels to arrive. Leasing the locomotives is cheaper for PRR than repairing their own J1 class.

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April 27, 1957 The New York Central ends steam operations in Canada.

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April 27, 1958 The New York Central combines the "Commodore Vanderbilt" with the "Twentieth Century Limited". The "Twentieth Century Limited" loses its valet, shower, barbershop and all-Pullman status.

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April 27, 1966 The ICC approves the merger of the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroads.

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April 27, 1967 The ICC approves the merger of the Chicago Great Western and the Chicago & North Western.

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April 27, 1982 The Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railroad gains control of the former Ann Arbor trackage north of Ann Arbor.

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April 27, 1991 The longest public passenger train in history, consisting of 70 coaches runs the 38 miles between Ghent and Ostend, Belgium.

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April 27, 2007 Chris Guenzler becomes the first regular passenger documented in modern times in North America to travel more than 1,000,000 miles over all types of rail lines including tourist trains, light rail, streetcars, and more.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 24, 1832 The Tonawanda Railroad (later B&R, NYC) is chartered to run between Rochester and Attica NY. It will be the second railroad built in the state of New York.

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April 24, 1834 The Long Island Rail Road Company is incorporated to build a line down the middle of Long Island.

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April 24, 1847 The Grand Junction and Depot Company (later B&A) is incorporated as a renaming of the Chelsea Branch Railroad.

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April 24, 1855 The Cleveland & Toledo Railroad (Later LS&MS, NYC) is extended from Sandusky to Toledo OH

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April 24, 1902 Per Diem freight car rates are formally set for the first time. Experiments date back to 1888, and general use started in the 1890's. These rates allow car owners to be paid rent while their cars are on foreign roads.

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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 Chesapeake & Ohio's "George Washington" begins service. Planned as the first long distance, air-conditioned train, it lost that honor to the Baltimore & Ohio by four days.

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April 24, 1932 Both the "Broadway Limited" and the "20th Century Limited" cut their New York to Chicago running time from 20 hours to 18 hours. Fares are raised $10 [2025: $230] to cover the added expense.

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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 24, 1949 The Erie Railroad begins using Cleveland Union Depot, abandoning its old station.

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April 24, 1950 The Pennsylvania Railroad establishes second-morning service for LCL and freight forwarding companies New York to Chicago and New York to East Saint Louis.

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April 24, 1955 Canadian Pacific debuts its new train "The Canadian" and Canadian National debuts its new "Super Continental", claimed as the first streamliners in Canada. Both trains carry some heavyweight equipment.

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April 24, 1958 Southern Pacific donates its "Daylight" 4-8-4 #4449 to the City of Portland OR.

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April 24, 1960 Coaches are permanently added to the "20th Century Limited".

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April 24, 1961 The Pennsylvania Railroad opens its 28th TrucTrain (TOFC) terminal, at Marion IN.

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April 24, 1962 Grand Trunk Western paints its first locomotive in the "wet noodle" scheme recently adopted by parent Canadian National.

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April 24, 1965 The New York Central ends all branch line passenger service with the end of service between Utica and Lake Placid.

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April 24, 1983 The Rio Grande Zephyr, the remnant of the California Zephyr and the last privately owned long distance train in America makes its final run. The trip was shortened to a Denver to Grand Junction run because of a mudslide.

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April 24, 1995 Union Pacific ownership of the Chicago & North Western begins.

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April 24, 2021 As part of the restoration of the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, 250 truckloads of concrete are poured over 10 hours to stabilize the basement, which had been underwater for years. This 2,000 yard pour is the first of several scheduled over the next month that will total 11,000 yards.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 23, 1831 The Pontchaitrain Railroad (later L&N), the first in the Mississippi valley, begins horse car operation between New Orleans and Milneburg.

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April 23, 1835 The New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad appoints a committee to meet with officials of the Camden & Amboy Railroad. Their goal: To set up a through line that would allow travel from New York to Baltimore in one day.

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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, 1853 A westbound Michigan Southern Immigrant train ignores a stop signal and slams into an eastbound Michigan Central Express train at Grand Crossing, Chicago. Twenty-one German immigrants are killed, 40 people are injured. (Some sources say April 25 or May 5)

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April 23, 1860 The Staten Island Railway begins operation. As of 2025, it is the oldest rapid transit right-of-way in New York City.

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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, 1873 The Pennsylvania Railroad Board rejects a proposal of the American Railway Literary Union to control the sale of all publications in PRR trains and stations as part of its nationwide campaign to stamp out "smut". The Board decides to police the sale of objectionable materials with PRR employees. PRR Vice-President A. J. Cassatt notes that travelers demand light reading and romantic novels to alleviate boredom while traveling and would rebel at a diet of religious tracts.

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April 23, 1874 The Pennsylvania Company Board authorizes the construction of an eating-house at Valparaiso, IN.

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April 23, 1900 The Dayton-Xenia Traction Company opens its Belmont to Spring Valley branch.

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April 23, 1905 Pontiac IL begins streetcar service.

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April 23, 1927 Pennsylvania passenger trains leaving Chicago Union Station switch from the former "Panhandle" route through Washington Heights to the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago.

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April 23, 1930 The Baltimore & Ohio installs air conditioning in the dining car "Martha Washington". It is the first air-conditioned car in revenue service.

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April 23, 1938 Richmond IN streetcars give way to buses.

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April 23, 1941 The Pennsylvania Railroad Board authorizes $375,000 [2025: $8.3 million] for the development of a steam turbine locomotive. The efforts will result in the Class S2 6-8-6.

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April 23, 1954 The air space over Penn Station's approach between 9th and 10th Avenues is sold. The developers plan to construct a Post Office expansion, commercial office space and a heliport.

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April 23, 1955 Passenger service ends on Canadian Pacific Railway's two interurbans: the Grand River Railway and the Lake Erie & Northern Railway.

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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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Mark Tomlonson

April 22, 1954 Atlantic City celebrated its 65th anniversary of trolley operation with railfan sentiment. The Atlantic City Transportation Company celebrated its 9th anniversary by purchasing and placing into service 5 new GMC TDH-5106 diesel buses which became popular after they bumped an equivalent number of Twin Coach gas buses off the Ocean City and Absecon routes. The new buses were numbered 350-54. Bus 352 was preserved.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 22, 1833 The Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad (MI) (later MS, LS&MS, NYC, PC, CR) is chartered. It will become the first railroad to operate in the former Northwest Territory.

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April 22, 1861 The Mobile & Ohio (later GM&O, ICG, CN) is completed. It will play a strategic role in the War Between the States.

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April 22, 1889 Electric trolley service begins in Atlantic City NJ from the Inlet to Kentucky Avenue with a free ride promotion.

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April 22, 1893 The 1830's vintage locomotive "John Bull" travels under its own power from New Jersey to Chicago for the World Columbian Exposition.

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April 22, 1906 The Cincinnati & Columbus Traction Company opens 52 miles between Norwood and Hillsboro OH.

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April 22, 1907 The Pennsylvania Governor signs legislation permitting street railways to carry freight. The first lading: milk.

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April 22, 1922 The Pennsylvania Railroad holds an indoor athletic championship. Fifteen hundred employees, including women, will take part in the competition at Columbus OH.

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April 22, 1933 As a result of a carbarn fire last year, the Dayton Street Railway becomes the first Ohio traction company to introduce trolleybus service.

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April 22, 1938 Tex-Mex Railway orders seven 71-ton boxcab diesels (0-D-0) from Whitcomb Locomotive Works, a Baldwin subsidiary in Rochelle IL. This will sideline Tex-Mex's steamers. Some say this makes Tex-Mex the first railroad to completely dieselize, but others point out that the railroad will retain steamers on its roster, unused, for another 20 years.

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April 22, 1942 The first class T1 4-4-4-4 Duplex passenger locomotive is delivered to the Pennsylvania Railroad by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Dubbed the "Flash Gordon", its Raymond Loewy streamlining will be simplified on subsequent locomotives.

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April 22, 1955 American Car & Foundry builds an improved version of the TALGO train and sells it to the Rock Island.

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April 22, 1956 Ceremonial last day of steam on the Boston & Maine behind Pacific #3713.

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April 22, 1964 President Johnson announces the settlement of a five-year dispute over work rules. The issue was the future of firemen aboard diesel locomotives. Under the plan, 100,000 union members will receive raises and other benefits in return for eliminating firemen's jobs.

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April 22, 1965 New York Central crews begin removing track between Manchester and Clinton MI.

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April 22, 1975 The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania opens in the first building built specifically for a train museum.

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April 22, 2004 Two trains collide and explode in a North Korean train station near the Chinese border, killing at least 150 and destroying thousands of homes.

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April 22, 2013 Royal Canadian Mounted Police announce they have thwarted a planned terror attack against a passenger train with the arrest of two suspects, believed to have links to al-Queida.

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April 22, 2016 Denver’s A-Line begins transit service between Denver and Denver International Airport. It is the second line built by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and one of the few transit lines built in the United States using a private-public partnership.

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April 22, 2024 Opening ceremonies are held for the start of construction of a new high speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 21, 1964 The NYCTA's automated shuttle subway train, consisting of IRT R-22 cars 7509, 7513, and 7516, was destroyed by fire on track 4 of the Grand Central terminal. Cars 7513 and 7516 were scrapped at Coney Island but car 7509 survived and was converted to a clearance car. That car was retired and scrapped in 1978.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 21, 1846 The Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad (later Lehigh Valley) is incorporated.

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April 21, 1856 The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi opens between Rock Island and Davenport. When a steamboat strikes the bridge two weeks later, the railroad is sued for causing a hazard to navigation. Lawyer Abraham Lincoln persuades the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the legality of the bridge.

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April 21, 1873 The Texas & Pacific Railway begins grading at San Diego.

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April 21, 1873 The Ware River Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is incorporated.

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April 21, 1935 The "Twin Zephyr" begins service between Chicago and the Twin Cities.

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April 21, 1936 After tests, the Pennsylvania Railroad decides not to buy copies of EMC diesel demonstrators for passenger service on the grounds they are too noisy, too smelly and only marginally more powerful than a K-4s. PRR does note that fuel costs are only 61% of steam.

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April 21, 1941 The New York Central puts its new, streamlined "James Whitcomb Riley" on display at Indianapolis Union Station. Henry Dreyfus has designed the new train.

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April 21, 1959 New York Central passenger service between Grand Rapids and Jackson MI ends.

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April 21, 1962 The American Institute of Architects denounces the destruction of Penn Station in New York.

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April 21, 1975 Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449 is test-fired and moves under steam in preparation for its use on the American Freedom Train.

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April 21, 1977 Indiana Governor Otis Bowen signs the legislation creating the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). The new organization will take over passenger operations of the Chicago South Shore & South Bend.

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April 21, 1993 The first Amtrak "Genesis" locomotive leaves GE.

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April 21, 2024 A BNSF train derails in Omaha NE after a 17-year old breaks a lock and throws a track switch, sending the train into an industrial spur. Two locomotives and five cars derail, but remain upright. Police were led to the suspect by surveillance footage and the video he had shot of the accident.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 19, 1956 Philadelphia trolley route 20 was rerouted south to operate on Bigler Street from Marvine to 10th, then via the regular route to the Naval Base. On the 26th, route 20 was rerouted north via 10th, Oregon Avenue, 11th, and Snyder Avenue to 13th, then via the regular route to Broad and Olney. Concurrently with the route 20 reroutes, trolley route 79S, a shuttle route from Broad and Snyder to the Naval Base, was abandoned because the trackage on Pollock Street PRW was cut off. The main reason for the route 20 reroutes and the route 79S abandonment was construction of the Walt Whitman Bridge.

April 18, 1832 The Watertown & Rome Railroad (later RW&O, NYC) is chartered.

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April 18, 1837 The Andover & Wilmington Railroad (later B&M) reorganizes as the Andover & Haverhill.

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April 18, 1838 The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad (later PRR) Board hears a report on a case brought against them for being the means of escape for a fugitive slave. The owner of the slave wants $500 (2024: $16,790) in damages, but an investigation reveals that the slave's term of servitude was about to expire and no damages are awarded.

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April 18, 1853 First passenger train runs on the Asian continent, from Mumbai to Tanna, a distance of 36 km. (22.37 mi - some sources say April 16)

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April 18, 1872 P.T. Barnum makes his first attempt to move his circus by rail. It’s unsuccessful. He will then commission special railroad cars for his circus and it will travel by rail the remainder of the season, starting a tradition that will last until 2017.

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April 18, 1890 Electric streetcars come to Muskegon MI.

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April 18, 1906 The San Francisco earthquake destroys many of the cable car lines, allowing them to be replaced with streetcars. The offices of the Southern Pacific are damaged. Also destroyed: The palatial homes of the “Big Four” who built the Central Pacific.

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April 18, 1911 The Long Island Railroad Board authorizes the purchase of a car to be fitted for the transportation of inmates to the State Hospital at Central Islip.

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April 18, 1928 The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway (interurban) quits.

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April 18, 1930 Atlanta's Union Station opens, funded by the Louisville & Nashville and the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis.

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April 18, 1931 Streetcars quit in Canton OH.

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April 18, 1934 The "Pioneer Zephyr" is delivered to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy at Pennsylvania Railroad's Broad Street Station in Philadelphia and immediately begins a barnstorming tour. During testing yesterday, it is claimed to have hit speeds as high as 104 mph.

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April 18, 1976 A Turbo train, CN1, testing on Canadian National's Kingston Sub at Ingleside breaks a Canadian Speed Record set in March as it hits 138.5 mph (222.9 km/h).

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April 18, 1983 CNCP Niagara-Detroit is created by CP Rail and CN Rail to acquire the Canada Southern Railway. Conrail is not included in the deal. Conrail is in bankruptcy, and the U.S. Government does not want money earmarked for Conrail spent in Canada.

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April 18, 2004 Streetcars return to Canal Street in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

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April 19, 1821 The Stockton & Darlington Railway is incorporated in Great Britain to build from coal mines to Stockton on the River Tees.

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April 19, 1825 The La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company, which is developing the harbor at Monroe MI, receives a charter to build a half-mile rail road in Monroe. This is the first railroad charter issued in Michigan.

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April 19, 1841 The Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad temporarily suspends all service to permit relaying its track with T-rail. Traffic is re-routed via the Camden & Amboy.

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April 19, 1847 The Mohawk & Hudson changes its name to Albany & Schenectady Railroad (later NYC).

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April 19, 1848 The Illinois & Michigan Canal opens between Chicago and La Salle, IL, uniting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River system. The canal will contribute to the rise of Chicago, making it a goal for many railroads building from the east.

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April 19, 1865 Pennsylvania Railroad offices are closed and all non-essential employees given a day off to mark Lincoln's funeral, which is held in the White House.

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April 19, 1891 Two Lake Shore & Michigan Southern trains collide near Kipton OH, killing 9. One conductor's watch being off time caused the accident. This will lead directly to the "Railroad Standard" watch, a fixture on American railroads for 80 years.

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April 19, 1908 The Illinois Central opens a line to Birmingham AL and begins through sleeper service between Chicago and Jacksonville.

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April 19, 1935. The Marquette City Railway Company ends operations, ending streetcar service in Marquette MI.

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April 19, 1940 The Lake Shore Limited wrecks at Little Falls NY. Thirty-nine people are killed. The Road Foreman of Engines, who was riding in the cab and survived the wreck, reported that the engineer, approaching a curve too fast, seemed disoriented. The engineer cut the throttle instead of applying brakes, causing a severe run-in and derailment.

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April 19, 1994 The north tube of the Detroit River Tunnels reopens after a $27.5 million ($56.3 million in 2023) clearance project, allowing 19'6" double-stack cars to use the tunnel.

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April 19, 2011 The Toronto Globe & Mail reports that the foundations of Grand Trunk's original roundhouse have been uncovered in the course of a construction project. The roundhouse, near the shore of Lake Ontario, is near the Bathurst Street Bridge and was uncovered during construction of a new library.

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April 19, 2013 Because of river flooding, CSX halts operations in Wyoming Yard near Grand Rapids MI and parks hopper cars on the bridge over the Grand River.

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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, 1924 A Michigan Railway (interurban) “Flyer” falls off the trestle in Allegan MI and lands in the Kalamazoo River. None of the passengers, many in their Easter morning finery are injured.

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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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April 20, 2023 While attempting to land at Bishop International Airport near Flint MI, a private plane loses power and crash lands on the Canadian National main line. No one on the plane is injured, and rail traffic is halted before any collision can occur.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 17, 1826 The Mohawk & Hudson Railroad is chartered in New York State. Most historians consider this the first event leading to the New York Central System.

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April 17, 1853 The Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland Straight Line Railroad (later E&I, NYC) is chartered.

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April 17, 1869 The Athol & Enfield Railroad (later V&M, B&A, NYC) is incorporated in Massachusetts

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April 17, 1871 The Michigan Legislature passes a law requiring passenger train conductors to announce the next station in all cars "within a reasonable time before arrival".

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April 17, 1892 Central Atlantic Railway (later GTR, CN) leases the Central Counties Railway, running between Glen Robertson and Hawkesbury ON.

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April 17, 1905 Durand (MI) Union Depot comes close to being destroyed by fire.

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April 17, 1915 Concerned by the problems caused at grade crossings by increasing automobile traffic, the Pennsylvania Railroad asks the American Railway Association to adopt a standard warning system for grade crossings.

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April 17, 1918 Interurban service between Bristol and Elkhart IN ends.

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April 17, 1932 Streetcar service ends in Kokomo IN.

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April 17, 1945 The New Haven experiments with train radio, operating at 30.66 Mc (later 30.66 MHz). A base unit is set up in New Haven station, and mobile units are placed in 2-10-2 #3205 and caboose C-580.

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April 17, 1951 The New York Central cancels its 125th Anniversary celebrations due to the Korean War and its poor financial condition.

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April 17, 1978 Michigan Northern takes delivery of two ex-D&H/Monongahela/NYC Baldwin RF-16 "Sharks", the last two RF-16's extant.

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April 17, 2023 A new record is set for riding every line in the New York Subway System and passing through every station: 22 hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds. The time is certified by Guiness.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 16, 1940 The new Philadelphia Transportation Company purchased 130 new PCC cars from the St. Louis Car Company and 122 new buses from Mack Trucks. The new PCC cars were numbered 2031-80 for one-man operation and 2501-80 for one-man/two-man operation.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky?

April 16, 1833 A New Castle & Frenchtown (later PRR, NS) train hits a cow. Nine of its 10 cars derail and overturn. Because of the train control problems following this incident, the NC&F introduces the first system of fixed signals on a US railroad. By September the signal staffs (about three miles apart) will be able to transmit a signal from one end of the line to the other in three minutes. The original flags will be changed to peach baskets covered with cloth and then to colored balls about 1837.

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April 16, 1834 The first section of the Boston & Worcester Railroad (later B&A, NYC) opens between Boston and West Newton MA. It is the first rail passenger service and first run of a steam locomotive in New England.

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April 16, 1853 The first passenger railroad opens in India, running from Bori Bunder, through Bombay to Thane.

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April 16, 1928 Back Bay Station in Boston is destroyed by fire. (Some sources say April 15.)

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April 16, 1930 The Rose City branch of the Detroit & Mackinac is abandoned.

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April 16, 1945 A group of Philadelphia businessmen (including John B. Kelly, the father of actress-turned- princess Grace Kelly) purchases the Atlantic City trolley lines from the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. The new Atlantic City Transportation Company will officially take over the entire system on December 1.

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April 16, 1951 Last steam locomotive in passenger service on the Boston & Albany.

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April 16, 1958 The New York Central introduces "Flexi-Van" service. The first route is New York [Weehawken] to Chicago.

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April 16, 1958 The Chicago Skyway opens, completing a four-lane, limited access highway from New York to Chicago.

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April 16, 2003 The Seattle Monorail is designated a Historic Landmark by a unanimous vote of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board.

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April 16, 2011 A passenger excursion runs between May Pen and Linstead, Jamaica to introduce a regular service scheduled to start in July. This is the first passenger train service on Jamaica since February 1992.

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Mark Tomlonson