This Day in Railroad History

March 31

1986
40th anniversary
ClosureUnited Kingdom

Closure of the Waverley Route in Scotland

British Rail

Edinburgh

The Waverley Route, a historic Scottish railway line, closed on March 31, 1986, as part of cost-cutting measures, but its legacy lives on through preservation efforts.

1854
172 years ago
OpeningUnited States

Completion of Ohio and Mississippi Railroad

Ohio and Mississippi Railroad

Cincinnati

The Ohio and Mississippi Railroad's line from Cincinnati to St. Louis was completed, marking a key step in connecting the Midwest to the East and facilitating trade and migration.

1870
156 years ago
OpeningJapan

Opening of Japan's First Railway Line

Japanese Government Railways

Shinagawa, Tokyo

The first passenger train in Japan ran between Shinagawa and Yokohama, marking the start of modern rail transport in the country and connecting it to global industrialization.

1889
137 years ago
InnovationGermany

First Electric Streetcar in Europe Opens

Siemens & Halske

Siegen

On March 31, 1889, the first electric streetcar line in Europe began operation in Siegen, Germany, marking a pivotal shift from horse-drawn trams to electrified urban transport.

1903
123 years ago
OpeningUnited States

First Electric Subway in Boston Opens

Boston Elevated Railway

Boston

The Tremont Street Subway in Boston became the first fully electric rapid transit system in the U.S., revolutionizing urban commuting and setting a standard for subways worldwide.

1900
126 years ago
OpeningUnited Kingdom

Blackpool Tramway Electric Service Begins

Blackpool Tramway Company

Blackpool

The Blackpool Tramway in the UK launched its electric service on March 31, 1900, becoming one of the world's first fully electrified tram systems and a model for seaside resort transportation.

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