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April 30, 1847 The Pennsylvania Railroad sells its first shares of stock. April 30, 1854 The first railway in Brazil opens. April 30, 1865 The Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad (later CIL, MON, L&N, CSX) is one of 20 railroads to host the Lincoln Funeral train, The LNA&C carries the remains from Lafayette to Michigan City IN. April 30, 1873 The Pittsburgh, Washington & Baltimore Railroad (later B&O) attempts to reestablish a connection with the Broad Ford & Mount Pleasant Railroad at Broad Ford, PA a few weeks after it has been cut by the Pennsylvania Railroad. PW&B forces are driven off and two small bridges burned to prevent connection. April 30, 1876 The Camden & Amboy locomotive "John Bull" is run under its own power to the Centennial Grounds in Philadelphia. The Bonnet stack and cab have been removed and the tender shortened to make the locomotive look older. April 30, 1894 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern passenger station at White Pigeon MI is destroyed by fire. April 30, 1900 In Vaughan, MS Illinois Central engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones becomes a hero and a legend. Jones stays with his train, the "Cannonball Express" when the track ahead is blocked by a freight train. Jones slows his train down enough to save his passengers, but not himself. April 30, 1912 In a speech before the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rudolph Diesel says "I cannot predict whether this attempt at an entire revolution in the workings of the railways will be successful at the first attempt, or whether it must be repeated, but one thing is certain to me: the diesel locomotive will come, sooner or later, according to the perseverance with which the problem is followed." April 30, 1918 The Director of Military Railways loads its first locomotive bound for France. The engine will help in the war effort, and is being shipped via a converted ore carrier, the only ship with a hatch opening and hold large enough to hold the locomotive. Eventually 33 locomotives will be shipped aboard four vessels. April 30, 1922 After purchase by Insull's Midland Utilities, the former Gary & Connecting and Gary & Valparaiso interurbans cease operations due to the poor condition of the equipment. The route is taken over by buses. April 30, 1933 The Pennsylvania Railroad abandons the former Chicago Indiana & Eastern trackage between Matthews and Converse IN. April 30, 1939 The first passenger train to be equipped with fluorescent lighting throughout, the "General Pershing" of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy, is placed in scheduled service between St. Louis and Kansas City. The first passenger car equipped with fluorescent lights was operated on the New York Central Railroad one year earlier. April 30, 1939 The New York World's Fair opens. Among the displays: "Railroads on Parade", a one-hour pageant performed four times a day. The Pennsylvania Railroad alone has contributed 20 locomotives to the railroad display. April 30, 1940 The Chicago Burlington & Quincy "Pioneer Zephyr" is transferred to St. Louis to Burlington IA service. April 30, 1942 "The Floridian" makes its last run until the end of World War II. Its recreation cars will not return. April 30, 1950 The Chicago & North Western begins its “Dakota 400” passenger service. April 30, 1954 Both steam power and passenger service end on the Clinchfield. April 30, 1959 Grand Trunk passenger Train 21 makes its final run between Durand and Muskegon MI. April 30, 1970 Canadian Pacific runs its first unit coal train, carrying coal destined for Japan from Sparwood BC. April 30, 1971 Railroad-operated intercity passenger service ends on most U.S. railroads; Rock Island, Rio Grande, Southern and Georgia Railroads being notable exceptions. The U.S. Post office cancels all but one RPO route. April 30, 1985 Canadian National and Canadian Pacific assume joint operation of the former Canada Southern line in Ontario. April 30, 1987 CSX Corporation merges the Baltimore & Ohio into the Chesapeake & Ohio, and the last railroad on the traditional Monopoly Board disappears. April 30, 2021 The South Shore’s ic

April 29, 1833 The Utica & Schenectady is incorporated. Later it will form part of the Mohawk Division of the New York Central. April 29, 1839 The Oswego & Syracuse (later DL&W) is formed. It will ne be fully organized until 1847 and will not run a train until 1848. April 29, 1851 The first electric railroad car in history attempts a Washington DC to Bladensburg MD round-trip. The experimental battery-powered car uses a solenoid as an analog to a piston and drive rod. Because of a poor suspension, the car is plagued with a rough ride and electrical shorts. April 29, 1873 Eli H. Janney is awarded U.S. Patent (#138,405) for his knuckle coupler design. April 29, 1889 The Boston & Albany buys the Spencer Railroad April 29, 1900 Northern Pacific's "North Coast Limited" makes its first run from Seattle to St. Paul. April 29, 1923 The New York Central cuts the running time of the New York - Detroit - Chicago "Wolverine" to 22 hours. April 29, 1930 The Pennsylvania Railroad declines an offer to test a Southern Pacific 4-8-8-2 cab-forward on Horseshoe Curve. PRR is considering electrification of the line. April 29, 1930 The McNary-Watres Act is passed by Congress, allowing the Post Office to buy fixed space to carry mail on airplanes. It is hoped that this will give a boost to a struggling airline industry. April 29, 1932 The Logansport (IN) Electric Railway ends operations. April 29, 1935 The New Haven's new "Comet" hits 109.1 mph in its first public run between Boston and Providence. April 29, 1951 Trolley service ends in Cincinnati, the only system that used double overhead wire with PCC cars. April 29, 1956 New York Central's high speed "Aerotrain" begins service between Detroit and Chicago. The train is withdrawn later in the year after many passengers complain of nausea on the lightweight cars. April 29, 1961 New York-Atlantic City rail passenger service comes to a close with the end of the "Nellie Bly". April 29, 1973 A party is held in The Bronx to mark the closing of the Third Avenue El. The Third Avenue line was the last one built before the subway. April 29, 1990 The Oregon, California & Eastern hauls its last log train out of Bly OR. Trucks will take over the service and the OC&E will serve one customer in Klamath Falls. April 29, 1993 Memphis starts a trolley line through its downtown using vintage trolleys. April 29, 2001 Amtrak reduces time for its Detroit-Chicago trains by 11 minutes on average, touted as the first step in a proposed Midwest Corridor high-speed rail project. Mark Tomlonson

April 28, 1844 Thieves steal $3,000 in specie [2025: $127,920] being carried in a Philadelphia Wilmington & Baltimore baggage car by Sanford & Shoemaker's Express Company. April 28, 1869 Workers on the Central Pacific Railroad lay 10 miles of track in a single day as CP races with rival Union Pacific to build more miles of the Transcontinental Railroad, earning a larger payment from Congress. April 28, 1871 The first solid train of 11 of Stuart's Palace Stock Cars leaves St. Louis for Communipaw NJ. It is the first stock train to run through in 96 hours instead of 240 hours. If the service is successful, the Pennsylvania Railroad proposes to form a new company for shipping cattle from Kansas and Texas to the East. April 28, 1921 Pennsylvania repeals its Full Crew Law of 1911, giving power to regulate crew size on a case-by-case basis to the Public Service Commission. Labor Unions soon flood the PSC with complaints. April 28, 1922 Southern Pacific's "Daylight Limited" makes its debut as a Friday and Saturday only train. April 28, 1929 The Michigan Traction Company is bought by the Michigan Central Railroad to keep the property out of the hands of competitors Pere Marquette and Grand Trunk. MCRR continues operation of the interurban system. April 28, 1929 The Pennsylvania Railroad establishes "The Rainbow", running between Chicago and New York (eastbound only) on a 20 hour, 50 minute schedule. The train is named for the Rainbow Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. April 28, 1929 The New York Central inaugurates the "Motor Queen" between Detroit and Cincinnati. Carded at six hours, ten minutes, the deluxe coach train has been rebuilt at Beech Grove Shops in a dark brown and fawn color scheme. It is the first NYC train not painted green. April 28, 1935 In timetable changes taking effect today, the "Broadway Limited" and "20th Century Limited" both cut their New York to Chicago times to 17 hours. The afternoon "Detroit Arrow" is introduced, operating between Chicago and Detroit in conjunction with the Wabash. It has the second fastest steam schedule in the U.S., carded at 75.4 mph near Plymouth IN. April 28, 1941 The New York Central's "James Whitcomb Riley" begins service between Chicago and Cincinnati. The train is carded at 5 hours, 30 minutes - 25 minutes faster than the NYC "Sycamore", previously the fast train on this route. April 28, 1941 The Supreme Court rules that under the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, African American passengers are entitled to equal accommodations on all passenger trains in the United States. April 28, 1943 The Board of the Pennsylvania Railroad authorizes the purchase of 6 former Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2's. They will be used in drag and hump service out of Columbus. April 28, 1946 Great Northern passenger trains return to the schedules used before the outbreak of World War II. April 28, 1950 New York's first subway cars, the IRT "Composites," which were last used on the 3rd Avenue El, are retired from service after the evening rush hour. April 28, 1956 The Canadian Pacific drops the last remnant of its once premier Vancouver to Montreal "Imperial Limited". Its last days were as a numbered train hauling the Royal Mail. April 28, 1957 The New Haven places its third lightweight train, "Roger Williams" in New York to Boston Service. April 28, 2005 The 21 mile Loetschberg tunnel in the Swiss Alps is holed through. On completion in 2007 the tunnel will allow freight trains, loaded mostly with semi-trucks, to travel at speeds of over 100 mph and passenger trains at 150 mph. April 28, 2009 Workers replace what is believed to be the last incandescent light in Grand Central Terminal. Managers admit they may have missed an incandescent among the roughly 4,000 bulbs in the facility. April 28, 2022 Former Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 locomotive #3985 is donated to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. The organization, based in Silvis IL and operator of Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261, will fully overhaul the locomotive and return it to excursion service, Mark Tomlonson

April 25, 1831 Matthias Baldwin builds his first locomotive, a small demonstration engine that pulls up to four people on a small circle of track laid out in his shop yard. April 25, 1831 The New York & Harlem Railroad is incorporated to build from 23rd Street, New York City to the Harlem River. It is the first predecessor of the New York Central in New York City. April 25, 1832 The Brooklyn & Jamaica Railroad is incorporated, the first Pennsylvania Railroad predecessor in New York State. April 25, 1855 The Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad [later LS&MS, NYC, PC, CR, NS] is formed by the consolidation of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana railroads. (Some sources say May 1) April 25, 1861 Four Pennsylvania Railroad telegraphers arrive in Washington, becoming the first telegraphers regularly employed in the U.S. Army. (Some sources say April 27) April 25, 1896 The Cincinnati Northern Railroad [later CCC&StL, NYC, PC, CR] is completed to Jackson MI from Hudson MI and south. April 25, 1918 The USRA places an order for 100,000 freight cars. Only 19,037 will be delivered by the time USRA is dissolved. April 25, 1926 First run of the Michigan Central "Twilight Limited" between Chicago and Detroit. The amenities on this first-class train will rival those on the "20th Century Limited". Amtrak will use the name for many years on one of its Chicago-Detroit trains. April 25, 1931 Detroit United Railways ends service from Royal Oak to Pontiac. It sells its Palmer Park to 8 Mile Road segment to the Detroit Street Railways and the 8 Mile Road to Royal Oak Segment to the City of Royal Oak. DSR will operate the latter segment for another 16 years. April 25, 1937 The Baltimore & Ohio assigns rebuilt cars to the “Royal Blue” It also establishes a "Stewardess Corps" to serve on its long-distance passenger trains. April 25, 1946 The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy “Advance Flyer” is struck from behind by the “Exposition Flyer”. The “Exposition Flyer” is only able to reduce its speed to 60 mph at the point of collision. Forty-seven people are killed in the accident and 125 injured. The ICC rules after the crash that trains traveling over 79 mph must have “an automatic cab signal, automatic train stop or automatic train control system”. Because these items are considered too expensive by most railroads, train speeds are reduced to comply with the order. April 25, 1949 The New York Central adds Albany-Boston service to their LCL freight "Pacemaker" program. April 25, 1949 The Erie Railroad begins using Cleveland Union Terminal. April 25, 1950 Fairbanks-Morse introduces its "C-Liner" line of locomotives. April 25, 1952 RPO service on the Pennsylvania Railroad is discontinued between Grand Rapids and Cadillac MI. April 25, 1953 The Pennsylvania Railroad cancels "The Jeffersonian", an all-coach member of the Blue Ribbon Fleet, and replaces it with the more prosaic "Indianapolis Limited". April 25, 1954 The "Broadway Limited" is carded at 15 hours and 30 minutes between Chicago and New York, its fastest time ever. April 25, 1959 The St. Lawrence Seaway opens. The new water route for ocean-going ships will divert freight from many northeastern railroads. April 25, 1960 Canadian National operates its last steam locomotive in regular service, 4-8-2 #6043, on train #76 from The Pas to Winnipeg. April 25, 1976 Canadian National issues a timetable calling its passenger service "VIA". Turbotrains are the first to carry the new name. April 25, 1983 the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad ends passenger service with the final run of the “Rio Grande Zephyr”. April 25, 2005 A Japanese commuter trains derails just short of Amagasaki station during the morning commute. Two of the derailed cars slam into an apartment building. 107 people are killed. April 25, 2011 Canadian National issues a Press Release naming Microsoft founder Bill Gates as its largest single shareholder, owning just over 10% of the company. April 26, 1866 The Wallkill Valley Railroad (later ERIE, NYC, PC, CR, NS, M&NJ) is incorporated. The line in New York state will be bui

April 24, 1832 The Tonawanda Railroad (later B&R, NYC) is chartered to run between Rochester and Attica NY. It will be the second railroad built in the state of New York. April 24, 1834 The Long Island Rail Road Company is incorporated to build a line down the middle of Long Island. April 24, 1847 The Grand Junction and Depot Company (later B&A) is incorporated as a renaming of the Chelsea Branch Railroad. April 24, 1855 The Cleveland & Toledo Railroad (Later LS&MS, NYC) is extended from Sandusky to Toledo OH April 24, 1902 Per Diem freight car rates are formally set for the first time. Experiments date back to 1888, and general use started in the 1890's. These rates allow car owners to be paid rent while their cars are on foreign roads. April 24, 1918 The Muskegon, Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company is dissolved into its parent company, the Pennsylvania Railroad. April 24, 1932 Chesapeake & Ohio's "George Washington" begins service. Planned as the first long distance, air-conditioned train, it lost that honor to the Baltimore & Ohio by four days. April 24, 1932 Both the "Broadway Limited" and the "20th Century Limited" cut their New York to Chicago running time from 20 hours to 18 hours. Fares are raised $10 [2025: $230] to cover the added expense. April 24, 1932 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton ends passenger service between Detroit and Springfield OH. April 24, 1949 The New York Central adds the Detroit-Cincinnati "Mercury". April 24, 1949 The Erie Railroad begins using Cleveland Union Depot, abandoning its old station. April 24, 1950 The Pennsylvania Railroad establishes second-morning service for LCL and freight forwarding companies New York to Chicago and New York to East Saint Louis. April 24, 1955 Canadian Pacific debuts its new train "The Canadian" and Canadian National debuts its new "Super Continental", claimed as the first streamliners in Canada. Both trains carry some heavyweight equipment. April 24, 1958 Southern Pacific donates its "Daylight" 4-8-4 #4449 to the City of Portland OR. April 24, 1960 Coaches are permanently added to the "20th Century Limited". April 24, 1961 The Pennsylvania Railroad opens its 28th TrucTrain (TOFC) terminal, at Marion IN. April 24, 1962 Grand Trunk Western paints its first locomotive in the "wet noodle" scheme recently adopted by parent Canadian National. April 24, 1965 The New York Central ends all branch line passenger service with the end of service between Utica and Lake Placid. April 24, 1983 The Rio Grande Zephyr, the remnant of the California Zephyr and the last privately owned long distance train in America makes its final run. The trip was shortened to a Denver to Grand Junction run because of a mudslide. April 24, 1995 Union Pacific ownership of the Chicago & North Western begins. April 24, 2021 As part of the restoration of the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, 250 truckloads of concrete are poured over 10 hours to stabilize the basement, which had been underwater for years. This 2,000 yard pour is the first of several scheduled over the next month that will total 11,000 yards. Mark Tomlonson

April 23, 1831 The Pontchaitrain Railroad (later L&N), the first in the Mississippi valley, begins horse car operation between New Orleans and Milneburg. April 23, 1835 The New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad appoints a committee to meet with officials of the Camden & Amboy Railroad. Their goal: To set up a through line that would allow travel from New York to Baltimore in one day. April 23, 1849 The Michigan Central line is completed to New Buffalo, the first railroad to cross the state. On this same day it enters negotiations with a steamship line for a connection to Chicago. April 23, 1853 A westbound Michigan Southern Immigrant train ignores a stop signal and slams into an eastbound Michigan Central Express train at Grand Crossing, Chicago. Twenty-one German immigrants are killed, 40 people are injured. (Some sources say April 25 or May 5) April 23, 1860 The Staten Island Railway begins operation. As of 2025, it is the oldest rapid transit right-of-way in New York City. April 23, 1867 The Chicago & Lake Shore Railroad (later PM, C&O, CSX) is formed to build a line from New Buffalo to St. Joseph MI. April 23, 1873 The Pennsylvania Railroad Board rejects a proposal of the American Railway Literary Union to control the sale of all publications in PRR trains and stations as part of its nationwide campaign to stamp out "smut". The Board decides to police the sale of objectionable materials with PRR employees. PRR Vice-President A. J. Cassatt notes that travelers demand light reading and romantic novels to alleviate boredom while traveling and would rebel at a diet of religious tracts. April 23, 1874 The Pennsylvania Company Board authorizes the construction of an eating-house at Valparaiso, IN. April 23, 1900 The Dayton-Xenia Traction Company opens its Belmont to Spring Valley branch. April 23, 1905 Pontiac IL begins streetcar service. April 23, 1927 Pennsylvania passenger trains leaving Chicago Union Station switch from the former "Panhandle" route through Washington Heights to the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago. April 23, 1930 The Baltimore & Ohio installs air conditioning in the dining car "Martha Washington". It is the first air-conditioned car in revenue service. April 23, 1938 Richmond IN streetcars give way to buses. April 23, 1941 The Pennsylvania Railroad Board authorizes $375,000 [2025: $8.3 million] for the development of a steam turbine locomotive. The efforts will result in the Class S2 6-8-6. April 23, 1954 The air space over Penn Station's approach between 9th and 10th Avenues is sold. The developers plan to construct a Post Office expansion, commercial office space and a heliport. April 23, 1955 Passenger service ends on Canadian Pacific Railway's two interurbans: the Grand River Railway and the Lake Erie & Northern Railway. April 23, 1955 Regular passenger service ends on the former Grand Rapids & Indiana, as the Pennsylvania Railroad drops service between Sturgis and Grand Rapids MI. Summer-only service will continue on the former GR&I until 1961. April 23, 2004 Amtrak runs its last Toronto to Chicago "International". The train is replaced by the Chicago-Port Huron "Blue Water". Mark Tomlonson

April 22, 1833 The Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad (MI) (later MS, LS&MS, NYC, PC, CR) is chartered. It will become the first railroad to operate in the former Northwest Territory. April 22, 1861 The Mobile & Ohio (later GM&O, ICG, CN) is completed. It will play a strategic role in the War Between the States. April 22, 1889 Electric trolley service begins in Atlantic City NJ from the Inlet to Kentucky Avenue with a free ride promotion. April 22, 1893 The 1830's vintage locomotive "John Bull" travels under its own power from New Jersey to Chicago for the World Columbian Exposition. April 22, 1906 The Cincinnati & Columbus Traction Company opens 52 miles between Norwood and Hillsboro OH. April 22, 1907 The Pennsylvania Governor signs legislation permitting street railways to carry freight. The first lading: milk. April 22, 1922 The Pennsylvania Railroad holds an indoor athletic championship. Fifteen hundred employees, including women, will take part in the competition at Columbus OH. April 22, 1933 As a result of a carbarn fire last year, the Dayton Street Railway becomes the first Ohio traction company to introduce trolleybus service. April 22, 1938 Tex-Mex Railway orders seven 71-ton boxcab diesels (0-D-0) from Whitcomb Locomotive Works, a Baldwin subsidiary in Rochelle IL. This will sideline Tex-Mex's steamers. Some say this makes Tex-Mex the first railroad to completely dieselize, but others point out that the railroad will retain steamers on its roster, unused, for another 20 years. April 22, 1942 The first class T1 4-4-4-4 Duplex passenger locomotive is delivered to the Pennsylvania Railroad by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Dubbed the "Flash Gordon", its Raymond Loewy streamlining will be simplified on subsequent locomotives. April 22, 1955 American Car & Foundry builds an improved version of the TALGO train and sells it to the Rock Island. April 22, 1956 Ceremonial last day of steam on the Boston & Maine behind Pacific #3713. April 22, 1964 President Johnson announces the settlement of a five-year dispute over work rules. The issue was the future of firemen aboard diesel locomotives. Under the plan, 100,000 union members will receive raises and other benefits in return for eliminating firemen's jobs. April 22, 1965 New York Central crews begin removing track between Manchester and Clinton MI. April 22, 1975 The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania opens in the first building built specifically for a train museum. April 22, 2004 Two trains collide and explode in a North Korean train station near the Chinese border, killing at least 150 and destroying thousands of homes. April 22, 2013 Royal Canadian Mounted Police announce they have thwarted a planned terror attack against a passenger train with the arrest of two suspects, believed to have links to al-Queida. April 22, 2016 Denver’s A-Line begins transit service between Denver and Denver International Airport. It is the second line built by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and one of the few transit lines built in the United States using a private-public partnership. April 22, 2024 Opening ceremonies are held for the start of construction of a new high speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Mark Tomlonson

April 21, 1846 The Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad (later Lehigh Valley) is incorporated. April 21, 1856 The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi opens between Rock Island and Davenport. When a steamboat strikes the bridge two weeks later, the railroad is sued for causing a hazard to navigation. Lawyer Abraham Lincoln persuades the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the legality of the bridge. April 21, 1873 The Texas & Pacific Railway begins grading at San Diego. April 21, 1873 The Ware River Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is incorporated. April 21, 1935 The "Twin Zephyr" begins service between Chicago and the Twin Cities. April 21, 1936 After tests, the Pennsylvania Railroad decides not to buy copies of EMC diesel demonstrators for passenger service on the grounds they are too noisy, too smelly and only marginally more powerful than a K-4s. PRR does note that fuel costs are only 61% of steam. April 21, 1941 The New York Central puts its new, streamlined "James Whitcomb Riley" on display at Indianapolis Union Station. Henry Dreyfus has designed the new train. April 21, 1959 New York Central passenger service between Grand Rapids and Jackson MI ends. April 21, 1962 The American Institute of Architects denounces the destruction of Penn Station in New York. April 21, 1975 Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449 is test-fired and moves under steam in preparation for its use on the American Freedom Train. April 21, 1977 Indiana Governor Otis Bowen signs the legislation creating the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). The new organization will take over passenger operations of the Chicago South Shore & South Bend. April 21, 1993 The first Amtrak "Genesis" locomotive leaves GE. April 21, 2024 A BNSF train derails in Omaha NE after a 17-year old breaks a lock and throws a track switch, sending the train into an industrial spur. Two locomotives and five cars derail, but remain upright. Police were led to the suspect by surveillance footage and the video he had shot of the accident. Mark Tomlonson

April 18, 1832 The Watertown & Rome Railroad (later RW&O, NYC) is chartered. April 18, 1837 The Andover & Wilmington Railroad (later B&M) reorganizes as the Andover & Haverhill. April 18, 1838 The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad (later PRR) Board hears a report on a case brought against them for being the means of escape for a fugitive slave. The owner of the slave wants $500 (2024: $16,790) in damages, but an investigation reveals that the slave's term of servitude was about to expire and no damages are awarded. April 18, 1853 First passenger train runs on the Asian continent, from Mumbai to Tanna, a distance of 36 km. (22.37 mi - some sources say April 16) April 18, 1872 P.T. Barnum makes his first attempt to move his circus by rail. It’s unsuccessful. He will then commission special railroad cars for his circus and it will travel by rail the remainder of the season, starting a tradition that will last until 2017. April 18, 1890 Electric streetcars come to Muskegon MI. April 18, 1906 The San Francisco earthquake destroys many of the cable car lines, allowing them to be replaced with streetcars. The offices of the Southern Pacific are damaged. Also destroyed: The palatial homes of the “Big Four” who built the Central Pacific. April 18, 1911 The Long Island Railroad Board authorizes the purchase of a car to be fitted for the transportation of inmates to the State Hospital at Central Islip. April 18, 1928 The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway (interurban) quits. April 18, 1930 Atlanta's Union Station opens, funded by the Louisville & Nashville and the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis. April 18, 1931 Streetcars quit in Canton OH. April 18, 1934 The "Pioneer Zephyr" is delivered to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy at Pennsylvania Railroad's Broad Street Station in Philadelphia and immediately begins a barnstorming tour. During testing yesterday, it is claimed to have hit speeds as high as 104 mph. April 18, 1976 A Turbo train, CN1, testing on Canadian National's Kingston Sub at Ingleside breaks a Canadian Speed Record set in March as it hits 138.5 mph (222.9 km/h). April 18, 1983 CNCP Niagara-Detroit is created by CP Rail and CN Rail to acquire the Canada Southern Railway. Conrail is not included in the deal. Conrail is in bankruptcy, and the U.S. Government does not want money earmarked for Conrail spent in Canada. April 18, 2004 Streetcars return to Canal Street in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. April 19, 1821 The Stockton & Darlington Railway is incorporated in Great Britain to build from coal mines to Stockton on the River Tees. April 19, 1825 The La Plaisance Bay Harbor Company, which is developing the harbor at Monroe MI, receives a charter to build a half-mile rail road in Monroe. This is the first railroad charter issued in Michigan. April 19, 1841 The Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad temporarily suspends all service to permit relaying its track with T-rail. Traffic is re-routed via the Camden & Amboy. April 19, 1847 The Mohawk & Hudson changes its name to Albany & Schenectady Railroad (later NYC). April 19, 1848 The Illinois & Michigan Canal opens between Chicago and La Salle, IL, uniting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River system. The canal will contribute to the rise of Chicago, making it a goal for many railroads building from the east. April 19, 1865 Pennsylvania Railroad offices are closed and all non-essential employees given a day off to mark Lincoln's funeral, which is held in the White House. April 19, 1891 Two Lake Shore & Michigan Southern trains collide near Kipton OH, killing 9. One conductor's watch being off time caused the accident. This will lead directly to the "Railroad Standard" watch, a fixture on American railroads for 80 years. April 19, 1908 The Illinois Central opens a line to Birmingham AL and begins through sleeper service between Chicago and Jacksonville. April 19, 1935. The Marquette City Railway Company ends operations, ending streetcar service in Marquette MI. April 19, 1940 The Lake Shore Limited wrecks at Little Falls NY. Thirty-nine people a

April 17, 1826 The Mohawk & Hudson Railroad is chartered in New York State. Most historians consider this the first event leading to the New York Central System. April 17, 1853 The Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland Straight Line Railroad (later E&I, NYC) is chartered. April 17, 1869 The Athol & Enfield Railroad (later V&M, B&A, NYC) is incorporated in Massachusetts April 17, 1871 The Michigan Legislature passes a law requiring passenger train conductors to announce the next station in all cars "within a reasonable time before arrival". April 17, 1892 Central Atlantic Railway (later GTR, CN) leases the Central Counties Railway, running between Glen Robertson and Hawkesbury ON. April 17, 1905 Durand (MI) Union Depot comes close to being destroyed by fire. April 17, 1915 Concerned by the problems caused at grade crossings by increasing automobile traffic, the Pennsylvania Railroad asks the American Railway Association to adopt a standard warning system for grade crossings. April 17, 1918 Interurban service between Bristol and Elkhart IN ends. April 17, 1932 Streetcar service ends in Kokomo IN. April 17, 1945 The New Haven experiments with train radio, operating at 30.66 Mc (later 30.66 MHz). A base unit is set up in New Haven station, and mobile units are placed in 2-10-2 #3205 and caboose C-580. April 17, 1951 The New York Central cancels its 125th Anniversary celebrations due to the Korean War and its poor financial condition. April 17, 1978 Michigan Northern takes delivery of two ex-D&H/Monongahela/NYC Baldwin RF-16 "Sharks", the last two RF-16's extant. April 17, 2023 A new record is set for riding every line in the New York Subway System and passing through every station: 22 hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds. The time is certified by Guiness. Mark Tomlonson

April 16, 1833 A New Castle & Frenchtown (later PRR, NS) train hits a cow. Nine of its 10 cars derail and overturn. Because of the train control problems following this incident, the NC&F introduces the first system of fixed signals on a US railroad. By September the signal staffs (about three miles apart) will be able to transmit a signal from one end of the line to the other in three minutes. The original flags will be changed to peach baskets covered with cloth and then to colored balls about 1837. April 16, 1834 The first section of the Boston & Worcester Railroad (later B&A, NYC) opens between Boston and West Newton MA. It is the first rail passenger service and first run of a steam locomotive in New England. April 16, 1853 The first passenger railroad opens in India, running from Bori Bunder, through Bombay to Thane. April 16, 1928 Back Bay Station in Boston is destroyed by fire. (Some sources say April 15.) April 16, 1930 The Rose City branch of the Detroit & Mackinac is abandoned. April 16, 1945 A group of Philadelphia businessmen (including John B. Kelly, the father of actress-turned- princess Grace Kelly) purchases the Atlantic City trolley lines from the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. The new Atlantic City Transportation Company will officially take over the entire system on December 1. April 16, 1951 Last steam locomotive in passenger service on the Boston & Albany. April 16, 1958 The New York Central introduces "Flexi-Van" service. The first route is New York [Weehawken] to Chicago. April 16, 1958 The Chicago Skyway opens, completing a four-lane, limited access highway from New York to Chicago. April 16, 2003 The Seattle Monorail is designated a Historic Landmark by a unanimous vote of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. April 16, 2011 A passenger excursion runs between May Pen and Linstead, Jamaica to introduce a regular service scheduled to start in July. This is the first passenger train service on Jamaica since February 1992. Mark Tomlonson

April 15, 1865 All Baltimore & Ohio trains are held at Relay, MD until noon by military order to help prevent the escape of the assassins of Abraham Lincoln. April 15, 1867 The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago (later PRR) completes a wrought-iron Pratt truss swing drawbridge over the Chicago River. April 15, 1892 General Electric is formed. The company will eventually (among other ventures) manufacture diesel-electric locomotives and components. April 15, 1899 Chicago’s Lake Street “L” is extended at ground level beyond city limits at 52nd. Avenue. April 15, 1905 The two-level swing bridge between Hancock and Houghton MI is destroyed when it is rammed by the steamer "Northern Wave", bound for the smelters at Ripley. April 15, 1905 Work begins on Washington Union Station. April 15, 1912 The R.M.S. Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage after striking an iceberg. Among the lost: Grand Trunk Railway President Charles M. Hays, Pennsylvania Railroad Vice-President John B. Thayer and George D. Widener, a Philadelphia streetcar magnate. Thayer's son is swept off the boat deck but survives on the overturned collapsible lifeboat. April 15, 1933 Streetcar service ends in Lansing MI. April 15, 1947 The Pennsylvania Railroad puts its new Baldwin "Centipedes" in passenger service, running between Harrisburg and Chicago. April 15, 1952 The New Haven announces it is now completely dieselized, although four steam locomotives are retained for switching and snow melting in yards. April 15, 1955 The current issue of "Vogue" features an article highlighting Canadian Pacific's "Canadian" and models showing what well-dressed train travelers will be wearing. Budd, CP and 112 retailers have co-operated in the production of the photo feature. April 15, 1955 The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton and Pennsylvania Railroads enter into a trackage agreement that will allow DT&I freight trains on the PRR line between South Charleston and Cincinnati OH. April 15, 1955 Great Northern begins construction on Gavin Yard. April 15, 1957 The New York Central assigns hostesses to the "Empire State Express". April 15, 1962 The Reading ends its car float operations. April 15, 1973 The Chicago & North Western’s tunnel at Tunnel City WI collapses. C&NW will use the Milwaukee Road’s tunnel thereafter. April 15, 1975 Amtrak's "Arrowhead" begins Minneapolis-Duluth service. April 15, 1996 Ground is broken for the new Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. The 35.3 mile long tunnel will allow passenger trains to traverse at 150 mph and freights at 99 mph. Expected completion is in 2020. Opening ceremonies will take place in 2016. April 15, 2005 Amtrak finds cracks in the brakes on a majority of Acela coaches. Acela service is cancelled until the issue is resolved. Mark Tomlonson

April 14, 1834 The Long Island Railroad is incorporated. April 14, 1907 The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern depot at LaPorte IN is destroyed by fire. The fire, which started in the express room, draws thousands of spectators. No cause for the fire will be found. April 14, 1909 In its new contract with the Pullman Company, the Pennsylvania Railroad stipulates that only steel cars are to serve the new Pennsylvania Station in New York. April 14, 1932 Southern Pacific announces it has gain control of the Cotton Belt through ownership of 87 per cent of the Cotton Belt’s stock. April 14, 1945 President Roosevelt's funeral train arrives in Washington DC from Warm Springs. It will arrive in Hyde Park later today. The train runs in two sections, the first 13 cars for Congress, the Supreme Court and diplomats. The second 17 cars are for the funeral party, family, President Truman and the Cabinet. April 14, 2005 Nineteen cars of a Union Pacific freight, operating on Canadian National tracks south of Superior WI derail and start a forest fire. April 14, 2022 The Surface Transportation Board approves CSX’s takeover of Pan Am Railways. CSX is expecting to begin operating the line on June 1. April 14, 2023 Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern formally merge, creating a new railroad to be known as “CPKC”. Mark Tomlonson

April 11, 1842 The French legislature passes the Railway Act of 1842, which among other provisions states that all rail lines in France are to be owned by the state with operations leased to private companies. Another provision lays out a basic railroad map. April 11, 1845 The Pennsylvania Legislature passes an Act that exempts canals and railroads from being fined under Sunday "Blue" laws. April 11, 1853 The Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company (later PFW&C, PRR, PC, CR) completes its line from Pittsburgh to Crestline OH. April 11, 1853 After intense lobbying from New York interests, who are alleged to have paid $50,000 in bribes [2025: $2,035,299], the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania repeals the 1851 "Gauge Law" and now requires all state railroads to be 4'-8-1/2". The repeal opens the way for Ohio railroads to build to Pittsburgh. April 11, 1863 The Oswego & Rome Railroad (later RW&O, NYC) is chartered as a branch of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg. April 11, 1877 Ross Winans, who took credit for many early developments in railroad technology while working for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, passes away at the age of 81. April 11, 1920 The Cleveland Interurban Railroad (OH) opens. April 11, 1931 The Pennsylvania Railroad adds Tourist Pullmans to the formerly all-coach excursion trains running between New York and Pittsburgh. April 11, 1960 The Pennsylvania Railroad places 7 new diesel tugs into service in New York Harbor. The new tugs replace 12 that are being retired, included the last steam-powered tug. April 11, 2017 Indiana Landmarks announces it will buy and preserve the Monon High Bridge at Delphi. April 11, 2020 The first two (of four) former White Pass & Yukon diesel locomotives are loaded onto a barge in Skagway for eventual delivery to the Durango & Southern. The D&S is also planning to purchase two additional new diesels, and to build a new shop in Durango to maintain them. April 12, 1831 Construction begins on the Staple Bend Tunnel, located 4 miles east of Johnstown PA. It is the first railroad tunnel in the United States. (Some sources say November 21) April 12, 1842 The Erie & Northeast Railroad (later LS&MS, NYC) is chartered. April 12, 1848 The Buffalo & State Line Railroad (later NYC) is chartered. April 12, 1861 Confederate forces fire upon Federal forces, which have retreated to Fort Sumter, SC, beginning the US Civil War. In addition to, as historian Ken Burns put it, "changing the nation from united States to The United States", the war will also advance railroad technology and operating practices from the lessons learned transporting troops and material. April 12, 1862 Andrew's Raiders steal "The General". April 12, 1880 The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chicago Union Station is held. April 12, 1898 Union Traction Company of Indiana opens its line from Alexandria to Summitville. April 12, 1944 The Pennsylvania Railroad Mechanical Engineer approves drawings for a proposed class V1 2-D-D-2 steam turbine. While this locomotive class will not be built, the Chesapeake & Ohio will build 3 examples almost identical to this proposal. April 12, 1947 The Pennsylvania Railroad places its first Baldwin "Centipedes" in freight service on its Philadelphia Division. April 12, 1950 The New York Central adds 250 boxcars to its "Pacemaker" fleet. April 12, 1953 Last run of the "Orange Blossom Special". April 12, 1960 Chrysler makes its first shipment of automobiles using New York Central auto racks designed to fit on a Flexi-Van chassis. April 12, 1970 Last run of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s “Black Hawk”, running between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul. April 12, 1976 GG-1 locomotive number 4800 appears in a "Bicentennial" paint scheme. April 12, 1987 Last train runs on the Michigan Northern. April 12, 1995 The Chicago & North Western and the Union Pacific railroads merge. April 12, 2016 A train is delayed 19 minutes at Japan’s Hiroshima station when a cat decides to perch on top. The cat is eventually coaxed down and the train proceeds without further incident. The image of the cat resting on the train is

April 10, 1846 The Chelsea Branch Railroad (later B&A, NYC) is chartered in Massachusetts April 10, 1866 James & Amos Densmore are granted a patent for the first successful tank car. April 10, 1868 The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway (later CCC&StL, NYC) is formed by the consolidation of The Bellefontaine Railway and the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railway. April 10, 1873 The State of North Carolina secures an injunction against the North Carolina Railroad preventing it from changing its gauge from 4'-8-1/2" to 5'-0". The railroad had hoped to form through lines with the Richmond & Danville and other roads in the Southern Railway Security Company group. April 10, 1873 Flooding in Northeastern Indiana washes out several railroad bridges. April 10, 1878 Cable car service begins on San Francisco's California Street. April 10, 1878 The Pennsylvania Railroad sells 11 lots in its Philadelphia suburb "Bryn Mawr" to Dr. John Taylor at half the going rate, provided he completes his women's seminary, "Bryn Mawr College" within seven years. April 10, 1895 The Detroit & Mackinac buys the Alpena & Northern. April 10, 1900 The Holland & Lake Michigan Railway (MI interurban) resumes operation after a carbarn fire in January destroyed all their rolling stock. April 10, 1907 Indiana passes a series of Railroad Laws. They require a full crew, block systems to be in place by July 1, 1909, and set rates for dining car liquor licenses at $1000 [2025: $28,891]. April 10, 1912 The first (and only) R.M.S. Titanic boat train leaves London for the docks at Southampton. April 10, 1919 First run of the Simplon-Orient Express, using a combination of routes and equipment from the pre-war Simplon and Orient Expresses. This is the first luxury train to operate in Europe after World War I. (Some sources say April 11) April 10, 1922 The plans for Cleveland Union Terminal are approved. The 52-storey Terminal Tower will be the tallest building west of New York. April 10, 1928 The Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company is sold to receivers. The company will re-form on May 7 as the Indianapolis & South Eastern Railroad Company. April 10, 1930 The Great Northern buys its last new steam locomotive, 4-8-4 #2588. April 10, 1936 The Palomar observatory mirror arrives in Pasadena CA after a 16-day cross-country trip by rail. April 10, 1937 Unable to find a buyer for the line, the Wisconsin & Michigan (later CNW) applies to the ICC for permission to abandon. April 10, 1937 The Denver South Park & Pacific and the Colorado & Southern end operations. April 10, 1948 The Chicago & West Towns Railway ends streetcar service in Cicero-Berwyn IL. April 10, 1975 Amtrak begins using French-built RTG trainsets between Detroit and Chicago. April 10, 2009 Norfolk Southern and Pan Am enter into an arrangement to create "Pan Am Southern". The new line, owned 50/50 by the two parties, will give NS access to New England. Mark Tomlonson

April 9, 1827 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizes the construction of several canals as well as surveys for railroads from Harrisburg to Chambersburg and Columbia to York and Gettysburg. The Canal Commissioners are directed to consider an all-canal route but also to survey a railroad between Philadelphia and the Susquehanna River. April 9, 1850 The Buffalo & Rochester Railroad (later NYC) is formed. April 9, 1883 The tracks of the Michigan & Ohio Railroad (later Nor, MUR, NYC, PC) reach Richland MI. Rail service will not begin until November. April 9, 1892 Streetcars begin running in Ashtabula OH. April 9, 1898 The Dayton Traction Company is leased to the Cincinnati & Miami Valley. April 9, 1906 The Chicago, Indiana & Southern Railroad (later NYC) is organized. Running between East Chicago IN and Danville IL and a second line between Seatonville IL and South Bend IN, it is owned 50/50 by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Michigan Central Railroads. April 9, 1934 The Budd Company completes construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy trainset that will be known as the "Pioneer Zephyr". April 9, 1937 The last Colorado & Southern narrow gauge passenger train leaves Denver. April 9, 1951 To counter a $10 million deficit [2025: $124 million], the New York Central lays off several thousand employees. April 9, 1959 Passenger service ends on the Monon between Chicago and Indianapolis. April 9, 1961 Pacific Electric Railway, once the largest electric railway system in the world, ends operations. April 9, 1973 Chicago & North Western #504, the former Union Pacific E-9 935-B, comes out of the Oelwein IA shops with added head end power and a cab fabricated by C&NW. It is the first of the “Crandall Cabs” to enter service. April 9, 2004 The Surface Transportation Board approves CNNA taking over operation of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range, Bessemer & Lake Erie and the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company. April 9, 2019 Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” #4014 is fired up for the first time in 60 years, and for the first time as an oil burner. Mark Tomlonson

April 8, 1867 A special excursion train departs Chicago on the first through run to New York over the new Michigan Central-Great Western of Canada-New York Central route. The train is ferried across the Detroit River. The route is uniform standard gauge. A through Pullman Palace hotel car is established between Chicago and Albany. April 8, 1870 A Pullman Palace Drawing Room Car intended for the Pennsylvania Railroad makes a demonstration run between West Philadelphia and Trenton. The car features 12 sections and 2 compartments, with 6-wheel trucks for a quiet ride. April 8, 1880 The Miami Valley Narrow Gauge Railway (OH) is sold under foreclosure. It will be reorganized as the Cincinnati Northern (later NYC) April 8, 1907 The Pennsylvania Railroad issues orders that trainmen are not to assist women dressed in white up and down steps unless requested. The order follows complaints of trainmen soiling women's clothes. April 8, 1908 The Chicago Elevated opens a branch to Union Stockyards. April 8, 1921 Canadian National closes the Henderson Avenue station in Ottawa, originally built by the Canadian Northern. Canadian National trains begin using Ottawa Union Station instead. April 8, 1932 Eau Claire WI loses its streetcars. April 8, 1936 The Pennsylvania Railroad declines an offer from Budd for streamlined passenger diesels, citing high costs for new support infrastructure. April 8, 1943 President Roosevelt, as one of several moves today to reduce inflation, bans common carriers such as railroads from increasing their rates. April 8, 1956 Detroit's Woodward Avenue PCC line is changed to bus, ending rail service. A parade of 24 PCC's have closed the line. All but 3 of the PCC's will go to Mexico City. April 8, 1960 Seventy feet of New York Central track on the south shore of Lake Ontario in New York State is destroyed by a rockslide. April 8, 1961 New York Governor Rockefeller signs a bill allowing the Port Authority to take over the operation of the Hudson Tubes and to construct a World Trade Center. April 8, 1961 The Ford Motor Company reveals plans for its "Levacar", an air cushioned tracked vehicle Ford claims will make 500 mph using a large fan for propulsion. The Pennsylvania, New York Central and Santa Fe express interest. April 8, 1968 Last run of the Rock Island/Southern Pacific “Golden State”. April 8, 1997 CSX and Norfolk Southern agree on a plan to buy Conrail. 58% of Conrail will go to Norfolk Southern, and 42% to CSX. Mark Tomlonson

April 7, 1832 The Liggitt’s Gap Railroad (later DL&W) is chartered in Pennsylvania. April 7, 1870 The Kalamazoo & South Haven (later NYC, PC) reaches Bloomingdale from Kendall on its way west to South Haven MI. April 7, 1871 The Illinois Railroad Act establishes state regulation of railroads and intrastate rates. It is the first of the so-called "Granger Laws". April 7, 1872 The Spuyten Duyvil & Port Morris Railroad (later NYC) begins operations. April 7, 1874 The Pennsylvania Company signs memos of agreement with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Michigan Central, Chicago & Alton, and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroads covering the construction of a Union Passenger Depot between Van Buren and Madison Streets in Chicago. They also grant the Michigan Central trackage rights over the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago from the Calumet River. April 7, 1903 The roundhouse of the Cincinnati Northern (later CCC&StL, NYC) at Van Wert OH is destroyed when locomotive #108 suffers a boiler explosion. The locomotive was being serviced inside the roundhouse at the time. No one was killed. The locomotive will be rebuilt and returned to service. April 7, 1914 The last spike is driven on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (later CN) at Fort Fraser BC, 150 km (93 mile) west of Prince George. This completes the line between Winnipeg and Prince Rupert. April 7, 1928 The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon (MI Interurban) ends operations. April 7, 1930 The New York Central opens a new, Art Deco-styled ticket office on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. April 7, 1934 The purchase of the first "American Flyer"-style passenger cars, the first streamliners to run in New England, is announced by the New Haven Railroad in Railway Age magazine. April 7, 1936 A mine placed on or near the tracks 50 miles from Vera Cruz Mexico is detonated as the "Vera Cruz Express" passes over. The explosion and the resulting fire in the wooden cars kills at least 90. April 7, 1957 New York City trolleys run for the last time, the last trolleys in New York State. April 7, 2008 Chris Guenzler becomes the first regular passenger documented to have ever traveled 1,000,000 miles over all the routes in the Amtrak system since the founding of Amtrak in 1971. Mark Tomlonson

April 4, 1839 Alarmed by the fact that steamboats and railroads provide quick and superior escape routes for runaway slaves, the Maryland Legislature prohibits any slave from traveling on a steamboat or train unless in company of a master or with a signed pass. April 4, 1875 Following the North Carolina Railroad's change to 60" gauge despite a state prohibition, Pullman establishes a through sleeper on the Piedmont Air Line between Richmond and New Orleans. April 4, 1892 The 5/8-mile long Ellwood Connecting Railroad (later P&LE, NYC) is chartered. April 4, 1902 The Grand Rapids & Indiana agrees to operate the Traverse City, Leelanau & Manistique Railroad. April 4, 1909 The Kensington & Eastern Railroad, built and owned by the Illinois Central is leased to the Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend (interurban) which today extends its service from Hammond IN through to Kensington IL and then into Chicago over the IC. April 4, 1910 An amendment to the Safety Appliance Act requires freight cars to be equipped with ladders, handholds and running boards. April 4, 1927 The first 14-single-room sleepers are placed into service, on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The cars, running between New York and Washington, offer greater privacy than the traditional berths. April 4, 1935 The Pennsylvania Railroad tests EMC's new "NC" 900-horsepower switcher. PRR declines to purchase any, saying the locomotive is "too light". April 4, 1936 Electric streetcar service ends in Flint MI. April 4, 1942 The Nickel Plate's "Commercial Traveler" quits, ending passenger service on the road's "East End". April 4, 1953 The Pennsylvania Railroad tests a Lima LS-25m on Madison Hill. The engine is equipped with dynamic brakes and a pressure-maintaining valve. April 4, 1960 The New Jersey State Legislature authorizes a $6 million subsidy [2025: $64.9 million] for commuter service. April 4, 1976 The first F40PH, number 200, begins service on Amtrak. At the end of its service life the locomotive will be rebuilt into a cab-control car. April 4, 2005 Greenbriar Equity Group LLC and Berkshire Partners LLC announce the completion of the acquisition of Electro-Motive Division from General Motors. The company is officially renamed Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD). April 4, 2005 Tokyo introduces women-only cars in crowded rush hour trains in a bid to prevent groping by male passengers using the cover of the crowd. April 5, 1862 The Jamestown & Franklin Railroad (OH, PA - later CP&A, LS&MS, NYC&HR, NYC) is chartered. April 5, 1877 The Boston & Maine acquires the Vermont Railroad. April 5, 1903 The Pennsylvania Railroad closes four stations in Philadelphia due to a drop in the short-haul market that has been taken over by trolleys. April 5, 1910 By some accounts, the French Legislature passes a law banning kissing in railway stations. The purpose of the law was to keep parting couples from delaying the trains. In 2009, however, it was reported that this "law" may actually be an urban legend. April 5, 1920 A Pere Marquette ferry becomes stuck in the ice off Pt. Sauble after leaving Ludington and eleven passengers try to walk to shore. Suddenly the ice flow breaks up, and the winds carry the piece holding the group out into Lake Michigan. Hundreds of spectators line the shore and watch as the Coast Guard, with great difficulty, rescues the group. April 5, 1920 St. Paul (MN) Union Station is opened. April 5, 1964 The first driverless trains run on the London Underground. April 5, 1965 Police begin riding New York's subway system from 8:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. due to fears of rising subway crimes. The program ends ten years later, on April 5, 1975, due to the city's fiscal crisis. April 5, 1982 Michigan Interstate ends operation of the former Ann Arbor north of the city of Ann Arbor. Operation will briefly resume at a later date. April 5, 1995 CN North America opens the new St. Clair Tunnel. Improvements made in the design of the new tunnel allow double-stack trains to cross under the St. Clair river for the first time. April 5, 2016 San Francisco television station KCBS reports tha

April 3, 1949 St. Louis converted its Manchester PCC routes to bus operation because of dangerous left hand operation on PRW. The routes were 53 (Maplewood), 54 (Webster), 55 (Clay and Adams), and 56 (Kirkwood). Dennis M Linsky On Thu, Apr 3, 2025, 6:30 AM Mark Tomlonson via groups.io <tomlonson@...> wrote: April 3, 1848 The Oakland & Ottawa (later D&M, GT) is chartered by the Michigan State Legislature to construct a railroad from Pontiac to Lake Michigan in Ottawa County. April 3, 1855 The Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Railroad (later LS&NI, LS&MS, NYC) is organized. April 3, 1883 The Arcadia & Betsey River Railway is incorporated. Built to 3-foot gauge, it was to run 20 miles from Arcadia MI, across the Betsie River. (Note that the river and the railroad have two different spellings.) April 3, 1987 The Soo Line sells its Lake States Transportation Division to the newly-formed "Wisconsin Central Ltd." Mark Tomlonson