Railroad History Chronology

George Stevenson patents his second steam locomotive. Ref

1822

Sep 16

Charles S Crocker Pres of Central & South Pacific Railroad, is born.

Ref: 5

A steam locomotive, by George Stephenson, takes to the road for the first time. Ref

1825

Apr 25

Charles Ferdinand Dowd US, standardized time zones, is born.

Ref: 5

Sep 17

The opening of the 1st railway line between Stockton and Darlington in England.

Sep 26

George Stephenson's "Locomotion" pulls 85 tons at 8 mph.

Sep 27

A locomotive belonging to England’s Stockton and Darlington line, pulled a commercial passenger train down the tracks. It was the first time an engine -- not a horse -- had accomplished this.

Ref: 74

Oct 10

The Stockton and Darlington Railroad opens for regular passenger service (Ref: Cornwall, F.L., "History of Railroads", Chartwell Books Inc, 1976).

Dec 27

The first public railroad using a steam locomotive is completed in England.

Ref: 5

First public railroad using steam locomotive completed in England.

Ref: 5

1826

Mar 04

The General Court of Massachusetts gives consent for building a railroad, the Granite Railway, (not specifically steam) from a quarry to the banks of the Neponset River, approximately 3 miles.

Ref: 7

Apr 07

The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad is chartered.

Ref: 7

Oct 07

The Granite Railway (1st chartered railway in US) begins operations.

Ref: 5

1827

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first railroad incorporated for the commercial transportation of people and freight.

Ref: 4

Apr 24

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad becomes the first U.S. railway chartered for commercial transportation of freight and passengers. Ref

1828

Mar 24

Philadelphia & Columbia Railway (1st state owned) authorized.

Ref: 5

Jul 04

Construction begins on Band O (Baltimore-Ohio) first US passenger RR.

Ref: 5

1829

May 17

The first locomotive ordered from England, and the first in America, the "Stourbridge Lion" arrives in New York. Ref

Aug 09

The "Stourbridge Lion" becomes the first locomotive to operate on a public railway in North America.

Ref: 5

Oct 08

The steam locomotive "Rocket" is put on the road ready for a contest.

Oct 18

George Stephenson's "Rocket" pulls three times its own weight at nearly 30 mph and wins a contest prize of 500 British pounds. Ref

Dec 21

First stone arch railroad bridge in US dedicated, Baltimore.

Ref: 5

Dec 22

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad opens the first passenger railway line.

Ref: 2

1830

Jan 07

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co begins carrying revenue traffic - 1st US Railroad Station (Baltimore MD).

Ref: 5

Feb 10

The Virginia General Assembly charters the Petersburg Railroad, the first interstate railroad. (XDG, p 4A, 2/10/2001)

Ref: 83

May 03

First regular steam train passenger service starts.

Ref: 5

The first timetables of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad were published in the Baltimore American newspaper.

Ref: 4

May 24

The first passenger railroad in the United States began service between Baltimore and Elliott's Mills, Maryland.

Ref: 5

Aug 28

"Tom Thumb", the first locomotive built in America, loses a race from Baltimore to Ellicotts Mill, to a team of horses in a race due to a loosened belt, but convinces B&O owners to use steam locomotives rather than horses. The race covered 14 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes.

Ref: 7

Sep 15

Liverpool-Manchester Railway opens in England;first railway death occurs-MP William Huskisson.

Ref: 5

Sep 18

A race was held between a horse and an iron horse. Tom Thumb, the first locomotive built in America, was pitted against a real horse in a nine-mile course between Riley’s Tavern and Baltimore. Tom Thumb suffered mechanical difficulties including a leaky boiler.

Ref: 4

1831

Jan 15

First US-built locomotive to pull a passenger train makes 1st run; Mr & Mrs Pierson of Charleston SC make 1st US railroad honeymoon trip.

Ref: 5

Feb 19

In York PA, Phineas Davis test the first coal-burning locomotive, named "York". (XDG, p 4A, 2/19/2001)

Ref: 83

Apr 25

The New York and Harlem Railway was incorporated in New York City.

Ref: 4

Jun 17

The boiler of "Best Friend" explodes when a fireman ties down a noisy safety valve. Three people are injured, one seriously with a broken thigh. Ref

Aug 09

The steam locomotive "DeWitt Clinton" pulls a train of cars at 15 mph, but is withdrawn from service due to mechanical problems.

Ref: 7

Aug 09

The first steam locomotive train began its inaugural run, between Albany and Schenectady, in New York.

Ref: 4

1832

Jul 25

First railroad accident in US, Granite Railway, Quincy, Mass-1 dies.

Ref: 5

1833

Apr 22

Richard Trevithick inventor (steam locomotive), dies at 62.

Ref: 5

Rail service is established between Charleston SC and near Augusta GA. At 137 miles, it is the longest continuous railroad in the world and the first to carry mail.

1834

Mar 18

First railroad tunnel in US completed (between Hollidaysburg and Johnstown PA ,275 meter long).

Ref: 5

Apr 16

The Boston and Worcester Railroad opens the first regular steam passenger service in New England.

Ref: 7

May 01

Belgian parliament accept railway laws.

Ref: 5

The first mainland railway line opens in Belgium.

Ref: 2

1835

King Leopold opens Brussels-Mechelen railway.

Ref: 5

Dec 07

German railway Neurenberg-Fürth opens.

Ref: 5

1836

Jul 21

First Canadian RR opens, between Laprairie & St John, Qu‚bec.

Ref: 5

1838

Sep 16

James Jerome Hill, who built a railroad empire in the American northwest, is born.

Ref: 70

1840

Feb 12

Housatonic Railroad opens.

Ref: 5

1841

Jun 30

The Erie Railroad rolled out its first passenger train on this day.

Ref: 4

Jul 05

World's first train excursion organized by Thomas Cook and Son from Leicester to Loughborough.

Ref: 10

Sep 11

First commuter train goes into service in England between London and Brighton.

Ref: 10

Sep 19

The first railway to span a frontier is completed between Stousbourg and Basle, in Europe.

Ref: 2

1842

May 08

Versailles to Paris train catches fire; 50 die

Ref: 2

Jun 13

Queen Victoria gets her first train ride.

Ref: 62

1843

Dec 06

Amsterdam-Utrecht railway opens.

Ref: 5

1845

May 14

Utrecht-Arnhem Railway opens.

Ref: 5

1846

Apr 13

U.S.: Pennsylvania Railroad officially chartered.

1847

May 19

The first English-style railroad coach was placed in service on the Fall River Line in Massachusetts.

Ref: 4

Rotterdam-Hague Railway opens.

Ref: 5

Sep 22

Britain's Railway Clearing House, an industry standards body, recommends that GMT be adopted at all stations as soon as the General Post Office permitted it Ref

1848

Aug 12

George Stephenson inventor: developer of steam locomotive; dies in Chesterfield, England.

Ref: 68

Dec 25

New Haven Railroad opens.

Ref: 5

1849

Sep 29

First passenger train service to Peekskill NY (New Haven Railroad).

Ref: 5

1853

Mar 03

Transcontinental railroad survey is authorized by Congress.

Ref: 5

Apr 18

The first train in Asia begins running from Bombay to Tanna (36 km).

Ref: 2

May 06

First major US rail disaster kills 46 (Norwalk CT).

Ref: 5

May 17

The New York Central Railroad is chartered as a consolidation of several smaller railroad companies.

Ref: 7

Jul 18

Completion of Grand Trunk Line, Americas first intl railroad (Portland, Me.-Montreal).

Ref: 5

Sep 20

First railroad passenger station, Union Station, opens in Indianapolis.

Ref: 10

1855

Mar 08

A train passed over the first railway suspension bridge -- at Niagara Falls, NY.

Ref: 4

May 03

Antwerp-Rotterdam railway opens.

Ref: 5

1856

Mar 05

Georgia becomes first state to regulate railroads.

Ref: 5

Apr 21

The first rail train to pass over the mighty Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, IL made its journey across a newly completed bridge between the two rail centers.

Ref: 4

Jul 17

Sunday school excursion train collides killing 46 children (Phila).

Ref: 5

1857

Jul 02

NY City’s first elevated railroad officially opened for business. Commuters soon called the mode of transportation the El.

Ref: 4

1859

Feb 24

Chicago & Plainfield Railroad is chartered (first predecessor of Santa Fe's Chicago line).

Sep 01

The Pullman sleeping car was placed into service. The car was built by company namesake George Pullman and he was assisted by Ben Field.

Ref: 4

1860

Jul 19

First railroad reaches Kansas.

Ref: 5

Aug 30

The first British tramway is inaugurated at Birkenhead by an American, George Francis Train.

Ref: 2

Sep 15

Cyrus Holliday and others organize the Atchison & Topeka Railroad Company; Holliday named first president.

1862

Feb 03

Thomas Edison prints and distributes a newspaper, The Weekly Herald, on a train traveling between Port Huron and Detroit. This is the first newspaper to be printed on a train. (XDG, p 4A, 2/3/2001)

Ref: 83

Sep 04

The North Beach & Mission Railway Company is organized.

Ref: 5

1863

Jan 08

Work begins on the transcontinental railroad.

Jan 10

London's Metropolitan, the world's first underground passenger railway, opened to the public. First trains run from Farringdon St. to Paddington.

Ref: 70

Congress authorizes track width of 4'8½" for Union Pacific RR.

Ref: 5

Mar 03

President Lincoln signs legislation providing land grant for completion of railroad from Atchison to Topeka "to the western line of the State [of Kansas], in the direction of Fort Union and Santa Fe;" line must be completed in 10 years to receive the grant.

1864

Mar 14

(John Luther) Casey Jones, railroad engineer: subject of "The Ballad of Casey Jones", is born.

Ref: 4

Jun 29

Grand Trunk Railway accident; 100 killed.

Ref: 5

1865

A disabled train en route from St Louis MO to Cincinnati OH is looted at North Bend OH. This is the first robbery of a disabled train.

Ref: 39

Dec 20

De Clear-Alkmaar railway opens.

Ref: 5

1866

The first known train robbery in the United States. Thieves steal $500,000 from an Adams Express rail car en route from New York to New Haven. The loss is discovered when the train arrived at New Haven CT.

Ref: 39

Oct 06

Frank, John, Simon and William Reno rob the Ohio and Mississippi Flyer, near Seymour IN, of $10,000 is the first train robbery of a train in motion.

Ref: 39

1867

Nov 26

The refrigerated railroad car was patented by J.B. Sutherland of Detroit, Michigan.

Ref: 4

1868

Jul 25

Congress authorizes the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad to purchase unallotted lands of Pottawatomie Indian Reservation near Topeka for $1 an acre; resales to farmers provide capital for construction.

St. Pancras train station opens in London near Kings Cross.

Ref: 10

1869

Apr 26

Santa Fe's first locomotive, 4-4-0 Cyrus K. Holliday, pulls the railroad's first train, a two-car excursion, over seven miles of completed track. At Wakarusa, a picnic is held and Holliday makes his famous speech predicting that AT&SF will be built to Chicago, St. Louis, Galveston, San Francisco and Mexico City. Most of the predictions eventually come true.

May 10

A golden spike was driven at Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

Ref: 5

1870

Feb 15

Ground broken for Northern Pacific Railway near Duluth MN.

Ref: 5

Feb 26

New York City's first pneumatic-powered subway line was opened to the public.

Ref: 70

Apr 02

The Calcutta and Bombay Railroad opened for through traffic

Ref: 62

Jul 24

First trans-US rail service begins.

Ref: 5

Aug 15

Transcontinental Railway actually completed.

Ref: 5

1871

Jul 03

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company introduced the first narrow-gauge locomotive. It was called the Montezuma.

Ref: 4

1872

Jan 16

The first run of the Orient Express

Ref: 62

Jun 12

The first railroad opens in Japan

Ref: 62

1873

US Congress begins investigating Crédit Mobilier scandal.

Ref: 5

Jun 02

Ground broken on Clay St (SF) for world's first cable railroad.

Ref: 5

The Hoosac Railroad Tunnel completed in NW Massachusetts

Ref: 62

1876

May 13

Amersfoort-Zutphen railway opens.

Ref: 5

Jun 14

California Street Cable Car Railroad Co. gets its franchise

Ref: 5

Sep 06

Southern Pacific line from Los Angeles to San Francisco completed

Ref: 5

Dec 29

11 passenger cars crash in a ravine near Ashtabula OH, 92 die.

Ref: 5

1877

Jul 14

A general strike halted the movement of U.S. railroads. In the following days, strike riots spread across the United States. The next week, federal troops were called out to force an end to the nationwide strike. At the "Battle of the Viaduct" in Chicago, federal troops (recently returned from an Indian massacre) killed 30 workers and wounded over 100.

Ref: 59

Jul 23

First US municipal railroad, Cincinnati Southern, begins operations.

Ref: 5

1878

Apr 23

First Dutch test drive of steam tram.

Ref: 5

1879

First electric railway opens at Berlin Trades Exposition.

Ref: 5

Jul 17

First railroad opens in Hawaii.

Ref: 5

Sep 23

Baldwin steam motors tram first tried in Sydney Australia.

Ref: 5

Sep 28

Sydney Australia innaugurates steam motor tram route.

Ref: 5

Dec 03

The Pennsylvania Railroad runs special trains to Edison's Menlo Park laboratory to let the public witness a demonstration of the electric light bulb.

Ref: 3

North British Railway's train falls as Firth bridge collapses (Scotland).

Ref: 5

Tay Bridge disasterin Wales. Bridge collapses in gale as train passes over 75 dead.

Ref: 10

1880

Feb 29

Gotthard railway tunnel between Switzerland & Italy opens.

Ref: 5

1881

May 16

World's first elec tram goes into service in Lichterfelder (near Berlin).

Ref: 5

Jun 24

200 drown as train runs off bridge near Cuautla Mexico.

Ref: 5

1882

May 09

Telegraph Hill RR Company organized.

Ref: 5

St Gotthard-railroad tunnel between Switzerland & Italy opens.

Ref: 5

Jul 13

200 die as train derails near Tcherny, Russia.

Ref: 5

1883

Jun 02

Chicago's "El" opens to traffic.

Ref: 5

Jun 09

First commercial electric railway line begins operation (Chicago El).

Ref: 5

Sep 08

Northern Pacific RR's last spike driven at Independence Creek, MT.

Ref: 5

Oct 04

Orient Express' 1st run, linking Turkey to Europe (Constantinople to Paris) by rail.

Ref: 5

Standard time in time zones is instituted in the U.S. and Canada by the railroads. Previously there were over 300 local times in the USA.

Ref: 70

1884

Sep 20

6.2 mile Arlberg railroad tunnel completed in Austria.

Ref: 5

1885

Jan 05

(Long Island) The Long Island Railroad Company was the first to offer piggyback rail service. It transported farm wagons on trains

Ref: 4

Aug 10

Leo Daft opens the nation’s first commercial electric streetcar railway in Baltimore, MD.

Ref: 5

1886

Jan 26

Ref: 4

Jul 04

First scheduled transcontinental passenger train reaches Pt Moody, BC.

Ref: 5

1887

Feb 04

Interstate Commerce Act authorizes federal regulation of railroads.

Ref: 5

May 23

First transcontinental train arrives in Vancouver British Columbia.

Ref: 5

Aug 10

Excursion train crashes killing 101. (Chatsworth, IL).

Ref: 5

1888

Oct 10

Teetotalers excursion train crushed, killing 64 (Mud Run Pa).

Ref: 5

1889

Oct 19

John Crerar, American railway industrialist, dies at age 62.

Ref: 70

Nov 17

The Union Pacific begins daily through service, Chicago-Portland & San Francisco.

Ref: 5

Oahu Railway begins public service in Hawaii.

Ref: 5

1891

Work on trans-Siberian railway begins.

Ref: 5

Sep 14

"Empire State Express" train goes from NYC to East Buffalo, a distance of 436 miles, in a record 7hrs 6min.

Ref: 5

1893

The Great Northern Railway connects Seattle with the east coast.

Ref: 5

The first federal railroad legislation is passed; it requires safety features.

Ref: 5

May 10

Locomotive No. 999 hauls the Empire State Express at 112.5 mph.

Ref: 7

1894

May 11

American RR Union strikes Pullman Sleeping Car Co.

Ref: 5

Jun 21

Workers in Pittsburgh strike Pullman sleeping car company.

Ref: 5

Jul 20

2000 fed troops recalled from Chicago, having ended Pullman strike.

Ref: 5

1895

Mar 28

Construction begins on America's first subway, Tremont Street Subway, Boston.

Ref: 10

1897

Sep 01

The first section of Boston's new subway system opens. (XDG, p 3A, 9/1/2000)

Ref: 83

Sep 19

The first section of Boston's subway system opens.

1898

Henry Huntington buys the Los Angeles Railway

Ref: 5

1899

Oct 17

Sutro railroad sold to Robert F Morrow for $215,000.

Ref: 5

Tentative Turkish & German treaty on construction of Baghdad railway.

Ref: 5

1900

Mar 24

Mayor Van Wyck of New York breaks ground for the New York subway tunnel that will link Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Ref: 2

Apr 30

Train engineer John Luther [Casey] Jones, 36, of the Illinois Central Railroad is killed when trying to save the Cannonball Express as it highballed its way through Vaughn, MS. The famous song about Jones is loosely relatable to the train accident which cost the railroad engineer his life.

Ref: 4

Jun 27

Central London Electric Tube Railroad was opened between bank and Shepard's Bush

Ref: 62

Jul 19

Paris subway opens for business.

Ref: 10

1901

Mar 25

55 die as Rock Island train derailed near Marshalltown IA.

Ref: 5

Oct 28

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show train colides head first with another killing many animals and people.

Ref: 10

Dec 26

Uganda railway completed from Mombasa to Lake Victoria.

Ref: 10

1902

Feb 15

Underground railway (U-Bahn).

Ref: 5

5 workers killed on explosion during IRT subway construction (New York City NY).

Ref: 5

1903

Mar 05

Definitive treaty for construction of Baghdad railway drawn.

Ref: 5

1904

Japanese railway authorities in Korea refuse to transport Russian troops.

Ref: 2

Mar 12

First main line electric train in UK (Liverpool to Southport).

Ref: 5

Jul 29

The Trans-Siberian railroad connecting the Ural mountains with Russia's Pacific coast, is completed after 13 years of construction; stretches 4,607 miles.

Ref: 2

Jul 31

The Trans-Siberian railroad connecting the Ural mountains with Russia's Pacific coast, is completed.

Ref: 2

Sep 24

Sixty-two die and 120 are injured in head-on train collision in TN.

Ref: 2

Oct 27

The first subway cars were placed in operation, forming the New York City subway system called the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit). The cars operated between the Brooklyn Bridge and Broadway; from City Hall to W. 145th Street. This was the first underwater, underground rail system in the world.

Ref: 4

1905

Mar 11

The Parisian subway is officially inaugurated.

Ref: 2

Mar 28

Paramaribo-Dam railway opens in Suriname, never used

Ref: 5

Apr 02

Cairo-Capetown railway opens.

Ref: 5

May 19

Italian King Victor Emmanuel & Swiss President open world's longest railroad tunnel (Simplon) links Iselle Italy & Brig Switzerland.

Ref: 5

Jun 11

Penns Railroad debuts fastest train in world (NY-Chicago in 18 hrs).

Ref: 5

1906

Mar 10

London Underground opens Bakeroo line (Baker Street to Waterloo Line).

Ref: 5

1907

Nov 07

Dynamite explodes on locomotive kills engineer Jesus Garcia in Mexico.

Ref: 5

First all-steel passenger railroad coach completed, Altoona PA.

Ref: 5

1908

Jan 08

A subway line opens linking the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Ref: 2

1909

Feb 16

First subway car with side doors goes into service (New York NY).

Ref: 5

1910

Jan 21

Japan rejects the American proposal to neutralize ownership of the Manchurian Railway.

Ref: 2

Mar 01

3 passenger trains buried at Steven's Pass in Cascade Range 118 die. Worst snowslide in US history.

Ref: 5

2 trains crash in snow storm in Wellington WA, 118 die.

Ref: 5

New York's Pennsylvania Station opened; at that time, the world's largest railway terminal

Ref: 70

1912

Jan 03

Southern Pacific RR offers to bring the Liberty Bell to the Exposition without charge

Ref: 5

Feb 27

Lord Kitchener opens Khartoum-El Obeid (Nyala) railway.

Ref: 5

1914

Feb 01

Tanganyika Railway opens.

Ref: 5

1915

Jan 18

Train crashes at Colima-Guadalajara Mexico, about 600 die.

Ref: 5

Feb 07

First wireless message sent from a moving train to a station received.

Ref: 5

May 22

Local train collides with troop train killing 226 (Gretna Scotland).

Ref: 5

1916

May 29

James Jerome Hill, who built a railroad empire in the American northwest, dies.

Ref: 70

1917

Worst train disaster (derailment near mouth of Mount Cenis tunnel) ever (Modane France-543 French troops killed). (also TWA, 1998)

Ref: 5

Dec 26

As a wartime measure, President Woodrow Wilson places railroads under government control, with Secretary of War William McAdoo as director general.

Ref: 2

1918

Jun 22

Circus train rammed by troop train kills 68 (Ivanhoe Illinois)

Ref: 5

Jul 09

101 killed & 171 injured in worst US train wreck, Nashville, Tenn.

Ref: 5

Jul 19

The worst train wreck in US history in Nashville, TN killing 101. (TWA, 1998)

Ref: 95

Nov 01

97 die in New York City subway's worst accident.

Ref: 5

1919

Jan 01

The western boundary of the Eastern Time Zone is adjusted westward to include nearly half of Ohio.

Ref: 56

Oct 18

Madrid opens a subway system.

Ref: 2

Dec 20

Canadian National Railways established (North America's longest, 50,000 KM).

Ref: 5

1920

Feb 29

The US government relinquishes control of all railroads it had controlled as a World War I measure.

Ref: 7

1923

Feb 24

Flying Scotsman enters service first train to reach 100mph under steam traction.

Ref: 5

May 07

Mine strike at Belgian Borinage railroad.

Ref: 5

1924

Dec 17

First US diesel electric locomotive enters service, Bronx NY.

Ref: 5

1926

May 08

A Philip Randolph organizes Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

Ref: 2

Railway Labor Act became law.

Ref: 5

1927

Apr 04

The western boundary of the Eastern Time Zone is adjusted westward on a diagonal from Toledo to Cincinnati to accommodate all Ohio ports and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Ref: 56

Dec 30

The first subway in the Orient was dedicated in Tokyo, Japan. Many people had worried that the ground under Tokyo was too soft for a subway, but their fears proved unfounded as the Tokyo Underground Railway Company opened the first section of the subway between Ueno and Asakusa.

Ref: 70

1928

Aug 27

16 die in a NYC subway's 2nd worst accident.

Ref: 5

Dec 01

Railroad museum opens in Utrecht Netherlands.

Ref: 5

1929

Jan 12

Seatrain (RR cars on ships) service begins, New Orleans-Havana.

Ref: 5

1931

May 24

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) began service on the Columbian run between NY City and Washington, DC. The passenger train was the first train with air conditioning throughout.

Ref: 4

1932

Mar 24

Belle Baker hosted a radio variety show from a moving train ... a first for radio broadcasting. The program originated from a Baltimore and Ohio train that chugged its way around the New York area. The broadcast was heard on WABC in New York City.

Ref: 4

1933

Train crash in Eastern Paris; 230 die.

Ref: 5

Dec 24

Paris express train derails & kills 160, injures 300 (France).

Ref: 5

1934

Union Pacific tests light-weight high-speed passenger train, Omaha.

Ref: 5

Dec 14

The first streamlined locomotive, nicknamed the Commodore Vanderbilt, was introduced by the New York Central Railroad. The locomotive was quite impressive: 228 tons and 4,075 horsepower. The 'bathtub' shroud that gave the Commodore Vanderbilt its streamlined appearance was designed by the Case School of Science in Cleveland, Ohio. After an October 1945 collision with a truck at a grade crossing, all the streamlining was removed.

Ref: 4

1935

Feb 10

The Pennsylvania Railroad began passenger service with its new ‘streamlined’ electric locomotive. This engine was 79-1/2 feet long and weighed in at a hefty 230 tons.

Ref: 4

Apr 28

Moscow underground opens (81 km long).

Ref: 5

1936

Sep 27

The western boundary of the Eastern Time Zone is adjusted westward to include all of Ohio by order of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).

Ref: 56

1937

Mar 23

Los Angeles Railway Co starts using PCC streetcars.

Ref: 5

Pullman Co formally recognizes Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Ref: 5

1938

Jun 19

"Olympian Flyer" express train crashes in Montana, killing 47

Ref: 5

Jul 03

London and north Eastern Railway's Mallard sets speed record for locomotives at 126mph.

Ref: 10

Aug 07

2 die in a NYC subway accident.

Ref: 5

Sep 02

The first railroad car to be equipped with fluorescent lighting was placed in operation on the NY Central railroad. Coach #1472 began its initial run with the modern lighting on this day.

Ref: 4

1939

Apr 30

The first railroad car equipped with fluorescent lights was put into service. The train car was known as the General Pershing Zephyr.

Ref: 4

Dec 22

125 die in train wreck at Magdeburg Germany; 99 die in 2nd wreck at Friedrichshafen Germany.

Ref: 5

1940

Feb 07

British railroads nationalized.

Ref: 5

Mar 14

27 killed, 15 injured when truck full of migrant workers collides with a train outside McAllen TX.

Ref: 5

Apr 19

"Lake Shore Ltd" derails speed killing 34 near Little Falls NY.

Ref: 5

1942

Oct 28

Train crashes into bus, killing 16 & injuring 20 (Detroit Michigan).

Ref: 5

1943

Sep 06

"Congressional Limited" train derails near Frankfort Pa, kills 79.

Ref: 5

Oct 16

Chicago Mayor Edward J. Kelly officially opened the city's new subway system during a ceremony at the State and Madison street station.

Ref: 5

Dec 16

"Tamiami Champion" trains collide, kills 73 & injures 200

Ref: 5

1944

Jan 19

The federal government relinquished control of the nation's railroads following settlement of a wage dispute.

Ref: 70

Fumes from locomotive stalled in a tunnel suffocates 521 in Italy.

Ref: 5

Dec 31

48 people die in a train accident in Ogden UT.

Ref: 5

1945

Jan 10

Los Angeles Railway (with 5 streetcar lines) forced to close.

Ref: 5

Jul 23

The first passenger train observation car was placed in service by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

Ref: 4

1946

Mar 10

Train derailment kills 185 near Aracaju Brazil.

Ref: 5

Apr 25

"Exposition Flyer" rammed at Napierville IL, killing 48.

Ref: 5

May 17

President Truman seizes control of the nation's railroads, delaying a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen.

Ref: 5

Highest ridership in NYC subway history (8.8 million passengers).

Ref: 5

1947

Feb 18

24 die in a train crash in Gallitzin PA.

Ref: 5

Jul 10

200 die when train derails & fell into a river in Canton, China.

Ref: 5

1948

Jan 01

Britain nationalizes its railways.

Ref: 5

Jan 27

The Virginia Railway Company puts a 6800 horsepower electric locomotive in service, the EL-2B No. 125. It was 151 feet long and could pull more than 1 million pounds. (XDG, p 4A, 1/27/2001)

Ref: 83

First locomotive to carry 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) operates.

Ref: 5

1949

Mar 09

The first all-electric dining car was placed in service -- on the Illinois Central Railroad. Passengers enjoyed all-electric cooking between Chicago and St. Louis.

Ref: 4

Jun 16

Gas turbine-electric locomotive demonstrated, Erie Pa.

Ref: 5

Oct 22

200 killed in train derailment near Nowy Dwor Poland.

Ref: 5

1950

Feb 17

31 die in a train crash in Rockville Center, New York.

Ref: 5

Aug 25

President Harry S. Truman ordered the Army to seize control of the nation's railroads to avert a strike.

Ref: 70

Aug 27

President Truman orders the U.S. Army to seize all the nation's railroads to prevent a general strike. The railroads were not returned to their owners until two years later.

Ref: 59

Sep 11

33 die in a train crash in Coshocton Ohio.

Ref: 5

Nov 22

79 die in a train crash in Richmond Hills NY.

Ref: 5

Dec 22

2 self-propelled trains of Long Island RR collide, killing 77.

Ref: 5

1951

Feb 06

"Broker Special" train crashes in Woodbridge NJ, killing 84.

Ref: 5

Nov 12

17 die in a train crash in Woodstock AL.

Ref: 5

Nov 25

17 die in a train crash in Woodstock AL.

Ref: 5

1952

Oct 08

2 trains collide with a derailed commuter train, kills 112 (England).

Ref: 5

1953

Jan 15

16 car Federal Express train loses brakes & crashes in Washington DC station.

Ref: 5

Mar 27

21 die in a train crash in Conneaut OH.

Ref: 5

Dec 24

2 fast express trains crash head-on, killing 103 (Czechoslovakia).

Ref: 5

1954

May 24

The first traveling sidewalk in a railroad station was moving right along on this, its first day of operation, in Jersey City, NJ.

Ref: 4

Dec 17

The 1st fully automated railroad freight yard (Gary IN) begins operation.

Ref: 5

1955

Apr 03

Night express train in Guadalajara derails, killing 300.

Ref: 5

Great Britain proclaims emergency crisis due to railroad strike.

Ref: 5

1956

Jan 22

30 die in a train crash in Los Angeles.

Ref: 5

13 die in a train crash in Swampscott MA.

Ref: 5

Sep 02

Collapse of a RR bridge under a train kills 120 (India).

Ref: 5

Sep 05

20 die in a train crash in Springer NM.

Ref: 5

1957

Jun 11

12 die in a train crash in Vroman Colo.

Ref: 5

Jun 22

Kansas City stops using streetcars in its transit system

Ref: 5

Sep 01

Excursion train crashed into a ravine killing 175, injuring 400.

Ref: 5

Sep 29

300 die as express train hits stalled train (Montgomery W Pakistan).

Ref: 5

Dec 04

2 commuter trains collide in heavy fog killing 92 (St John's England).

Ref: 5

1958

Sep 15

Commuter train crashes through drawbridge, killing 48 (Newark NJ).

Ref: 5

1960

Mar 14

14 die in a train crash in Bakersfield CA.

Ref: 5

Nov 14

2 passenger trains collided at high-speed killing 110 (Czech).

Ref: 5

1961

May 28

Last trip (Paris to Bucharest) on Orient Express (after 78 years).

Ref: 5

Train accident in Italy, 70 die.

Ref: 5

1962

Jan 04

New York City introduces a train that operated without conductors and motormen.

Ref: 4

Jan 08

Dutch express train crashes into slow commuter train, 91 die (Netherlands).

Ref: 5

May 03

Express train crashed into wreckage of a commuter train and a freight, killing 163, injuring 400 (Tokyo, Japan).

Ref: 5

Jul 28

19 die in a train crash in Steelton Pa.

Ref: 5

1963

Sep 17

Train struck makeshift bus full of migrant workers, killing 32.

Ref: 5

1964

Apr 05

1st driverless trains run on the London Underground.

Ref: 5

Jul 26

Train from Povoa de Varzin, Portugal derails near Oporto, 94 die.

Ref: 5

Oct 04

3 cars of a commuter train derail in South Africa killing 81.

Ref: 5

1966

13 die in a train crash in Everett MA.

Ref: 5

1967

Sep 17

Mount Washington cog railway train derails, kills 8 (NH).

Ref: 5

Dec 03

The 20th Century Limited, the famed luxury train, completed its final run from NY City to Chicago.

Ref: 70

1968

Feb 09

Rotterdam metro opened by princess Beatrix.

Ref: 5

Feb 14

Pennsylvania Railroad/NYC Central merge into Pennsylvania Central.

Ref: 5

1970

Feb 01

Stalled commuter train rammed by express in Argentina, 139 die.

Ref: 5

2 die in a NYC subway accident.

Ref: 5

1971

May 01

Amtrak, which combined and streamlined the operations of 18 intercity passenger railroads, went into service.

Ref: 70

May 30

Train crash at Duivendrecht Netherlands, 5 die.

Ref: 5

Jun 10

11 die in a train crash in Salem IL.

Ref: 5

1972

Mar 04

Last train run between Penrith to Keswick UK.

Ref: 5

Mar 06

Keswick to Penrith railway officially closes.

Ref: 5

Jun 15

Rock fall inside Vierzy Tunnel (France) causes 2 train crash; 107 die

Ref: 5

Jul 21

2 passenger trains collide head-on killing 76 (Seville, Spain).

Ref: 5

Sep 30

Passenger train derails killing 48 (Rust Stasie South Africa).

Ref: 5

Oct 06

22-car train carrying 2,000 pilgrims derails, kills 208 in Mexico.

Ref: 5

Oct 30

45 people were killed when an IL Central Gulf commuter train collided with another train in Chicago's South Side. (TWA, 1997)

Ref: 95

1974

Aug 06

Explosion & fire destory Great Northern RR yard in Wenatchee, Wash.

Ref: 5

Aug 30

Express train runs full speed into Zagreb, Yugo rail yard killing 153

Ref: 5

1975

More than 40 people are killed in London's Underground when a subway train smashed into the end of a tunnel. (TWA, 1997)

Ref: 95

Jun 08

2 passenger trains collided near Munich Germany killing 35

Ref: 5

Oct 21

Mexico City's 1st major subway accident takes 26 lives.

Ref: 5

Oct 21

Mexico City's first major subway accident takes 26 lives.

Ref: 5

1976

Mar 27

Washington, D.C. opens its subway system, Metro.

Ref: 2

Apr 01

Conrail is formed from the consolidation of several railroads. (XDG, 3/2/1984)

Ref: 83

Train collision at Schiedam Netherlands, kills 24.

Ref: 5

1977

Feb 04

Eleven are killed when two cars of a Chicago Transit Authority train fell off elevated tracks after a collision with another train. (XDG, p 4A, 2/4/2002)

Ref: 83

May 19

Orient Express taken out of service after 94 years.

Ref: 10

Original Orient Express makes its last journey between Paris and Istanbul.

Ref: 10

May 22

Final European scheduled run of the Orient Express (94 years).

Ref: 5

1978

Apr 15

43 die as 2 express trains collide head-on south of Bologna, Italy.

Ref: 5

Sep 26

RR clerks go on strike, halting more than 2/3s of rail service.

Ref: 5

1979

Jan 25

22.2-km Oshimizu railroad tunnel holed through, central Honshu, Japan.

Ref: 5

1980

Sep 23

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens.

Ref: 5

1981

Feb 26

French Train à Grande Vitesse averages 380 kph on trial run.

Ref: 5

1982

Jan 01

MTA launches 5 year capital program to overhaul New York City NY subway system.

Ref: 5

May 28

The legendary train, Orient Express, made popular through Agatha Christie’s thrilling mystery novel, Murder on the Orient Express, was reborn. The 26-hour train trip resumed across the European continent after a long respite.

Ref: 4

1983

Nov 12

4 die in a train crash in Marshall TX.

Ref: 5

1984

Jul 07

5 die in a train crash in Williston Vt.

Ref: 5

1985

Jan 13

Express train derails in Ethiopia, kills at least 428.

Ref: 5

Jan 19

4 die in a car & train crash in Buda IL.

Ref: 5

Aug 02

5 die in a train crash in Westminster Colo.

Ref: 5

1987

Jan 04

Sixteen people are killed when an Amtrak train bound from Washington to Boston collided with Conrail engines approaching from a side track in Chase, Md.

Ref: 5

Nov 12

India's Patna Railroad Station TV screens on the platforms accidently showed a pornographic movie instead of railway times. Ref

31 die in a fire at King's Cross, London's busiest subway station.

Ref: 5

1988

Aug 17

LIRR (Long Island Railroad) says Penn station will get air conditioning in 1991.

Ref: 5

NYC Subway system adds new stations (the Z line).

Ref: 5

3 trains collide in London, 40 die.

Ref: 5

1989

May 12

Last graffiti covered NYC subway car retired.

Ref: 5

Oct 29

NYC MTA opens the 63rd street extension to the subway.

Ref: 5

Dec 05

France TGV train reaches world record speed of 482.4 kph.

Ref: 5

1990

Mar 07

3 passengers killed & 162 injured as subway train derails (Philadelphia).

Ref: 5

May 10

French TGV-train hits record speed of 510.6 kph

Ref: 2

2 die in a NYC subway accident.

Ref: 5

1991

Apr 17

Congress voted to put a quick end to a day-old nationwide strike by 235,000 rail workers (President George Bush signed the legislation early the next day).

Ref: 64

Apr 18

Congress ends railroad worker 1 day strike.

Ref: 5

May 14

Forty-two people were killed in a train collision in western Japan. (TWA, 1997)

Ref: 95

Jul 30

Seven people were killed when an Amtrak passenger train derailed near Camden, South Carolina.

Ref: 6

Aug 28

5 die in a NYC subway's 3rd worst accident

Ref: 5

1993

Jan 30

Los Angeles inaugerates its Metro Red Line, the city's first modern subway. (XDG, p 4A, 1/30/2003)

Ref: 83

May 08

16 year old Keron Thomas disguises himself as a motorman & takes NYC subway train & 2,000 passengers on a 3 hour ride

Ref: 2

Sep 22

Amtrack Sunday Limited goes over a collapsed bridge into Bayou Canyon near Mobile AL in the worst U.S. train wreck in decades; 47 dead. (XDG, p 4A, 9/22/2003)

Ref: 83

1994

Mar 08

Train accident at Pinetown, Natal kills 47.

Ref: 5

1995

Feb 01

Amtrak New York-Tampa run ends.

Ref: 5

Sep 09

Amtrak's "Broadway Limited" service between New York and Chicago makes its final run. (XDG, p 4A, 9/9/2000)

Ref: 83

Oct 09

Sabotuers pull 29 spikes from a stretch of railroad track, causing an Amtrak train to derail, killing one and injuring 100. (XDG, p 4A, 10/9/2000)

Ref: 83

Oct 29

World's worst subway accident at Baku, Azerbaijan 337 killed, 200 injured from fire, deadly gas.

Ref: 10

1997

Japanese train builders (Maglev) claim world speed record at 332 MPH.

Ref: 5

1998

Jun 03

A high speed train derails in Eschede, Germany, killing 101 people. (XDG, p 4A, 6/03/2003)

Ref: 83

Jun 18

Three people are killed when a Chicago-bound freight train rams a tractor-trailer in Portage IN. (XDG, p 4A, 6/18/2003)

Ref: 83

1999

Jul 09

The Wall Street Journal reports on page 1 that an Amtrak train derailed after hitting a truck 60 miles west of Houston, injuring 18.

Ref: 33

Aug 02

A train collision in Gaisal, India claims 286 lives. (XDG, p 4A, 8/2/2000)

Ref: 83

Oct 05

Two packed commuter trains collided near London's Paddington Station, killing 31 people.

Ref: 70

2001

May 15

A runaway freight train rolled about 70 miles through Ohio with no one aboard before a railroad employee jumped onto the locomotive and brought it to a stop.

Ref: 70

2002

Jul 29

An Amtrak train derails outside Washington DC, injuring more than 100 people. (XDG, p 4A, 7/29/2003)

Ref: 83

2003