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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 2019, 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 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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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 completed from Sandusky to Toledo OH

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April 24, 1901 The Toledo & Michigan Terminal Railway is incorporated in Ohio to build from Toledo towards Monroe MI.

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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 [$175 in 2017 dollars] 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 will 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 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.

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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 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” as it stops to check its running gear. The “Exposition Flyer” was 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 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, 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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Mark Tomlonson

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 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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Mark Tomlonson

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

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April 21, 2011 Three musical groups begin a tour in Oakland CA, using a private 15-car train as sole intercity transportation.

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Mark Tomlonson

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, 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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Mark Tomlonson

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 Co. receives a charter to build a half-mile rail road in Monroe, the first 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. Streetcar service ends 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 ($47 million in 2019) 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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Mark Tomlonson

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 ("highballs") 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, 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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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, 1905 Durand (MI) Union Depot is almost 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/Montour/NYC Baldwin RF-16 "Sharks", the last two RF-16's extant.

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

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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 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. (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. Also destroyed: The offices of the Southern Pacific and 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.

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April 18, 1983 CNCP Niagara-Detroit is created by CP Rail and CN Rail to acquire the Canada Southern Railway.

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

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Mark Tomlonson

April 15, 1865 All Baltimore & Ohio trains are held at Relay, MD until noon by military order to help prevent the escape of the assassins of Abraham Lincoln.

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April 15, 1867 The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago (later PRR) completes a wrought-iron Pratt truss swing drawbridge over the Chicago River.

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April 15, 1892 General Electric is formed. The company will eventually (among other ventures) manufacture diesel-electric locomotives and components.

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April 15, 1899 Chicago’s Lake Street “L” is extended at ground level beyond city limits at 52^nd. Avenue.

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April 15, 1905 The two-level swing bridge between Hancock and Houghton MI is destroyed when it is rammed by the steamer "Northern Wave", bound for the smelters at Ripley.

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April 15, 1905 Work begins on Washington Union Station.

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April 15, 1912 The R.M.S. Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage after striking an iceberg. Among the lost: Grand Trunk Railway President Charles M. Hays, Pennsylvania Railroad Vice-President John B. Thayer and George D. Widener, a Philadelphia streetcar magnate. Thayer's son is swept off the boat deck but survives on the overturned collapsible lifeboat.

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April 15, 1933 Streetcar service ends in Lansing MI.

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April 15, 1947 The Pennsylvania Railroad puts its new Baldwin "Centipedes" in passenger service, running between Harrisburg and Chicago.

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April 15, 1952 The New Haven announces it is now completely dieselized, although four steam locomotives are retained for switching and snow melting in yards.

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April 15, 1955 The current issue of "Vogue" features an article highlighting Canadian Pacific's "Canadian" and models showing what well-dressed train travelers will be wearing. Budd, CP and 112 retailers have co-operated in the production of the photo feature.

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April 15, 1955 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton and Pennsylvania Railroads enter into a trackage agreement that will allow DT&I freight trains on the PRR line between South Charleston and Cincinnati OH.

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April 15, 1955 Great Northern begins construction on Gavin Yard.

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April 15, 1957 The New York Central assigns hostesses to the "Empire State Express".

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April 15, 1962 The Reading ends its car float operations.

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April 15, 1975 Amtrak's "Arrowhead" begins Minneapolis-Duluth service.

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April 15, 1996 Ground is broken for the new Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. The 35.3 mile long tunnel will allow passenger trains to traverse at 150 mph and freights at 99 mph. Expected completion is in 2020.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 14, 1907 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern depot at Laporte IN is destroyed by fire.

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April 14, 1909 In its new contract with the Pullman Company, the Pennsylvania Railroad stipulates that only steel cars are to serve the new Pennsylvania Station in New York.

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April 14, 1932 Southern Pacific announces it has gain control of the Cotton Belt through ownership of 87 per cent of the Cotton Belt’s stock.

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April 14, 1945 President Roosevelt's funeral train arrives in Washington DC from Warm Springs. It will arrive in Hyde Park later today. The train runs in two sections, the first 13 cars for Congress, the Supreme Court and diplomats. The second 17 cars are for the funeral party, family, President Truman and the Cabinet.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 13, 1771 Richard Trevithick, a Welsh inventor, is born. His most notable contribution to railroading will be the invention of high-pressure steam engines, enabling self-propelled steam locomotives to do useful work.

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April 13, 1846 The Pennsylvania Railroad receives a charter to run between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

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April 13, 1868 The Continental Improvement Company is incorporated in Pennsylvania by officers of the Pennsylvania Railroad for the purpose of building the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. It is the first pure holding company in America.

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April 13, 1869 George Westinghouse receives the first patent for an air brake for railroad cars. The brake uses steam from the locomotive boiler as its power source.

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April 13, 1888 The Valley City Street & Cable Railway begins operations in Grand Rapids MI. The line is no more than 11,000 feet long, and a single cable car is in operation.

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April 13, 1921 At noon, all Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive and shop whistles are blown for 30 seconds to mark the 75th anniversary of the railroad.

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April 13, 1925 The Pennsylvania Railroad constructs a replica of the "Broadway Limited's" rear platform for display in Macy's Department store window in New York. Later it will travel to other department stores along the PRR system.

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April 13, 1953 Complaining of poor service, the U.S. Navy sends an LST to pick up sailors originally scheduled to travel on the Pennsylvania Railroad's "Furlough".

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April 13, 1987 The Iowa Terminal Railroad [IA interurban] is sold to David Johnson and renamed “Iowa Traction Railroad”.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 12, 1831 Construction begins on the Staple Bend Tunnel, located 4 miles east of Johnstown PA. It is the first railroad tunnel in the United States. (Some sources say November 21)

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April 12, 1842 The Erie & Northeast Railroad (later NYC) is chartered.

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April 12, 1848 The Buffalo & State Line Railroad (later NYC) is chartered.

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April 12, 1861 Confederate forces fire upon Federal forces, which have retreated to Fort Sumter, SC, beginning the US Civil War. In addition to, as historian Ken Burns put it, "changing the nation from united States to The United States", the war will also advance railroad technology and operating practices from the lessons learned transporting troops and material.

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April 12, 1862 Andrew's Raiders steal "The General".

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April 12, 1880 The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chicago Union Station is held.

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April 12, 1898 Union Traction Company of Indiana opens its line from Alexandria to Summitville.

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April 12, 1944 The Pennsylvania Railroad Mechanical Engineer approves drawings for a proposed class V1 2-D-D-2 steam turbine. While this locomotive class will not be built, the Chesapeake & Ohio will build 3 examples almost identical to this proposal.

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April 12, 1947 The Pennsylvania Railroad places its first Baldwin "Centipedes" in freight service on its Philadelphia Division.

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April 12, 1950 The New York Central adds 250 boxcars to its "Pacemaker" fleet.

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April 12, 1953 Last run of the "Orange Blossom Special".

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April 12, 1960 Chrysler makes its first shipment of automobiles using New York Central auto racks designed to fit on a Flexi-Van chassis.

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April 12, 1976 GG-1 locomotive number 4800 appears in a "Bicentennial" paint scheme.

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April 12, 1987 Last train runs on the Michigan Northern.

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April 12, 2016 A train is delayed 19 minutes at Japan’s Hiroshima station when a cat decides to perch on top. The cat is eventually coaxed down and the train proceeds without further incident. The image of the cat resting on the train is tweeted over 1,500 times.

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Mark Tomlonson