On this Day - 1st December (1933)
First (press trip) run of a GWR diesel railcar

Shown by day of year • Select ((here)) to sort by year

1st December
First (press trip) run of a GWR diesel railcar	1933 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
First passenger train through Severn Tunnel	1886 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
30th November
Cyclist killed by lorry	1936 (Monday)	discussion	statista
29th November
TransPennine Electrification Announced	2011 (Tuesday)	discussion	facebook
28th November
Closure of Abbotsbury branch	1952 (Friday)	discussion	dorsetecho
26th November
Great Storm	1703 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia historytoday onlinelibrary rmg
25th November
Reading Station redevelopment nears competion	1899 (Saturday)	discussion
24th November
Head on collision Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon	1960 (Thursday)	discussion	railwaysarchive
23rd November
Closure of line from Pilning to Severn Beach to passenger services	1964 (Monday)	discussion	com
21st November
Canoe River Train Crash	1950 (Tuesday)	discussion	therockymountai...
20th November
Restoration of service to Okehampton	2021 (Saturday)	discussion
19th November
Last boat train to Stranraer	2011 (Saturday)	discussion
Montreal and Lachine Railroad Opened	1847 (Friday)		thecanadianency...
18th November
Railmotor trips to Looe	2012 (Sunday)	discussion	saltash
17th November
Post from Wuppertal	2022 (Thursday)	discussion
16th November
Foundation of ancestor organsiation to Railfuture	1951 (Friday)	discussion	railfuture
15th November
first revenue earning container train	1965 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia railmagazine
14th November
Railway Mission founded	1881 (Monday)	discussion	sciencemuseumgr...
First Eurostar service leaves Waterloo (International)	1994 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
13th November
Final Eurostar service leaves Waterloo (International)	2007 (Tuesday)	discussion
12th November
Incline lift opens at Greenford	2015 (Thursday)		fourway
11th November
Hitachi and Eversholt Rail develop battery for a GWR intercity battery hybrid train trial	2021 (Thursday)		eversholtrail
~ Opening of Centre for Applied Technology	1973 (Sunday)		wikipedia
8th November
Launch of Peel 50 and Moulton bicycle	1962 (Thursday)		moultonbuzz britishpathe
7th November
Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company registered	1881 (Monday)		gracesguide
6th November
Demolition of Doric Arch, Euston	1961 (Monday)		heritagecalling
5th November
Pilning Station Footbridge removed	2016 (Saturday)	discussion	fosbr
Railways Act receives royal assent	1993 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia org
4th November
Final edition, Great Britain Bus Timetable	2000 (Saturday)
Major reorganisation of buses in the Trowbridge area	1979 (Sunday)		warminstervbrd
2nd November
Watford Gap and Newport Pagnell, opened with temporary facilities	1959 (Monday)		wikipedia
1st November
Isle of Wight line reopens with class 484 trains	2021 (Monday)		wikipedia
Diesel train speed record - class 43 / HST, East Coast Main Line, 148 mph	1987 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Tintern Station opened	1876 (Wednesday)
Requirement to provide a daily train at 1d per mile max	1844 (Friday)		wikipedia
31st October
Last run of "Night Ferry"	1980 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
Closure of Longmoor Military Railway	1969 (Friday)		wikipedia
Birth of Colonel Holman Fred Stephens	1868 (Saturday)	discussion	northsomersetti...
29th October
Bristol Industrial Museum closes	2006 (Sunday)		bristolindustri...
Transport Analysis Guidance published by DfT	2013 (Tuesday)		gov
28th October
Inaugural run - Spirit of Queensland	2013 (Monday)		wikipedia
27th October
last cross Channel ferry from Southampton	1996 (Sunday)		wikipedia
26th October
Coffee Shop Facebook page created	2018 (Friday)	discussion	facebook
Bus deregulation	1986 (Sunday)		wikipedia
25th October
Severn Bridge Disaster	1960 (Tuesday)		severntales
Open access operator Lumo starts - London to Edinburgh	2021 (Monday)		lumo
24th October
Concorde retires	2003 (Friday)		wikipedia
23rd October
First narrow gauge steam train in UK	1853 (Sunday)	discussion	facebook festipedia
Foundation for Railway Heritage Trust	1984 (Tuesday)	discussion	railwayheritage...
Opening of Birkenhead (Monks Ferry) station	1844 (Wednesday)		wikipedia disused-stations
22nd October
National Rail Museum, Shildon, opened	2004 (Friday)		wikipedia
21st October
Good use for an Adelante	2008 (Tuesday)	discussion
20th October
First meeting, Guild of Railway Artists	1979 (Saturday)	discussion	artbiogs railart
19th October
First Bradshaw's Timetable published	1839 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia free-online free-online
18th October
A report from Eritrea	2003 (Saturday)		asmera eritrea
17th October
Bangkok to Rangoon railway links up	1943 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Rail Accident Investigation Branch becomes operational	2005 (Monday)		wikipedia
16th October
first class 800 into passenger service with GWR	2017 (Monday)		wikipedia facebook
Lacock Halt opened	1905 (Monday)	discussion	wellho wshc
15th October
National Audit Office warns of higher fare and overcrowding	2008 (Wednesday)	discussion
14th October
FGW publishes their passenger charter	2013 (Monday)	discussion
12th October
Release in EU of Rail Simultor game	2007 (Friday)		wikipedia
Last milk train on SR - from Torrington	1978 (Thursday)	discussion	sremg
Steam motors enter regular service with GWR	1903 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
10th October
~ Rail Real Ale Trail	2015 (Saturday)		beerhouses
8th October
Harrow and Wealdstone Rail Crash	1952 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
6th October
Opening of Rainhill Trials	1829 (Tuesday)		wikipedia
5th October
Ladbroke Grove collision	1999 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
Newquay Signal Box closed	1987 (Monday)
Barnstaple to Ilfracome line closed	1970 (Monday)
4th October
First Escalator switched on, Earls Court	1911 (Wednesday)	discussion	funtrivia
HST - first public service	1976 (Monday)	discussion	news
Last mail exchange at speed by a travelling post office	1971 (Monday)	discussion	postalmuseum
3rd October
Ashton Avenue Bridge opened	1906 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
Opening of Martins Heron station	1988 (Monday)
Teeside Airport station opens	1971 (Sunday)	discussion
2nd October
What now for Britain's Railways?	2003 (Thursday)		news
Launch of PS Waverley	1946 (Wednesday)		nationalhistori...
1st October
Last run of Double Decker train	1971 (Friday)	discussion	bloodandcustard
Opening of the Queen Adelaide loop, Ely	1890 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
30th September
BRB Residuary Body abolished	2013 (Monday)	discussion	gov
District line trains cease to serve Slough	1885 (Wednesday)	discussion	londonist
29th September
TransWilts is designated, and marketing award for Weymouth Wizard	2016 (Thursday)	discussion	forum
Lynton and Barnstaple closed	1935 (Sunday)	discussion
28th September
Westinghouse Air Brake Company founded	1869 (Tuesday)		wikipedia
Final DFDS Ferry, Harwich to Esbjerg	2014 (Sunday)	discussion	harwichesbjerg
27th September
Opening of Stockton to Darlington Railway	1825 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
24th September
Fastest modern run - Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington, 72 minutes	2019 (Tuesday)
22nd September
Swindon Tramway opened	1904 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
Railway Clearing House standardises GMT	1847 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st September
~ Traction decarbonisation strategy published	2020 (Monday)		networkrail
20th September
Closures on Isle of Wight	1953 (Sunday)	discussion	islandecho
Formation meeting - Save The Train	2005 (Tuesday)	discussion	wellho
Black Dog Halt closed	1965 (Monday)		wikipedia
19th September
Southall Rail Crash	1997 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
18th September
Last public service Waterford to Rosslare	2010 (Saturday)	discussion	wexfordtoday
16th September
Truro (Newham) station bypassed	1863 (Wednesday)	discussion	free-online
15th September
First Great Western rebrands Great Western Railway	2015 (Tuesday)	discussion
Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens	1830 (Wednesday)
13th September
Final day, All The Stations	2017 (Wednesday)		youtube
12th September
West Wiltshire Model Railway Circle founded	1967 (Tuesday)		westwiltsmrc
Last Surbiton to Okehampton Car Carrier	1964 (Saturday)		bloodandcustard
Newport Transporter Bridge opened	1906 (Wednesday)		newport
11th September
DfT - "a good day to bury bad news"	2001 (Tuesday)	discussion	civilservant
10th September
Devon and Cornwall railcards combined	2006 (Sunday)		wikipedia
End date for Rail Development Group "Easier Fares" consultation	2018 (Monday)		forum
9th September
Final run of slip coach	1960 (Friday)		facebook
Final commuter trains from Swindon to Melksham	2006 (Saturday)		wellho
8th September
Final run of "Pines" over Somerset and Dorset	1962 (Saturday)
Calstock Wagon Hoist advertised for scrap	1938 (Thursday)		saltash
New Passage Pier open to public	1863 (Tuesday)		bristol-rail
7th September
~ Withdrawal from public use of last camping coach	1971 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
5th September
First Imberbus	2009 (Saturday)	discussion	passengertransp... imberbus
2nd September
Opening of railway through Melksham	1848 (Saturday)	discussion	twhc
1st September
Harry Potter meets Ronald Weasley and Hermione Grainger on the Hogwards Express	1991 (Sunday)	discussion	harrypotter
Transport 2000 renames as Better Transport	2007 (Saturday)		wikipedia
31st August
Harrier Jump Jet makes first flight	1966 (Wednesday)
30th August
Fishguard Harbour station opened	1906 (Thursday)
28th August
Opening of Seaton Tranway	1970 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
27th August
First Jet Aircraft flight	1939 (Sunday)
26th August
Bristol Queen breaks a paddle wheel	1967 (Saturday)	discussion	paddlesteamers
25th August
Line from Swindon to Kemble redouble completed	2014 (Monday)	discussion	bbc
22nd August
~ Nightstar train testing starts	1996 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st August
Dismaland opens in Weston	2015 (Friday)		wikipedia
19th August
Merehead Rail Terminal opened	1970 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
Night Tube services commence	2016 (Friday)		wikipedia railfaneurope
18th August
Strikers extinuish fire on locomotive - Llanelli	1911 (Friday)		historypoints
15th August
Virgin pulls out of further franchise bids	2012 (Wednesday)
14th August
180112 at KX on the 16:05 to Hull	2009 (Friday)		traintesting traintesting
13th August
~ Great Horseless Carriage Company - maker of electric taxis - closes down	1899 (Sunday)		sciencemuseumgr... taxis-in-chester
12th August
Head on Collision, Rhode Island. First accident photographed	1853 (Friday)		wikipedia
11th August
Cambridge Guided Busway begins operation	2011 (Thursday)
savethetrain.org.uk domain registered	2005 (Thursday)
Last British Rail operated steam train on standard gauge	1968 (Sunday)
10th August
Opening West Hill Cliff Lift, Hastings	1902 (Sunday)		visit1066country
8th August
Great Train Robbery	1963 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
Waterloo and City Line opened	1898 (Monday)
7th August
First "Well House" transport blog	2004 (Saturday)		wellho
First Bluebell Railway train	1960 (Sunday)	discussion
5th August
Defining the InterCity brand	2013 (Monday)		europebyrail
Treganna Castle Hotel opens	1878 (Monday)		wikipedia
4th August
Volks Electric Railway opens	1883 (Saturday)	discussion	volkselectricra...
3rd August
Network Rail - first survey by drone	2018 (Friday)		railtech
1st August
Closure of Wantage Tramway	1925 (Saturday)
31st July
Recycled Plastic Sleepers in use	2021 (Saturday)		networkrailmedi...
Picadilly line open to Cockfosters	1933 (Monday)
30th July
First British built electric buses on London's Roads	2014 (Wednesday)		gov
29th July
First electric-only train reaches Cardiff	2021 (Thursday)
28th July
Last Commercial flight from Plymouth Airport	2011 (Thursday)
27th July
Opening of Pneumatic Railway at Crystal Palace	1864 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
26th July
~ Cass Scenic Railword and WVAGM	2001 (Thursday)	discussion	hawkinsrails
25th July
Hovertravel service Portsmouth to Ryde starts	1965 (Sunday)		wikipedia
23rd July
First Bus announces North Devon pullout	2012 (Monday)		cbwmagazine
20th July
Barnstaple to Ilfracome line opened	1874 (Monday)
19th July
Class 153 cycle carriages come to West Highland Line	2021 (Monday)		wikipedia
18th July
Longest Swing Bridge opens	1876 (Tuesday)		theguardian
16th July
Crashworthness test of Nuclear Flask train	1984 (Monday)		wikipedia
14th July
Beer Heights light railway opens	1975 (Monday)		wikipedia
Chris Grayling becomes Minister of State at the Department for Transport	2016 (Thursday)		wikipedia
12th July
Final run - Drumm Battery Train	1949 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia facebook ucd irishcentral youtube
11th July
Swindon Tramway closed	1929 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia swindonadvertiser
10th July
Marlow Station relocated	1967 (Monday)	discussion	nrmfriends
6th July
Fire in a sleeper train at Taunton leaves 12 dead	1978 (Thursday)
5th July
Kingsway Tram Tunnel closed	1952 (Saturday)		underground-his...
Office of Rail Regulator established	2004 (Monday)
3rd July
TransWilts to Weymouth - summer trips revived	2011 (Sunday)		forum
2nd July
Inaugural meeting of Transport Planning Society	1997 (Wednesday)		org
Uber Launches in London	2012 (Monday)		wikipedia d1nyezh1ys8wfo
Saltash Signal Box closes	1973 (Monday)		saltash
Transport Act 1962 (Amendment) Act 1981 ("Speller")	1981 (Thursday)		railwaysarchive
1st July
First run - Cornish Riviera Express	1904 (Friday)		wikipedia
Maidenhead Railway Bridge first used	1839 (Monday)		railengineer
Badminton cutoff opens to passengers	1903 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
Wick and Lybster Railway opened	1903 (Wednesday)
Devizes Station opened	1857 (Wednesday)
30th June
Box Tunnel opened	1841 (Wednesday)		networkrail
Oyster cards introduced	2003 (Monday)
29th June
First through passenger train leaves St Johns for Port-aux-Basques	1898 (Wednesday)
28th June
Flexi Ticket Launch	2021 (Monday)		gov
23rd June
First use of water troughs	1860 (Saturday)		wikipedia
22nd June
Chippenham Station Building "listed"	1978 (Thursday)		historicengland
Kensington Olympia to Perth Motorail goes double deck	1966 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
GWR Museum opened on Farringdon Road, Swindon	1962 (Friday)
Empire Wndrush arrives at Tilbury	1948 (Tuesday)		historytoday
21st June
Proposal to close Breich station	2017 (Wednesday)	discussion
18th June
Transport Users' Consultative Committee members revealed	1958 (Wednesday)	discussion	parliament
17th June
Museum of Bristol opens in M Shed	2011 (Friday)		wikipedia
16th June
Last passenger train services to Nailsworth	1947 (Monday)
15th June
GWR Community Rail conference at Swindon	2018 (Friday)	discussion	forum
13th June
First journey by a reigning monarch by train	1842 (Monday)		wikipedia
11th June
ASR class enter service in Thailand	1991 (Tuesday)		wikipedia
Eltham Well Hall rail crash	1972 (Sunday)
10th June
First parking meter, Mayfair	1958 (Tuesday)		britishparking
Launch of Network SouthEast	1986 (Tuesday)
Last car carrying train from Pilning	1966 (Friday)
9th June
Christow station closed to passengers	1958 (Monday)	discussion
7th June
Bath Bus Station opened	2009 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
6th June
~ First Crossrail suggestion	1941 (Friday)		wikipedia
4th June
Great Western Preservation Society launched	1962 (Monday)
Locomotive Manufacturers Association (now Rail Industry Association) set up	1875 (Friday)		riagb
3rd June
End of Third class - renamed to second!	1956 (Sunday)	discussion	turniprail
Patent filed for axle counter	1960 (Friday)		wikipedia
1st June
Dilton Marsh Halt opened	1937 (Tuesday)	discussion
31st May
Southern Railway gauge switch	1886 (Monday)	discussion	youtube southern
29th May
Final passenger service of a Pacer	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	wales
Paddington Station Opened	1854 (Monday)
27th May
Opening of Great Hall at Euston	1849 (Sunday)		wikipedia
25th May
authoristion of East Cornwall Mineral Railway	1871 (Thursday)		saltash
British Airways and Southern Railway launched scheduled flights from Gatwick to the IOW	1936 (Monday)
24th May
Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, paving the way for the first national rail strike since 1994	2021 (Monday)
Falkirk Wheel opens	2002 (Friday)
22nd May
First steam locomotive to operate on Mull	1983 (Sunday)	discussion	archive
20th May
Publication of Great British Railways - The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail	2021 (Thursday)	discussion
Last broad gauge train from London to Penzance	1892 (Friday)	discussion	nrmfriends orpheusweb
19th May
Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Jail	1897 (Wednesday)
LMS Coronation Class 46236 City of Bradford on GWR	1948 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
18th May
Trying to take his horse on the train	2011 (Wednesday)	discussion	theguardian metro sciencemuseumgr...
17th May
First through trains Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock	1876 (Wednesday)	discussion
16th May
~ Railway Technical Centre, Derby, opens	1964 (Saturday)		wikipedia
15th May
Tom Harris announces £5000 per CRP	2008 (Thursday)		railwayeye
1S76 - Brighon and Eastbourne to Glasgow	1989 (Monday)	discussion	1s76
14th May
first Tal-y-llyn trains run under preservation	1951 (Monday)	discussion	talyllyn
13th May
Melksham Station reopened	1985 (Monday)	discussion
Bournemouth Trolley Bus opened	1933 (Saturday)		yellowbuses
12th May
First "Thomas the Tank Engine" book published	1945 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
New station - Winnersh Triangle	1986 (Monday)	discussion
New station - Tiverton Parkway	1986 (Monday)	discussion
11th May
Last commercial boat - Thames and Severn summit	1911 (Thursday)	discussion	cotswoldcanals
Westbury reduced to 3 platforms	1984 (Friday)	discussion	signallingnotices
Station opens, Lake (IOW)	1987 (Monday)	discussion
Lynton and Barnstaple opened	1898 (Wednesday)	discussion
9th May
Train of feathers delivered to Melksham	1928 (Wednesday)	discussion	wiltshiretimes
City of Truro, 102 mph	1904 (Monday)	discussion	railhistory wikipedia
8th May
BR rationalises and largely kills wet fish traffic	1964 (Friday)	discussion	bloodandcustard
7th May
Day 1, All The Stations	2017 (Sunday)	discussion	youtube
6th May
First run of Clansman	1974 (Monday)		whitropesiding
First tweet from GWR/FGW	2011 (Friday)		twitter
DfT / SRA future service level discussion	2005 (Friday)		savethetrain
Channel Tunnel opened	1994 (Friday)
Trains between Exeter and Plymouth via Okehampton withdrawn	1968 (Monday)
5th May
Blue Pullman farewell tour	1973 (Saturday)		railcar
4th May
First WECA Mayor elected	2017 (Thursday)		thebritishacademy
Festival of Britain opens to public	1951 (Friday)		historic-uk
3rd May
Lochluichart new station opens	1954 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
~ Just one working lower quadrant distant signal left	2018 (Thursday)	discussion	railwayworld
2nd May
Last special train to Weymouth Quay	1999 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Wilton South station opened	1859 (Monday)
Royal Albert Bridge opens	1859 (Monday)
1st May
Bristol Parkway station opens	1972 (Monday)
Amtrak founded	1971 (Saturday)		amtrak
Helicopter service from Penzance to Scilly Isles starts	1964 (Friday)
Inauguaral non stop "Flying Scotsman" London to Edinburgh	1928 (Tuesday)
Great Exhibition opens	1851 (Thursday)		wikipedia
30th April
Brighton Belle withdrawn	1972 (Sunday)	discussion	brightonbelle
29th April
Patent award for Janney (Buckeye) coupling	1973 (Sunday)		wikipedia wikipedia
Bristol Bus Boycott announced	1963 (Monday)		blackhistorymonth
28th April
GNER franchise (Sea Containers) starts on ECML	1996 (Sunday)		wikipedia
26th April
DOO strikes start on Southern	2016 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st April
Battery Multiple Unit enters public service	1958 (Monday)	discussion	railcar
20th April
Opening of Sapperton Canal Tunnel	1789 (Monday)
19th April
Foundation, Beatties of London	1938 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
18th April
SEWWEB leaflet launched and Aztec West	2018 (Wednesday)	discussion	forum
Melksham Station closed	1966 (Monday)	discussion
17th April
Formation Committee Meeting, TransWilts CRP	2010 (Saturday)	discussion	wellho
16th April
~ Tulyar arrives at Swanley New Barn Railway	1987 (Thursday)	discussion	steamdriver weebly
15th April
~ Introduction of first Motor Luggage Van	1959 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
13th April
First (broad gauge) train ran complete line from Oxford via Worcester to Wolverhampton	1854 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
12th April
London Transport bans bus advert	2012 (Thursday)
11th April
Mystery tour from Worksop (Eastbourne)	1977 (Monday)		sixbellsjunction
10th April
Scottish Golf by Train website registered	2014 (Thursday)	discussion	scottishgolfbyt...
9th April
Rail to Refuge goes nationwide	2020 (Thursday)		raildeliverygroup
8th April
XPT passenger trains enter service in Australia	1982 (Thursday)		wikipedia
6th April
Two Tunnels cycleway opens	2013 (Saturday)	discussion	bbc twotunnels
5th April
Ballast Dust working group publications	2016 (Tuesday)		networkrail
First passenger train - South Devon Railway	1969 (Saturday)		wikipedia
4th April
Release of Great St Trinians Train Robbery	1966 (Monday)		wikipedia
Railway Clerks Union (now TSSA) formed	1897 (Sunday)		documentcloud tssa
3rd April
Wick and Lybster Railway closed	1944 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
1st April
SEWWEB - An April Fool that makes sense	2018 (Sunday)	discussion	sewweb sewweb
National Senior Railcard introduced	1975 (Tuesday)		wikipedia
Wessex Trains, Thames Trains and Great Western combined into single franchise	2006 (Saturday)
31st March
Last run of 4EPB	1995 (Friday)		youtube youtube
Last day of CAPRI; replaced by LENNON	2002 (Sunday)		wikipedia
30th March
Cycle Hire available at Melksham Station	2021 (Tuesday)	discussion
"Person hit by train" forum advice thread started	2010 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
29th March
Foundation of National Union or Railwaymen	1913 (Saturday)		wikipedia
28th March
Formal end to carrying coffins by BR	1988 (Monday)		wikipedia
Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore closed	1917 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
MOD Kineton tour, branch line society	1992 (Saturday)		rogerfarnworth
Woman found murdered on Orpington to London train	1988 (Monday)		wikipedia
27th March
Publication of Beeching Report	1963 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
26th March
Britain's last trolley bus system (Bradford) closes	1972 (Sunday)
launch of TransWilts Community Rail Partnership	2010 (Friday)		savethetrain
Swindon Works closed	1986 (Wednesday)
ERTMS goes operational across Cambrian lines	2011 (Saturday)		wikipedia ertms
25th March
Thames Tunnel opens to public	1843 (Saturday)		wikipedia
23rd March
Lockdown - Covid-19	2020 (Monday)
Bluebell Railway services start to East Grinstead	2013 (Saturday)
22nd March
Closure - Cononley station	1965 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st March
Runaway Mine Train opens at Alton Towers	1992 (Saturday)		wikipedia
20th March
Warrington bomb in rubbish bin leads to removal of rubbish bins from railway stations	1993 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
~ Most expensive Totem at Auction?	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	gwra
18th March
Naming of "Evening Star"	1960 (Friday)		wikipedia
17th March
~ Research into use of TVMs	2018 (Saturday)		gov
16th March
~ Cook's European timetable first published	1873 (Sunday)		wikipedia
15th March
Bus Back Better launched	2021 (Monday)	discussion
14th March
Baku Children's Railway construction starts	1947 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
Ferryhill turntable back in use	2019 (Thursday)	discussion	frht
13th March
Website of the week - Man in seat 61	2004 (Saturday)	discussion	seat61
12th March
First narrow gauge train over Croesor crossing	2009 (Thursday)	discussion	welshhighlandhe...
11th March
Formation of Cotswold Line Promotion Group	1978 (Saturday)	discussion	clpg
Opening of Clifton Rocks Railway	1893 (Saturday)	discussion	cliftonrocksrai...
Penzance Station opened	1852 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
10th March
FGW make all trains no smoking	2000 (Friday)	discussion	forum
9th March
Rail industry confirms future potential demand for new trains and carriages	2015 (Monday)	discussion	eversholtrail
8th March
Leader - Bullied expresses confidence	1950 (Wednesday)		sremg
First "Where is this" picture quiz	2007 (Thursday)	discussion	forum
Seaton Tramway extension Colyton to Colyford	1980 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
7th March
The Western Region of British Railways closes the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway	1966 (Monday)	discussion	bbc wikipedia
Passenger services withdrawn from Wilton South	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
6th March
Ffriog Cutting accident - lead to avalache shelter	1933 (Monday)	discussion	historypoints ambaile
5th March
First passenger train (heritage) Alderney	1980 (Wednesday)	discussion	alderneyrailway
3rd March
Race across the world	2019 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
2nd edition of GRIP process	2012 (Saturday)	discussion	networkrail railengineer
2nd March
TravelWatch SouthWest - final pre-covid in real life general meeting	2020 (Monday)	discussion	travelwatchsout...
Withdrawal of passenger services Swindon to Highworth	1952 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
Callington Station opened	1908 (Monday)	discussion
1st March
Civil Aviation Authority established	1972 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia wickersworld
Opening of Defiance Halt	1905 (Wednesday)	discussion	saltash
Opening of Listowel and Ballybunion Railway	1888 (Thursday)	discussion	monorails rogerfarnworth
29th February
Cholsey and Moulesford opened and Moulsworth (Wallingford Road) closed	1892 (Monday)
28th February
Greta Thunberg in Bristol	2020 (Friday)	discussion	bbc forum
Moorgate Tube disaster	1975 (Friday)	discussion	london-fire railmagazine
First order placed for Brush 47 locomotives	1961 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia worldwiderails
Last day of service - Acton Town to South Acton	1959 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
27th February
1st transport of French Jews to Nazi Germany	1942 (Friday)	discussion	onthisday encyclopedia
26th February
Midwinter Lull?	2022 (Saturday)	discussion
25th February
Swindon Works authorised	1841 (Thursday)	discussion	swindonweb
24th February
< King William Street station closed	1900 (Saturday)
Paddington Bear statue unveiled	2000 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
23rd February
GoCo rebrands Go-Op	2012 (Thursday)	discussion	go-op swindonadvertiser
22nd February
GoCo proposal - class 50 Yeovil to Oxford	2011 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
21st February
< First locomotive-hauled railway journey, Trevithick, Penydarren	1804 (Tuesday)
The last shunting horse to work on British Rail, "Charlie" at Newmarket, is retired.	1967 (Tuesday)	discussion	pinterest booksandmud
20th February
Final closure of Swindon panel	2016 (Saturday)	discussion	forum swindonpanel
19th February
Know your stations quiz	2017 (Sunday)	discussion
18th February
Various Railway Accidents	1902 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
17th February
Introduction of London congestion charge	2003 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
First diesel express from Paddington	1958 (Monday)	discussion	bbc
16th February
Weekend returns avaiable on The Midland	1907 (Saturday)	discussion
15th February
Initial journey - Jellicoe Express	1917 (Thursday)	discussion	londonremembers theorkneynews
14th February
Last train to call at Bicester TOWN	2014 (Friday)
Great Marlow renamed to Marlow	1889 (Thursday)
13th February
First test firing of rail mounted gun - Elam Valley	1941 (Thursday)	discussion	disused-stations wikipedia wikipedia
12th February
Western Pathfinder (D1001) build date	1962 (Monday)	discussion	westernlocomoti... wikipedia
Curry Rivel to Castle Cary opened to freight	1906 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
11th February
Appeal for funds for Gladstone	1927 (Friday)	discussion	stephensonloco
Kilmersdon Colliery opens	1875 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia theimportanceof... irsociety
10th February
Harold Wood - Brentwood accident	1941 (Monday)	discussion	railwaysarchive wikipedia
9th February
Blockage through snow - Aviemore to Forres	1963 (Saturday)	discussion	derbysulzers
8th February
< London Necropolis railway station resited	1902 (Saturday)		wikipedia wikipedia
Swansea to Carmarthen doubled	1853 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia broadgauge
7th February
Timber Ferrybridge replace by steel bridge	1909 (Sunday)	discussion	portlandhistory
Formation of ASLEF	1880 (Saturday)	discussion	nationalarchives
Boiler explosion, Gloucester	1855 (Wednesday)	discussion	firstgreatweste... railwaysarchive wikipedia
6th February
Class 151 in service	1986 (Thursday)	discussion	traintesting traintesting
Document archive added to Coffee Shop	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	forum
5th February
< Closure - Alton to Fareham	1955 (Saturday)
Foundation meeting, heritage railway to Minehead	1971 (Friday)	discussion	mineheadraillin... wikipedia
4th February
Dawlish Washout	2014 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
South West Trains franchise starts	1996 (Sunday)	discussion	stagecoachgroup
Great Western Intercity franchise commences	1996 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia wikipedia
Newquay to Chacewater line closes	1963 (Monday)	discussion
Newquay to Chacewater line opens	1905 (Saturday)	discussion
3rd February
First Ghan passenger train reached Darwin	2004 (Tuesday)	discussion	northernterritory wikipedia
2nd February
Children under 5 occupying seats	2012 (Thursday)	discussion
1st February
Shuttle Columbia breaks up on re-entry	2003 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
31st January
"Princess Victoria" capsized off Stanraer, 133 die	1953 (Saturday)	discussion	historic-uk belfasttelegraph wikipedia bbc
30th January
Great Western Railway Temperance Union	1890 (Thursday)	discussion	turniprail wikipedia
29th January
"Western Fusilier" rail tour - Paddington to Hereford	1977 (Saturday)	discussion	sixbellsjunction wikimedia
Holborn Viaduct station closes	1990 (Monday)	discussion	disused-stations
28th January
First posts on the Coffee Shop forum	2007 (Sunday)	discussion	forum
27th January
Torbay Tramway closed because of snow	1910 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia tramwayinfo
26th January
firstgreatwestern.info domain registered	2007 (Friday)	discussion	forum
25th January
FGW announces link with Singapore Airlines	2014 (Saturday)	discussion	futuretravelexp...
24th January
More Train Less Strain call on Ruth Kelly to remove franchise from FGW	2008 (Thursday)	discussion	forum dailymail
Hansard on First Great Western	2007 (Wednesday)	discussion	parliament
23rd January
Start of 6 weeks of snowfall	1947 (Thursday)	discussion	metoffice wikipedia
22nd January
Sailpowered Rail	1830 (Friday)	discussion	douglas-self wikipedia
Amtrak New York to Tampa ends	1995 (Sunday)
Famous Train Royal Mail stamps	1985 (Tuesday)	discussion	collectgbstamps
Initial meeting - Women in Community Rail	2016 (Friday)	discussion	wicr
21st January
Early reference to Go-Co	2011 (Friday)	discussion	forum paulgosling
20th January
Opening of Yeovil Pen Mill - Weymouth line	1857 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
19th January
Heathrow Junction Station opens and receives first train	1998 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia ianvisits
Trend to bring back barriers is damaging the customer experience	2008 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia yorkpress news
18th January
Closure Ruabon to Morfa Mawddach	1965 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
17th January
~ Byron Bay Railroad Company launched its solar train	2018 (Wednesday)	discussion	bridgestone
16th January
Winter of discontent - 24 hour rail strike	1979 (Tuesday)	discussion	libcom wikipedia
15th January
RoSCo Eversholt changes hands	2015 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia eversholtrail
14th January
Strategic Rail Authority unveils 10 year plan	2002 (Monday)	discussion	theguardian
13th January
Groupsaves on Ticket Machines	2012 (Friday)	discussion	travel forum
12th January
A quiet day in previous years	2009 (Monday)	discussion
11th January
TVM - a fair weather facility?	2012 (Wednesday)	discussion	forum
10th January
Defibrillators discussion pack published by Network Rail	2017 (Tuesday)	discussion	networkrail theargus
Metropolitain line opened from Paddington	1863 (Saturday)		gov
9th January
Incorporation of Railway Development Society Ltd (now Railfuture)	2004 (Friday)	discussion	railwaydevelopm... railfuture
8th January
Cannon Street buffer stop collision	1991 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
7th January
Closure of Upwey Wishing Well Halt	1957 (Monday)	discussion	opcdorset dorsetecho
6th January
Hixon Railway accident	1968 (Saturday)	discussion	railwaysarchive forum wikipedia
5th January
Last service - Swansea and Mumbles Tramway	1960 (Tuesday)	discussion	walesonline
4th January
Portishead (New) station opened	1954 (Monday)	discussion	portisheadrailw...
3rd January
Cheltenham (St James) station closes	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
Full electric passenger services start, West Coast Main Line to Manchester and Liverpool	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
2nd January
< Formation of Railway Clearing House	1842 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Line from Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog closed to passenger services	1960 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
1st January
Grouping of railways into four major companies - GWR, SR, LNER and LMS	1923 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia railwaysarchive
Foundation of British Railways - nationalisation	1948 (Thursday)		wikipedia
Reading (Southern) electrified	1939 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
"Murder on the Orient Express" published	1934 (Monday)		wikipedia

About "on this day"

"On this day" looks back at this day in history for rail and other public and sustainable public transport users in the Thames Valley, South West of England and South Wales, with one eye open to topics of wider interest. On most mornings, you'll find a new headline and article link above, perhaps a picture too.

Some exact dates are lost in history, and you'll occasionally find an item marked "~" for "about". Please let us know if you have an accurate date for these, or if you have an event which you feel we should add, or a correction. The best place for this is our discussion forum, but by all means use other contact methods if you like.