This Day in Railroad History

New York City Subway Extension

New York City Transit Authority

New York City

Major extension of the IND Queens Boulevard Line opens, improving transit access in Queens.

Panama Railroad Completion

Panama Railroad Company

Panama City

The Panama Railroad, the first transcontinental railroad in the Americas, officially opens after years of construction across the Isthmus of Panama.

Tōkaidō Shinkansen Extension Opens

Japanese National Railways

Okayama

Japan extended its high-speed Shinkansen line from Shin-Osaka to Okayama.

Tokyo-Yokohama Railway Opens

Japanese Government Railways

Tokyo

Japan's first railway line officially opens between Tokyo and Yokohama, marking the start of modern rail transport in the country.

First Train Across Panama Isthmus

Panama Railroad

Colón

The Panama Railroad ran its inaugural locomotive across the isthmus, linking Atlantic and Pacific ports.

First Electric Streetcar in Helsinki

Helsinki Tramway Company

Helsinki

Helsinki introduces its first electric streetcar line, modernizing urban transport in Finland.

Great Northern Railway Cascade Tunnel Opens

Great Northern Railway

Stevens Pass

The Great Northern Railway opened its first Cascade Tunnel, shortening the route over Stevens Pass.

In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515

In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph).

Simplon Tunnel Breakthrough

Brig

The Simplon Tunnel under the Alps achieves breakthrough, becoming the world's longest railway tunnel at the time.