December 28, 1825 George Featherstonhaugh (pronounced fen-shaw), of Duanesburgh NY, runs a newspaper notice announcing the formation of the Mohawk & Hudson Rail Road Company.
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December 28, 1829 The Baltimore & Ohio begins experimental excursions between Pratt Street and Carrollton Viaduct using a variety of cars, including a six-person car pulled by two dogs.
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December 28, 1860 The Pennsylvania Railroad Board declines a request by the American Railway Literary Union to place religious books and tracts in PRR passenger trains.
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December 28, 1878 The Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad becomes the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad. (later PM, C&O, CSX)
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December 28, 1879 The Tay Bridge over Scotland's Firth of Tay collapses in a gale with the loss of seventy-five persons. Although it was hailed as an "engineering triumph" when it was built three years earlier, the railway bridge has collapsed due to faulty design.
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December 28, 1889 The Newark & Granville Street Railway, the first electric interurban line in the United States, begins operations in Licking County OH.
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December 28, 1901 The Escanaba & Lake Superior Railway begins regular operations between Escanaba and Channing.
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December 28, 1910 With the opening of Penn Station, the Pennsylvania Railroad disposes of its former cab fleet of 82 carriages and 60 horses. They are no longer needed to carry passengers to and from the river ferries.
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December 28, 1912 The Municipal Railway of San Francisco, the first publicly-owned transit system in a large American city, begins operations.
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December 28, 1917 The United States Railroad Administration takes over operation of all U.S. railroads at 12:00 noon.
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December 28, 1918 The USRA establishes eight hours as the basic workday, with time-and-a-half the standard for overtime.
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December 28, 1921 The Pennsylvania Railroad abandons the Central Indiana Railway between Advance and Brazil IN and authorizes the enlargement of the yard at Richmond IN.
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December 28, 1955 A parade of 12 Brilliners and 8 War Board cars highlight the end of trolley service in Atlantic City, NJ. Atlantic City is the last trolley line in the Garden State to operate on a main street.
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December 28, 1972 Amtrak's French-built Turboliners begin service.
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Mark Tomlonson
