July 23, 1884 The Iron Railroad (OH, later DT&I) reincorporates as the Iron Railway. Mark Tomlonson

July 22, 1854 Construction begins on the Victoria Bridge at Montreal QC. Designed by Robert Stephenson, the tubular bridge will be used on the Grand Trunk (later CN) main line between Montreal and Halifax NS. Mark Tomlonson

July 21, 1836 The first railroad in Canada, the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad opens from Laprairie to St. Johns, Quebec. The line will become part of the M&C, GTR, and Canadian National. July 21, 1856 Illinois Central runs its first Chicago suburban train, to Hyde Park. July 21, 1926 Ceremonial start of Illinois Central's electrified suburban service in Chicago. Regular service will begin August 7. July 21, 2020 CN announces plans to sell 850 miles of low-density trackage in Michigan, Ontario, and Wisconsin. While the exact lines are not specified in the announcement, most of the routes are from the former Wisconsin Central. Mark Tomlonson

July 18, 1860 The European & North American Railway (parts later CN, others CP) opens between Saint John and Shediac NB. The line was intended to form part of a railroad running between Portland ME and Nova Scotia. Mark Tomlonson

July 17, 1879 The Canadian government purchases the Grand Trunk line between Riviere-du-Loop and Levis, Que., and makes it part of the Intercolonial Railway. (Later CN) July 17, 1954 Last commuter run between Detroit and Port Huron MI on the Grand Trunk Western Mt. Clemens Sub. July 17, 1962 Canadian National paints the “Super Continental” in the new black and grey passenger scheme first shown on the “Ocean Limited”. Mark Tomlonson

July 16, 1945 Canadian National Railway opens its ore dock at Port Arthur ON. Mark Tomlonson

July 15, 1853 The Grand Trunk Railway of Canada merges with 5 other railway companies and is organized as the Grand Trunk Railway. July 15, 1913 The Newlands Act is passed, creating the U.S. Board of Mediation and Conciliation to mediate disputes between railroads and their labor unions. July 15, 1986 Locomotives owned by VIA Rail Canada Inc. are required by the Canada Transport Commission to be equipped with ditch lights. They are the first equipment on the North American continent to have such a requirement, although Canadian railroads have been using ditch lights since the 1920's, especially in areas prone to falling rocks. July 15, 2004 Canadian National assumes full ownership of BC Rail, with the government of British Columbia retaining ownership of the right of way. Mark Tomlonson

July 12, 1871 The first narrow gauge railroad in North America (i.e. the first railroad deliberately built to a gauge smaller than "standard" for economic or engineering reasons), the 3½ foot gauge Toronto & Nipissing Railway, (later MR, GT, CN) opens for business. July 12, 1903 The Canadian Northern Railroad (later CNR) opens between Winnipeg MB and Port Arthur (now Fort William) ON. July 12, 1919 The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which declared bankruptcy in March is turned over to Canadian National. July 12, 1965 Canadian National buys 14 ex-Boston & Maine RDC's. July 13, 1915 Trans-Canada passenger service begins on a collection of lines that will become the Canadian National. July 13, 1957 Sim Webb, Casey Jones' fireman on Jones' famous last run, dies of cancer at age 83. July 14, 1921To simplify operations, the Grand Trunk Railway and Canadian Northern Ontario Railway open a 0.56 km (1800 feet) connection in Lyn ON. July 14, 1943 Opening ceremonies are held at Gare central de Montreal, owned by Canadian National. The structure had been first proposed in 1929. Regular service will begin tomorrow. The station will subsequently be owned by Homburg Invest Inc. (Canmarc) and Cominar REIT. July 14, 2000 The United States Surface Transportation Board’s moratorium on railroad mergers is upheld in court. The moratorium contributes to the failure of a proposed BNSF/CN merger. Mark Tomlonson

July 10, 1858 At 4:30 in the afternoon the first train enters Grand Rapids MI on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later DGH&M, GTW). July 10, 1920 Henry Ford personally buys the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, trying to ensure access to coal and timber for the Ford Motor Company. July 10, 1960 Canadian National steamer 6167 makes her first excursion trip. July 10, 1962 The Gulf, Mobile & Ohio announces a merger feasibility study with the Illinois Central is currently in process. Mark Tomlonson

July 9, 1885 The Mobile & Ohio converts more than 500 miles of broad gauge track to standard gauge in 12 hours. Mark Tomlonson

A smokey CN 120 in Montreal on Canada Day. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/861061/ Michael Berry

July 4, 1843 The Detroit & Pontiac (later GTW) begins operations as it reaches Pontiac MI. Mark Tomlonson

July 3, 1876 The Intercolonial Railroad is completed between Halifax NS and Riviere du Loup QC, where it connects with the Grand Trunk. July 3, 1908 The Grand Trunk depot in Ionia MI catches fire, destroying several freight cars and the Presbyterian Church (which caught fire while Friday services were being conducted) as well as damaging several homes. July 3, 1908 Canadian Northern Ontario Railway (later CNR) is opened between Toronto and Sudbury ON. Mark Tomlonson

July 2, 1860 The Grand Trunk completes its line between levis and Riviere-du-Loup. It will later be extended to Halifax. July 2, 1969 Canadian National’s "Caribou", serving Newfoundland, makes its last regular run. July 2, 2004 CNR clears the last regulatory hurdle in its purchase of BC Rail. Mark Tomlonson

Happy Canada Day! July 1, 1856 The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (later GTW) reaches Owosso from Detroit. July 1, 1876 The rail line from Halifax to Riviere-du-Loup, Que. is opened, completing the line from Halifax to Levis. It will later become part of Canadian National. July 1, 1937 The Federal Railroad Retirement Act begins, covering all U.S. railroads. The Act replaces voluntary retirement and disability on roughly 80 railroads. July 1, 1947 The Association of American Railroads approves the use of Grade C couplers on all new equipment. This coupler is stronger than the previous one and will allow railroads to better exploit the increased tractive effort of diesels compared to steam. July 1, 1995 GTW Corporation sells the former Port Huron Car Shops. Mark Tomlonson

June 29, 1864 A Grand Trunk train in Beloeil, PQ (near St-Hilaire) fails to stop for an open swing bridge. Ninety-nine people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada’s worst train wreck. June 29, 1973 The last passenger train between Detroit and Pontiac MI, Grand Trunk Western 999, leaves Brush Street Depot. Because tracks have already removed to make room for the Renaissance Center, passengers walk a block and a half from the concourse to board the train. June 30, 1940 Last day "archbar" freight trucks can legally operate in U.S. interchange service, and then only on empty cars returning to their home roads. Mark Tomlonson

June 27, 1929 The Ford family sells the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton to Pennroad, a holding company. June 27, 1964 Canadian National absorbs the Oshawa Railway. The railway is perhaps most famous for a picture of a CN switch engine rounding a curve within a few feet of a house’s front porch. Mark Tomlonson

June 25, 1900 Grand Trunk's "International Limited" makes its first run from Montreal to Chicago. There will be no eastbound train with the same official name until World War I. June 25, 1906 The James Bay Railway Company becomes the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway Company. (later Canadian National). Mark Tomlonson

June 24, 1980 Grand Trunk Western gains control of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. June 24, 2008 Ionia MI loses rail service as the last cars are pulled off the former Grand Trunk Western line operated by Mid-Michigan Railroad. Abandonment of the 15.83 mile branch was approved last November. Mark Tomlonson

June 20, 1849 The Vermont Central Railroad opens between Northfield and Montpelier. Mark Tomlonson