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December 16, 1855 The Galena & Chicago Union (later C&NW) completes its line from Chicago to Fulton IL. December 16, 1910 In Kinmundy IL, a standing Illinois Central freight is struck by another train that could not slow on a grade due to icy track. No injuries are reported, but the collision breaks open a live poultry car. Many residents of Kinmundy enjoy a Christmas turkey dinner courtesy of the railroad. December 16, 1915 The United States Attorney General rules that New York Central's ownership of the Nickel Plate, Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Michigan Central violates U.S. anti-trust laws and orders divesture. December 16, 1932 The New York & Harlem Railroad sells its remaining trolley lines. December 16, 1941 Union Pacific streamliner "M-10000" is retired. December 16, 1943 Two Atlantic Coast Line passenger trains collide after a broken rail derails the first, putting it in the path of the second. Seventy-one people are killed, most of them U.S. troops. December 16, 1957 Boston & Maine opens a new service facility exclusively for its RDC's. It can hold 16 of the B&M's 108 "Highliners". December 16, 1965 The Atlantic Coast Line introduces candlelight dinners on the "Florida Special". Mark Tomlonson

December 13, 1836 The Republic of Texas charters its first railroad. December 13, 1877 The Allegan & South Eastern Railroad is organized in Michigan to take over the part of the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad between Allegan and Monteith. The papers will be filed in January. December 13, 1902 For the last time, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in its yard in Elkhart IN switches a car equipped with a link and pin coupler. December 13, 1907 Interurban service begins between Mukwonago and East Troy WI, extending the line from Milwaukee. The line now serves the East Troy Electric Railroad museum. December 13, 1909 The Vancouver, Victoria & Eastern Railway, a Great Northern subsidiary, reaches Princeton BC. December 13, 1930 The first Sperry Rail Detector car is shown to the public at Pittsburgh. December 13, 1937 The Reading Railroad places a new steam-powered streamlined train in service between New York and Philadelphia. The 5-car train with an observation car at each end will be named "The Crusader" after a naming contest. December 13, 1945 New York Central places an order for 420 new passenger cars. It is the largest passenger car order placed by any railroad to date. December 13, 1945 The 1,000,000th returning soldier passes through Camp Kilmer on a Pennsylvania Railroad troop train. December 13, 2005 Conrail closes Schaefer Tower in the Detroit area. It will be demolished three days later. December 13, 2006 The Ohio Central uses its recently restored Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2-8-0 to pull a revenue freight train (including three dead-in-tow diesels). December 13, 2008 Italy begins a new high-speed link between Milan and Bologna, part of a line that is expected to reach Rome next year. The train averages 120 mph, twice the speed of conventional service. Long-term plans are to give rail a 60% market share between any two Italian cities. December 13, 2016 Detroit’s “Q-Line” light rail makes its first test run along its 3.3 mile Woodward Ave. right of way. December 14, 1878 William H. Vanderbilt contracts with a British steamship company to ship grain from the New York Central & Hudson River's new terminal at 65th street in New York. Previously, the NYC&HR has used the infrastructure associated with the Erie Canal for its shipments but now has to make its own arrangements. December 14, 1903 The New Haven inaugurates the "Merchants Limited", a premier first-class train between New York and Boston on a five-hour schedule. Trains leave Boston and New York at 5:00 pm. December 14, 1934 New York Central unveils the "Commodore Vanderbilt", the first streamline steam locomotive and the inspiration for one of Lionel's most popular toy locomotives. December 14, 1961 Near Evans CO, 20 students are killed and 16 injured when their school bus is hit by the Union Pacific's "City of Denver". The driver of the bus had let the vehicle roll onto the rural crossing in front of the oncoming train. After this incident, Colorado will pass a law requiring certain vehicles, such as school buses, to come to a full stop before proceeding across railroad tracks. Other states will follow suit. December 14, 1974 Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449 is moved from static display in a Portland OR park to Burlington Northern's Ninth Street roundhouse for restoration to active service pulling the second iteration of the American Freedom Train. December 14, 2008 A mock hold-up of a Santa Train in Random Lake, WI becomes too real when a live round of buckshot is accidentally loaded into one of the guns. One of the actors and a 14-year old spectator receive non-life threatening wounds. Santa was not hurt. December 14, 2010 CSX removes the last semaphore signals from the former Monon. The last blade to fall was at milepost 147.1 at North Crawfordsville IN. December 14, 2017 The Irish Sun newspaper reports that Dublin’s new tram (light rail) line is so slow due to traffic, long loading time at stops and urban congestion that it is faster to walk the route than to ride. December 15, 1859 Gas lighting is installed at the Pennsylvania's Altoona PA shops.

December 12, 1853 The Boston & New York Central Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is formed by the consolidation of the Norfolk County Railroad, the Southbridge & Blackstone and the Midland Railroad. December 12, 1859 The first through passenger service via the Shore Line begins between New York and Boston. Ferries take the passengers over the Thames and possibly the Connecticut Rivers. December 12, 1859 The Grand Trunk Railway opens the Victoria Bridge, crossing the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and St. Lambert. Until 1873 it will use 5 foot 6 inch (1.68 meter) gauge. It is the first bridge to span the river. The first train will cross the bridge December 17. December 12, 1891 Streetcars begin running in Defiance OH. December 12, 1900 The Wabash Railroad agrees to operate the Eel River Railroad (later PRR, PC, CR) for the receiver. December 12, 1901 Pennsylvania Railroad President Alexander Cassat announces that the railroad plans to tunnel under the Hudson River and build a “grand station” on the west side of Manhattan. December 12, 1917 In Mouane, in the French Alps, a grossly overloaded troop train jumps the tracks after the brakes fail on a steep mountain grade. At least 543 are killed, hundreds more are injured by official count. The actual count is assumed to be higher. Until 1981 it was the worst train disaster in history. It remains the worst train wreck. December 12, 1926 The Pennsylvania Railroad completes an improvement of the ticket facilities at Penn Station, making it possible to buy railroad and Pullman tickets at the same window instead of waiting in two lines. December 12, 1946 Seaboard Air Line restores the "Orange Blossom Special" as a winter-only Florida train after a hiatus during World War II. December 12, 1949 The Norfolk & Western begins using new, lightweight cars on its "Powhattan Arrow". December 12, 1956 Last regular passenger train on the Escanaba & Lake Superior. December 12, 1968 United Aircraft's "Turbotrains" are placed in regular service on the Canadian National. On the press run two days earlier, the train hit a meat truck, an accident viewed on closed circuit TV by over 300 newsmen on board. December 12, 2001 The last Alco-powered locomotive in regular service on a Class 1 Railroad makes its final run, as VIA retires LRC locomotive #6907. Mark Tomlonson

December 11, 1845 The Nashville & Chattanooga (later NC&StL, L&N, CSX) is chartered in Tennessee. It will be built to a 5-foot gauge and will be the first railroad to operate in the state of Tennessee. December 11, 1867 Cornelius Vanderbilt is elected President of the New York Central railroad without opposition, giving him control of railroads between New York and Buffalo. December 11, 1868 Four members of the Reno gang are lynched in New Albany IN. They were in jail following the great train robbery of May 22, 1868. December 11, 1879 The Lake Erie & Western (later NKP) is formed by the merger of several railroads linking Fremont OH and Bloomington IL. December 11, 1887 The two-foot gauge Gilpin Tram Railway begins operations in Colorado. December 11, 1889 John Frank Stevens along with Coonsah, a Flathead Native guide, find Marias Pass, which will enable the Great Northern to cross the Continental Divide in Montana. December 11, 1906 The first revenue MU electric train on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad enters Grand Central Station. (Some sources say December 13) December 11, 1946 A report requested by Pennsylvania Railroad Vice President-Operations J.M. Symes compares projected results of freight service with 80 A-B-B-B-A diesel sets vs. 202 4-4-6-4 Q2's. The diesels would save over $14 million per year (2024: $206 million) plus an additional gain of $6.5 million ($95.4 million) annually if the diesels can improve on-time performance. December 11, 1998 Canadian National Railway operates its last train in Ottawa ON. Operation in Ottawa will begin in two days by the Ottawa Central Railway. December 11, 2000 Amtrak's "Acela" service begins between Washington and Boston. Mark Tomlonson

December 10, 1795 Matthias Baldwin, developer and manufacturer of steam locomotives is born. December 10, 1850 The Michigan Southern Railroad reaches Coldwater from the east. December 10, 1870 The Courts rule that a state "head tax" on traffic on Baltimore & Ohio's Washington Branch is unconstitutional. The B&O reduces local fares by $0.30 (2024: $7.23) but continues to charge tax on through tickets until January 29, 1871. December 10, 1877 The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway (later NYC&HR, NYC) begins operations. December 10, 1878 The first Tiffany Patent Refrigerator car, invented earlier this year in Chicago, arrives in Philadelphia from Kansas City with a load of beef halves. December 10, 1908 The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (later CN) completes its 846 meter (2,775 foot) bridge over the Battle River. The bridge is 60 meters (195 feet) above the water. December 10, 1919 The car barns of the Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Street Railway Company in Niagara Falls ON burn to the ground. A smaller barn and a repair shop at the same location will replace them. December 10, 1919 The Michigan Central opens new shops and a division point in Niles, MI. December 10, 1935 The Huey P. Long bridge in Metaire, LA, is completed, serving highway and rail traffic. It is 4.35 miles long, owned by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. December 10, 1939 Frisco's semi-streamlined "Firefly" enters service. December 10, 1947 Train telephone service is added to the "Broadway Limited" between New York and Harrisburg PA. December 10, 1958 National Airlines begins the first domestic jet airliner service in the United States. December 10, 1968 The Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, the Switchmen's Union of North American and the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen vote to merge their four unions into a single organization, the United Transportation Union. December 10, 1969 The first load of iron ore is shipped from Levis WI. December 10, 1988 Chicago & North Western sells 200 miles of trackage in Wisconsin to the Fox River Valley Railway. December 10, 2010 An order for the first high-speed trains in Africa is placed with Alstrom. The TGV-style cars will operate between Tangier and Morocco. December 10, 2014 Amtrak opens a new station in Dearborn MI, replacing an “Amshack” that had been in use for over 30 years. Mark Tomlonson

December 9, 1839 The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad (later RDG) begins revenue service between Reading PA and the foot of Belmont Plane. December 9, 1879 The Toledo, Peoria & Western is leased to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway for 50 years. December 9, 1881 The "Golden" Spike is driven three miles west of Newberry MI to complete the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette Railroad (later DSS&A, SOO, CN, GDLK). December 9, 1911 Streetcar service ends in Salem OH. December 9, 1921 In response to a rash of mail and Post Office robberies, the Post Office Department announces it is placing armed U.S. Marines in cars carrying valuable mail. Also, plainclothes guards are placed on trains. December 9, 1923 A burning automobile on the tracks at Forsyth NY stops the first and second sections of the 20th Century Limited. The third section misses a signal in the fog and crashes into the rear of the second section, killing 9. December 9, 1932 Streetcar service comes to a close in Springfield OH. December 9, 1941 Chesapeake & Ohio officials accept the first 2-6-6-6 "Allegheny" locomotive from Lima Locomotive Works. December 9, 2002 President George W. Bush nominates CSX CEO John Snow to be his Secretary of the Treasury. December 9, 2011 CSX closes the former "WB" Tower in Brunswick MD. The tower, on the former Baltimore & Ohio, was one of the last manned towers on the east coast. Mark Tomlonson

December 6, 1903 Indiana Union Traction Company opens its Indianapolis to Kokomo route. December 6, 1917 In the largest explosion to this date (comparable to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945), two ships collide and explode in Halifax NS. The “Imo” is loaded with ballast, the “Mont Blanc” with explosives. Roughly 2,000 people are killed when the “Mount Blanc” explodes. The city suffers extensive damage. Included in the losses: Intercolonial Railway's station (later CN) and associated facilities. December 6, 1935 The first modern escalator is placed in service, at New York's Penn Station. December 6, 1971 Auto-Train Corporation begins operations between Lorton VA and Sanford FL. December 6, 2005 The State of New Mexico signs an agreement with BNSF to buy almost 300 miles of track between Belen NM through Raton Pass to Trinidad CO. The state will use the line for commuter and light-rail service. BNSF retains overhead rights and freight customers. Amtrak will also use the line. December 6, 2006 A German passenger train traveling through Muenster goes into emergency when a soccer ball hits the air brake line between the engine and the first car. The driver was able to effect repairs within 8 minutes. No child on the adjoining soccer pitch claimed responsibility for the errant ball. December 6, 2010 Los Angeles' Metrolink unveils its new Hyundai Rotem cars. The first one will enter service next week, with the full order of 137 expected to be in operation by December 2012. December 6, 2018 The remains of the 41st U.S. President, George H.W. Bush, are carried from Houston to College Station TX in a train pulled by Union Pacific locomotive 4141. Locomotive 4141 had been painted previously in the colors of Air Force One to honor Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush becomes the eighth President to have a funeral train. December 6, 2023 Michigan’s U.S. senators announce 3 $500,000 Federal grants for improvements in Amtrak’s Port Huron to Chicago and Pontiac to Chicago corridors, as well as additional Detroit to Toledo service that may include connections to Detroit Airport. December 7, 1835 Germany's first railroad, the Ludwigs-Eisenbahn running 6 km (3.73 mi) from Nuremburg to Furth, begins regular passenger service. December 7, 1846 The first four Philadelphia companies leave from the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad depot for Mexican War duty. December 7, 1850 Draft animals are used for the last time on the Allegheny Portage Railroad (PA). December 7, 1853 The Erie & North East Railroad (later LS&MS) begins changing gauge and is shut down by a mob of Erie PA citizens led by Mayor King. The mob tears up track at various road crossings within the city, blocking travel between Buffalo and Cleveland. The citizens demand a break of gauge to reap benefits of transshipment. Other Pennsylvanians desire to prevent the "New York" railroad from crossing the state to the detriment of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Railroad. The riots and destruction of track will continue for several days. December 7, 1885 Debut of "The Congressional". Trains carrying this name will be the premier trains in New York-Washington service until the arrival of the Metroliners. December 7, 1894 Incorporation date of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad (later NYC) December 7, 1899 The Chicago & West Michigan becomes part of the Pere Marquette Railroad. December 7, 1901 The Lake Shore Electric begins service between Cleveland and Toledo. December 7, 1906 The Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads form Pacific Fruit Express. December 7, 1909 The Pere Marquette carferry Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 (1st) is lost on Lake Erie. December 7, 1928 Railway Express Agency is incorporated. December 7, 1929 The New York Central's deluxe coach train "Motor Queen" makes its last run between Detroit and Cincinnati. The extra features offered on the train have not made it profitable. December 7, 1941 The New York Central, with much fanfare, launches the new streamlined "Empire State Express". News of the bombing of Pearl Harbor puts an immediate damper on the planned festivities. De

December 5, 1868 The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad (later PRR) Board appoints a committee to settle a dispute between the Grand Rapids & Indiana (later PRR) and the Kalamazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids Railroad (later LS&MS, NYC) so that there will be a single north-south line in Michigan. The committee will fail in its mission. Both railroads will build between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. December 5, 1870 The last independent Kalamazoo & South Haven timetable is printed in the Kalamazoo Gazette. Timetables after this date will be printed as "Kalamazoo Division, Michigan Central Railroad". December 5, 1872 The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore donates $5,000 (2024: $12.9 million) to the new University of Pennsylvania Hospital. In return, the railroad is entitled to one free bed for use of injured employees or passengers. December 5, 1877 The Pennsylvania Company Board authorizes the reduction of gauge from 4' 10" to 4' 9". December 5, 1881 The first all-Pullman train in England runs from London to Brighton. It is also the first train lit by electricity. December 5, 1885 The New York Central & Hudson River Railroad leases the West Shore Railroad. December 5, 1905 Plans are approved for Potomac Yard in Washington DC. The yard will serve as a major transfer point between Northern and Southern lines. December 5, 1915 Debut of the Katy's "Texas Special". December 5, 1915 The Missouri Pacific/Nationales de Mexico "Sunshine Special" begins operations between St. Louis and Los Angeles with a second segment between St. Louis and Mexico City. December 5, 1921 Louisville & Nashville introduces the "Pan American". December 5, 1922 The Illinois Central introduces its all-Pullman train, “The Floridian”. December 5, 1935 The New York Post Office is extended over the tracks leading to Penn Station. Tower A is now covered. December 5, 1937 The Mount Lowe Railway (CA) closes, ending service on the funicular railway on Echo Mountain, north of Los Angeles. December 5, 1948 The New York Central combines "The Pacemaker" and "The Advance Commodore Vanderbilt". Also combined: the eastbound "Fifth Avenue Special" and the "Interstate Express". Eliminated: the Michigan Central "North Shore Limited". December 5, 1989 France's TGV train hits 482 km/h (300 mph) for the first time. December 5, 1996 BNSF reopens Stampede Pass. December 5, 1996 For the last time, Canadian National hauls grain in 12 metre (40 foot) boxcars. December 5, 2003 The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers votes to merge their union with the Teamsters. The Brotherhood will remain autonomous within the merged union. December 5, 2008 The Honda assembly plant at Greensburg IN ships its first automobiles by rail. The cars are taken by the Central Railroad of Indiana, owned by RailAmerica, to Cincinnati, where they are interchanged with NS and CSX. December 5, 2017 Amtrak begins using the renovated Lincoln IL station. The building, built in 1911, had not been used for rail service for 30 years. Mark Tomlonson

December 4, 1820 John Stevens proposes to build a railroad from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. He also offers to build a quarter-mile demonstration railroad on Market Street in Philadelphia. December 4, 1830 Construction of the Camden & Amboy begins at Bordentown NJ. December 4, 1877 The Eel River Railroad, running between Logansport and Butler, is incorporated in Indiana as a reorganization of the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad. December 4, 1891 For the first time in the United States, four trains are involved in one accident. In East Thompson CT, three trains collide at a level crossing, and a fourth slams into the wreckage two minutes later. Despite massive property damage, only three persons are killed. A March, 1953 wreck in Conneaut OH will also involve 4 trains. December 4, 1900 The new Grand Rapids MI Union Station opens. December 4, 1910 The Pennsylvania Railroad announces that through passenger business at New York is up 15% after the opening of Penn Station. Most long distance trains have been given additional cars. December 4, 1920 The Grand Rapids & Indiana organizes a Veterans' Association. December 4, 1938 Last day of IRT’s Sixth Avenue Elevated in New York City. December 4, 1946 The Pennsylvania Railroad orders its first two F3 freight road diesels from EMD. The A-B-B-B-A units are rated at 7,500 HP per set. December 4, 1955 What had been the world's longest trolley line, Chicago's 25-mile 36 (Broadway-State) PCC line, is broken into 2 routes. The State Street portion from the Loop to 120th and Morgan is converted to bus operation. December 4, 1961 The Rutland Railroad applies for abandonment. December 4, 1967 Pennsylvania Railroad's premier train, the "Broadway Limited" loses its all-Pullman status as coaches are added to the consist. December 4, 1978 Union Pacific and Chicago & North Western announce a joint agreement to build into Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to access the numerous coal mines. December 4, 1999 Salt Lake City resumes light-rail service. December 4, 2003 Russia opens the Severomuisk Tunnel. Ten miles long, it has taken over 25 years to complete. December 4, 2004 The Minneapolis LRT opens the last four miles of the 12-mile Hiawatha Corridor, adding the MSP airport (stops at both terminals), an office park in central Bloomington, and the Mall of America to the line. Mark Tomlonson

December 3, 1844 Cobble Hill Tunnel in Brooklyn opens, however it will not be finished until late spring next year. Many regard the 2,517-foot tunnel as the first subway tunnel in the world. It has been built to carry the Brooklyn & Jamaica Railroad (later LIRR) under Atlantic Avenue. It will be taken out of service and sealed in 1861. December 3, 1853 Illinois Central and Michigan Central railroads begin using a temporary station built on fill on the lakefront of Chicago between Randolph and Water Streets. The track has been extended north from 12th Street. December 3, 1919 The Quebec Bridge opens to pedestrian, rail and automobile traffic. Planning for the bridge began in 1899, and it has collapsed twice during construction, killing 89 workers. It is currently owned by Canadian National. December 3, 1920 Canadian National launches its new trans-continental “Continental Limited” passenger train. The train features electrically lit, all-steel cars, and will include open-air observation cars between Jasper and Kamloops in the summer months. December 3, 1927 The old Boston North station is razed in preparation for a new building. Meanwhile, Erie PA dedicates its new Union Station. December 3, 1950 Regular passenger service between Cadillac and Petosky MI ends. Summer-only service continues. December 3, 1953 To cut costs, the Pennsylvania Railroad places an "automatic buffet-bar" car on New York to Washington trains with vending machines and tables. A single bar attendant replaces the dining car staff. December 3, 1957 Eight-year-old Maria Rudolph is kidnapped and murdered in northern Illinois. In 2011, her killer will be found when a newly discovered unused train ticket breaks his alibi, resulting in an arrest. December 3, 1967 Last run of New York Central's "20th Century Limited". A more prosaic numbered train will protect the service. December 3, 1978 Southern Railway's "Southern Crescent" enters a curve at excess speed in Shipman VA. All of the consist except for the lead engine and the last car derail and slide down into a ravine. Six people are killed, including Governor Jimmy Carter's former chef, Lewis Price, who was killed in the galley of the dining car. Sixty others are injured, most of them trapped in the wreckage. December 3, 1979 The ICC grants permission to Grand Trunk Western to buy the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, confirming a court order handed down in July. The ICC gives GTW six months to compete the sale. December 3, 1980 The last continuous, daily, non-fireless steam operation in the United States comes to a close as Chicago's Northwestern Steel & Wire drops the fires of its ex-Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 switchers for the last time. December 3, 2005 Bennett and Vivian Levin of Philadelphia organize a private train to the annual Army-Navy game for patients in Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Amtrak and private car owners contribute 12 additional cars to carry 88 patients from Washington Union Station to Philadelphia. The private car owners pay for the trip. Publicity is minimal at the time as no reporters or politicians are allowed on the train. December 3, 2010 The Chinese claim the World Record for fastest unmodified train, when one of their new high-speed trains hits 486 km/h (302 mph) between Beijing and Shanghai. A modified French TGV train holds the record for a modified train, at 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph). Mark Tomlonson

December 2, 1855 The Rock Island reaches Iowa City only minutes before a midnight $50,000 bonus deadline. The locomotive is dragged the final 1,000 feet with ropes in minus 30-degree temperatures. December 2, 1856 T.T. Woodruff receives the first patent for a sleeping car. December 2, 1863 The Union Pacific Railroad begins construction. December 2, 1865 The Southern Pacific Railroad is incorporated. December 2, 1872 A U.S. House Committee is formed to investigate profiteering and bribes paid by Credit Mobilier (the construction company for Union Pacific Railroad) to members of Congress. December 2, 1894 The Wisconsin & Michigan Railway begins passenger service between Peshtigo WI and Faithorn Jct. MI. Freight service will begin in two days. December 2, 1903 A Pennsylvania Railroad freight locomotive explodes in Greenwood DE, killing two crewmembers and setting fire to the town. December 2, 1911 The Santa Fe first-class train "de-Luxe" begins weekly Chicago to Los Angeles service. December 2, 1912 The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads are prohibited from merging under United States anti-trust laws. December 2, 1918 The Railroad Yardmasters of America union is formed. December 2, 1928 The last interurban leaves Marshall MI at 12:15 a.m. December 2, 1929 The Warren & Jamestown Street Railway (PA and NY) ends. December 2, 1934 Illinois Central's premier "Panama Limited" is re-instated after a two and a half year suspension due to the Depression. December 2, 1939 A Grand Trunk Western crewman riding on the footboards of a tender is killed as his engine backs across US-12 in Kalamazoo, striking a semi-truck that had tried to beat the train to the crossing. December 2, 1956 The Pennsylvania Railroad sends its last four leased 2-10-4's back to the Santa Fe. December 2, 1958 The Louisville & Nashville opens Boyles Yard, a modern hump facility north of Birmingham Alabama. December 2, 1961 Last passenger train runs on Boston & Maine's Conway Branch. December 2, 1961 President Kennedy rides back to Washington DC from the Army-Navy game on a special Pennsylvania Railroad train in PRR Business Car No. 120. December 2, 1967 Last run of New York Central's "Empire State Express". December 2, 1975 Six South Moluccan extremists seize a train near the Dutch town of Beilen. They will hold 23 passengers hostage until surrendering on December 14. December 2, 1992 Chicago & North Western makes its last run between Freemont and Chadron NE, nicknamed “The Cowboy Line”, December 2, 2021 One of the last remaining Baldwin “Sharknose” diesels, No. 1216, is moved out of the Escanaba & Lake Superior shops in Escanaba MI where it has been stored since 1982 with a broken crankshaft. It is moved to a heated shop in Wells, MI, about a mile away. December 2, 2021 Railfan & Railroad Magazine reports that VIA Rail has unveiled the first of 32 new trainsets for service between Windsor ON and Quebec City QC. The trainsets are being built by Siemens. Mark Tomlonson

November 29, 1847 Michigan's first telegraph line is completed along the Michigan Central Railroad tracks between Detroit and Ypsilanti. The first messages sent are long and range from the price of wheat and putty to news of the Mexican War. Eventually the line will extend to Chicago and be used by the Michigan Central to dispatch trains. November 29, 1849 The Michigan Central schedules a second train on its Detroit-New Buffalo line, with a meet in Galesburgh. (That town no longer uses the final "h".) November 29, 1852 The Pennsylvania Railroad opens between Beattys and Radebaugh forming a complete rail line between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The route uses the Portage Railroad (including the remaining seven inclined planes) over the Allegheny Mountains. November 29, 1871 The Jackson (MI) Citizen reports that the Central Car & Manufacturing Company of that city has shipped its first order: ten platform cars to the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railway. November 29, 1871 The Syracuse, Phoenix & Oswego Railway (later RW&O, NYC&HR, NYC) is chartered to run 17 miles from Woodward to Fulton NY. November 29, 1883 The Michigan & Ohio Railroad (later CJ&M, T&M, DT&M, NOR, MC, LS&MS, MUR, NYC, PC) completes its line between Dundee and Montieth Junction MI. November 29, 1923 Anxious to see a football game between Washington & Jefferson University and West Virginia State, 18-year old Denver Gump steals a passenger train on the Morgantown & & Blackville Railroad (later Monongahela). Mr. Gump’s plan is foiled when the train derails after 2 miles. November 29, 2011 The Wisconsin & Southern is sold to Kansas-based WATCO. November 29, 2011 Amtrak expands on-board Wi-Fi service to all three of its state-supported California trains. Nearly 75% of Amtrak's passengers now have Wi-Fi access, the major exceptions being Amtrak's long distance trains. November 30, 1832 For the first time, the Post Office authorizes the carrying of mail via rail road. November 30, 1850 The Madison & Indianapolis Railroad (IN - later JM&I, PCC&St.L, PRR) ships 1,365 hogs from Franklin and Edinburg to Madison in a single train of 28 double-deck cars pulled by the locomotive "Governor Whitcomb". November 30, 1850 The Northern Indiana & Chicago Railroad (later LS&MS, NYC, PC, CR, NS) is chartered. November 30, 1871 The Toronto, Simcoe & Muskoka Junction Railway opens from Barrie to Orillia ON. CNR will abandon the line in September 1996. November 30, 1872 The first through train runs over Chicago & North Western tracks via Menominee WI and Escanaba MI to the national network. November 30, 1877 The Pennsylvania Company contracts to use Janney automatic couplers for $10 ($293.00 in 2023) per passenger car. November 30, 1890 The Peru & Detroit Railway is completed between Peru and Chili IN. It is immediately leased to the Wabash Railroad for 99 years. Later it will be purchased by the Winona & Warsaw Railway for their Peru extension. November 30, 1896 A tramline is opened between the English seaside towns of Brighton and Rottingdean. Two sets of two rails are laid to a gauge of 2' 8.5" and the two sets are then spaced 18' apart. The vehicles used on this tramway look like normal English trams, except wider, and they ride on four legs, each leg 24 feet high to allow for the tides of more than 15 feet. The vehicles are powered by overhead wire and will run until 1901. These trams will be used as inspiration for the CGI-rendered diving platforms in the 2005 movie "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" November 30, 1897 Last day of operations at the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern roundhouse in White Pigeon MI. Operations have been transferred to Elkhart IN. November 30, 1901 President Roosevelt and other dignitaries travel in a special 3-car train to the Army-Navy game at Philadelphia. November 30, 1912 All-wood Pullman cars are banned by the Pennsylvania Railroad on mainline trains. November 30, 1917 The "Broadway Limited" is withdrawn for the duration of the war. New York Central will continue running the "20th Century Limited" as it does not have the freight congestion

November 28, 1909 Game Wardens in Floodwood, MI are surprised to discover their dogs “keying in” on a coffin waiting on the platform of the passenger station on the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad (later MILW). They open it and find the coffin is not filled with the remains of a hunter killed in an accident, but illegally taken game birds. November 28, 1917 The Pennsylvania Company agrees to transfer all of its railroad holdings to the Pennsylvania Railroad. November 28, 1920 Passenger service between Butler and Columbia City IN on the former Eel River Railroad is cut from two to one round trip daily. November 28, 1925 A Michigan Railway interurban car strikes an automobile at the Burton Street crossing in Grand Rapids, killing all 7 occupants of the car. The automobile had driven around another that was waiting for the approaching interurban when it was struck. November 28, 1928 Canadian National diesel-electric #9000 makes its initial test runs on the railroad. November 28, 1931 The Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad notifies shippers that the line will no longer handle freight east of Gaylord as of December 1. November 28, 1942 Pennsylvania Railroad's Altoona Shops coverts an X32 boxcar into a P30A troop sleeper for the first time. After the war, many veterans will refuse to ride trains due to their experiences in the cars. November 28, 1992 Three Englishmen begin their effort to set a record for the most miles traveled by rail in a single week. They succeed, covering 13,105 miles. November 28, 1995 Canadian National Railway is privatized, no longer a Crown Corporation. November 28, 2006 Nigeria holds a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Lagos-Kano railway. This joint venture with China is expected to be the first step in the modernization of the Nigerian Railway system. Mark Tomlonson

November 26, 1832 In New York City public service begins on the nation's first streetcar, a thirty-passenger horse-drawn car named the "John Mason", with iron wheels pulled over iron rails. The fare is 12 cents. (Some sources place this event on November 14, 1832.) November 26, 1851 Schenectady Locomotive Works delivers its first locomotive, to the Canandaigua & Corning Railroad (later C&E, EC&N, NC, PRR) company. The locomotive is named the "Great Western". November 26, 1867 Michigan Central's Master carbuilder, J.B. Sutherland, in Detroit, patents a refrigerator car. November 26, 1897 The Chester & Becket Railroad is completed between its two namesake Massachusetts towns (5.34 miles). The Boston & Albany immediately takes over operation of the line. November 26, 1910 The carferry "Ann Arbor No.5" is launched. She's the largest carferry on the Great Lakes at the time of her launch. She's also the first on the Lakes to use a seagate to keep out the high waves. November 26, 1938 Today’s issue of “Railway Age” contains an item regarding a contract awarded to build a bridge on the Pere Marquette line where it crosses 28th Street in Grand Rapids. November 26, 1947 Streetcar service in Niagara Falls ON ends. November 26, 2010 China announces that a new 538-mile rail line between China's Jilin Province and the Russian city of Vladivostok has opened. The line is expected to be a conduit for passenger and freight traveling between the two countries. November 26, 2016 The San Francisco Muni Transit System has its automated ticketing system hacked, forcing Muni to let all passengers ride for free. The problem is resolved the next day. Mark Tomlonson

November 25, 1873 An isolated section of the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad between Allegan and Monteith, MI opens, operated by the Grand Rapids & Indiana without a formal agreement. Track has been laid for eight miles east of Monteith. It will not be opened and subsequently it will be removed. Work on the balance of line between Monteith and Tiffin is halted by The Panic of 1873. November 25, 1889 The Toledo, Ann Arbor, & North Michigan Railroad (later AA) begins operations between Frankfort MI and Toledo OH. November 25, 1889 The Frankfort & South Eastern Railroad completes construction of its 3-foot gauge line between Frankfort and Beecher MI. November 25, 1901 The Traverse City, Leelanau & Manistique Railroad (later LTC, M&NE, PM, C&O) is incorporated in Michigan to build from Traverse City to Northport. November 25, 1905 The Boyne City & Southeastern becomes the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena. November 25, 1939 EMD's FT 103 demonstrator, "The Diesel That Did It" according to David P. Morgan, begins an 83,764-mile barnstorming tour. November 25, 1949 Richmond VA, home to the first successful trolley operation, ends trolley service. November 25, 1955 Segregation by race on interstate trains and buses is prohibited, although in many areas the prohibition will be ignored. November 25, 1963 All rail and transit services in the United States are halted for one minute to commemorate the National Day of Mourning for the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. November 25, 2019 The miniature train ride at the Sanford FL zoo derails, injuring one person. The ride, patterned after the Florida East Coast “Champion”, was the first to emulate a streamline train when it was built in 1951. Mark Tomlonson

November 22, 1858 The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later GT) opens a new depot across the river from Grand Haven MI. Serving only freight at first; passenger service to the new depot will begin on January 1. November 22, 1865 The St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad (later PRR) is organized. November 22, 1869 The Ft. Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad opens between Jackson and Reading MI. November 22, 1882 The Belt Railway of Chicago is incorporated. November 22, 1902 Alfred E. Perlman is born in St. Paul MN. He will be the last President of the New York Central and the first President of Penn Central. November 22, 1926 The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul is sold at auction for $140 million ($2.4 billion in 2022 dollars). November 22, 1944 Nine different railroads pool $335,000 ($5.97 million in 2024 dollars) to finance General Electric's development of a coal-burning turboelectric locomotive. November 22, 1950 Two Long Island Railroad commuter trains collide near Richmond Hill NY. Seventy-nine are killed and hundreds injured. November 22, 2023 Part of Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet are delivered to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s shops in Silvis IL. The group will perform needed work on the boiler of 4-6-6-4 #3985, and bring 2-10-2 #5511 and Centennial DDA-40X 6936 to operable condition. November 23, 1832 Baldwin Locomotive Works' first full-size locomotive, "Old Ironsides" is delivered to the Camden & Amboy Rail Road. November 23, 1840 The Southern Railroad of Michigan reaches Adrian. November 23, 1845 The Central Railroad of Michigan reaches Battle Creek. November 23, 1857 The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad files a map of its route from Grand Rapids to Little Traverse Bay with the State of Michigan. November 23, 1863 The Atchison & Topeka is reorganized and becomes the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. November 23, 1867 First train into Bay City MI. November 23, 1868 First train into Allegan MI on the Kalamazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids Railroad (later LS&MS, NYC, PC). November 23, 1874 The Baltimore & Ohio begins through service to Chicago, with trains terminating at the lakeshore Illinois Central station. November 23, 1882 Horsecar service begins in Muskegon MI, operating on a 42” gauge. (Some sources say November 25) November 23, 1897 Former slave Andrew J. Beard patents improvements on the “Janney” automatic railroad coupler of 1873. Beard’s improvements allow cars to couple and uncouple with no need for trainmen to stand between the cars. November 23, 1912 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern installs ABS, or Automatic Block Signals between Elkhart IN and White Pigeon MI. November 23, 1926 Greyhound Lines, Inc. are incorporated in Indiana to operate bus routes parallel to the Pennsylvania Railroad. The routes form feeders to the railroad's stations. November 23, 1937 Raymond Loewy sends a memo to the Pennsylvania Railroad Chief of Motive Power that he is designing a new exterior color scheme for PRR passenger equipment. The two-tone red scheme will be known as "The Fleet of Modernism". November 23, 1938 The Baltimore & Ohio adds some lightweight equipment to its "Capitol Limited" along with streamlined heavyweight equipment. It also removes steam locomotives from its "Royal Blue". November 23, 1968 The Denver & Rio Grande Western makes its last passenger trip between Durango and Alamosa, a railfan special. Part of the line will later become the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway. November 23, 1990 The last rail is removed from Newfoundland Island. Revenue service had quit about two years earlier. November 23, 2003 The PATH station at the World Trade Center Site re-opens in temporary quarters. November 23, 2004 The Wisconsin Northern Railroad begins operations, using tracks formerly operated by Chicago & North Western/Union Pacific and Canadian National/Wisconsin Central. November 23, 2007 Charlotte, NC's "Lynx" 9.5 mile light-rail line opens with a free-ride demonstration. So many riders take advantage of the promotion that some have to be taken by bus back to their starting point. Regular service will begin o

November 21, 1845 Jamaica Railways begin operations. November 21, 1853 Erie, PA Mayor Alfred King issues a proclamation calling on citizens to uphold the ordinance passed four days earlier against a gauge change. Erie fears that if all its railroads are the same gauge, their town will suffer due to the lost transfer jobs. November 21, 1854 The Hudson & Berkshire Railroad (NY) is sold at foreclosure to the Hudson & Boston Railroad (later B&A) November 21, 1859 First Detroit-Fort Gratiot (Port Huron) train on the Chicago, Detroit & Canada Grand Trunk Junction Railroad (later GT, GTW). Thomas Edison will later work on this line as a candy butcher. November 21, 1866 The Baltimore & Ohio leases the Central Ohio Railroad, extending its influence to Columbus. November 21, 1872 The New Haven Railroad begins using Grand Central Station and ends use of its old depot at 4th Avenue & 27th Street. Those buildings are later converted into the first Madison Square Garden. November 21, 1875 The Grand Rapids & Indiana discontinues stations at Reynolds, Rust, Crapo, Mitchells and Mill Creek (MI) for lack of business. November 21, 1893 African-American inventor Granville T. Woods is granted a patent for the buried conduit power pick-up used in several streetcar systems, most notably Washington DC. November 21, 1903 Twenty-eight Penn Station construction workers, mostly Italians, are killed when their shanty is ignited by the stoves inside. The workers are killed when they return to the burning shanty to retrieve their savings, which they are sending back to Italy to their families. November 21, 1921 Great Northern begins using the St. Paul Terminal Station. November 21, 1925 The Seaboard Air Line Railroad introduces the “Orange Blossom Special”. November 21, 1950 A westbound troop train and Canadian National’s “Continental Limited” crash head-on near Valemount BC. Twenty-one passengers are killed, 17 of them troops on their way to Korea. November 21, 1959 Mrs. John Luther "Casey" Jones passes away at the age of 92. November 21, 1980 The Burlington Northern absorbs the Frisco. Mark Tomlonson

November 20, 1852 The Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula (later LS&MS) is opened, from Cleveland to Erie PA. November 20, 1855 The first railroad in Iowa, the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad (later CRI&P) runs from Davenport to Muscatine. The first train consists of 6 overcrowded passenger cars. November 20, 1875 The first railroad Y.M.C.A. opens in Grand Central Station. Railroad Y.M.C.A.’s will provide clean, inexpensive, and safe housing for crews away from home. November 20, 1879 The Denver, South Park & Pacific signs a contract with Pullman to provide sleeping car service on its 3-foot gauge line between Denver and Leadville. November 20, 1879 The first train runs between Farmington and Phillips ME on the 2-foot gauge Sandy River Railroad. (later SR&RL) November 20, 1885 South Bend IN inaugurates regularly scheduled electric streetcar service, the first in the U.S. November 20, 1887 The Milwaukee & Northern Railroad (later Milwaukee Road) reaches Champion MI on its way north from Milwaukee. It will reach Ontonagon MI six years later. November 20, 1918 The Canadian government takes over control of the Canadian Northern Railway (later CN), appoints a new Board of Directors, and places management of Canadian Government Railways under the new board’s control. November 20, 1920 In a bankruptcy hearing, it is revealed that the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad (MI) in 1917 had received a loan of $450,000 (2024: $10.5 million) from automobile manufacturer Ransom E. Olds. This loan is credited with the BCG&A being able to remain in operation. November 20, 1924 New York Central holds formal dedication ceremonies for its new Selkirk Yard, located south of Albany as well as the Hudson River Connecting Railroad with the new Alfred H. Smith Bridge spanning the Hudson River. November 20, 1931 The cornerstone is laid at Cincinnati Union Terminal. The skeletal frame of the building is already up. November 20, 1945 Babcock & Wilcox complete their testing of a boiler for use in steam turbine locomotives. The biggest problems: controlling fly ash to keep it from damaging turbine blades and the formation of clinker. November 20, 1952 Fairbanks Morse unveils its H-24-66 "Trainmaster". November 20, 1961 Union Pacific 844 makes its first excursion run after retirement from regular service. November 20, 1992 The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District opens a new South Bend Terminal at the South Bend airport. November 20, 2016 At a busy railroad junction in Pukhrayan, 250 miles southwest of New Delhi, a passenger train derails, killing at least 146. It is India’s worst wreck in several years. November 20, 2018 The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issues standards for high-speed passenger trains operating on U.S. railroads. Tier I standards allow for operations up to 125 mph, Tier II 125-160 and Tier III, 160-220 mph. Tier III requires (among other things) a right-of-way not shared with freight traffic and no grade crossings. Mark Tomlonson

November 19, 1837 The first railroad opens in Cuba. November 19, 1847 The second rail line in Canada, the 12 km Montreal & Lachine Railway (later M&NY, M&C, GT), opens. November 19, 1850 Irate farmers set fire to the Michigan Central Railroad freight house in Detroit as a protest over what they believe are unfair company policies that hurt farmers. The blaze, part of a larger campaign of violence and sabotage pitting the planters and cattlemen against the encroaching railroads, destroys $100,000 ($4.0 million in 2024) worth of flour, corn and wheat stores in the depot. November 19, 1867 The Denver Pacific Railroad is incorporated. It will be the first company to lay track in the state of Colorado. November 19, 1872 The five major railroads entering Indianapolis agree to a plan for a Union Station. November 19, 1877 An Allegheny County (PA) Grand Jury makes a report on last summer's labor riot to the Court of Quarter Sessions. The report blames military incompetence and Pennsylvania Railroad officials who ignored advice of local police on the scene and ordered that the tracks be cleared. November 19, 1887 The Montana Central Railroad (later GN) completes its Great Falls to Helena line. November 19, 1906 Passenger service begins on the Canadian Northern between Toronto and Parry Sound. This is the first 140 miles of Canadian National's eventual main line to western Canada. November 19, 1909 Residents of Smyrna DE protest the Pennsylvania's use of a gasoline railcar (or "Peanut Roaster") and the elimination of a stop in Clayton for the afternoon "Norfolk Express". The changes have led to overcrowding on the railcar, forcing some residents to walk to Clayton. But what outrages white residents the most is the small (26-seat) car forcing racial mixing. November 19, 1911 The New York Central extends its New York City area electrification to Tarrytown NY. November 19, 1937 The Cincinnati & Lake Erie (Interurban) abandons its line from Lima to Toledo OH. It also sends its high-speed parlor cars to storage in Moraine City (they will eventually be sold to the Lehigh Valley Transit and CRANDIC). The Lima City Street Railway, also owned by the C&LE, is not affected. November 19, 1939 EMD completes construction of its "FT" demonstrator set. November 19, 1956 The last passenger train runs on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern "Old Road" from Elkhart IN through Coldwater, Hillsdale and Adrian MI to Toledo OH. November 19, 1990 The Grand Trunk car ferry "City of Milwaukee" makes its last trip. She has been preserved at Manistee MI. November 19, 1995 The railway portion of CN North America is renamed Canadian National Railway and becomes a publicly traded company. (Some sources say November 17) November 19, 2008 Amtrak begins using the new Gateway Center in St. Louis, ending 30 years of "Temporary" facilities. Formal opening ceremonies will be held November 21. Mark Tomlonson