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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 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

April 15, 1951 Chicago's 47th Street trolley route was converted to bus operation but only temporarily. On April 13, 1952, the route was reconverted to trolleybus operation.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 15, 1953 Chicago Green Hornet PCC cars 4381 and 4394, which were sent to car builders to be rebuilt into rapid transit cars, were scraped and written off CTA books.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 15, 1956 South Philadelphia crosstown trolley route 64 on Federal and Wharton Streets was converted to bus operation with new GMC TDH-5106 diesel buses. Route 64 was the last to use plain 8000-series cars (aside from those specially modified with treadle doors and still used on route 2) just as it was to use the older Nearside cars in 1955. Concurrently with the route 64 conversion, the old Jackson bus garage closed and all its routes and buses joined route 64 in opening up new facilities at Southern Depot with the trolleys stored on the 19th Street side. The Jackson garage was turned over to the city and was demolished to make way for the Guerin Playground.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 15, 1980 NYCTA modified R-40 subway car 4486, out of service 6 months after it hit a crane at Sheepshead Bay, was back in service remated with 4487.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

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, 1973 The Chicago & North Western’s tunnel at Tunnel City WI collapses. C&NW will use the Milwaukee Road’s tunnel thereafter.

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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. Opening ceremonies will take place in 2016.

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April 15, 2005 Amtrak finds cracks in the brakes on a majority of Acela coaches. Acela service is cancelled until the issue is resolved.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 14, 1834 The Long Island Railroad is incorporated.

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April 14, 1907 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern depot at LaPorte IN is destroyed by fire. The fire, which started in the express room, draws thousands of spectators. No cause for the fire will be found.

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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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April 14, 2005 Nineteen cars of a Union Pacific freight, operating on Canadian National tracks south of Superior WI derail and start a forest fire.

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April 14, 2022 The Surface Transportation Board approves CSX’s takeover of Pan Am Railways. CSX is expecting to begin operating the line on June 1.

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April 14, 2023 Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern formally merge, creating a new railroad to be known as “CPKC”.

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Mark Tomlonson

April 12, 1953 Chicago's Roosevelt Road shuttle trolley route was discontinued. The route used one-man double-end cars and operated from the Cottage Grove car barn. Passengers going to Grant Park and Soldier Field now had to use the 126 bus on the CTA's Boulevard Bus system.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 12, 1959 Philadelphia Transportation Company closed the Willow Grove bus garage which was a streetcar barn until 1940. Bus routes 22 from Doylestown and 74 from Hatboro were transferred to Germantown and bus route 55 on Old York Road was transferred to Luzerne.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 12, 1968 The NYCTA's NX (Broadway-Sea Beach-Brighton trains, which weren't very popular due to switching delays at Coney Island, ran for the last time in the PM rush hour. All cars assigned to the NX were returned to regular N service.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 13, 1952 Chicago trolley route 47 (47th Street), which was converted to bus operation on April 15, 1951, was reconverted to trolleybus operation.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? April 13, 1958 The NYCTA began to transfer the old Q-type El cars to the BMT Myrtle Avenue El after their cholestory roofs were lowered to clear subway tunnels to get to and from Coney Island or 207th Street Shops.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dennis M Linsky? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??

April 11, 1842 The French legislature passes the Railway Act of 1842, which among other provisions states that all rail lines in France are to be owned by the state with operations leased to private companies. Another provision lays out a basic railroad map.

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April 11, 1845 The Pennsylvania Legislature passes an Act that exempts canals and railroads from being fined under Sunday "Blue" laws.

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April 11, 1853 The Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company (later PFW&C, PRR, PC, CR) completes its line from Pittsburgh to Crestline OH.

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April 11, 1853 After intense lobbying from New York interests, who are alleged to have paid $50,000 in bribes [2025: $2,035,299], the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania repeals the 1851 "Gauge Law" and now requires all state railroads to be 4'-8-1/2". The repeal opens the way for Ohio railroads to build to Pittsburgh.

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April 11, 1863 The Oswego & Rome Railroad (later RW&O, NYC) is chartered as a branch of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg.

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April 11, 1877 Ross Winans, who took credit for many early developments in railroad technology while working for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, passes away at the age of 81.

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April 11, 1920 The Cleveland Interurban Railroad (OH) opens.

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April 11, 1931 The Pennsylvania Railroad adds Tourist Pullmans to the formerly all-coach excursion trains running between New York and Pittsburgh.

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April 11, 1960 The Pennsylvania Railroad places 7 new diesel tugs into service in New York Harbor. The new tugs replace 12 that are being retired, included the last steam-powered tug.

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April 11, 2017 Indiana Landmarks announces it will buy and preserve the Monon High Bridge at Delphi.

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April 11, 2020 The first two (of four) former White Pass & Yukon diesel locomotives are loaded onto a barge in Skagway for eventual delivery to the Durango & Southern. The D&S is also planning to purchase two additional new diesels, and to build a new shop in Durango to maintain them.

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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 LS&MS, 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, 1970 Last run of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s “Black Hawk”, running between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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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, 1995 The Chicago & North Western and the Union Pacific railroads merge.

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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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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, 1916 The Van Swearingen brothers buy a 75% interest in the Nickel Plate from William K. Vanderbilt for $8.5 million [2025: $256 million]

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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 10, 1949 North Philadelphia trolley route 25 (Cedar and Memphis Streets), which served Kensington and Fishtown, was converted to bus operation and was transferred from Richmond Depot to Cumberland garage.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dennis M Linsky

April 10, 1846 The Chelsea Branch Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is chartered in Massachusetts

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April 10, 1866 James & Amos Densmore are granted a patent for the first successful tank car.

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April 10, 1868 The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway (later CCC&StL, NYC) is formed by the consolidation of The Bellefontaine Railway and the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railway.

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April 10, 1873 The State of North Carolina secures an injunction against the North Carolina Railroad preventing it from changing its gauge from 4'-8-1/2" to 5'-0". The railroad had hoped to form through lines with the Richmond & Danville and other roads in the Southern Railway Security Company group.

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April 10, 1873 Flooding in Northeastern Indiana washes out several railroad bridges.

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April 10, 1878 Cable car service begins on San Francisco's California Street.

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April 10, 1878 The Pennsylvania Railroad sells 11 lots in its Philadelphia suburb "Bryn Mawr" to Dr. John Taylor at half the going rate, provided he completes his women's seminary, "Bryn Mawr College" within seven years.

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April 10, 1895 The Detroit & Mackinac buys the Alpena & Northern.

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April 10, 1900 The Holland & Lake Michigan Railway (MI interurban) resumes operation after a carbarn fire in January destroyed all their rolling stock.

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April 10, 1907 Indiana passes a series of Railroad Laws. They require a full crew, block systems to be in place by July 1, 1909, and set rates for dining car liquor licenses at $1000 [2025: $28,891].

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April 10, 1912 The first (and only) R.M.S. Titanic boat train leaves London for the docks at Southampton.

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April 10, 1919 First run of the Simplon-Orient Express, using a combination of routes and equipment from the pre-war Simplon and Orient Expresses. This is the first luxury train to operate in Europe after World War I. (Some sources say April 11)

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April 10, 1922 The plans for Cleveland Union Terminal are approved. The 52-storey Terminal Tower will be the tallest building west of New York.

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April 10, 1928 The Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company is sold to receivers. The company will re-form on May 7 as the Indianapolis & South Eastern Railroad Company.

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April 10, 1930 The Great Northern buys its last new steam locomotive, 4-8-4 #2588.

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April 10, 1936 The Palomar observatory mirror arrives in Pasadena CA after a 16-day cross-country trip by rail.

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April 10, 1937 Unable to find a buyer for the line, the Wisconsin & Michigan (later CNW) applies to the ICC for permission to abandon.

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April 10, 1937 The Denver South Park & Pacific and the Colorado & Southern end operations.

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April 10, 1948 The Chicago & West Towns Railway ends streetcar service in Cicero-Berwyn IL.

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April 10, 1975 Amtrak begins using French-built RTG trainsets between Detroit and Chicago.

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April 10, 2009 Norfolk Southern and Pan Am enter into an arrangement to create "Pan Am Southern". The new line, owned 50/50 by the two parties, will give NS access to New England.

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Mark Tomlonson