This Day in Railroad History

First passenger train service in India

Great Indian Peninsula Railway

Bombay

The Great Indian Peninsula Railway launched India's inaugural passenger train from Bombay to Thane.

Orient Express inaugural run

Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits

Paris

The luxurious Orient Express departed Paris for Constantinople, revolutionizing long-distance European travel.

Pacific Electric Railway opens first line

Pacific Electric Railway

Los Angeles

Henry Huntington's Pacific Electric began service in Los Angeles, creating the world's largest interurban network.

Nuclear Testing: Pakistan conducts an underground test in the Kharan Desert

Nuclear Testing: Pakistan conducts an underground test in the Kharan Desert. It is reported to be a plutonium device with yield of 20kt TNT equivalent.

American Civil War: The Siege of Corinth ends in a Union victory, with Genera...

American Civil War: The Siege of Corinth ends in a Union victory, with General Henry Halleck capturing the critical rail junction of Corinth, Mississippi from retreating Confederate forces under Ge...