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December 26, 1870 The 12.8 kilometer (7.95 miles) Frejus (or Mt. Cenis) Rail Tunnel is holed through, connecting France and Italy. The project was expected to take 25 years, but pneumatic drilling has reduced the time to 14 years. December 26, 1896 The Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company operates its first train from Dauphin to Portage la Prairie. Within two years the company is renamed the Canadian Northern Railway Company (later CN). December 26, 1903 High winds extinguish a kerosene warning light, and two Pere Marquette passenger trains collide near Grand Rapids, killing 22 and injuring 30. December 26, 1913 The landmark Michigan Central depot in Detroit opens, rushed into service after fire damages the previous station. The first train out is bound for Saginaw and Bay City. The first train to arrive comes from Chicago. It will serve the city as a railroad depot until 1988, with the platforms in use until 1994. December 26, 1917 President Wilson announces that the federal government will be taking over operation of the railroads under the authority of the Army Appropriations Act of 1916. The railroads will be administered by the United States Railway Administration (USRA). December 26, 1934 The Pullman Car & Manufacturing Co. merges with its subsidiary Standard Steel Car Co. to become Pullman-Standard. December 26, 1944 New York Central 4-6-4 5219 suffers a boiler explosion while standing at the passenger station in Elkhart IN. December 26, 1976 The second American Freedom Train ends its tour in Miami FL. December 26, 2004 A tsunami hits the express train "Samudradevi", or "Queen of the Sea" in Telwatta, Sri Lanka. Eight hundred two bodies are recovered out of an estimated 2,000 dead, making it the worst train disaster in history. Of the 2,000 dead, 700 were people who had climbed upon the train after the first wave thinking they would be safe. Mark Tomlonson

December 25, 1830 First common carrier steam train in regular service in the U.S. on the South Carolina RR, later Southern Railroad. December 25, 1848 The New Haven Railroad begins operation. December 25, 1858 The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago (later PRR) opens between Englewood and Van Buren Street, Chicago, completing the line from Pittsburgh to Chicago. The PFW&C is the third railroad entering Chicago from the east and the first from Philadelphia. December 25, 1865 Union Stockyards open on the southwest side of Chicago, outside what was then the city limits. The yards have been built in six months at cost of $1.4 million and are the largest stockyards in the world. December 25, 1871 The Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad opens between Winchester and Adams IN on the Pittsburgh Ft. Wayne & Chicago, completing the line between Richmond IN and Fort Wayne. The Grand Rapids & Indiana immediately begins operation of the CR&FtW. The added track will cause the GR&I to form two Divisions, centered on Grand Rapids MI. December 25, 1880 Actress Sarah Bernhardt is snowbound while traveling on the Ann Arbor Railroad. December 25, 1891 Streetcar service begins in Lincoln IL. December 25, 1950 The Peoria & Eastern ends the use of steam locomotives. December 25, 2002 The 5,758 mile Trans-Siberian Railway is completely electrified. December 25, 2005 The former carferry "Lansdowne", built in 1884 and at one time the largest vessel on the lakes sinks in its moorings at Erie, PA. Converted to a barge after leaving Detroit ferry service in 1956, she carries two ex-MILW "Skytop" observation cars as she sinks. Mark Tomlonson Merry Christmas and a Blessed Hanukah!

December 24, 1867 The Detroit Car & Manufacturing Company is formed. December 24, 1873 The first through train between New Orleans and Chicago on the Illinois Central arrives in Cairo IL. The train has crossed the Ohio River by ferry. December 24, 1878 The Grand Trunk and the Chicago & Lake Huron Railroads reach an agreement shaping the consolidated railroad, which will eventually be known as the Grand Trunk Western. December 24, 1899 Boston's last horsecar ends operation. December 24, 1904 The Springfield, South Charleston, Washington Court House & Chillicothe Traction Company opens. It runs between South Charleston and Emory Chapel OH, and running rights on the Springfield & Xenia allow it to get from Emory Chapel to Springfield. December 24, 1911 The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western opens its Lackawanna cut-off. Running from near Lake Hopatcong NJ to near the Delaware Water Gap, the 28-mile line saves 11 miles from the previous route and offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the DL&W. December 24, 1929 The Pennsylvania Railroad reports a record number of holiday travelers, up 15% from 1928. PRR has operated 100 extra trains. All the "Blue Ribbon" trains are run in two sections and the "American" in three sections. December 24, 1931 The New Haven acquires its first diesel locomotive, a former ALCO demonstrator the New Haven numbers "600". In later life the locomotive will wear "0900". December 24, 1943 A record 178,892 passengers are carried between Washington and New York on the Pennsylvania Railroad. December 24, 1946 The Office of Defense Transportation cancels the Pullman contract for operation of the boxcar troop sleeper fleet. The cars are sold for conversion to freight service, as had been the intent in their design. Many of the cars will find their way, substantially without alteration, into work train and maintenance of way service. December 24, 1953 The head-end crew of a Czech Republic train celebrates Christmas by drinking several bottles of wine in the cab. They fall asleep and hit a commuter train in Sakvice. One hundred six people are killed. December 24, 1953 The Tangwai River Bridge in New Zealand is hit by a flash flood of volcanic debris a few minutes before the arrival of an overnight Wellington to Auckland express train. One hundred fifty one people are killed when the bridge gives way under the train. December 24, 1954 Last steam on the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. December 24, 1954 Last run of regular passenger service between Cincinnati and Sturgis MI on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Summer only service continues. A gas-electric car is placed in service between Sturgis and Grand Rapids as the State of Michigan refuses to allow total discontinuance of service. December 24, 1959 New York Central's "Beeliner", RDC service between Jackson and Bay City MI, is discontinued. December 24, 1986 The Keokuk Junction Railway purchases 28.4 miles of the former Toledo, Peoria & Western from the Santa Fe. This increases the size of the KJ by more than six fold, and extends its line to La Harpe IL. December 24, 2008 The United States Surface Transportation Board approves the sale of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern to Canadian National. Mark Tomlonson

December 23, 1851 Ground is broken in both Chicago and Cairo IL for the Illinois Central. December 23, 1852 The first train to run west of the Mississippi travels five miles from St. Louis to Cheltenham, a modest beginning on building plans that have aimed towards a transcontinental rail connection ever since gold was discovered in California in 1848. December 23, 1867 The first section of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad opens between Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs, MI, meeting the deadline set by the State of Michigan for the land grant. The GR&I is operated by a contractor with cars provided by the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago. This small amount of construction has exhausted all of the GR&I's available funds. December 23, 1873 The First section of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe opens, between Topeka and the Colorado/Kansas border. December 23, 1877 The Indianapolis Belt Line handles a record 108-car train. December 23, 1907 The first all-steel passenger car is unveiled, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. December 23, 1926 The Pennsylvania Railroad holds its second annual system-wide Christmas party, held simultaneously across the system at 8:00 PM EST. The party is broadcast on WJZ New York, KDKA Pittsburgh and other stations. At Philadelphia, PRR President Atterbury greets employees at the Metropolitan Opera House. December 23, 1926 Atlantic Coast Line inaugurates new Pullman lounges on the "Havana Special", equipped with two shower baths and a soda fountain-buffet. Also offered: afternoon tea with “Filipino” (i.e. non-Union) attendants. December 23, 1930 The Detroit-Toledo Railroad merges with the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. Detroit-Toledo has been a DT&I subsidiary for the last 15 years. December 23, 1944 Washington Union Station is temporarily closed when 100,000 customers fill the concourse, which has been designed for 25,000. Some passengers are unable to get to their trains before departure and many trains leave the station with empty space. December 23, 1946 8,872,244 people ride the New York City subways, the current one-day record. December 23, 1968 Canadian National Railways begin using Turbos in revenue service. December 23, 2001 A faulty brake application on a CSX local switching in Kodak Park, Charlotte NY causes the train to run away and derail 5 miles later. Several homes and businesses in the area are destroyed. Mark Tomlonson

December 20, 1864 The Bellefontaine Railway (later CCC&I, CCC&StL, NYC) is created from the merger of the Indianapolis, Pittsburgh & Cleveland and the Bellefontaine & Indiana. The incorporation papers will be filed in Indiana today and in Ohio on December 26. December 20, 1869 The Michigan Central begins joint operations with the Great Western Railway of Canada. December 20, 1880 A shipment of Chinese silkworms and silkworm eggs valued at $1.2 million (2024: $37.1 million) leaves Chicago on the Pennsylvania Railroad bound for Jersey City and France. December 20, 1900 The first Cascade Tunnel on the Great Northern opens, replacing a series of switchbacks. December 20, 1904 An acute water shortage in central and western Pennsylvania is delaying Pennsylvania Railroad trains. Water trains are brought in from the east. Next year a program will begin to create reservoirs in the area. December 20, 1905 The rebuilt Louisville Union Station opens. December 20, 1918 The first Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena train arrives in Alpena MI. December 20, 1918 "Canadian National Railways" is approved as the new name for Canadian Government Railways. December 20, 1967 United Aircraft's "Turbotrain" sets the current United States rail speed record: 170.8 mph between New Brunswick and Trenton NJ. December 20, 1970 Pullman-Standard closes its Michigan City IN shops. December 20, 1984 A freight train derails in Summit Tunnel near Todmorden, England. Over 1 million liters (260,000 U.S. gallons) of gasoline ignite, creating the world’s largest underground fire. Two of the train’s tank cars melt in the 1,632 degree (C, 2,970 degree (F) fire. Flames shooting out of the ventilators rise 148 feet into the air. No one is hurt in the blaze. December 20, 2003 Hong Kong Railways (KCRC) opens its West Rail extension. December 20, 2010 The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society receives an SD-9, donated by Norfolk Southern. The locomotive, delivered to the Nickel Plate in 1957 as its number 358, was retired in 2007. December 20, 2017 The Byron Bay Railway Company, in Byron Bay Australia claims the world’s first solar powered train. Using refurbished rail-diesel cars, the train uses solar energy from curved panels built into the cars’ roofs. Along with panels on the station roof used for recharging the train when it is parked, the train rarely needs its standby diesel engine as it takes beachgoers from the town center to the ocean. December 20, 2021 After several challenges to the motion, the Surface Transportation Board approves the sale of 650 miles of Canadian National branch lines in Wisconsin and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to WATCO. December 21, 1829 Carrollton Viaduct, the first stone arch railroad bridge in the U.S., is dedicated in Baltimore. As of 2024 it is the oldest railway bridge still in use. December 21, 1833 The Georgia Railroad, the first railroad in Georgia, is chartered. December 21, 1841 The Albany & West Stockbridge Railroad (later B&A) completes its line between Greenbush and Chatham NY. December 21, 1901 Arthur E. Appleyard assumes control of the Dayton, Lebanon & Cincinnati Railroad. He plans to unite it with other railroads, including the Ohio River & Western, as part of an interurban system to be known as the Ohio Union Traction Company. December 21, 1903 The Harbor Beach & Port Hope R.R. Co. (MI) is merged into the Pere Marquette. December 21, 1926 The Chambersburg & Gettysburg Electric Railway (PA) quits. December 21, 1929 The Albany Southern (NY Interurban) quits. December 21, 1938 The Pennsylvania Railroad's class S1 6-4-4-6 duplex steam locomotive is completed at Altoona, save for the streamlining. It also undergoes its first tests. December 21, 1948 Grand Trunk Western opens a new passenger depot in Grand Rapids MI. The structure and associated trackage costs $250,000. ($3.3 million in 2024 dollars.) December 21, 1962 The Budd Company delivers its last RDC, to the Reading Railroad. December 21, 1971 Joseph Easley, longtime cartoonist for "Railroad" magazine dies at the age of 86. December 21, 2004 Marklin introduces "condom"

December 19, 1881 The land grant railroad Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette (later DSS&A, SOO, WC, CN) reaches St. Ignace, spanning Michigan's Upper Peninsula. December 19, 1887 The Illinois Central completes its line to Sioux Falls SD. December 19, 1910 The Chicago City Council considers following New York's lead and requiring all railroads to electrify within a radius of seven miles no later than January 1, 1913. The motion does not pass. December 19, 1919 The Canadian National Railways is created by an Order in Council. The creation is meant to unite and rescue five bankrupt railroads: the Grand Trunk, Grand Trunk Pacific, Canadian Northern, Intercolonial and Canadian Government Railways. The new CNR is the longest railroad in North America, with over 50,000 km (31,000 miles) of track in Canada and the United States. December 19, 1926 The Boston & Albany opens a new union station in Springfield MA. It replaces two earlier stations and cost $5.87 million ($104.6 million in 2024) to build. December 19, 1944 No one is hurt when the “Sam Houston Zephyr” catches fire 50 miles north of Houston. Pulled by locomotive 9901, this will be the only one of the nine “shovelnose” EMD locomotives to meet an early end. December 19, 1977 The Milwaukee Road files for bankruptcy. December 19, 2000 The Adrian & Blissfield Railroad acquires the former Lenawee County Railroad (ex-NYC, LS&MS) from the State of Michigan. December 19, 2006 For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, streetcars return to the St. Charles line in New Orleans. Only 10% of the route and just two of the 35 cars inaugurate the service. December 19, 2017 CSX files with the STB to abandon the former Monon trackage between New Albany and Bedford, 62.3 miles. CSX ended service on the line in 2010, and the tracks have been used for rail car storage since then. Mark Tomlonson

December 18, 1867 The Cleveland. Painesville & Ashtabula’s (later NYC) “New York Express” derails at Angola NY when a passenger car with “compromise” trucks (allowing it to run on both 56.5” and 58” gauge) picks the point of a frog and derails. The derailed car rolls off a bridge and kills 49. December 18, 1881 The Michigan Central reaches the Straits of Mackinaw, building north from Bay City. (Some sources say December 31) December 18, 1893 The Ottawa, Amprior & Parry Sound Railway (later GT) opens an extension from Amprior to Eganville ON. December 18, 1908 The State of Michigan runs out of cash and cannot meet the state payroll. Several major railroads serving the state volunteer to pay a total of $750,000 (2024: $25.7 million) in advance taxes to help with the financial crunch. December 18, 1911 On the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, a silk train crashes into the rear of the “Columbian Flier” at Odessa MN. Twelve people are killed. December 18, 1936 The "Twin Cities Zephyr", an articulated trainset pulled by a separate diesel locomotive, is placed into service by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul MN. December 18, 1946 The Pennsylvania Railroad ends its commitment to steam with the $16.375 million (2024: $240.29 million) purchase of 19 6,000 HP passenger diesels (5 EMD E7's, 5 Alco PA's and 9 BLW Sharknoses), completing dieselization of Blue Ribbon trains. Also included: 6 EMD F3 7,500 HP freight diesels to experimentally dieselize one freight train each between Harrisburg/Chicago and Harrisburg/St. Louis. December 18, 1952 "Train X" makes its last test runs. Pennsylvania Railroad officials note that while the train can reach 106 mph, the ride is very unstable and uncomfortable. December 18, 1956 Aerotrain service, "City of Las Vegas", between Los Angeles and Las Vegas begins on the Union Pacific. December 18, 1962 The Interstate Commerce Commission approves Detroit, Toledo & Ironton control of the Ann Arbor Railroad. December 18, 1968 An I.C.C. examiner recommends the merger of the Chicago & North Western and the Milwaukee Road. December 18, 1983 Canadian National abondons track between Renfrew Junction and Whitney ON on its Renfrew Subdivision. Mark Tomlonson

December 17, 1830 Former President John Quincy Adams, following his re-election to Congress, travels over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad between Baltimore and Relay MD en route to Washington DC. President Adams rides in his own carriage that has been placed on a horse-drawn B&O flat car. December 17, 1834 The first railroad in Ireland opens. December 17, 1853 The Brooklyn City Railroad, the oldest streetcar line in Brooklyn, is opened. December 17, 1862 Theodore T. Woodruff exhibits two sleeping cars of a new design at West Philadelphia. December 17, 1870 The Kalamazoo & South Haven RR (later MC, NYC, PC, CR) is completed. December 17, 1887 Southern Pacific begins service to Portland OR. December 17, 1888 The Great Northern receives its first Leslie snowplow. December 17, 1890 Cable car service begins in Cleveland OH. December 17, 1894 The Detroit & Mackinaw Railway is formed as a reorganization of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena. December 17, 1911 Northern Pacific's "North Coast Limited" extends service to Chicago. The former eastern terminal was St. Paul. December 17, 1913 The Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Railroad becomes the Michigan & Chicago Railway. (MI interurban) December 17, 1924 First Diesel-electric locomotive enters service, on the docks in the Bronx. December 17, 1940 The last interurban runs between Canton and Massillon OH. December 17, 1947 The New York Central Railroad announces it has ordered 111 diesel locomotives. December 17, 1951 The Rock Island converts all of its Chicago-area commuter runs to diesel. Seventeen new units replace the 23 Pacific types previously used. December 17, 1954 First fully-automated railroad freight yard opens, on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern in Gary IN. December 17, 1962 The Interstate Commerce Commission approves Chesapeake & Ohio control of the Baltimore & Ohio. December 17, 1964 Atlantic Coast Line introduces train television on its "Florida Special". December 17, 2008 Rail-Runner commuter service begins between Santa Fe and Albuqueque NM. December 17, 2017 Tacoma WA dedicates a new Amtrak station. December 17, 2021 Railfan & Railroad magazine reports that the former New York, Ontario & Western depot in Middleton NY will be redeveloped. The depot has sat empty for 20 years following a fire. December 17, 2021 The 55 km (34 mile) Orangeville-Brampton Railway makes its last run, ending service on a former Canadian Pacific branch that saw its first train in 1879. Mark Tomlonson

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