Railfan / Railroad Events

[Yampa Bob]

What are some of the most significant railroad related events? This would include commemoratives, milestones, centennials, historical railroads, etc.  (Worldwide) (Please keep pictures small and stay on topic) 

I have one in mind that has perhaps the largest attendance, if you are thinking the same one, PLEASE NO LINKING TO THE SITES OR PICTURES.   

No, this is not a redo of "all the world railroads", mainly just accomplishments of historical significance.  

I'll start off with Promontory Point: (USA)
http://www.nps.gov/archive/gosp/history/GSNHS_hist.html

Another example, the first passenger train to reach the summit of Pikes Peak.

http://www.cograilway.com/history.htm

[pdlethbridge]

http://www.trainweb.org/horseshoecurve-nrhs/Altoona_area.htm#5

[Yampa Bob]

Interesting reading, thanks Paul.

My favorite railroad study is the Moffat Road and Tunnel.  In 1911, E.H. Harriman and George Gould blocked Moffat's efforts to obtain financing to continue his railroad from Craig westward to Salt Lake City. The two railroad giants wouldn't allow use of the Union Station in Denver for the Moffat Road line, so Moffat had to build his own terminal and depot.  I live in Moffat County.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moffat_Tunnel

http://colorado.railfan.net/moffat/moff1.html

[Santa Fe buff]

With the topic of Horseshoe Curve, you can't forget when the Nazi army planned to destroy the railroad landmark by means of bombs, and so on with other transportation routes, but luckly for us, the plan never went through. One of my favorite railroad lankmarks is Cajon Pass, currently operated by Burlington Nothern Santa Fe, and has shared trackage rights with the Union Pacific Railroad:

http://www.cajonpassrails.com/

You can find quite a lot of information and photographs on that website. I'd like to share a picture of Cajon as well:



(C) 2006 - Railpictures.net -- http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=152371

BNSF 5430 had to stop its trek up the pass on track 1 when it came face-to-face with a brush fire. The fire was located north of the tracks and just east of I-15. The firefighters seemed to have it under control when I left around 4:30 pm.

[Yampa Bob]

Yes, that is interesting from a railfan point of view, however I am more interested in historical accomplishments or milestones, rather than disasters.

For example, England's and America's first railroad, of course you have to define what constitutes a "railroad".  Earlier miners might have set up some sort of iron "rails" to make a "road".  I have seen pictures of ore cars pulled by a team of horses, and from the French translation that qualifies as a "2 horsepower locomotive".   

http://www.factasy.com/civil_war/railroade.shtml

[Yampa Bob]

For trolley fans, restoring passenger service to Issaquah. Explore the left menu for mission statement and history.

http://www.issaquahhistory.org/trolley/photos.htm

Check out the animation at the bottom of this page: (NOTE, all the pictures are copyrighted, which means "Look, but don't touch".

http://www.issaquahhistory.org/depot/cars.htm

[pdlethbridge]

how about this: Soon to be running on the rails again This train set was ahead of its time when made. Only 3 were made and the yankee was number 2 and the only one to be restored.
http://www.flyingyankee.com/

[Yampa Bob]

Santa Fe Buff, please edit your previous post.  Many web sites do not allow linking directly to their content (pictures) due to bandwidth issues. Every time the picture loads somewhere else it costs them money.

Also, it does not follow the general topic of "Historical Accomplishments".

Thanks

[Hamish K]

First Australian railway, Melbourne Victoria 1854. First railway in New South Walws, Sydney to Paramatta 1855. In 1955 there were celebrations to mark the centenary of NSW railways  including a display of all major classes of  locomotive, then in existance, that operated on the New South Wales Government Railways. Also there were  historical displays etc. At the time I was a boy in Sydney and my father took me to the display, I still remember it. Most of the locos were  steam although diesels were arriving and on display.

Hamish