| DATES | WHAT HAPPENED ? A TIMELINE OF RAILROAD HAPPENINGS |
|---|---|
| 1804 | OLIVER EVANS-BUILT FIRST AMERICAN STEAM LOCOMOTIVE |
| 1826 | GRANITE RAILWAY CO., BOSTON MA.-FIRST TO BUILD AND OPERATE A RAILROAD IN US. |
| 1827 | BALTIMORE & OHIO-FIRST COMMON CARRIER RAILROAD |
| 1830 | BEST FRIEND OF CHARLESTON-FIRST STEAM LOCOMOTIVE PUT INTO REGULAR SERVICE |
| 1830 | THERE WERE 23 MILES OF RAILROAD IN OPERATION |
| 1831 | SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD-FIRST TO CARRY MAIL. |
| 1831 | BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS FOUNDED. |
| 1832 | BALDWIN BUILDS "OLD IRONSIDES" THEIR FIRST LOCOMOTIVE |
| 1835 | ROGERS LOCOMOTIVE WORKS FOUNDED-FIRST ENGINE "SANDUSKY" |
| 1836 | CITY POINT RAILROAD CHARTERED, N&W EARLIEST PREDECESSOR, FROM CITY POINT, VA., TO PETERSBURG, VA., ONE LOCOMOTIVE, THE 35-HORSEPOWER "POWHATAN". |
| 1837 | FIRST LOCOMOTIVE WHISTLE. |
| 1842 | FIRST SHIPMENT OF MILK TO NEW YORK IN A CHURN. MILK WAS SHIPPED IN 5-15 GALLON CAPACITY CANS IN INSULATED CARS THEREAFTER. |
| 1848 | SCHENECECTADY LOCOMOTIVE WORKS FOUNDED. FIRST ENGINE "LIGHTNING". |
| 1850 | AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY FORMED BY MERGERS OF WELLS, LIVINGSTON, FARGO AND BUTTERFIELD EXPRESS COMPANIES. |
| 1851 | THE TELEGRAPH WAS USED FOR DISPATCHING TRAINS ON THE ERIE RR. |
| 1852 | WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY FORMED AS A SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS. THEY OPENED AN OCEAN EXPRESS SERVICE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO VIA THE PANAMA CANAL. |
| 1852 | FIRST TRAIN REACHES CHICAGO FROM THE EAST. |
| 1852 | DANFORTH, COOKE & COMPANY FOUNDED. BUILT STEAM POWERED ROTARY SNOWPLOWS. |
| 1853 | THE DUPLEX TELEGRAPH WAS INVENTED. |
| 1857 | MERCHANTS DESPATCH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY FORMED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY. |
| 1857 | FIRST SHIPMENT OF REFRIGERATED MEAT TO CHICAGO. |
| 1858 | FIRST PULLMAN SLEEPER GOES INTO SERVICE. |
| 1858 | DICKSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY FOUNDED. |
| 1862 | PRESIDENT LINCOLN SIGNS PACIFIC RAILROAD ACT-FIRST TRANSCONTINNENTAL RR. |
| 1862 | FIRST RAILWAY POST OFFICE SERVICE OPERATED ON THE C&NW FROM CHICAGO TO CLINTON, IOWA. PRIOR TO THIS ALL MAIL WAS CARRIED IN LOCKED POUCHES. |
| 1863 | CNW INTRODUCES THE CABOOSE "CUPOLA". |
| 1863 | FIRST RR LABOR UNION-BROTHERHOOD OF THE FOOTBOARD. |
| 1865 | STEEL RAIL INTRODUCED TO REPLACE IRON "T" RAILS. |
| 1866 | FIRST TRAIN ROBBERY TOOK PLACE ON THE OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY NEAR SEYMOUR, IN JACKSON COUNTY, INDIANA. |
| 1867 | FIRST TRANSCINTINENTAL RAILROAD COMPLETED. |
| 1867 | FIRST PULLMAN PORTER HIRED. MOST PORTERS COME FROM GEORGIA AND THE CAROLINAS THAN ANY OTHER REGION. |
| 1868 | ELI HAMILTON JANNEY PATENTS THE AUTOMATIC COUPLER. |
| 1869 | GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE PATENTS THE AIR-BRAKE. |
| 1869 | GOLDEN SPIKE DRIVEN COMPLETING THE FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RR |
| 1869 | BROOKS LOCOMOTIVE WORKS FOUNDED. |
| 1870 | THE FIRST MECHANICAL INTERLOCKING SYSTEM & LOWER QUADRANT TYPE SEMAPHORE PLACED INTO OPERATION. |
| 1870 | FIRST THRU TRAIN, COAST TO COAST, BOSTON TO SAN FRANCISCO. |
| 1870 | ARCHBAR TRUCKS BEGAN REPLACING WOOD BEAM AS US STANDARD |
| 1872 | THE STEADY-ENERGY TRACK CIRCUIT(AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL)DEVELOPED BY WILLIAM ROBINSON. USED FOR DETECTION AND SIGNALLING ON MOST ALL RAILROADS. |
| 1874 | THOMAS EDISON INTRODUCES THE QUADRUPLEX TELEGRAPH. |
| 1875 | PULLMAN INTRODUCES THE PARLOR CAR. |
| 1876 | ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL INVENTS THE TELEPHONE. |
| 1877 | NATIONAL RAILROAD STRIKE STRIKING RAILROAD WORKERS AT MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA SPARK OTHERS IN PENNSYLVANIA TO STRIKE, AND SOON THE STRIKE SPREADS NATIONWIDE. RAILROADS ARE SHUT DOWN FOR A WEEK, UNTIL FEDERAL TROOPS RESTORE ORDER AFTER FIRING ON THE STRIKERS, KILLING SEVERAL. |
| 1880 | MATHER INTRODUCES THE FIRST HUMANE STOCK CAR. |
| 1880 | LIMA MACHINE WORKS BUILDS THE FIRST SHAY LOCOMOTIVE. |
| 1881 | NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILROAD ORGANIZED TO HAUL COAL FROM THE POCCAHONTAS COAL SEAM. |
| 1881 | UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY ORGANIZED AS A COMPANY. |
| 1881 | JIM CROW LAW SEGREGATES TENNESSEE RAILROADS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE BECOMES THE FIRST TO PASS LAWS THAT SEGREGATE RAILROAD PASSENGERS BY RACE. SOON MANY OTHER SOUTHERN STATES FOLLOW SUIT. |
| 1883 | STANDARD TIME ZONES ADOPTED. |
| 1885 | JANNEY AUTOMATIC COUPLER ADOPTED BY MASTER CAR BUILDERS. |
| 1886 | RICHMOND LOCOMOTIVE AND MACHINE WORKS FOUNDED. |
| 1887 | ICC(INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMISSION) IS FORMED. |
| 1887 | THE FIRST ELECTRIC RAILWAY BEGAN OPERATION IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. |
| 1887 | FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL SHIPMENT OF DECIDIOUS FRUIT FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 1890 | PENNSYLVANIA INSTALLS AUTOMATIC SIGNALLING BETWEEN PITTSBURGH AND EAST LIBERTY. |
| 1893 | THE RAILROAD SAFETY ACT PASSED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON ON MARCH 2. THIS LAW REQUIRED AIR BRAKES AND AUTOMATIC COUPLERS AMONG OTHER FEATURES. |
| 1895 | MARCONI SENDS A MESSAGE BY "RADIO". |
| 1896 | DEEPWATER RAILROAD STARTED WITH 4 MILES OF TRACK. |
| 1899 | THE UNITED FRUIT COMPANY IS FORMED FROM 7 INDEPENDENT COMPANIES THAT HAD BEEN OPERATING IN HONDURAS, CENTRAL AMERICA. More details at United Fruit Company |
| 1901 | LIMA LOCOMOTIVE WORKS REORGANIZED FROM THE LIMA MACHINE WORKS |
| 1901 | AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY FORMED BY THE MERGER OF SCHENECTADY LOCOMOTIVE WORKS, BROOKS LOCOMOTIVE WORKS, DANFORTH, COOKE & CO., MACHINE COMPANY, DICKSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, MANCHESTER LOCOMOTIVE WORKS, AND THE RICHMOND LOCOMOTIVE WORKS. |
| 1903 | FIRST TANK CAR FOR HAULING MILK BUILT, USED A GLASS LINED STEEL TANK. |
| 1904 | AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY BUILDS THE FIRST TRUE "MALLET |
| 1905 | AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY BUYS THE ROGERS LOCOMOTIVE WORKS. |
| 1905 | BROADWAY LIMITED MAKES FASTEST PASENGER TRAIN RUN ON THE PRR OF 127.06MPH. |
| 1906 | THE UPPER QUADRANT SEMAPHORE SIGNAL INTRODUCED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. |
| 1906 | PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS IS ORGANIZED TO SHIP PERISHABLES FROM CALIFORNIA TO THE EASTERN MARKETS. |
| 1907 | VIRGINIAN RAILROAD INCORPORATED(WAS DEEPWATER RAILROAD) |
| 1909 | VIRGINIAN INAUGURATED PASSENGER SERVICE FROM DEEPWATER WV TO SEWALLS POINT, VA. |
| 1910 | THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTALLED A PNUEMATIC TRIP-STOP DEVICE IN THE NEW YORK TERMAINAL AREA AND THE HUDSON RIVER AND EAST RIVER TERMINALS. |
| 1911 | LADDERS, GRAB IRONS STANDARDIZED MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW. |
| 1915 | POSITION-LIGHT SIGNALS INSTALLED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. |
| 1917 | USRA(UNITED STATES RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION) FORMED TO OPERATE RAILROADS DURING WW1. |
| 1918 | US GOVERMENT MERGES ALL EXPRESS COMPANIES INTO -AMERICAN RAILWAY EXPRESS CO. |
| 1920 | FRUIT GROWERS EXPRESS COMPANY FORMED. STOCKHOLDING ROADS INCLUDED ACL, PRR, B&O, SOUTHERN, N&W, NH, C&EI AND OTHERS. |
| 1920 | US GOVERNMENT DISBANDS USRA RETURNS RAILROADS TO PRIVATE OWNERS. |
| 1920 | TRIAL RADIO COMMUNICATION WAS TRIED ON VGN, NYNH&H,PRR, C&O AND OTHERS. NOT ADOPTED DUE TO STATE OF ART, REGULATIONS ETC IN THAT TIME. |
| 1922 | ICC ORDERS PENNSYLVANIA TO INSTALL AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPS ON 5 ENGINE DIVISIONS. |
| 1923 | PENNSYLVANIA INSTALLS A "CONTINUOUS INDUCTION SYSTEM" TO PROVIDE AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP AND REPRODUCED THE WAYSIDE SIGNALS IN THE ENGINE CAB ITSELF. |
| 1923 | FRUIT GROWERS EXPRESS AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY FORM THE WESTERN FRUIT EXPRESS COMPANY. |
| 1923 | THE FIRST ROLLER BEARING WERE APPLIED TO THE AXLES OF GASOLINE POWERED MOTOR CARS, SOME DRIVE AXLES ON STEAM ENGINES AND SOME HOPPER AND BOX CARS. |
| 1924 | ALCO BUILDS ITS FIRST DIESEL ELECTRIC IN CO-OPERATION WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC. |
| 1925 | VIRGINIAN USED 6000 HP ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES BETWEEN MULLENS, WV & ROANOAKE, VA. |
| 1926 | FRUIT GROWERS EXPRESS AND CHICAGO BURLINGTON &QUINCY FORM THE BURLINGTON FRUIT EXPRESS. |
| 1926 | THE FIRST ROLLER BEARINGS APPLIED TO PASSENGER CARS ON THE MILWAUKEE'S PIONEER LIMITED AND OLYMPIAN TRAINS. |
| 1928 | THE FIRST SPERRY DETECTOR CAR #102 IS PUT INTO SERVICE ON THE WABASH. |
| 1928 | CARS WITH WOODEN MAIN SILLS BANNED FROM INTERCHANGE. CARS WITH TRUSS ROD UNDERFRAMES BUILT NEW OR RETROFITTED REMAIN LEGAL. |
| 1928 | UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL CONDUCTS TESTS OF I.T.C.(INDUCTIVE TRAIN COMMUNICATION). |
| 1928 | THE NATIONAL CAR COMPANY IS FORMED AS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE FGE. |
| 1929 | ALCO BUILDS FIRST SUCCESSFUL ROAD DIESEL ELECTRIC THE NYC #1550. |
| 1929 | AMERICAN RAILWAY EXPRESS COMPANY BOUGHT BY 86 RAILROADS AND REORGANIZED AS THE RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY. |
| 1930 | EMC FORMED GENERAL MOTORS BUYS WINTON ENGINE AND ELECTROMOTIVE RAILCAR CORP. |
| 1930 | B&O INTRODUCES THE BAY WINDOW CABOOSE. |
| 1931 | THE FIRST "SNOW TRAIN" OPERATED BY THE BOSTON & MAINE. |
| 1931 | BALTIMORE & OHIO INTRODUCES THE FIRST AIR-CONDITIONED TRAIN. |
| 1931 | TOTAL RAILROAD MILEAGE WAS 250,000 MILES. |
| 1931 | ARA ADOPTS THE TYPE "E" COUPLER AS RECOMMENDED PRACTICE. |
| 1933 | THE CODED TRACK CIRCUIT DEVELOPED BY THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY. SIMILAR TO THE AUTOMATIC BLOCK SYSTEM, USES PULSES INSTEAD OF STEADY STATE CURRENT FLOW. |
| 1933 | AB TYPE AIR BRAKE REQUIRED ON ALL CARS BUILT AFTER 9/1/33 |
| 1933 | BILLBOARD REEFERS OUTLAWED AS A VIOLATION OF THE ANTI-TRUST ACT |
| 1933 | TYPE "E" OR "F" COUPLERS REQUIRED ON ALL NEW CARS |
| 1934 | UNION PACIFIC INTRODUCES THE FIRST STREAMLINED DIESEL TRAIN-THE M-10000 |
| 1934 | THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS(AAR)IS FORMED OCTOBER 12, 1934. THE CHANGE TO AAR WAS THE AMALGAMATION OF SEVERAL ENTITIES, PRINCIPALLY; THE ARA, ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY EXECUTIVES, BUREAU OF RAILWAY ECONOMICS AND THE RAILWAY ACCOUNTING OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION. |
| 1936 | THE FIRST "DRAGGING EQUIPMENT" INDICATORS INSTALLED AT MIDWAY TOWER ON THE NYC. |
| 1936 | THE FIRST OSCILLATING HEADLIGHT DEVELOPED BY THE MARS SIGNAL LIGHT COMPANY AND THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN. |
| 1937 | TYPE "H" TIGHT-LOCK COUPLERS ADOPTED AS ALTERNATIVE TO TYPE "E" ON PASSENGER CARS |
| 1937 | ALL CARS REBUILT AFTER 8/1/37 MUST HAVE TYPE "E" OR TYPE"F" COUPLERS. |
| 1937 | I.T.C.(INDUCTIVE TRAIN COMMUNICATION)SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE B&LE RAILROAD MAIN LINES. |
| 1937 | B&O BEGINS THE FIRST STREAMLINED PASSENGER SERVICE FROM WASHINGTON DC TO NEW YORK AND TO CHICAGO. |
| 1938 | BILLBOARD REEFER VIRTUALLY GONE. |
| 1940 | ALL WOOD UNDERFRAMES OUTLAWED. |
| 1920 | I.T.C. SYSTEM INSTALLED IN CLASSIFICATION YARDS ON THE CCC&StL AND L&N. |
| 1940 | ARCH BAR TRUCKS BANNED IN INTERCHANGE AFTER 7/1/40 |
| 1941 | EMD FORMED WHEN GM MERGES WINTON ENGINE AND EMC INTO ONE CORPORATION. |
| 1942 | I.T.C. SYSTEM INSTALLED IN ROANOKE YARD OF THE N&W. |
| 1942 | THE NEW YORK CENTRAL INTRODUCES THE FIRST "CLEARANCE CAR", THE X-800. |
| 1944 | SCOTCHLITE LETTERING FIRST USED BY GREAT NORTHERN |
| 1944 | THE FIRST RED/WHITE OSCILLATING LIGHT WAS DEVELOPED BY THE MARS SIGNAL LIGHT COMPANY. |
| 1944 | FAIRBANKS-MORSE ENTERS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE BUSINESS. |
| 1945 | THE FIRST RED/WHITE PORTABLE OSCILLATING LIGHT FOR THE REAR END OF TRAINS WAS DEVELOPED BY THE MARS SIGNAL LIGHT COMPANY. |
| 1945 | WOOD WALKWAYS OUTLAWED ON NEW CARS. |
| 1945 | CB&Q BUILDS THE FIRST "VISTA-DOME" PASSENGER CAR. AN IDEA THAT WAS PATENTED IN 1891 BY T.J. MCBRIDE OF WINNEPEG CANADA BUT NEVER BUILT. |
| 1946 | "HOTBOX DETECTORS' INSTALLED ON ALL PASSENGER AND ROLLING STOCK OF THE NEW YORK CENTRAL. |
| 1947 | LIMA LOCOMOTIVE & HAMILTON CORP. MERGED TO BECOME LIMA-HAMILTON. |
| 1948 | MECHANICAL REFRIGERATORS PLACED IN SERVICE BY FRUIT GROWERS EXPRESS. |
| 1948 | PLATE B CARS ADOPTED MAXIMUM HEIGHT 15'-1" |
| 1949 | REWEIGHING OF BOX, STOCK, REEFERS BEGINS AFTER 1ST 30 MOS, 48 MONTHS THEREAFTER. |
| 1950 | BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE BUYS LIMA-HAMILTON CORP. BECOMES BALDWIN-LIMA-HAMILTON. |
| 1950 | GENERAL MOTORS DIESEL LTD.(GMDL) CREATED IN CANADA, LATER CHANGED TO GENERAL MOTORS DIESEL DIVISION (GMDD) |
| 1953 | KC BRAKES BANNED FROM INTERCHANGE |
| 1954 | COMPOSITION BRAKE SHOES(COBRA)INTRODUCED |
| 1955 | INTERMODAL FREIGHT REPORTED AS A SEPARATE FREIGHT. |
| 1955 | AIRSLIDE HOPPERS INTRODUCED |
| 1955 | ALLIED FULL-CUSHION TRUCK BANNED, DUE TO DERAILMENTS |
| 1955 | TRAILER-TRAIN ORGANIZED BY PRR, N&W AND RAIL-TRAILER COMPANY. |
| 1955 | AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY BECOMES ALCO PRODUCTS INC. |
| 1956 | BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS QUITS BUILDING DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES. |
| 1956 | ICC MANDATES USE OF HEADLIGHTS DURING DAYTIME. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1958 | TRUCKS, NEW OR SECONDHAND, APPLIED TO CARS BUILT NOW ON OR AFTER 1/1/58 MUST HAVE AAR APPROVED SIDEFRAMES, FROM OWNERS. AAR APPROVED SIDEFRAMES MUST BE CAST "U" SECTION WITH INTEGRAL JOURNAL PEDESTALS. CAST STEEL TRUCK SIDE FRAMES HAVING "T", "I" OR "L" SECTION COMPRESSION OR TENSION MEMBERS, PROHIBITED UNDER ALL CARS IN INTERCHANGE. TRUCKS, WITH ARCH BARS, PROHIBITED UNDER ALL CARS, LOCOMOTIVE CRANES, LOCOMOTIVE TENDERS AND DERRICKS IN INTERCHANGE. |
| 1958 | CAST IRON WHEELS BANNED FROM SERVICE |
| 1959 | WELDED ALUMINUM WITHOUT CENTER SILL INTRODUCED |
| 1959 | HYDROCUSHION UNDERFRAMES INTRODUCED |
| 1959 | 85 FOOT FLATCARS WITH KINGPIN HITCH INTRODUCED |
| 1960 | TRI-LEVEL AUTORACKS INTRODUCED BY TRAILER-TRAIN |
| 1960 | SOUTHERN RAILWAY INTRODUCES UNIT-TRAIN COAL SERVICE. |
| 1960 | GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. INTRODUCES IT'S FIRST DIESEL THE U25B |
| 1962 | ELECTRIC OPERATION ENDS ON THE N&W(EX VIRGINIAN) |
| 1963 | HI-CUBE BOX CARS USED ON THE L&N |
| 1963 | FAIRBANKS-MORSE QUITS BUILDING DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES. |
| 1963 | PLATE C CARS ADOPTED, MAXIMUM HEIGHT 15'-6" |
| 1964 | ABD BRAKE VALVE INTRODUCED |
| 1966 | ROOF WALKS ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED BY THE ICC. 1974 SET AS TARGET DATE FOR REMOVAL OF ALL ROOF WALKS AND HIGH HAND BRAKES. |
| 1966 | NEW FREIGHT CARS ORDERED AFTER 4/66 AND/OR DELIVERED AFTER 10/66 WERE REQUIRED TO BE BUILT WITHOUT ROOFWALKS AND WITH LOW HAND BRAKES. |
| 1966 | THE US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION AND FEDERAL RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION(FRA) CAME INTO EXISTENCE UNDER PUBLIC LAW 89-670. |
| 1966 | C.O.T.S. INTRODUCED BY AAR, RULE 60, APPLIES TO AIR BRAKES ONLY. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1967 | THRALL INTRODUCES THE ALL-DOOR BOXCAR |
| 1968 | ACI LABELS MANDATED BY AAR TO BE INSTALLED NO LATER THAN 1970. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1969 | ALCO PRODUCTS INC. LEAVES THE DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE BUSINESS. |
| 1969 | MONTREAL LOCOMOTIVE WORKS BUYS RIGHTS TO MANUFACTURE ALCO DESIGNS IN CANADA. |
| 1970 | CAST IRON WHEELS BANNED FROM INTERCHANGE |
| 1970 | NEW BOXCARS NOW BEING BUILT WITHOUT ROOF WALKS. |
| 1971 | AMTRAK FORMED, BEGINS SERVICE FOR PASSENGER TRAINS. |
| 1972 | ROLLER BEARINGS REQUIRED FOR ALL CARS HAVING 6-1/2" BY 11" JOURNALS |
| 1972 | C.O.T.S. REVISED, APPLIES TO NEW AND REBUILT CARS ONLY. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1973 | FIRST ENCLOSED TRI-LEVEL AUTORACKS INTRODUCED |
| 1974 | ALL CARS HAVING AN AXLE LOADING GREATER THAN 55,000 LBS MUST HAVE ROLLER BEARINGS |
| 1974 | C.O.T.S. REVISED, APPLIES TO NEW, REBUILT AND EXISTING CARS. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1974 | THE BOXCAR POOL "RAILBOX" IS FORMED. |
| 1974 | TARGET DATE FOR BEGINNING REMOVAL OF ROOF WALKS. |
| 1974 | PLATE E CARS ADOPTED, MAXIMUM HEIGHT 15'-9" |
| 1974 | PLATE G CARS ADOPTED, MAXIMUM HEIGHT 17'-0" |
| 1975 | PLATE H CARS ADOPTED, MAXIMUM HEIGHT 20'-2" |
| 1976 | CONTRASTING STEP EDGES AND HANDRAILS MANDATED BY FRA. TO BE COMPLETE BY 1979. |
| 1976 | ABWD BRAKE VALVE INTRODUCED BY WABCO |
| 1976 | US GOVERMENT FORMS CONRAIL(CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION) |
| 1977 | THE LAST RPO TRAIN IS OPERATED. |
| 1978 | U-1 WHEEL INSPECTION PLATES(white/yellow dots) REQUIRED ON ALL CARS OF LESS THAN 70 TONS AND 33" WHEELS. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| 1978 | ACI LABELS DROPPED AS NOT PRACTICAL |
| 1978 | JUMBO TANKERS REQUIRED TO HAVE SHELF TYPE COUPLERS |
| 1978 | HEAD SHIELDS REQUIRED ON ALL LPG AND ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TANKERS |
| 1978 | FOOTBOARD REMOVAL ON LOCOMOTIVES WAS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 1978. |
| 1979 | ACI LABELS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR INTERCHANGE |
| 1980 | FRA REQUIRES SAFETY PLATE GLASS(MISSLE GLAZING) ON ALL GLASS. SOME ROADS CHOSE TO PLATE OVER WINDOWS NOT REQUIRED FOR OPERATION. EXAMPLES ARE THE CABOOSE SIDE WINDOWS AND THE SMALL WINDOWS ON THE GE UNITS. |
| 1980 | STAGGERS RAIL ACT REDUCES THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION'S REGULATORY JURISDICTION |
| 1981 | U-1 WHEEL INSPECTION(white/yellow dots) DECLARED COMPLETE |
| 1982 | WALKWAYS BANNED ON BOX CARS/REEFERS IN INTERCHANGE |
| 1982 | RAILROADS BEGAN REMOVAL OF CLASSIFICATION LIGHTS. |
| 1982 | C.O.T.S. REVISED, INSPECTION AND RECONDITIONED DATES ELIMINATED. SEE DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION |
| 1984 | MONTREAL LOCOMOTIVE QUITS BUILDING DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES. |
| 1989 | CAPACITY STENCILS NO LONGER REQUIRED. |
| 1991 | ALL TANK CARS IN HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SERVICE MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH JOURNAL ROLLER BEARINGS AND MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH PLAIN BEARINGS." |
| 1995 | ALL CARS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH JOURNAL ROLLER BEARINGS AND MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH PLAIN BEARINGS." |
| 1996 | CONRAIL SOLD TO PRIVATE RAILROADS NS, CSX AND OTHERS. |
| 1996 | AEI "FET'" TAGS REQUIRED ON ALL CARS IN INTERCHANGE. |
| 1996 | ICC(INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMISSION) IS REPLACED BY THE STB(SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD) |