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1950 - 1979 Menu
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January 1: The GTW PO&N branch discontinues mixed trains,
becoming a freight-only line. [HB-Sum-1993]
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January 3: The NYC consigned to
scrap the lat two steam locomotives which were used on their
Detroit-Mackinaw City run. [MRF-/1981]
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January 5: The NYC tests
their Aerotrain, composed of 10 coaches and a single 1,200 hp
diesel locomotive makes a non-stop test runs between Chicago and
Detroit. It consumes only $18 in fuel during the 283 mile run.
After the run, it is put on display at the MCRR Detroit
passenger terminal. [MRF-3/1981]
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January 9: The New York
Central roundhouse in Jackson informs the Big Four that they
will no longer service steam locomotives after 12:01 a.m.
Big Four trains into Jackson were powered by Alco 1,500 hp
diesel locomotives or other diesel power after this time.
[HCN]
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April 7:
Detroit's last street car makes final run. [DWS/MRF-4/90]
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April 8, 1956: The once-great
Detroit Street Railway system comes to a close, as the Woodward
Line is abandoned. Detroit Common Council has voted to sell 140
of the DSR cars to Mexico City for $4,000 each. The original
cost of 183 cars, purchased in 1947 to 1949 was $22,000 to
$30,000 each. [MRF-3/1981]
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April 29: New
York Central's high-speed experimental passenger train, "Aerotrain,"
enters Detroit-Chicago service. [MDOT]
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Summer: C&O builds their
Tunnel Yard yardmaster's tower, south of Rougemere Yard. A small
engine facility is also built there for Windsor-bound trains.
[COHS-2/02]
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November 19: Last
regularly-scheduled passenger train on "The Old Road"
through Coldwater, Hillsdale and Adrian to Toledo. [MDOT]
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December: Railroad managers
are pleased when Walt Disney announces that current annual
passes held by all railroad employees are honored on his Santa
Fe & Disneyland Railroad, a narrow gauge amusement pike that
operates around the edge of Disneyland Park near Los Angeles.
[RMK]
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Interstate highway act signed
into federal law. [DWS]
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The C&O discontinues car
ferry service on the Detroit River. Chessie freight trans now
use the MCRR Detroit River Tunnel to Canada. Car ferry #10 is
transferred to Sarnia and #14 is leased to the Wabash and will
remain on the Detroit River.
C&O Boat Yard operations
are transferred to Rougemere Yard where3 the C&O is building a
new three-story yard office and yard master’s tower.
Improvements are also being made in their diesel facility and
their icing facilities at Rougemere. [MRF-3/1981]
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Escanaba and Lake Superior
discontinues passenger service. It had a combined total
passenger revenue of $17.22 in its last year. [MSL]
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Railroads (34.8%), busses (31%)
and airlines (31.5%) each transport about 1/3 of the nation's
intercity passengers. [STOV]
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C&O 1601, one of the largest
steam locomotives in history, is moved to the Henry Ford Museum
in Dearborn. The size of the locomotive required raising
the door of the museum (similar to Henry Ford's problem when he
tried to drive his first automobile out of its garage).
[DRK]
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Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton
discontinues building diesel locomotives. [SAM]
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The Interstate Commerce
Commission mandates the use of headlights during the day time.
[SAM]
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The DSS&A institutes
new trains #18 and #19 between Duluth/Superior and Sault Ste.
Marie/Mackinaw City to provide better, faster service. [RO]
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Two-way radios are installed in
some DSS&A locomotives and cabooses with good
results. "Radio equipped for safety and service", is the Soo motto. [RO]
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Celotex Corporation announces
plans to build a new plant in L'Anse. The plant continues
to exist today (2004) [RO]
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