This Day in Railroad History

First Dutch Railway Opens

Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij

Amsterdam

The Netherlands' first public railway line between Amsterdam and Haarlem began operations.

Pacific Electric Interurban Service Begins

Pacific Electric Railway

Los Angeles

Henry Huntington's Pacific Electric Railway inaugurated its first major interurban route from Los Angeles to Pasadena, expanding Southern California's rail network.

Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway begins service

Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway

Wilkes-Barre

The Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway commenced electric interurban operations on July 14, 1903, providing high-speed passenger service across Pennsylvania's anthracite coal region with advanced third-rail technology.

Tokaido Shinkansen Test Runs Begin

Japan National Railways

Tokyo

Japan National Railways conducted high-speed test operations on the Tokaido Shinkansen ahead of its October opening, setting the stage for modern bullet train travel.

World's First Electric Tramway Opens

Siemens & Halske

Berlin

Werner von Siemens launched the first practical electric tram line in the Berlin suburb of Lichterfelde, revolutionizing urban rail transport with overhead power collection.

Trans-Siberian Railway Section Completed

Trans-Siberian Railway

Irkutsk

A major segment of the Trans-Siberian Railway opened, advancing Russia's vast rail network.

Trans-Andean Railway first section opens

Trans-Andean Railway

Mendoza

The initial Mendoza to Las Cuevas segment of the Trans-Andean Railway opened on July 14, 1891, marking the start of rail service across the Andes between Argentina and Chile using innovative rack technology to conquer steep mountain grades.

Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovers Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"

Machu Picchu, Cusco Region

Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovers Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas".

Montparnasse Derailment

Chemins de fer de l'Ouest

Paris

A Granville-Paris express train overran the buffer stop at Gare Montparnasse, crashing through the station wall.