In the last 2 weeks there has been 7 (??) of these units heading east. Observed going thru Ingersoll on the Livetrains camera. Again the question, anyone know where they are heading? Doug Renshaw Burlington, ON.

Dec. 27,1859 states Fart Gratiot. How about Fort. Mark is checking to see if we read what he writes. LOL Doug Renshaw Burlington, ON.

December 27, 1859 The Grand Trunk Railway completes construction of the rail line from Toronto to Sarnia ON. Train ferry service is begun to make the connection across the St. Clair River to Fart Gratiot (later Port Huron MI). December 27, 1902 During a raging blizzard, the “Pacific Express” slams into a freight train near Wanstead ON. The two Grand Trunk trains collide as the freight was pulling into the siding for the meet. Thirty-one people are killed. December 27, 1943 The War Department takes possession of all U.S. railroads. December 28, 1917 The United States Railroad Administration takes over operation of all U.S. railroads at 12:00 noon. December 28, 1918 The USRA establishes eight hours as the basic workday, with time-and-a-half the standard for overtime. Mark Tomlonson

December 26, 1896 The Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company operates its first train from Dauphin to Portage la Prairie. Within two years the company is renamed the Canadian Northern Railway Company (later CN). Mark Tomlonson

December 24, 1873 The first through train between New Orleans and Chicago on the Illinois Central arrives in Cairo IL. The train has crossed the Ohio River by ferry. December 24, 1878 The Grand Trunk and the Chicago & Lake Huron Railroads reach an agreement shaping the consolidated railroad, which will eventually be known as the Grand Trunk Western. December 24, 1954 Last steam on the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. December 24, 2008 The United States Surface Transportation Board approves the sale of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern to Canadian National. Mark Tomlonson

December 23, 1851 Ground is broken in both Chicago and Cairo IL for the Illinois Central. December 23, 1930 The Detroit-Toledo Railroad merges with the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. Detroit-Toledo has been a DT&I subsidiary for the last 15 years. December 23, 1968 Canadian National Railways begin using Turbos in revenue service. Mark Tomlonson

December 20, 1918 "Canadian National Railways" is approved as the new name for Canadian Government Railways. December 20, 2021 After several challenges to the motion, the Surface Transportation Board approves the sale of 650 miles of Canadian National branch lines in Wisconsin and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to WATCO. December 21, 1948 Grand Trunk Western opens a new passenger depot in Grand Rapids MI. The structure and associated trackage costs $250,000. ($3.3 million in 2024 dollars.) Mark Tomlonson

December 19, 1881 The land grant railroad Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette (later DSS&A, SOO, WC, CN, GDLK) reaches St. Ignace, spanning Michigan's Upper Peninsula. December 19, 1887 The Illinois Central completes its line to Sioux Falls SD. December 19, 1919 The Canadian National Railways is created by an Order in Council. The creation is meant to unite and rescue five bankrupt railroads: the Grand Trunk, Grand Trunk Pacific, Canadian Northern, Intercolonial and Canadian Government Railways. The new CNR is the longest railroad in North America, with over 50,000 km (31,000 miles) of track in Canada and the United States. Mark Tomlonson

December 18, 1893 The Ottawa, Amprior & Parry Sound Railway (later GT) opens an extension from Amprior to Eganville ON. December 18, 1962 The Interstate Commerce Commission approves Detroit, Toledo & Ironton control of the Ann Arbor Railroad. December 18, 1983 Canadian National abondons track between Renfrew Junction and Whitney ON on its Renfrew Subdivision. Mark Tomlonson

Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago 7:30 pm Central Standard Time Friday, December 20, 2024 Please do not arrive before 7:15 pm. Also, if you are participating on Zoom, please do not join before 7:15 pm on the day of the meeting. Zoom meeting codes are at the end of this message. Our next meeting will be both an in-person meeting and a Zoom meeting. If enough people from outside the Chicago area attending Zoom meetings become Club members, this will encourage the Club to make hybrid meetings a permanent feature. Dues are $20 which includes four glossy newsletters sent by mail. The dues renewal is sent with the fourth newsletter. We still have slide shows which will not be presented via Zoom. Here are details about joining Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago: https://rscc.dhke.com/rscc01.htm#C In-person meeting location Chicago Union Station Room 107A 500 W Jackson Blvd (enter between Clinton and Canal) Chicago, Illinois Metra PTC Installation at the Rocket House - CTA Skokie Shops - Holiday Trains by Bill Edwards Bill Edwards has behind the scenes photographs at Metra Rock Island 47th Street shops and at CTA Skokie Shops. He'll also have a plethora of trains decorated in holiday colors. Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago meets at 7:30 pm Central Time on the third Friday of the month except in July and August. The in-person meeting location is Chicago Union Station Room 107A. Enter at 500 W Jackson Blvd which is between Clinton and Canal. Upcoming programs January 17, 2025: to be announced February 21, 2025: Prague & Munich by Mike Lehman March 21, 2025: TP&W by Bill Shapotkin; this will be a slide presentation, in-person meeting only April 18, 2025: to be announced May 16, 2025: Layover in Savanna by Leo Phillipp For program announcements, please subscribe to our groups.io mailing list. Send a blank email message To: rscc+subscribe@groups.io To obtain Zoom meeting codes for future programs given by Zoom, the best way is to subscribe to our groups.io mailing list. Web site: https://rscc.dhke.com/ Email: shortlinechicagoHS@... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/railroadshortlinecc Phone number answered during the program: 312 725-0432. At other times, leave message with your name and telephone number to receive a call back. Zoom meeting invitation Topic: Metra PTC Installation at the Rocket House - CTA Skokie Shops - Holiday Trains by Bill Edwards Time: 7:30 pm CST Friday December 20 2024 Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81089687625?pwd=VuDwBGohmixaY3bOpTYc5eQAve05sb.1 Meeting ID: 810 8968 7625 Passcode: 997503 One tap mobile 3126266799,,81089687625#,,,,*997503# US (Chicago) 3092053325,,81089687625#,,,,*997503# US Dial by your location 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) 309 205 3325 US 646 931 3860 US 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) 305 224 1968 US 646 558 8656 US (New York) 720 707 2699 US (Denver) 253 205 0468 US 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) 346 248 7799 US (Houston) 360 209 5623 US 386 347 5053 US 507 473 4847 US 564 217 2000 US 669 444 9171 US 689 278 1000 US 719 359 4580 US Meeting ID: 810 8968 7625 Passcode: 997503 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kezUmR2qiA

December 17, 1954 First fully-automated railroad freight yard opens, on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern in Gary IN. Mark Tomlonson

December 16, 1910 In Kinmundy IL, a standing Illinois Central freight is struck by another train that could not slow on a grade due to icy track. No injuries are reported, but the collision breaks open a live poultry car. Many residents of Kinmundy will enjoy a Christmas turkey dinner courtesy of the railroad. Mark Tomlonson

December 11, 1998 Canadian National Railway operates its last train in Ottawa ON. Operation in Ottawa will begin in two days by the Ottawa Central Railway. Mark Tomlonson

December 15, 1896 The first section of what will become the Canadian Northern (later CN) is laid between Gladstone and Dauphin, Manitoba. Mark Tomlonson

December 12, 1859 The Grand Trunk Railway opens the Victoria Bridge, crossing the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and St. Lambert. Until 1873 it will use 5 foot 6 inch (1.68 meter) gauge. It is the first bridge to span the river. The first train will cross the bridge December 17. December 12, 1968 United Aircraft's "Turbotrains" are placed in regular service on the Canadian National. On the press run two days earlier, the train hit a meat truck, an accident viewed on closed circuit TV by over 300 newsmen on board. Mark Tomlonson

December 10, 1908 The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (later CN) completes its 846 meter (2,775 foot) bridge over the Battle River. The bridge is 60 meters (195 feet) above the water. December 10, 1968 The Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, the Switchmen's Union of North American and the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen vote to merge their four unions into a single organization, the United Transportation Union. Mark Tomlonson

December 6, 1917 In the largest explosion to this date (comparable to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945), two ships collide and explode in Halifax NS. The “Imo” is loaded with ballast, the “Mont Blanc” with explosives. Roughly 2,000 people are killed when the “Mount Blanc” explodes. The city suffers extensive damage. Included in the losses: Intercolonial Railway's station (later CN) and associated facilities. December 8, 1919 All passenger train service in Michigan, including on the Grand Trunk, is temporarily halted due to the effects of a month-long national coal miner's strike. 250,000 Michigan workers are also laid off. Mark Tomlonson

December 5, 1922 The Illinois Central introduces its all-Pullman train, “The Floridian”. December 5, 1996 For the last time, Canadian National hauls grain in 12 meter (40 foot) boxcars. December 5, 2003 The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers votes to merge their union with the Teamsters. The Brotherhood will remain autonomous within the merged union. Mark Tomlonson

December 3, 1853 Illinois Central and Michigan Central railroads begin using a temporary station built on fill on the lakefront of Chicago between Randolph and Water Streets. The track has been extended north from 12th Street. December 3, 1919 The Quebec Bridge opens to pedestrian, rail and automobile traffic. Planning for the bridge began in 1899, and it has collapsed twice during construction, killing 89 workers. It is currently owned by Canadian National. December 3, 1920 Canadian National launches its new trans-continental “Continental Limited” passenger train. The train features electrically lit, all-steel cars, and will include open-air observation cars between Jasper and Kamloops in the summer months. December 3, 1979 The ICC grants permission to Grand Trunk Western to buy the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, confirming a court order handed down in July. The ICC gives GTW six months to compete the sale. December 3, 1980 The last continuous, daily, non-fireless steam operation in the United States comes to a close as Chicago's Northwestern Steel & Wire drops the fires of its ex-Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 switchers for the last time. Mark Tomlonson